re: Spinning reel and rod help

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Also, go with the 2500 or 3000 size.

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Agreed. No need for a bigger reel for inshore fishing.

Find a Shimano, Okuma, Penn, or Daiwa in your price range and match it with an All Star, Castaway, or lightning rod. That combo should run you somewhere in the $100-$140 range and will handle everything you encounter.

ETA: This Shimano Sedona 2500 is currently on sale at Academy for $50 and seems to fit what you're looking for. Solid reel at a great price.

ETA2: This H2O XPRESS® Ethos 7' M Inshore Saltwater Spinning Rod is on sale for $50 as well at Academy and seems to be a good poppin-cork rod for inshore.

So there you go, $100 for the combo and two great products. Should set him up well for the foreseeable future. If you want another combo, get the same reel and the H2O XPRESS® Ethos 6'10" MH Spinning Rod which should be able to handle spoons, jig heads, or c-rigging bait on the bottom.