I would check Albrights when they have a free shipping deal, I have a 3/4 weight that is well put together and casts well. I also bought my 11 yr old a 8'6 Cahill model from Cabelas for 19$ with rod and reel plus line and it cast great (as long as you sloooow down), I think it will serve him well as he will learn to feel the line and loading and not just whip it out here as he tries to do.

He has caught fish on it so he would rather grab that then the spinning reels.

Rick