Rod & Reel Choices for a Child

[rvrrun]

Last year, my youngest was taking some fishing lessons from a couple of nice guys that parked next to us in the channel. She was asking all sorts of questions, and one of them handed her a rod/reel and got her started casting. Our first family trip is coming up and I want to get her something we can keep in the boat. I don't know anything about fishing or the equipment and figured there must be a bunch of fishermen here with good advice. I know she liked the reel with the bail that flips down and I was thinking a retractable rod would be good for keeping in the boat. Other than that, I don't have a clue.

 

[500bbc]

Go to your local tackle shop and get a cheap but serviceable spinning reel and a sectional rod, a little tackle box and some bait, hooks, weights etc.
Tell them where you fish and they should set you up.
If near the SFV go to Bob Sands great bunch of guys and owner, my go to stop for 30 years.

 

[Spot]

Where are you primarily going to fish?


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[Sleek-Jet]

Don't buy one of the plastic kids rod and reals. Grandpa bought one for my daughter one year and it lasted about 6 casts before is tangled up.

 

[4Waters]

You don't know anything about fishing well let me tell you about the best part of fishing. A bad day of fishing is better than a good day at work.

I think your kids age would be helpful for the fishermen here, I'm not a fisherman but I do enjoy drowning some worms.

 

[stephenkatsea]

Very important that kids are “catching”. It really doesn’t matter what they’re catching. Floating bobbers are good because kids can see the bite/action. Blue Gill will usually co-operate pretty well. Small stripped bass off the docks, under the lights, at night used to be great for the kids.

 

[rvrrun]

Where are you primarily going to fish?


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Havasu and Parker.

 

[rvrrun]

Very important that kids are “catching”. It really doesn’t matter what they’re catching. Floating bobbers are good because kids can see the bite/action. Blue Gill will usually co-operate pretty well. Small stripped bass off the docks, under the lights, at night used to be great for the kids.

She had fun casting, reeling and trying to perfect that. Catching is definitely going be a highlight for her when it happens.

 

[wsuwrhr]

I bought both my girls kid poles, they cast the shit out of them in the backyard and cant wait to fish.

One is a "Frozen" rod and the other in a "Ninja Turtle" rod.

My youngest "fished" off the bow and transom of UCH at the Raftup last year.

Cheap entertainment.

 

[stephenkatsea]

She had fun casting, reeling and trying to perfect that. Catching is definitely going be a highlight for her when it happens.

A clothes pin tied to the end of the line makes a great practice set up. Casting in the backyard to simple targets is a great way to get comfortable with the rod and reel.

 

[Rondog4405]

The key to those lil cheapy kid rod/reel combos is to strip off all the stock line and spool on some good line . The line that come with them is garbage. My kids have a blast slaying blue gills with em.

Don't buy one of the plastic kids rod and reals. Grandpa bought one for my daughter one year and it lasted about 6 casts before is tangled up.

 

[Joker]

Here's a way for you guys to catch fish, guaranteed. Get yourself some hebrew national beef franks. Put a piece on the hook and spray it with WD40. The fish love it but I'm pretty sure you shouldn't let Game and Fish see you doing it.

 

[4Waters]

It's all about this

I bought my kids these

 

[OldSchoolBoats]

Mike, I bought this kit for both of my older boys. It's been great and excellent quality. Picked them up at BIG 5....

https://www.eagleclaw.com/ccls-c-lake-and-stream

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[Sleek-Jet]

The key to those lil cheapy kid rod/reel combos is to strip off all the stock line and spool on some good line . The line that come with them is garbage. My kids have a blast slaying blue gills with em.

Shoot, if Ima gonna do that, might as well buy a real reel...

There wasn't anyway to take the Zebco reel apart, if we could have done that it could have been saved, it was all glued together.

 

[Rondog4405]

On my kids reels ..just unscrew the top cap and pull the spool off. Boom! Easy peezy. Trying to teach them the traditional spinning reels so we could ditch the spin-cast crap.

 

[Stainless]

My first was a Zebco 202, wore a couple of them out as a young’un. Don’t know if they still make that iconic reel though. I still keep a closed face reel in the boat.

 

[500bbc]

My first was a Zebco 202, wore a couple of them out as a young’un. Don’t know if they still make that iconic reel though. I still keep a closed face reel in the boat.

