Starting Off The Boys... How To Get Them Fishing...

[FloridaFishinFool]

I am posting this here for information on equipment mainly. And I really need some feedback on how to go about this.

I come from a family of fishing men. My grandfathers both fished. My dad was a fisherman. So when I was a kid my very first experience fishing was with a cane pole, bread balls and hot dogs and earthworms under a bobber in ponds and the St. Johns River near Jacksonville, Florida.

My first rod and reel back in 1969 at age 5 was a 5' bright blue fiberglass rod with a pistol grip and some no name brand plastic closed face spincast reel. So far I am following my own pattern for my own sons now ages 2 and 4. My oldest boy will be 5 in a few months and I think it is about time for him to have his first rod and reel too, but this is where I am having some trouble in choosing it for him.

My kids don't realize how good they have it. Back in 1969 I got crap for fishing gear! Seriously! My dad could afford it, but I guess he did not want to give a kid who tears everything up something of value so I got crappola for a rod and reel. My kids are going to do far better than I big time. The difference in quality is night and day.

Right now I have one of my dad's old closed face reels, an old Abu Garcia Abumatic 875, but it is big for a kid I think. And I don't like the drag on it. Really hard to use and you have to really crank down on it to get any drag out of it. And I have an old 1990's Berkley Series One 5'6" graphite blank rod with cork pistol grip for him which is far better than anything I had at 5 years old. And on the reel I just put some Berkley fireline 14 pound smoke color line because I wanted him to have something like mono but a line that won't store up a line memory problem for him like I had to deal with using mono back in 69.

I am also considering giving him a short light 6' foot spinning rod with one of those quick-fire 2000 size spinning reels to help him learn how to use one, but not one that is too heavy for him or too big to use at 5 years old.

This past summer both of my boys got to learn how to fish with cane poles and bobbers. And the funny thing was my 2 year old when not fishing was sneaking over to eat up the pieces of hot dog I had cut up for bait. I snapped a photo of him trying to be sneaky eating up all the bait. But you know, those bluegills and sun bellies really like hot dogs as much as my 2 year old does. So this past summer was my 4 year olds season with cane poles and bobbers and next spring and summer I want him advancing to rod and reels same as I did.

So what do you guys do to get your kids learning how to fish? And, I really don't know what is the best choices for a closed face spincast type of reel. Something that is smaller than the abumatic 875 and not as heavy and easy to use for a kid. Maybe something like a Zebco 33 or something, but I'd like to learn about who makes a closed face reel with a decent drag mechanism too because there is a good chance he could hook into some nice size bass. I know I did with mine at 5 years old. I did not really realize what was happening when I was fishing for some small bream and playing around with my little bream when some big ole bass slammed him for dinner and it was a shock to me to have something big pulling like that. I was so clueless back then!

But I would like for my boys to have better equipment than I did and hopefully maybe be a little better prepared for such situations. And for me back in the early 1970's the reel I remember the most was an old green Johnson closed face reel with a white cast button. I recall that reel being so much better than my plastic piece of junk.

So today in 2016 who makes a decent closed face reel with a good drag? Or should I consider some of those old Johnson greenies? Or a zebco 33?

I am afraid if I don't go this route and if I go straight from cane pole to spinning reel that they may never come back around to liking or wanting to use anything else like a baitcast reel. I would hope getting them some closed face reels would get them moving in that direction like it did for me.

I'm going to add this in here... but I think these years are most important to them for fishing and trying to get them into it and going with it. And if I take them fishing and I am worrying about fishing that I am not helping them fish. I gotta put my own desire to fish on hold for them and just take them fishing and let them do all the fishing and I not do any except through them. That is what I think I need to focus on this year in 2016. I need to make this year about the boys and not me. My 4 year old says it is boring for him to not fish while I am intensely going at it for myself and I gotta stop this. I have to put my rods down and let them pick it up and that is something I need to work on this year for them. He is not bored when he is pulling fish out of the water.

So what to do? What to use? What do you guys do for your own sons in this situation? How do we pass fishing down to our sons?

[Darren.]

Started my 4 sons off with simple underspin 
reels. They worked great.

