I'm seeking some input regarding the use of this combo:

http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=10151&catalogId=10001&langId=-1&partNumber=98355&hvarTarget=search&cmCat=SearchResults

I've never been a Quantum user, but have heard that their products have improved over the years. I plan on converting my 9 year old daughter to a baitcaster this year. I am setting her up with an old Shimano B-mag 1000 and pro-comp rod until she gets the hang of it. Afterwards, I am considering buying this combo. I looked at it at BPS and liked it (good action and smooth reel). Do any of you have kids that have fished with it? Any input would be appreciated.

-Fisher

Well im a kid, and I  can tell you i'd rather have a what my dad was using.

If i was starting out a kid i'd give them say a citica and a nice rod.

When my daughter(8) first started asking about having her own baitcaster, a friend of mine had the Quantum that he bought for his son. The son spent most of his time in front of the Wii, so I borrowed it for my daughter to try out. She really liked it. It was small enough and built for someone that age. The biggest problem we had was backlashes. I could not get the magnetic brakes adjusted for crap with that reel. Now this is a girl that was practicing with an Abu 4600 with minimal issues. I am not saying that you should purchase this, but she has fell in love with the Revo S. I bought her a 5'6" Medium Lightning Rod and put the Revo S(centrifugal brakes not mag) on it. After adjusting the brakes correctly, she can cast a mile and rarely gets a backlash. She is doing so well with it, I have another Revo S on the way, so she can have two combos. I think the centrifugal brakes are more effective when learning a baitcaster, especially a child. I am sure the same performance could be had from a Shimano Citica, Quantum Accurist, or other centrifugal braked low profile.

Chaddy and Paddler,

Thanks for the replies so far.  I'm still not even sure that she will take to the baitcaster, so I'm waiting to see if she gets the hang of it or not.  Of course I went from Zebco 33 to a Garcia 5000 (that's all there was back in the day) and grasped it.  She's not quite as passionate about fishing as I was, though.  From the sound of adjusting the brakes, I might be better setting her up with something else.  

-Fisher

One of the guys I fish tournaments with got one for his son. Instead of the medium action rod that BPS had listed he got a light action rod with it. He conatacted BPS and they told him that the combo had been changed to allow young anglers to throw lighter lures. He wasn't happy with the rod but BPS acted like they were doing him a favor by changing what he ordered to what the company thought would be better for his son. Bottom line is they didn't want to lose money on taking it back. After many emails they finally agreed to send him a $20 gift card. BPS gave a guy who spends thousands there each year bad customer service and made him put way too much effort into fixing their problem.

Looking back at it now the reel on the combo is the same reel you can get at Dick's called the Escalade at Dick's Sporting Goods with fewer bearings. Nothing special about the reel for kids. It's really too big for most kids hands. He ended up finding a smaller size rod that was a much better rod for his son than either of the ones that he would have got with the combo. Bottom line is they are a gimmick geared toward people seeing the rods and thinking they are something special for kids to help them cast etc. He would have been better off just getting a smaller size baitcaster to fit his sons hands and getting the rod seperate.

Let me also add that it's really nice to see that Bass Pro is aware the add for the rod and reel is wrong since you will not get a medium action rod with it. But still hasn't changed the add. Tells me BPS doesn't care if the add is right or wrong.

 It's really too big for most kids hands. He ended up finding a smaller size rod that was a much better rod for his son than either of the ones that he would have got with the combo. Bottom line is they are a gimmick geared toward people seeing the rods and thinking they are something special for kids to help them cast etc. He would have been better off just getting a smaller size baitcaster to fit his sons hands and getting the rod seperate.

SO, can anyone offer a suggestion for a smaller reel for under $50?

Well you could go with a bps pro lite finess.