I'm running Canon Mag 10 electrics and love them. Not digital but work great on Erie walleye. I started with Cabelas rods and reels and still use most of them. You can buy the depthmaster II pretty cheap around 70 dollars rod and real but they are great to use.Also the sea lions are really nice. But I would recommend you only get reels with counters. When trolling its the only way to know whats going on. If he has run charters he'll want nothing less.