Zebco Splash Kids Spincast Reel and Fishing Rod Combo Review
Published on May 12, 2023, 11:32 a.m.
The Zebco Splash Kids Spincast Reel and Fishing Rod Combo is an excellent starter fishing set for young anglers aged 3-5 years old. This durable and easy-to-use combo allows kids to learn how to fish in a fun and safe way. With its bright colors, floating design, and patented no-tangle setup, the Splash Kids combo from trusted fishing brand Zebco is sure to create lasting memories out on the water.
Overview
The Zebco Splash Kids combo includes a 29” lightweight fiberglass fishing rod and a size 20 spincast reel. The rod features a fun pink or blue color scheme with stainless steel guides and a cork handle. It is designed for 4-8 lb test line and 1/16-1/4 oz lures, perfect for catching small panfish, trout, and other species.
The spincast reel features an oversized reel handle knob and push button casting mechanics. It has an all-metal gear drive and 2.6:1 gear ratio for smooth retrieves. The reel comes pre-spooled with 6 lb Zebco fishing line so it’s ready to use right out of the box. The combo also includes a practice casting plug for honing skills on land.
Features
- 29” lightweight fiberglass fishing rod
- Floating rod design
- Stainless steel guides
- Cork handle
- Size 20 spincast reel
- Oversized reel handle knob
- Push button casting
- All-metal gear drive
- 2.6:1 gear ratio
- Pre-spooled with 6lb line
- Practice casting plug included
Ease of Use
The Splash Kids combo is designed for simplicity and ease of use by young anglers. The push button spincast reel only requires pressing a button to release line, eliminating complicated bails or triggers. The oversized reel handle is easy for small hands to crank and retrieve line.
The rod features stainless steel guides and a cork handle for comfort. The tip is designed to be tangle-free, helping avoid frustrating snags and knots. The floating rod is perfect for beginners, allowing for easy retrieval if accidentally dropped in the water. Overall, the simple yet durable design makes this combo fun and frustration-free for kids to learn on.
Performance & Quality
For a starter combo, the Splash Kids set performs very smoothly. The all-metal gears provide reliable retrieves and hooksets. The included casting plug allows kids to practice accurate casting before hitting the water. With practice, young anglers will soon be landing good catches.
The fiberglass rod blank and stainless steel guides hold up well to repeated use. While any rod will require care, the construction quality prevents it from being overly fragile. The floating design also helps prevent total losses if the rod takes an accidental dip. Overall, Zebco built this combo to last through the learning stages of many young fishermen and women.
Applications & Usage
The Splash Kids combo works nicely for ponds, lakes, and gentle streams. The 29” length allows for reasonably accurate short-range casts. It performs well with small hooks, bobbers, and 1/16-1/4 oz lures when targeting panfish, trout, small bass, and other species typically found in family fishing locations.
While well-made, the lightweight rod does have limitations in terms of larger fish or casting into heavy winds. But when used appropriately, it gives young anglers the thrill of reeling in their own catch while building fundamental fishing skills. It offers the right balance of fun and function for ages 3-5.
Ideal Use Cases
- Ponds
- Lakes
- Gentle streams
- Light freshwater fishing
In-Depth User Feedback Analysis
Based on over 2,000 customer reviews on Amazon, the Zebco Splash Kids combo receives outstanding feedback, earning a 4.6 out of 5 star rating. The vast majority of buyers are pleased with their purchase and report that it meets their expectations for a starter fishing rig for young children.
The most commonly cited benefits focus on the combo being easy to use, lightweight, and perfectly sized for kids ages 3-5. Many parents mention their children were able to use it smoothly right out of the box with minimal assistance. They emphasize that the push button casting is simple enough for preschoolers to master, allowing the focus to stay on fun instead of complexity.
In terms of quality, customers generally agree that the construction seems quite durable, especially considering the affordable price point. The fiberglass rod is said to have some flex without being overly fragile. Several mention using it for multiple seasons without any major wear and tear as long as it’s cared for properly.
The spinning reel receives praise for being relatively smooth and reliable, with some describing it as “surprisingly good” for an entry level kid’s item. A few highlight that it held up well when their child happened to hook larger fish like heavy catfish, proving its strength.
Regarding functionality, most say the Zebco combo works excellently for lightweight freshwater fishing. It handles pond and lake fishing for sunfish, trout, small bass and other species nicely. Many mention appreciating the included practice casting plug for honing skills before hitting the water.
In terms of downsides, some wish the reel offered greater line capacity for more casting distance. Others warn to take care when transporting the rod since excessive bending could cause breakage. However, most agree minor cons are expected for a beginner kid’s setup at this price.
Overall, the clear consensus is that the Zebco Splash Kids combo succeeds wonderfully as a starter fishing rod and reel for young children to learn the basics. For an affordable kid-friendly rig that fosters a lifelong passion for fishing, most agree it hits the mark.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Easy push button casting
- Lightweight and comfortable
- Floating rod design
- Smooth spincast reel
- Pre-spooled with line
- Durable fiberglass construction
- Great starter combo for young anglers
Cons
- Limited to smaller freshwater species
- Reel could use more line capacity
- Requires gentle care when transporting
Price & Value
With a retail price around $30, the Zebco Splash Kids combo provides outstanding value for a beginner fishing setup. Given the rod, reel, line, and practice casting plug included, it would be difficult to piece together a comparable setup for less. For parents hoping to get their child interested in fishing, it is a worthy investment that won’t break the bank.
The combo hits the sweet spot of being budget-friendly yet still durable enough to foster years of fishing fun. Compared to other kids combos with plastic parts, the Zebco’s metal gears and quality construction ensure it will last until kids are ready to size up. For a starter rig, it’s hard to beat the price point.
Conclusion
For introducing kids to the joys of fishing, it’s hard to beat the Zebco Splash Kids Spincast Combo. The floating rod, tangle-free setup, and push button reel make it easy for ages 3-5 to learn how to cast and reel in catches. Yet it remains durable enough to foster skills seasons after season. While designed for smaller species, it creates priceless memories out on the dock or along the shore. For parents looking to get their youngster hooked on fishing for life, the Zebco Splash Kids combo is a great fit.
Specifications
- Rod Length: 29 inches
- Rod Material: Fiberglass
- Reel Size: 20
- Gear Ratio: 2.6:1
- Pre-spooled Line: 6lb Zebco fishing line
Box Contains
- 29” fiberglass fishing rod
- Size 20 spincast reel
- 6lb pre-spooled fishing line
- Practice casting plug
- Any manuals/instructions
How to Use
- Attach reel to rod and string line through guides
- Press push button and hold open to release line
- Bring rod back and cast forward, releasing button
- Turn reel handle to retrieve line and lure
- Set drag and reel in fish when you get a bite!
