A kid can handle a modern 9' 5wt rod & reel combo. They weigh nothing in comparison to what we all learned with. Think 12 is a better age. Have some 5'6" custom spin cast poles that my girls have outgrown. One pink, one purple. Fuji guides, Fuji grips. Think I have $50 in each, but would take $ 20 for both, reals are shot but not Barbie poles. Long enough to cast, hook, retrieve. 9 and 11, using 6' spin rigs now.