What blank would ya'll suggest as a first surf rod for a 10-year-old. A few considerations:
Kids are about 75 lbs with good fitness and coordination.
Throwing 3 oz. max, but still easy enough for them to load with 2 oz.
Set up spinning using Penn 104 (16 or 17 oz I think).

More info would be helpful.

Location?
Bait dunking or lure chucking?
targeted species?
Line Class?

Ballparking it I would suggest a 8-9' Medium Action Moderate to Moderate-Fast Taper. Personally would use DF spinning guides as it will be a kids rod and may get some rough handling.



Derek L. McMaster
Rohnert Park, CA

Born to Fish, FORCED to Work

Would be light stuff on the SC coast; mostly small bait for smallish fish; 12-15lb line.

Marty Martin - BATSON RainShadow Surf Rods and ForeCast Rod Components would be really good for your considerations. Fine quality at affordable prices to outfit your troop little fishing buddies. Robert Tignor at FishSticks4U has the rods and the parts to oufit the entire project.

You didn't say if you need a 2-piece rod, or if a 1-piece will also work. I would pick a rod length that is no more than ~ 1.50 times the height of the child. Rear handle length to their short cubit (outside bent elbow to wrist). Reel seat size for their shorter fingers - maybe an 18 mm ID graphite reel seat. Smaller OD rear and foregrip. As lite (with respect to mass = weight) a guide section / rod tip (forward of the foregrip) as practical. A Moderate or Moderate-Fast action-taper is more forgiving for new surf-casters, like Derek said.

BATSON RAINSHADOW / FORECAST
ROD BLANKS - MAIN INDEX Page
[fishsticks4u.com]

RainShadow Saltwater Blanks (SWS / SW)
[fishsticks4u.com]
RainShadow RX4 Saltwater Rod Blanks (Matte Clear)
• RX4 graphite/fiberglass matrix
• Uncompromising strength yet light weight
• Moderate thru Fast-Action designs
• 3 Year Limited Warranty

RS-RX4 Model #: SWS-70-L ... Matte Clear ... 7'0" ... 1-piece ...
12-20 lb. ... 1/2 to 2 1/2oz. ... 0.630" ... 6.5 / 64ths ...
Moderate action ... Lite power ... 3.21 oz. ... $36.00 - Add [FS4U]

RS-RX4 Model #: SWS-5400-B ... Transp. Black ... 7'4" ... 1-piece
12-20lb. ... 1/2 to 2-1/2oz. ... 0.640" ... 6.0 / 64ths ...
Fast ... Med-Lt. ... 3.40oz. ... $50.00 - Add [FS4U]

Other Models in this SWS-xx-x Series are also interesting but, you can look there yourself. ... How long a rod has any of the kids ever cast? Some 10 year old children are 42 inches tall, while others are pushing 62 inches, so it's hard to suggest a particular rod length, IMO.

RainShadow Surf Blanks (SU)
*** All these Surf Blanks are on SPECIAL now ***
[fishsticks4u.com]
These rod blanks may be kind of long, but some judicious trimming from the butt end may be an option.

E-Glass Saltwater Blanks (SWB)
[fishsticks4u.com]
These blank weights may be a little heavy.

GUSA PUR-78-L also looks very good for a one-piece 7'8" rod blank. The PUR-78-L only weighs 3.30 oz; it's rated for 12-25# line, 1-3 oz lures; Fast action, Medium power; 6.5 tip + 0.700" butt OD; ~$50 at M-H. ... Keep your BUTT OD down around or below 0.700" - if you don't, the reel seat may get too big for smaller hands.

Have Fun, and Good Luck, ... -Cliff Hall+++, FL.