any advice for taking my little one fishing

[UphillHabit]

I'm planning to take my 5-year-old fishing soon and I'm pretty new to it myself. I've seen those mini rods in the local store and I'm curious if they'd work for a first outing. I want it to be fun and simple, but I'm not sure what bait to use or if there's anything specific I should bring along. I just want to share a nice day by the water with my kid, you know? Any tips would really help!

 

[gofers]

don't buy a "kid's outfit". They usually have terrible reels, and the rod is too short to be useful. For a first time outing, I'd go old school: bamboo pole, bobber and worm or powerbait. If your kid actually enjoys fishing, after a couple of outings, look for a serviceable ultralight or light rig. Might want a spincast reel. They are enclosed so they keep the line relatively untangled, but hang down like a spinning reel; so, he/she can learn LH retrieve (assuming they're RH). Then, graduate up to a full-on spinning reel. I wouldn't waste my time on a Zebco type rod and reel set-up, unless bait casting (switching from casting hand to retrieve) is in the future. Learning LH retrieve will also be helpful, if fly-casting is something they might get into.

 

[longcruise]

A simple closed face reel like a Zebco 33 on a light rod is something to learn on.

I raised two daughters and we camped and fished a lot. At five they don't stay focused very long. They start exploring around, flipping rocks and wading in the water but don't think they aren't interested. She will grow up treasuring those times and may be a fisher for life.

It's gotten so my girls take me fishing.

 

[jazzy]

just an old hillbilly franny thought--
great thing to teach a kid and share time with them. let him have fun. the more fun he has with You doing someing cool like fishing ewith you and doing guy stuff--thats just awesome memories for both of you.

just thinking back on my kids when little--at 5yrs old get him or make him a kid rod and let hiom know when hes older if he still likes fishing you will get him a grown up fishing rod.
at 5yrs old--lol--hes gonna play, run, splash be excited doing a cool thng with his dad.
i hope you have a wondertful time!

 

[arkrivco]

Hi-Old fishing and bird hunting guide.
I believe in teaching kids to use a normal spinning rod right off the bat.
Then, that teaches the child that the reel should be on the bottom of the
rod. My recommendation is to find a bluegill pond and fish fly fishing nymphs
or small jigs below a weighted bobber. Its killer.
Just my two cents.
Good luck.

 

[Dwayne]

A simple closed face reel like a Zebco 33 on a light rod is something to learn on.

I raised two daughters and we camped and fished a lot. At five they don't stay focused very long. They start exploring around, flipping rocks and wading in the water but don't think they aren't interested. She will grow up treasuring those times and may be a fisher for life.

It's gotten so my girls take me fishing.

View attachment 16

What lake were you fishing at?

 

[longcruise]

You mean the picture?? That was after my daughter took me on a saltwater run in SC. A couple amberjack and a grouper. When they were growing up we fished all over, Cherry Creek, Chatfield, Golden Gate, Dillon, Gross Res, Grand Lake, etc.