Hi Folks,

I wonder if anyone has any suggestions for "palmable" baitcaster sizes for an 8-year-old boy.  He's ready and does well enough with the one I gave him to practice with, but it's too large for him to palm.

Thank you,

Josh

Pixy?  50 size Shimano?  Alphas SV 105 is also pretty small.

I almost never palm a casting reel. A small enough grip and seat will probably make more difference. 

2 minutes ago, Delaware Valley Tackle said:

I almost never palm a casting reel. A small enough grip and seat will probably make more difference. 

Yes. Changing his grip could make the difference. I started with a bantam Curado whenever I was about 10. I was taught to use it by holding the cork of the rod, and putting my trigger finger above the trigger of the rod. Once I got older and my hands grew, I quickly taught myself to palm the reel. 

Are the crappie baitcasters that BPS sells any smaller in profile?  If so, that may be an option

Why palm the reel, I don't and am over 70 years old!

get him a bait casting rod with a fore grip, he can rest the reel against the side of his thumb pad, the rod handle against his fore arm...works for me with every size reel from the smallest bait casting reel to 50 wide International salt water reels.

Tom

Hi Guys,

Thank you.

Before I started playing with palming the reel, I fished with two fingers in front of the trigger with my thumb on top of the reel, in a semi-palmed position.  It's what was comfortable for me.

This time around, after my time off, I've found that palming 4600 and 5500 Ambassadeurs is about perfect for my shovel-sized hands, so I do.

Vance, my son, just wants to emulate me.

I did pick up a little Lew's baitcaster sometime back; it was supposed to be used for panfish, I think, similar to the BB1 but much smaller.  It's his size, but it wouldn't hold up and even I have trouble casting with it.

I think I'll work on encouraging Vance to find his own way to hold it.  I emulated my dad a lot, but also had to work out my own salvation.  Same will be true for Vance.

Regards,

Josh

Remember everything is twice as big to a 8 year old.

Tom

I bought my 8 year old grandson a H2O Maxim but even with this small reel he can't palm it. So I told him not to even try, his distance is fine & he lands fish.

If you don't mind spending the money, the Aldebaran 50 is a tiny reel.

I'd just explain to him that you didn't use to be able to palm a reel and he shouldn't feel the need to yet either. I started at about that age with a 200B Curado that I either held my hand in front of, or behind the reel because I couldn't palm it, now it's no problem. 

It might be possible for him to palm a Pro Qualifier, or if you could find one on ebay an older pro lite. Those are pretty small and compact, but you might have to go with the route of letting him know you couldn't palm one at that age either and to cope with that for now. 

Check out the Abu Revo S...  It's tiny, and might be ideal for him.  Kudos, BTW, for investing in good gear for our next generation!!!!!