[Ccantwell]

Looking for any suggestions and thoughts on a good fly combo for my son ... hes 13 and will be predominantly fishing for red ... maybe occasional others... id prefer to keep it at or under the 100$ mark... just looking for some 1st hand input ... thanks

 

[crboggs]

Echo has some good starter combos that are supposedly pretty durable for kids.

https://echoflyfishing.com/project/echobase/

 

[BrownDog]

Slightly over budget but I do think the TFO NXT is a good, easy, entry level combo purchase. It will be even better after replacing the original line it comes with.

 

[Outearly]

I just looked online and found an 8wt Redington Crosswater combo for $169.

It’s a solid setup, my son bought one as a teen (8 years ago), the reel was finally replaced after 5+ years of heavy use and zero care. The rod is still used on occasion.

 

[Matts]

TFO all the way. I started my son with a TFO Pro II and it’s great. He’s now in love with my Axiom 2 8wt so I may not have it long! For a youngster, it’s great to have there no fault warranty. Usually can have a new rod in hand in under a week!
Best,
Matt

 

[K3anderson]

TFO is trash. I got the following for my 8 y/o now 10. Redington Minnow Youth Outfit 5WT Fishing Rod 8 Inch

 

[bonehead]

Echo Base with a redington behemoth. I’ve dropped those reels on solid concrete several times and just a light scratch. Very durable, cost effective, and a solid setup

 

[Stownsend]

When my son started fly fishing, we started hunting the used for sale rod and reels with the thought that when he goes off to school I will have them as back ups

We do have two Behemoths that get used out of kayaks for the last year that are in great shape

 

[Matts]

TFO is trash. I got the following for my 8 y/o now 10. Redington Minnow Youth Outfit 5WT Fishing Rod 8 Inch

I'm not sure what TFO stuff you base this on but I've fished everything from Loomis, Sage, to Cabelas high end custom made rods, etc and with TFO hiring the best in the business to design rods, can honestly say they are well worth the money. Redington has always been way cheaper than most of what TFO makes and from my experience casting them in salt, it's not much of a comparison. Each to his own.
Best,
Matt

 

[LowHydrogen]

Echo has some good starter combos that are supposedly pretty durable for kids.

https://echoflyfishing.com/project/echobase/

I second this opinion.

Also you can find decent combos from Cabela's for a great price on sale sometimes. Only issue is they were bought out by Bass Pro and the warranty/return policy isn't as good anymore.

 

[Outearly]

I’d be TFO all the way, the warranty -and the prompt turnaround in the warranty has me sold. I have 4 of their rods from 5-8wt.

For a $100 combo, though, I’d start with Redington....

 

[carpnasty]

Echo Base with a redington behemoth. I’ve dropped those reels on solid concrete several times and just a light scratch. Very durable, cost effective, and a solid setup

I second this. The Echo Base is a solid rod and the behemoth is a better reel than what the base kit comes with, but you could also spring for the base kit knowing that you'll likely upgrade the reel at some point anyhow.

https://echoflyfishing.com/project/echobasekit/

 

[Flyboy]

My first saltwater combo was a orvis encounter 8 wt, nice set up to learn on and it’ll get the job done.

 

[Flyboy]

My first saltwater combo was a orvis encounter 8 wt, nice set up to learn on and it’ll get the job done.