Best Fishing Gear For Kids
When my daughter reached the age of two my dear wife thought the time was ripe for me to assume the responsibility of spending some quality time with her for the better part of a Saturday in order to establish a healthy father-daughter relationship.
After a hiatus of about two years from fishing (mainly due to my new role as father), I decided to introduce Rebecca to this wonderful past time even at that tender age.
Fortunately, we were living on the coast at the time so fishing opportunities were not in short supply. To be quite honest, however, the first year or so of these “fishing” expeditions were mostly spent visiting rocky pools during low tide with a tiny fishing rod and little scoop net, catching crabs and rockfish, splashing around in the water, and kicking a ball on the beach.
Gradually, though, she caught on to the fishing idea and by the age of seven, she was quite an accomplished little angler, finding great delight in outperforming the boys of her age when there was any kind of informal fishing competition.
Now, nearly two decades later, I look back at those times with great fondness and a feeling of gratitude for having had the opportunity to spend so much quality time with my daughter and sharing so many wonderful fishing stories.
So let’s take a closer look at the basic equipment needed to teach a child to fish as well as some other aspects to keep in mind when venturing to the water with the little ones.
Recommended Gear
Let’s cut to the chase! We have put together this article outlining exactly what we think is the best fishing gear for kids, who are essentially beginners. But if you don’t have time to read the whole article, we have listed our best recommendation below.
These products are listed as best of the best or best bang for your buck and we definitely won’t recommend garbage or inferior products. We have spent a lot of time compiling this list so you can rest assured that these items won’t let you down. Enjoy!
OUR TOP PICKS
The Rod | See On Amazon → | |
The Reel | See On Amazon → | |
The Lures | See On Amazon → | |
The Tackle Box | See On Amazon → | |
Clothing | See On Amazon → |
The Rod
Best of the Best – G.Loomis GLX Spinning Rod (click for the price on Amazon)
The name Loomis doesn’t need much introduction. This is the type of rod you want to own if you are looking for something which, although lightweight with lots of sensitivity, is robust enough to do an honest angling day’s graft. It can easily handle a wide variety of artificial lures including, but not limited to, spinnerbaits, poppers, worms, and crankbaits.
Best Bang for your buck – UglyStik GX2 Spinning Rod (click for the price on Amazon)
With the Ugly Stik Gx2, you are in possession of a rod that is lightweight but looks and feels like a much more expensive one. In performance it also competes easily with other more expensive high-end rods and its graphite and fiberglass construction makes it highly durable and very balanced. Features include Durable Ugly Tuff one-piece stainless steel guides, Clear Tip design for strength and sensitivity, Durable and lightweight EVA grips and a 7-year warranty.
The Reel
Best of the Best – Daiwa BG Spinning Reel (click for the price on Amazon)
This nifty little Daiwa reel has a waterproof drag system and machined aluminum screw-in handle. The spool design is top class and it casts extremely well. Because the drag system is water sealed it is guaranteed to last for a very long time. Very good value for money, in my honest opinion.
Best Bang for your buck – Abu Garcia Abumatic 170 Spincast (click for the price on Amazon)
This reel is sturdy, casts well, and has a very smooth drag. It also has a quick retrieve and you definitely get quality for the price you pay. I can recommend this reel with great confidence, especially for young aspirant anglers who are in the early stages of their fishing careers.
The Lures
Best of the Best – Apusale Fishing Lures Kit Set (click for the price on Amazon)
This kit has a good mix of different lures with various colors. All the major types of lures like spinnerbaits, crankbaits, plastic baits, and topwater lures are in the mix. These are good quality products and will stand you in good stead in a wide variety of fishing situations.
The Tackle Box
Best of the Best – Plano Guide Series 7771 (click for the price on Amazon)
Pros – This mid-sized hard tackle box has everything you would need. A number of removable racks, space for big items up top, and a useful transparent cover for ease of viewing. Plano has been in the business for a long long time and has cemented its reputation for durability and versatility.
Cons: The latches feel a little weak and they may not last the decades you hope. There is a great warranty though.
Clothing
Fishing Jacket – Helly Hansen Fishing Jacket (click for the price on Amazon)
The “Impertech” line is based on the design of their commercial-grade raingear and is a very lightweight design that is also waterproof. There are several different styles to choose from. Real quality outdoor clothing which I can recommend with confidence.
Wading Boots – Allen Company Granite Wading Boot (click for the price on Amazon)
These boots have felt soles which are excellent at gripping slippery surfaces and they are very comfortable. If you are into extensive fishing sessions spread over a couple of days you won’t get blisters or any other discomforts due to their unique design.
Waders – Redington PALIX RIVER Waders (click for the price on Amazon)
Snowbee is, in my opinion, the first and last word in waders and here they also don’t disappoint.
There are different types of neoprene some including a spiked felt sole and stocking foot options plus limited fuller body sizes in cleated with nearly 40 different design and size combinations, each to fill a much-needed demand for reliable neoprene waders.
Variations include comfortable Neoprene lined PVC boots and fully adjustable reversible braces on the chest waders. This means it can be rolled down for more comfort when you have to walk a considerable distance or it gets really hot.
What Does a Kid Need to Fish?