 

[Deja_Vu]

My daughters had the little mermaid rods. They caught more fish than I ever did with a better rig. LOL

 

[500bbc]

Or, don't dick around, think positive.

 

[Cole Trickle]

zebco dock demon!!

 

[SKIA36]

Or, don't dick around, think positive. View attachment 651875

Not this crap...

Accurate ATD and Super Seekers,
OR
Shimano Stella and Cape Cod Custom popping rod.

 

[milkmoney]

City people problems.
A lot of great responses.....

A reel fisherman only fly fishes...ask me how I know [emoji6] [emoji202]

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[SKIA36]

City people problems.
A lot of great responses.....

A reel(real sic) fisherman only fly fishes...ask me how I know [emoji6] [emoji202]

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Sage Rods and Ross Reels

 

[Rondog4405]

zebco dock demon!!

Yup! I grabbed one of those too at wallyworld last trip. Good lil setup for the kids!

 

[Spot]

Havasu and Parker.

You will primarily be fishing for bass, blue gil, red ear, lil stripers etc... you will have fun fishing with crawdads, anchovies, and worms. Go to Walmart get a spinning rod setup, medium action, about 6 foot long. Spool it up with 6lb Maxima green fishing line and have fun. This is a good little river setup for kids.


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[500bbc]

City people problems.
A lot of great responses.....

A reel fisherman only fly fishes...ask me how I know [emoji6] [emoji202]


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Fly fishing? We use bait bigger than what you catch fly fishing.

 

[500bbc]

Not this crap...

Accurate ATD and Super Seekers,
OR
Shimano Stella and Cape Cod Custom popping rod.

Not anymore, they've stepped up their game.
Just bought a new Fathom sweet little reel.
Then again you said Stella.

 

[stephenkatsea]

As a kid my Dad taught me my rod, reel and tackle were my responsibility. I used to love wiping it all down, applying some WD-40, keeping it clean and re organizing my own tackle box. I can recall thinking about early mornings fishing on June Lake, So Cal piers, 1/2 day offshore boats and High Sierra streams as I kept my stuff in top shape. An invaluable, life long learning experience.

 

[jetboatperformance]

I got the "hook up" on Phenix if members have interest

http://www.phenixrods.com/

 

[stephenkatsea]

For many kids eating what they catch can be a big deal. Fish tacos can be made with just about anything. And some store bought snapper can easily supplement (or replace if necessary) what they have caught.

 

[rvrrun]

These are all great responses and what I was looking for. I had the little Zebco as a kid too, but she really liked flipping the nail back on the open reel. It was kind of a zen thing for her.

Are there any brands to stay away from and is telescoping a bad idea?

 

[Joker]

These are all great responses and what I was looking for. I had the little Zebco as a kid too, but she really liked flipping the nail back on the open reel. It was kind of a zen thing for her.

Are there any brands to stay away from and is telescoping a bad idea?

Just get a 2 piece[emoji106]


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[boatdoc55]

Just get a 2 piece[emoji106]


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X2. When boating on Havasu, pick your cove for the day and beach or anchor the boat. Give it about a 1/2 hour and the bluegill will be under the boat in the shade. Just drop the rig over the side, with the bobber, kids love 'em and they'll attack whatever bait you have on the #14 or 16 hook. In the meantime toss your rig out a bit with a cut anchovie(sp) and you'll more than likely come up with a striper or wisker fish. I've been in Steamboat with only three other boat and the whole cove was boiling with stripers chasing shad.

 

[707dog]

Walleyworld keeps a descent fishing pole selection prices are good to. My kids poles are 3 yrs old and wallys cheapo still doing its job

 

[SKIA36]

As a kid my Dad taught me my rod, reel and tackle were my responsibility. I used to love wiping it all down, applying some WD-40, keeping it clean and re organizing my own tackle box. I can recall thinking about early mornings fishing on June Lake, So Cal piers, 1/2 day offshore boats and High Sierra streams as I kept my stuff in top shape. An invaluable, life long learning experience.

You have a GREAT Dad!

 

[SKIA36]

Not anymore, they've stepped up the it game.
No doubt, it is a Penn....

Fly fishing? We use bait bigger than what you catch fly fishing.

And your bait tank has more water than that stream!!!

Just bought a new Fathom sweet little reel.
Then again you said Stella.

