Respooling Kids Reel?

[bworthey]

I bought my little girl a pole recently - yes, one of those cheap character ones, she's 3- she wanted the princess one! I was wondering if it'd be possible to replace the line on it. It did stand up to landing about a 1.5lb bass the other day. I have some 8lb test line I was thinking of putting on it, but didn't know if it'd handle it or if it'd even be worth my trouble. Any advice?

[K_Mac]

Most of the line on those combos is as cheap as it gets. If you have some good, soft 8# (Trilene XL or something like it) that would make it much nicer to use. 

[JeziHogg]

Both my sons have the spiderman ones and I respooled it with some micro braid so the fist don't break off.

[5 Dollar Fishing Game]

Our daughter is 7. She fishes now with a bait caster (since she was 5). She started at 4 years old with a Princess set up like the one you mentioned. We re spoiled it twice and used mono and fluro also. She caught a 4.0 lbs bass a few days before she got her baitcaster. Yes. You can re spool it and catch some little piggies on it too. :-)

[bworthey]

Okay - thanks! I had searched everywhere on the net for some info and couldn't find anything. Will probably be doing that tonight - got another fishing trip planned for Saturday. Will be the first time I've respooled a reel too! Yes, I'm a newb!

[plumworm]

Have done it many times with 3 kids and 7 grandchildren. I have tried many lines but for kids it is only 6 lb. Berkley trilene xl.

[bworthey]

Thanks for the replies. Got it done. Not sure I did a great job with it being my first try - did better on my own reel but it's done! Ready for our fishing trip now!

[WIGuide]

You'll be much happier camper now!

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

Both my sons have the spiderman ones and I respooled it with some micro braid so the fist don't break off.

You might want to reconsider this. If it's a spin cast reel the pick up pin can fray braid causing break-offs.

[Mike L]

You might want to reconsider this. If it's a spin cast reel the pick up pin can fray braid causing break-offs.

Exactlly right

On my grandsons Zebco it came with I believe 8#, I took it off and put 20# braid on it and after about 1/2 doz trips it started to fray.

Mike

[bworthey]

I didn't use braid and if it came with 8 I just replaced it with 8! Ha. I thought I had read 4 or 6# but I can't find that anywhere now.

[bworthey]

Sorry - I just realized you were responding to someone else about using the braid.

[5 Dollar Fishing Game]

Once your child is able and ready, go ahead and upgrade to a better quality one. Whether it be baitcaster or spinning. If he or she is very interested in fishing make sure to explain to them the differences and get them some good equipment. This character poles are excellent to start out with and my daughter thoroughly enjoyed hers before she upgraded.

[bworthey]

Yeah after reading a little I realized there were suitable kids poles out there that were better quality but she had her heart set on that princess one! Funny thing - I had a snoopy pole my grandmother got me as a kid and she ended up using it more than I did and caught so many fish on it it's not even funny! She wore the reel out! I still have the rod! Of course that was 30 years ago - they were probably better made back then!

[RipSomeLips]

My experience with a couple of these when my kids were younger is that getting a soft manageable line is the key. These reels have a tendency to put some pretty major curls in your line! I didn't use KVD line and lure spray back then buy I would think it would be a great help with this problem as well.