Quinte Fishing

I have finally prioritized some time to communicate an experience with Shimano fishing gear.
The facts are presented below, and you can draw your own conclusions.

Last spring my 10 year old son and I attended the quinte outdoor show. My son was particularly excited to attend, as he had the "green light" to purchase his own fishing rod and reel.
Aside from the "snoopy rods" that belonged to him and his sisters, his only other gear technically belonged to me. I recalled from my childhood how great it felt to have your "own" rod and reel, and was happy to share in his excitement.
After a couple tours of the tackle room, we zeroed in on a Shimano combo kit. The price was right, and it included some bonus baits - plastics, jig heads, and a lure. The rig was encapsulated in rigid plastic, as is everything in today’s age, so I was unable to do any "arena" testing of the equipment. However, given that Shimano was plastered on every piece, I was confident that the quality was there.
A couple months later my son was burning to try out his new gear. I had intentionally put the package in the basement out of sight until the season was open, in an attempt to stop the requests of when he could try out "his" new rod and reel. Time constraints did not allow us to take the boat out that day, but we agreed that fishing from shore would do just fine.
Removing the rig from the packaging was a chore in itself, and I was disappointed to find that some of the plastics had "welded" themselves to the packaging. However, I did not make a big deal out of this, as I did not want to spoil the fun. Then came the rod and pre-spooled reel. I knew immediately the line was going to be an issue, as it was so coarse; it wasn't long after that, I knew the reel was going to present challenges as well. The reel had just one stop point on the anti-reverse.
Unfortunately I found myself between a rock and a hard place; we were at the fishing destination and my son was so excited to try his new stuff, and I just knew it was going to end poorly. Rightly or wrongly I rigged up a bait and let him test it out. Immediately he was frustrated with line tangles. Let me qualify this by stating that he has successfully used open faced spinning reels on many occasions.
I was able to salvage a bit of his confidence as I pointed out that the line was very "wiry" and even caused issues when I attempted some casts. My son was still convinced it was him, and when I insisted it wasn't, he felt equally bad that he had bought some "crappy" equipment. I too felt bad, as parents are there to protect our kids, no matter what causes their tears!
I contacted Shimano customer service a few days later, and they were sorry to hear about my experience. But that was about the extent of it. As I had not retained the receipt from the retailer, there was really no recourse. I agree that I should have kept the receipt ( I couldn't even recall the retailer name), but I reiterated my point that "Shimano" was identified on each piece of equipment.
I eventually spoke with a manager, and they explained that if I felt the product was defective I could return it, at my cost, to have it inspected. This idea seemed cost prohibitive, as the shipping costs would likely represent a significant portion of the purchase price.
I stated that I was unable to declare the product defective, as neither the customer service person nor the manager were able to tell me if the reel was designed with a one point reverse stop. I also stated, that defective or not, it was definitely inferior.
Unsuccessfully, I also inquired about returning the product and upgrading to a "higher" level of product, as the rep referred to the reel as a "lower" end model, somewhat condescendingly. I acknowledged that we did not pay a fortune for the combo, but that we expected the equipment to function.
With about $35 in, and my priceless frustration I gave up.
What really concerns me is that this could have been a first time experience for a kid and or parent.
It baffles me how a manufacturer could expect to get kids “hooked on fishing”, with inferior product or service, whichever the case may be.
I explained to Shimano that I happily own a great deal of their gear, but that I will think twice next time I see their label.
p.s. I was outfished by my son a couple times this season, on my gear! When asked about his rod and reel, I unfortunately hadn’t found time to respool. Next spring we will revisit buying my son a rod and reel, myself as a much more educated consumer!

That's to bad that your sons first fishing experience with his own combo didn't turn out so well. I know of the combo that your are talking about and still see it in stores.When I was younger I would ask for a new rod or reel for all Speacial occasions , and on a couple different times had received that combo. Only difference now is that it's a lot cheaper(price). It wasn't the greatest but I learnt how to cast and tie lures, and especially the importance of line memory as the line is pretty well guarnteed to go for a crap after being in a pack for so long. Even though the bargin pack wasn't very good, you have to remember it's totally meant for a beginner!! While not the best combo, I'm not sure of any other manufacture of a rod, reel, line, and tackle for 35$. Personally , I notice so many good rods out there for cheap that it's crazy these days. If you wait till it's the spring and all the sales are on you can get awsome deals.i have all shimano equipment and love it all!!! Any problem I drive to Peterborough were I can have fixed with no problem( been twice both times my fault, received brand new models).
I have seen carrots sticks at protackle for 99$ amazing!!,
I have seen cumara at gagnon sport 99$, this yr was crucials for 99$.
These are a lot better quality and when I was young if I'd have received a rod like these would have passed out with excitement.
A good idea , would be to take that rod and feel and donate it at the the bass pro spring sale and up grade to better model.reel will save you 15$ and rod will save you 15$ if you spend a 100$. Trade in reel and buy a rod for 85$ and a pflueger president reel if you wanted to get into better equipment, but I have seen lots of good combos for around 75$ bass pro full of them!!