But I added long poles (10-13') from Walmart 
along with simple slip floats and the boys had
an absolute blast catching pannies one after
another.

They graduated on to spinning reels, and two 
like to mess with bait casters, but mostly use
spinning gear.

Helped using night crawlers and very simple 
techniques that were fun and virtually guaran-
teed results.

[FloridaFishinFool]

Underspin... I did not think of those. Good call! Hmmmm... now which one??? I like this Daiwa with a rear drag because it is accessible and easy to use and to learn on because of its rear located position.

Which reels did you use?

 

[Darren.]

2 minutes ago, FloridaFishinFool said:

Underspin... I did not think of those. Good call! Hmmmm... now which one??? I like this Daiwa with a rear drag because it is accessible and easy to use and to learn on because of its rear located position.

Which reels did you use?

 

I used a few different brands, and really liked
the little Zebcos that I bought, but ended up
buying a couple Abu 276UI reels that worked
extremely well.

[gulfcaptain]

I started mine off with spinning tackle, let him learn to cast while fishing and new he would grow into it as I did when I was young instead of buying him a underspin or spincast.  It took him a few days to get the hang of it but he was determined and casting plugs were cheap and he enjoyed learning to use it.  Now after 4 years of fishing spinning gear I'm working on getting him interested in casting gear and giving him my older equipment to use.  He likes knowing that he has the same kind of gear his dad does and feels like he's fishing just like dad.  

[Hogsticker]

I started my daughter off with a small spinning reel. On the bank or far away from it while on the boat. Didn't take her long to get the hang of it. That was 5 years ago at the age of 6. Now it's finger on the line, flip the bail, and watch me hit that target. I still have to remind her to close the bail by hand. She doesn't seem to interested in casting gear. I wouldn't focus to much on the perfect rod and reel. They'll figure it out. It's much more stressful when you try to get it just perfect. Just relax, be patient, and show them how to have a good time. Circle hooks, Senkos, small cranks, little jigs and bobbers. Hopefully some fish to follow 

[edfitzvb]

My sons are both grown. Now I supply the grandchildren. My 9 year old granddaughter has a spinning reel that stays here. When we go to the lake on vacation, she will spend every moment she can find at the edge of the lake throwing out a bobber. She probably spends more time throwing and winding than catching, but catching will come later. As long as she looks forward to it, the rest will come.

[A fisher]

Zebco 33's are awesome, if your fishing for bass turn the drag up to almost all the way because the drag isn't that strong

[new2BC4bass]

I started fishing at 5 with a cane pole.  The next year my father bought me a Mitchell 300 which I used for a good many years.  I don't remember having trouble learning to use it....but that was over 60 years ago so needless to say I can't trust my memory. 

Also I doubt that starting out with a spinning reel will keep your boys from trying a baitcast reel.  It was 2009 before I used my first b/c reel, and now I hardly ever touch a spinning reel.  Lets just say that the past 7 years has seen too many reel acquisitions. 

[Catt]

It totally depends on the kid

I'm working with my 8 year old grandson Evan, after 30-45 mins he's done! So I bought him a cheap Zebco spincast combo.

My other grandson Aiden stays cocked, locked, & ready to rock!

He wore out a Zebco 33 all metal after boating 425 bass last year & has moved up to a bait casting reel!

 

[rippin-lips]

I set my friends son up with a 6'6 medium Shakespeare rod and a Shimano 2500 spinning reel. Purchased at Walmart for about $50. 

After about 10 minutes of showing him how to cast he was out casting his dad. He had a blast. Bobber and a worm. 

[WIGuide]

I think your over thinking things a bit too much. Get them something easy for them to use. If that happens to be a spinning reel, then so be it. If later in life they want to keep using spinning reels, there shouldn't be anything wrong with that. The biggest thing when introducing kids, or anyone to the sport is to keep it interesting. They want action so action is what they need. Sometimes that might not even include fishing. Maybe it's playing with the fish in the livewell, or if you're bank fishing that might mean looking for frogs. Make it fun for them and that's what will keep bringing them back. My recommendations for a combo would be a cheap ultra-light you can pick up at walmart. It'll do the job for a few years until they can figure out if they want to continue with fishing or not. Plus the ultralight will make even a small panfish feel like a big one!

