Easiest lure for a 5 year old to cast out and retrieve?

[bitsandbass]

I've never used spinnerbaits but they seem popular.  What lure could I get for the little guy that is fool proof (i.e. wont get snagged, doesnt need rod action to make it effective etc).

 

You know, just cast out and retrieve, nothing else too it.  Any of course, something that WONT GET SNAGGED.

 

Thanks guys.

[jr231]

Anything that won't get snagged will usually require a more firm hookset... For example a true Texas rigged worm

 

I recommend an inline spinner. Mepps to be specific. A true multi species bait that will keep the kid busy. 

 

It's what I tie on when I just want a bite and I have caught bass, crappie, bluegill, pike and channel cat on a mepps spinner. 

 

If you cast and continuously reel there won't be any snagging. 

 

 

Other than that you can try a 4" senko weightless rigged Tex-posed and then lightly skin hooked. 

[Choporoz]

Hard to beat a Texas rig with worm 'texposed'.  The few occasions I've had, I started them with a worm with a curly tail...that way, they can drop and drag real slow, if they have the patience....or if they like to reel a lot, the action helps them get bit.  Cut-R's and Culprits are what I generally reach for.  Depending on your situation (dock, boat, cover, etc.) a ned rig can be fun, too.  Esp since you can now get weedless ned heads.

[2tall79]

Bladed swim jig....ie, Chatterbait, or a paddletail bait rigged weedless.  You're doing a good thing with that little guy.

[Choporoz]

1 minute ago, Yeajray231 said:

Anything that won't get snagged will usually require a more firm hookset... For example a true Texas rigged worm

light wire hooks, light weight and texposed rig ....and more often than not, the fish will hook themselves....hopefully, not in the gut too much

[bitsandbass]

Yeah we're fishing in a really small pond.  I think the bass are maybe ~6 inches big.  The bottom of pond seems to have a lot of a plant life/weeds.  Perhaps the first 6 feet or so is shallowish and then it starts to drop.

 

I was thinking a swimbait could work.  I use Sebile Magic Swimmers for stripers and they work great.  Anything similar for a 6 inch bass?

 

The little guy also needs something with a bit of weight to get out as he is still learning to cast!

 

Wont a texas rig need rod action to work and get snagged in the weeds?

[fullcoupe]

Just now, bitsandbass said:

I was thinking a swimbait could work.  I use Sebile Magic Swimmers for stripers and they work great.  Anything similar for a 6 inch bass?

 

 

 

I use the Keitech Easy Shiner in ponds, small 2/0 EWG does the trick if it needs to be 100% weedless. Any kind of fluke-like bait would also be a good choice. But, unless you add a nail weight or something, they're still pretty light and don't offer a whole lot of feedback until you get bit. 

 

I would second the initial response on the Mepps (or walmart brand) inline spinners. Small bass, bluegill, crappie will just keep biting them all day, and the treble hook takes the frustration out of trying to set the hook. Sure it might get snagged here and there, but they're inexpensive and as long as the kid can crank fast, they're effective. 

 

If the weeds are sub-surface by a few inches, the 90 whopper plopper or a small wakebait could also be a good fit. 

[bitsandbass]

11 minutes ago, 2tall79 said:

You're doing a good thing with that little guy.

 

Yeah I dont know if you saw my other posts about trying to find him a rod & reel.  I found a decent deal on a reel today, well at least I hope so. 

 

Are Shimano Nexave FD spinning reels any good?  I got the 1000 for $15 at Dicks.  I figured it would be better than the Chinese Pisfun at at the same price I was planning to get. 

 

Now I just need to find an ultralight rod.  The 6' rod he is learning to cast on is a bit large.  I think 5' would be ideal, but then again, he will get less casting distance with a shorter rod, and next year a 5 footer may be too small for him, so I want to invest for the future.  I was thinking about just getting him a 6'6 and hoping he grows into it.  Still trying to figure out what length is best, and trying to find a deal on a decent rod.  More to come.   

[Turtle135]

I would think a topwater plug like the Heddon Tiny Torpedo might be a good choice. It floats so you won't snag bottom and for young anglers being able to see the lure keeps their attention.

[bitsandbass]

2 minutes ago, fullcoupe said:

I would second the initial response on the Mepps (or walmart brand) inline spinners

 

I actually looked these up.  I have a bunch of them at home.  I dont know where I got them.  But surely these would get snagged like crazy on the bottom?

