First Fishing Gear for Kids
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When it’s time to introduce your child to fishing, it can be overwhelming when deciding which gear to buy. There are seemingly infinite choices on the market and with the high inflation the last few years, it can be difficult to know what to spend your money on. Fear not! The Great Lakes Fisherman is hear to help you through this process and ensure that your young angler has an enjoyable day at the lake!
Rod & Reel
Many kids start out with a closed-face reel. These are certainly the easiest to use, and if the child is 4 or younger, might be the only realistic option. I am not going to cover these reels, because they are not used for very long before your fisherman will be ready to graduate to the next setup. Personally, if the child is 5 years or older, and they can handle it, I like to start them off with a spinning reel right away. A great choice for kids in this age group is this combo made by Zebco. It comes pre-spooled with 6 lb. test line so it’s ready to fish. It gets high marks from Amazon customers and will do the trick for a couple of years until the child has shown a love for the sport at which time a higher quality setup can be acquired.
Tackle Box
Every young angler needs a tackle box. It’s a badge of honor and let’s the world know, “that’s right, I’m a fisherman”. For starting anglers, it’s hard to beat this one from Plano which comes with all of the basic terminal tackle needed to get a kid started: 1 – Stringer, 1 – Hook Disgorger, 6 – Assorted Floats, 24 – Size 6 hooks, 24 – Size 8 Hooks, 24 – Size 4 Hooks, 18 – Assorted Swivels, 24 – Assorted Split Shot, 18 – 4in Worms, 24 – Assorted Grubs, 12 – Assorted Jig Heads, & 12 – Assorted Crappie Jigs.
Other Baits Worth Trying
The standard bait that everyone is familiar with is a bobber and hook. It’s hard to argue that this setup, baited with a worm, isn’t one of the most productive out there. For most children who lack focus, it is probably the best choice. However, if your child is more focused than your average kid, trying a small jig with a grub or other plastic bait can be as productive and will likely catch some larger fish as well.
Another bait that I think is great for kids who can cast and retrieve is the Beetle Spin. This bait is generally for catching fish that are a bit larger that the smaller sunfish. Crappie, bass and pike will readily hit this bait and it is one of the most productive baits in my tackle box. This bait is made to be cast out and then slowly retrieved. You will be surprised at how productive this bait is. It may just be the bait that catches that first lunker and solidifies your child’s love of fishing for life.
A Final Word
The biggest mistake many parents make when introducing their child to fishing is not making it fun for them. At these young ages, a child’s attention span is short and trying to keep them fishing when they are clearly ready for something else, will only make them hate it. When taking your kid fishing, have a back up plan for when they get bored. Better yet find something that keeps their interest while you wait for active fish to show up. Doing so could be the difference between one and done and a lifelong love for the sport!