[bunkerbstr]

Agreed on the underspin model too.  I started my son (now 12 yrs old) with a 33, it would have the typical issues where the line would catch and he would get frustrated so I picked up a Pfleuger underspin combo at DSG for around $30 several years ago.  This past year he's begun spinning and baitcasting though he still uses that rod/reel combo too for panfishing.  

I took my time getting him into bass fishing, we panfished for years, then he caught his first 5 lbr and that pretty much ruined the panfishing thing.  lol  

Last bit of advice I'll give you that was given to me -- fish with them like you are their grandparent and not the parent.  In other words, they can't do any wrong; let them have fun.  It's about making memories and you're doing just that.  

Good luck.  

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

Who cares what type reel or tackle they prefer down the road ? To instill and nurture love of the sport keep it as simple, effective and fun as possible. In my mind that's straight forward spinning tackle. Skip the triggers and all that. A coupe Pflueger tritons and Berkeley rods in a 6' ml mod fast action is the way I'd go (again). 

[Master Bait'r]

I am not a believer in triggers.  Teaches habits that will have to be unlearned later and that's not ideal IMO.  

 

I don't think you can really go wrong though.  Your experience should tell you that the equiement means nothing, it's the interaction with your Dad that made it special.  Remember that!  Kids would have no idea if you have them a $30 combo or a $1k combo, they just know they're out with you fishing because it's all that really matters!  

[roadwarrior]

Zebco Omega  http://www.basspro.com/Zebco-Omega-Pro-Spincast-Reels/product/10210694/

For kids to stay interested they MUST catch fish! I suggest that you focus on helping them and leaving your stuff at home.

 

[FloridaFishinFool]

Thanks for all the suggestions. I will refer back to this thread often this new year for reminders on moving forward... like for one NOT taking my gear and concentrate on letting the boys catch fish- and as stated numerous times to let the boys have fun and make memories.

I think for starting out this spring I might just take them out cane pole fishing a few times before handing the almost 5 year old his own rod and reel.

But what do you think about letting him choose which type to start off with rather than me just handing him one type over another?

I already have the spinning rod and reel ready to go. But I don't have as yet any spincast reels, over or underspin, but those are cheap and readily available too.

I'd like for his transition from cane pole to rod and reel to be an easy pleasant experience for him and wonder if letting him choose it if it would be sort of an encouragement for him to choose the one he wanted to.

Did any of you let your kids choose, or just hand them one of your choice?

Maybe I am overthinking this!

But, for my soon to be 5 year old son this is his year for his first rod and reel and I'd like for it to be one he wants rather than one I just chose for him and handed to him.

Oh, before I forget I wanted to ask if any of you handed your kids a quick-fire type of spinning reel? Or did you start them on a standard type?

When my own father died in 2009 I inherited all of his fishing gear and he had one reel in the bunch that would be perfectly suited for handing to a 5 year old just starting out- a shimano AX 200Q. What could be more perfect than him starting off fishing with a reel from a grandfather he never got to meet?

[JRammit]

You hit on the hardest part of fishing with kids... Making it about them!

You could leave your gear at home, but youll probably just end up using your kids pole when/if they get bored

Instead, think of something for the kids to do when theyre not fishing... Snacks, toys, ect....... When my oldest was little, i bought a remote control boat for $20 at Walmart..... He would fish a little, play a little, fish a little more

Now i have a little 12' jon boat with a trolling motor... When i take my youngest boy (10 now) he likes swimming... Ill let him fish til he gets bored, then out the boat he goes.... I have a rope tied to the back and ill pull him from spot to spot while i fish and he loves it... Then IF i catch anything while hes splashing around making all that noise, he'll climb back in and grab his pole

As for equipment, kids are rough on stuff... I like Ugly Stiks cause you almost cant break em!... And ive had far fewer tangles to undo since i spooled their reels with Trilene XL

Another tip, get your kid 2 poles!... First they wanna fish with a lure.. Then they get tired of casting and wanna fish with bait.. Then they get tired of waiting and wanna throw lures again...... Unless you love re-rigging over and over, 2 poles will make the day better for both of you!