 

[SKIA36]

Last year, my youngest was taking some fishing lessons from a couple of nice guys that parked next to us in the channel. She was asking all sorts of questions, and one of them handed her a rod/reel and got her started casting. Our first family trip is coming up and I want to get her something we can keep in the boat. I don't know anything about fishing or the equipment and figured there must be a bunch of fishermen here with good advice. I know she liked the reel with the bail that flips down and I was thinking a retractable rod would be good for keeping in the boat. Other than that, I don't have a clue.

If they like fishing, buy quality and keep it a lifetime!!

 

[jetboatperformance]

I have no real patience (or time) to fish anymore ,but I did recently Bass fish at San Vicente res with My accountant and brought back some good memories .... when I was a kid I fished anywhere there was a stream, farm pond or lake , when 10 or so My Pops had a friend that was a park ranger at Santa Margarita lake he would pick me up 5 am and while He patrolled the reservoir I fished the boat docks catching Crappy and bluegills to the point of craziness ... good times , good memories , nothing better for a youth to learn .... maybe when I retire

 

[Joker]

If they like fishing, buy quality and keep it a lifetime!!

What are your opinions on rod and reel? I say open face reel?


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[Backlash]

Normally, I'd recommend something like a Calstar or a Seeker or Phenix rod paired up with an Accurate reel.

But in this case, I would get the least expensive rod/reel combo from Walmart that you can find. Stated above, strip the line off and put some quality line on. Get them fishing with that setup which shouldn't cost you more than $10 each. When they break the tip of the rod off on a car door or by jamming the fishing rod into the dock, it wont hurt your wallet so much! As the kids get bigger and decide to keep fishing, THEN you can start spoiling them at Christmas time with badass quality fishing gear. Just my .02.

 

[Spot]

Another tip, only fill up the spool 3/4 of the way with kids. Anymore and you will have line twist and other issues.

 

[rrrr]

My grandson has a Zebco rod and reel, and it's not the cheapest they sell. He can also cast with a spinning reel.

The Zebco is probably best for a beginner, get a $20 rod and reel combo and put good line on it as others have mentioned.

 

[Carlson-jet]

These are fairly decent, Pink for the girl. Change out the line. It's an Ugly -Stik
They make a closed-reel version if that is your choice.

https://www.basspro.com/shop/en/sha...-kit?hvarAID=shopping_googleproductextensions

Just don't shut the trunk lid on it.

 

[COCA COLA COWBOY]

I'm on probably my 10th kids rod and my son is 5 years old. He's caught a few on them though. I tried buying nicer rods in the past, but he preferred the crappy cartoon ones. This is the first year he did well.witb a spinning rod that a buddy had so I stepped him up to a better crappy Zebco from Walmart. I tried to buy him a cool one at Bass Pro, but he prefers the shorter ones since he does hold them for long durations.

I learned to take him and let him pick out what he wants...learned only from experience and buying a ton of crap.he didn't like. Haba

 

[Wicky]

Last year, my youngest was taking some fishing lessons from a couple of nice guys that parked next to us in the channel. She was asking all sorts of questions, and one of them handed her a rod/reel and got her started casting. Our first family trip is coming up and I want to get her something we can keep in the boat. I don't know anything about fishing or the equipment and figured there must be a bunch of fishermen here with good advice. I know she liked the reel with the bail that flips down and I was thinking a retractable rod would be good for keeping in the boat. Other than that, I don't have a clue.

Teach em right and buy them a baitcaster.

 

[Constant840]

I got my daughter started early. Her first strictly solo fish was on a barbie pole at age 3. Her second solo was on beautiful Henry's Lake Idaho at age 5. This year she wanted her own big girl rod and reel. We ended up with an AbuGarcia spincast combo. I just dont want to deal with backlash this summer. She loves it.

 

[DC-88]

Teach em right and buy them a baitcaster.

yep - tighten the clutch , tie a lead weight on the end and let em' go figure it out. I did that for my youngest when he wanted one at like 8 years old and it worked out great for him-

 

[Wicky]

Not this crap...

Accurate ATD and Super Seekers,
OR
Shimano Stella and Cape Cod Custom popping rod.

I like the Super Seekers..raptors work well too.

 

[fishing fool]

Take her to basspro and let her pick out what she (you) like. Get something in 8# line, that is good for just about anything on the water and won't break off everytime she gets a snag.