Evening all,

I am looking for a starter setup for my son.

I have a budget of around £500 for 3 Rods, Alarms and Reels.
I can probably stretch to £600 if needed.

What would you recommend?

Ebay or tackle trader are probs your best bet mate for full set up in that price range

In reply to Post #1
Why three rods for a starter settup?

In reply to Post #3
He will eventually end up with 3 Rods so might as well buy 3 to begin with.

I'd go for a two rod set up of better quality then add one at xmas.

A lot will depend on his age and venues he will be fishing.

In reply to Post #1
A bit more info would prompt some recommendations I would think.
A brief description of the lakes he is intending to fish, lake size, are big casts needed, many restrictions such as trees etc.
Also your lads age perhaps, if he's only 7 then he might struggle with 12 ft rods.
Beat me to it goose, but the same thoughts.

In reply to Post #1
If he is youngish and not going to be trying 130 yard chucks I can definitley recomment the 9ft Wychwood Extricator MLT rods, you will get 3 for around £120. 3 x Shimano ST6000 bait runners for less than £150 and for alarms if he isn't doing over nighters a set of Delk Ev's will be just over £170. That would be £440 leaving some money for line, sticks and a net/mat.

If you are wanting something more for a bit of range fishing I think you wouild be better dropping to a 2 rod set up and going for something like 2x Chub RS50 in a 12' 3lb for around £75. A couple of Daiwa Windcast QDA Reels will be around £190 and then either a pair of the Delk EV's or if you can stretch a little get a pair of TXi's so he can add a reciever at a later day. At least with this set up he could get a third rod, reel and alarm at a later date to complete the set.

Oh it is a tricky one, just had a quick google online if you shop around you can get the Shimano Ultegra 5500 XTD for around £110 each and they are pretty much bombproof and will last years. TFT have the Sonik Dominator X Rods at £60 each, I use these and they are solid mate. Also you can get a pair of ATTS with the ATTX reciever for £160 so this would come in at £500

In reply to Post #8
Why Delkims.prologic smx alarms from total fishing tackle ?110 another 60 to buy line and other stuff.

In reply to Post #1
Personally I'd be looking within the Sonik range for rods. Good prices, and ideal for a starter set up.
Reels? Shimano or Daiwa.
Alarms? Sonik, JRC Radar CX, Fox. Delkims are good, but overkill for a 1st set up. Put the money elsewhere like better line/hooks/terminal tackle.

In reply to Post #10
Because prologic alarms are crap

In reply to Post #12
Easy do it for £500 sonik xtractors pair £120 two baitrunners st 6000 £120
Nash or fox or delkim ev d £130 or if wants 12ft rods loads out there under £100 each and that's at New prices go second hand even cheaper

In reply to Post #13
I agree with the rods and reels but would plump for the JRC radar alarms as you get a lot of quality for the money

In reply to Post #14

For that money you can get a full set up of mid to high end tackle from Cash Converters ( or the local equivalent).

Just beware someone may knock you out on the bank and take it back, especially if the rods have his name on them

Thanks all, will have a look at the suggestions.

The tfg compact carp rods are getting rave reviews on here lately - for £30 a pop they may be worth a look?

In reply to Post #18
Tfg? My make do reel didn't make do and seized up after 1 session I wouldn't touch tfg when you can get much better for a few quid more

In reply to Post #19
I agree on the TFG reels, they are pants. However, I still have a set of 3lb Delta XS rods and they are a pleasure to use. This is an older rod they did so quality may well have deteriorated but based on this rod I would try them again, especially if budget was an issue

In reply to Post #20
Certainly from my experience the TFG rods have good performance and quality.
I'm very pleased with mine especially as I was expecting to pay much more.

Sounds like it might be best to avoid their reels though.