My 11 year old son watches too many fishing shows. He already has his Christmas wish list so now I must start doing a bit of research. I need to buy a rod/reel combo, but when looking to buy a rod and everything is  complicated for me it makes me crazy. So, if I wanted to freshwater fish, off a bank or boat, possibly catching catfish, bass, and anything smaller, what rod/reel should I buy as far the specs? 4foot? 5foot? 6foot? What type of line? 2-4lbs? 4-8lbs or something like that? I already know I’ll get a spinning real. What’s the number one brand of fishing gear? Plus I don’t have a clue on  how to set up the rod, hooks, bobber, ETC.  Is there a quick guide/youtube video that one of you’ll can point me too?

Much thanks in advance,

Christina