You sure the old man didn't buy a new rod and reel for you to get you to go fishing?

And then manage to take it home like it was his all along at the end of the day?

They can get pretty conniving as they get older; my Father-in-Law could out think me three ways at once on stuff like that.
Seriously, when the kid is willing to go fishing with you, you let them have their choice of poles AND bait AND where to fish from. But I bet Ryan's Mom understands that already.