 

[Spankey]

I have this bait in with my spinnerbaits and don't know the correct name but it is produced by Blue Fox that is an inline spinner with a blade, shad shaped body, with an undressed single treble hook on the rear. They can be bought with various body patterns. Silver, gold, rainbow trout, brown trout, brook trout. 

[bitsandbass]

1 minute ago, Turtle135 said:

It floats so you won't snag bottom

 

This is what I think would be best.  Something that floats, has some weight so it can be cast at distance, and that swims by itself on return not requiring rod action to work.

 

Do you guys know SP Minnows.  Great lure for stripers.  Anything comprable for the pond?

[bitsandbass]

What about a crankbait?  I found this, any good?  0.5oz

Bass Pro Shops Tourney Crankbait

 

[craww]

Original rapala jointed minnow, in one of the larger sizes that cast better.

 

Also It may not be for all environments, but both my boys learned on shallow square bills in ponds. Only possible concern is where they transition from the waters edge to bank, sometimes kids don't have the best awareness of where the bait is and booger it up at the end of the retrieve.

[Choporoz]

LOL.....all you guys above suggesting inline spinners and crankbaits and torpedos and wp's.....all with treble hooks....none of youse guys have kids....do you?

[jr231]

@fullcoupe not just small bass eat an inline spinner I promise you this !

 

@Choporoz yes... I do have a child. And nephews and cousins and I tend to always put them on some fish. And a spinner bait does the trick quite often ! If they can cast and reel it's effective . 

[tholmes]

Beetle Spin. 

 

 

Tom

[jr231]

1 hour ago, bitsandbass said:

 

I actually looked these up.  I have a bunch of them at home.  I dont know where I got them.  But surely these would get snagged like crazy on the bottom?

 

 

Don't fish em on the bottom ! I don't know your location but most of the US has warmer water and some active fish ! Cast and reel. 

[RoLo]

Johnson Silver Minnow

 

> No Hazardous Treble Hooks

> Nothing To Rig, Nothing To Fail

> Remarkably Weedless

> Casts like a bullet

> Catches ALL piscivorous fish

 

(Just be sure to sharpen the big single hook before using, which are notoriously dull out of the package)

 

Roger

 

[DubyaDee]

11 minutes ago, Choporoz said:

LOL.....all you guys above suggesting inline spinners and crankbaits and torpedos and wp's.....all with treble hooks....none of youse guys have kids....do you?

 

That's what I was thinking. We're headed to a lake this weekend and my 3 year old wants to fish with me. We've got her Dora rod with 10 lb power pro and a flouro leader ready with a 4 inch curly tail worm with a split shot about 6 inches from the barbless worm hook. 

 

I'd rather see my daughter catch a sunny than me catch a 5 pounder.

[bigturtle]

your 5 year old is patient enough to cast and retrieve lures? wow, mine sure wasnt. worm and bobber was all she used

[scaleface]

Ditto on the Beetle  Spin .

[MickD]

1 hour ago, RoLo said:

Johnson Silver Minnow

 

> No Hazardous Treble Hooks

> Nothing To Rig, Nothing To Fail

> Remarkably Weedless

> Casts like a bullet

> Catches ALL piscivorous fish

 

(Just be sure to sharpen the big single hook before using, they're notoriously dull out of the package)

 

Roger

 

There is no doubt.  This is it.  Get him the weight that he can cast easily, put a white pork rind or grub on the back, and go for it.  Good for you , Roger!  All the suggestions for spinnerbait variations, spinners with trebles, etc, will just get snagged.  If not getting snagged is a priority, this is the answer.  You can cast it onto the pads, drag it, and the bass will kill it.  Just be sure as suggested that you sharpen the hook and make sure the weed guard is bent so it's just above the hook point.

[bitsandbass]

1 hour ago, tholmes said:

Beetle Spin. 

 

 

Tom

 

This looks interesting.  Never used one.  The hook is facing up so wont get snagged on the bottom.  Seems simple enough to cast out and retrieve.  Neat.

 

Yeah guys, if anyone has kids, you know whats its like.  Maybe he will cast out, and see a butterly, and drop the rod for a bit.  Any type of inline spinner with trebbels will drop to the bottom and get snagged while little guy is messing around. 

 

I'll look into the Johnson Silver Minnow too.  Thanks.

[shovelmouth83]

for my kiddos i always went with a taxes rig or Carolina. ball weight or a barrel. for bait wise i would use something that the hook can be buried in or just poke the tip out a worm.