Getting kids involved

[Tim Cox]

Hey folks,

   My son is turning 5 soon, and he's shown an interest in fishing- he's actually caught quite a few little bluegill on his own.  He currently uses a pole that was given to him at an event at a state park, but it's a pretty awful thing- what do you expect for free?  I want to get him a new pole for his birthday, and I'm looking for suggestions.  It will certainly have to be a spincast rig for now.  Any suggestions?  Thank you!

 

Tim Cox

[Jigfishn10]

I taught my son when he was 5 on a Zebco 33 many years ago. I showed him how to cast and just before the lure hit the ground I had him stop the cast with the cast button. He was casting a baitcaster within a couple of weeks.

 

Teach em early, it will be much easier.

 

He's 13 now and hasn't fished with me since baseball became his favorite sport. I consider myself a fortunate dad who has a kid who still likes to throw the ball around in the back yard.

 

[papajoe222]

I got my grandson a Zebco 11 combo for his fifth birthday. A lot easier to handle and adequate for crappie and sunny fishing, but slow on line uptake.   I switched him over to a baitcaster a couple of seasons later, but now (he's 10) he prefers a spinning combo.  I think he just wanted papa to build him a new rod

[Angry John]

Mine used a spinning reel athe five and we spent a lot of time in the front yard.  He had a practice pole for the house and uses my stuff on the water.  I use smaller spinning reels.  At his age a 1000 or 1500 would be best.  Crappy kids gear is fustrating to them and has tons of issues which sucks for you.  The first rod is disposable so get an ugly stick, they have one like 4/6 or 5 foot.  This is there learning rod and will put up with a ton of abuse.  After the basics upgrade them as you feel they are ready.  My sons current rod is a st Croix avid x 68mxf.  He has a week Hookset so I went xf.  Great for 5" wacky worms which he does well on.  He is now 9 but I only fought trying to find quality kids gar for a year and gave up.  For kicks megabass makes kids gear.

[islandbass]

Get him the superhero fishing rod of his choice. They’re perfect in length and size. Both my kids started out with those. A princess one for my daughter when she was 5. She learned to use a spinning reel at five but sometimes it’s a bit tough size wise if the have smaller hands. She learned to use a curado at about 6. She’s now 18 and doesn’t fish with me anymore. 

 

Same deal with my son. Got him to the zebco 33 by seven and spinning reels shortly afterward. He’s 13 now. 

 

I still have my daughter’s princess rod and I’m keeping it for sentimental reasons. Still have my son’s zebco. It is on standby for that newbie who might want to come fishing with us. 

 

And tell him that his rod is not a light saber. Batman, spider man and Superman rods are on the bottom of the lake as a result. 

[Bluebasser86]

Mine has been using a spinning rod since he was 2. His little Zebco Dock Demon has been good to him but he's graduating to something a little better this year. A Zebco underspin is a really nice halfway point, easy to use like a spincast but makes the transition to spinning gear later a bit easier. 

[Oregon Native]

I have purchased Ugly Stic lights for both my grandsons and I like the fact that the rods reel decent and are indestructible.  Kids do not pay attention and I as a grandfather do not want to get upset with them on where there fishing rods end up.  Dragging ground, bent around tree, swatting at something, etc etc.  They're kids and dang I love having them have fun.  Sure...I'll mention to be careful...but don't want to end an adventure early due to a broken rod.

Just sayin......

[Catt]

Y'all need to look at Zebco's 33 Authentic Platinum!

 

All aluminum frame, including reel seat

4.1:1 gear ratio

5 stainless bearing

Continuous Anti-Reverse

Micro fine drag control

$34.99

 

Handles big bass easily!  ?

 

 

[Lead Head]

That 33 platinum is what I keep around for teaching first timers how to fish with soft plastics. Throw one of those on a stiff rod and people who have never fished before have little trouble sticking and landing bass with a Texas rig.

[SWVABass]

My son is five and uses a old cheap abu combo. He like to cast. cast.. cast... and cast some more. He had trouble trying to use a spin cast but picked up a spinning rod quickly

[NYWayfarer]

That Zebco Dock Demon is hard to beat for a cheap kids combo. Best part is you can use the rod for ice fishing in a pinch.

 

I had a different idea when my son started fishing at that age. While he did have a superman fishing combo he also had a Pflueger Spincast with an All Star rod combo I put together. Fishing at that age was mostly me catching the fish and letting him reel it in so I wanted something I was comfortable using.

[LCG]

My son shows marginal interest in fishing so I started him with an iron man pole for two years. He has now graduated to an ugly stick youth model. He likes catching but has little patience and still needs to learn respecting the equipment before he gets the nice stuff. The rod is enough to catch some pond bass.