Not trying to be a dik and anything but, Any rod and reel that costs 30 bucks and comes pre-spooled with a pack of jigheads and some twister tails is bound to be a pain In your butt. Don't waste your money on that stuff and buy something a lil better.

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LUCK HAS NOTHIN TO DO WITH IT!!!!!!

It is definitely true that u get what u pay for, found that out the way when buying for the kids. Also found they were getting frustrated and not wanting to stay out. Upgraded and seen such a change in the kids, their catch rate went up along with the time we could stay out.
Cheers Rob

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Fishing is all fun & games until someone loses a walleye

Thanks for comments guys.
I totally realize you get what you pay for.
Unfortunately my son had a limited amount in his piggy bank.
He completed the entire transaction on his own.
I will definitely subsidize his next rig.
Bass Pro deal sounds good, although I prefer to deal with smaller retailers. I will weigh out the benefits on that one.
Still a shame that garbage like that is produced, and even worse that they target kids.

See if you can find a Shakespeare Ugly Stik package....good quality that you will have for years and very durable

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Don't count the day's Make the day's count
Off Shore Tackle Team Canada
Limestone City Fishing Charter
www.limestonecityfishingcharters.com
YouTube Jim Lyon Fishing

x2 for ugly stick. As a kid I was rough on equipment, lived on the Rideau River, & fished a lot. The only rods that stood up...except when my mom closed the trunk on one, were ugly sticks.

Good luck!

I'll echo the sediments, you get what you pay for. No need to waste your time over this. Lesson learned.

Ive been teaching my gfs kid that is now 7 to fish the last couple years and started her off on spinning reels

instant anti reverse is the most important thing I have looked for in spinning reels and the first thing I do is re-spool them with braided line that doesnt curl up like the cheap mono that they come with

braid rarely tangles I wish I had it when I was a kid

well worth the money when you actually want to fish at the same time as your kid

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MUDCAT

I'd give your boy my barely used Ugly Stik and even scrounge up an old but better reel for him.


In a love/hate relationship with Shimano right now...

Reels. LOVE 'EM! Tekota, TR, Curado, Castaic, Calcutta, Stradic, Symetre, Sedona, Sahara and Sienna. Have 'em, and no issues with any of them, ever! Only one Symetre of half a dozen owned has "burned out" due to years of use and abuse, but otherwise it's the Symetre that are actually my favorite spinning reel of the lot. They're workhorses at a reasonable cost.

Rods....... Growing to hate them. I have Telora, TDR, Crucial, Compre and Clarus, and all many times over for different species. Last rod purchases have been a Crucial, Compre and two Clarus. The Crucial was almost immediately defective at the reel seat. It basically let go, and free spooled around the rod. Not wanting or able to drive an hour across Ottawa just before a trip, Some Gorilla glue saved the day. The Compre... no issue, newest rod, great so far and that's after testing on big lakers and now muskie. The ultralight Clarus when I took the plastic wrap off from around the cork handle, the "thin" dry cork just crumbled above the reel, exposing some of the thin plastic tube it's wrapped over. I duct taped it... Again, ticked that I'd blow $25 in gas and two hours just to take it back from where it had just came. The other Clarus was a salmon/steelhead casting rod which I use for trolling lakers and eyes. Well, first big laker on a trip (rod new) and it snapped just above the handle when setting the hook. For years I've used and enjoyed Shimano rods, still do, and I put my gear through the paces for tonnes of species, and beat them up in rod tubes on all sizes of aircraft and long remote road trips regularly. It's been the past few years though that their rods have had me looking elsewhere... BUT... I won't even get started on the similarly priced St. Croix "eyelet" and easy tip breaking issues.

Sorry to hear of your luck. You son did pay $35 for their "entry" combo and you'd think at least either the rod, the reel or the line would be decent. 1 outta 3 for the cost eh!?! But, for four rods I probably paid about $550 or so, of which I got one that didn't have quick issue.

Still LOVE those reels though!!!

Good evening, Stewart

Check your message box.

Pepe

Squeaky reel should get some grease now Stewart.

Way to step up for his young lad Pepe!!!