#1 – Rod
Starting with the rod I would suggest nothing more than a 6/7 feet rod for children around the age of 5. Both a fiberglass or graphite rod will do the job just fine. Make sure, though, that the rod handle fits the grip comfortably whether it is made from foam, cork, or wood.
Due to the extra flexibility of fiberglass rods, it may just pip the graphite rod purely because the risk of breaking is less in the hands of a young, enthusiastic but clumsy protégé.
#2 – Reel
If we get to reels, in my opinion, we have to choose between two types; spinning reels and spin-cast reels.
Spin cast reels (which also goes by the name of “closed-faced” reels,) are positioned on top of the fishing rod. With these types of reels, you will find the spool being on the inside and a push-button at the back.
For the most part spinning reels, also known as “open-face reels,” are positioned underneath the rod. Due to the fact that they are very easy to use spin cast reels are considered the ideal reel to form part of a beginner’s fishing setup.
Compared to spin-cast reels they pose more challenges due to the fact that you have to hold the line with a finger before flipping the bail (the metal arm that can prevent the line from coming out of the spool) over by hand prior to every cast.
#3 – Tackle box
The next important item is a tackle box because you obviously need some sort of container to store all the necessary equipment. Here I will recommend a hard tackle box rather than a tackle bag, because, in my opinion, it is the most practical to carry around when fishing with young kids.
They are made of very durable materials which can withstand pretty heavy knocks, both inflicted by the elements as well as a youthful enthusiast, and will carry the day just fine. Also, because they have different compartments for different stuff, they are easy to navigate and/or to find the exact piece of equipment when needed in a hurry.
#4 – Multitool Pliers
The versatility of a multitool should never be underestimated. Considering the various applications and what they are able to do it is actually inconceivable that anyone participating in an outdoor activity like fishing can leave home without one of these amazing devices.
They are relatively small, compact and just being in possession of it gives one a sense of confidence in being able to confront whatever tricky situation. Sure, they may want a survival watch too, but that can wait until their next birthday, right?
#5 – Bits and Bobs
Lures, floats, nets, hooks, sinkers, and appropriate bait are all items that should be part of your setup. Make sure you are kitted out with, at least, a few hooks of various sizes and some highly visible floats.
If you are fishing freshwater ponds or rivers where bass, catfish, or trout may lurk, make sure to include a few different artificial lures in your tackle box. Spinning is an ideal activity for kids because it involves a constant activity that is good for keeping them focussed on the task.
#6 – Protection
Fishing involves sharp hooks and knives as well as jagged rocks and sometimes certain spiny creatures. Having a tube of antiseptic cream and a few band-aids (sticky plasters) in your tackle box will be a wise move.
Also, remember to include sunscreen in your medical setup. These, together with sunglasses and a wide-brimmed hat, are essentials for spending a day outdoors in the sun.
Further Thoughts on the Location
Taking a look at easy, safe, and accessible locations to take a young one to go fishing, we can first look at freshwater environments. The first obvious choice is a pond or small lake with easy access. Most urban areas have some sort of impoundment be it part of a golf course or some or other recreational area.
Moving over to the coast accessible and safe rocky outcrops, estuaries, and jetties or piers can offer excellent places to start one’s fishing career. Again, it goes without saying that all fishing adventures should be undertaken with the child’s safety as the primary concern.
Bad weather, rough seas, and dangerous fishing locations are definitely not conducive to introducing small children to this sport.
Tips for Fishing with Kids
#1 – Be Patient
If you intend to spend some time with kids patience is, probably, the number one virtue to possess. With fishing, these patience levels will definitely be challenging on a higher level than usual!
Therefore one has to make a conscious effort to take a deep breath, apply the brakes and be prepared to follow the general flow of proceedings even though it may veer into a completely different direction than originally planned.
Patience furthermore becomes of the utmost importance when your young student becomes frustrated, just plain stubborn, or loses interest in the whole affair. Having to explain a certain technique or skill for the umpteenth time can be quite challenging, too.
#2 – Be Enthusiastic
I am a firm believer in enthusiasm to achieve a level of success in any given task and consider it an essential component of the learning process. In my opinion, it is near impossible to be able to transfer knowledge or skills to someone else with a total lack of enthusiasm for that specific activity.
Show them there are certain ways in doing things; from planning for the trip, packing the gear, choosing a fishing spot, etc. Make sure they understand each step and its importance.
Make it a game to do things in a certain way, thereby challenging them to remember it in order to do it correctly the next time. It is important to emphasize leaving your fishing spot as you have found it, cleaning all debris, and packing away the gear neatly. This too can be made into a game to keep their enthusiasm and instill good habits.
Even though the fishing itself may not be as successful as hoped for, create an expectation for the next outing by emphasizing the fact that every fishing trip is different from the previous one.
#3 – Always Expect the Unexpected
My daughter’s first introduction to bait collecting in the intertidal zone was quite memorable. We needed fresh prawn for bait and it just so happened that the spot we were intending to fish was close to a vast colony of these mud prawns that make their burrows in shallow sand under pebbles and rocks.
The standard technique is to follow a burrow with your index finger as quickly as you can and constantly flip over small rocks in your headlong chase to catch the small crustacean. This “hunting” technique is like catnip for most young children and Rebecca was no exception.
Rebecca mastered the technique surprisingly quickly and I eventually had to beg her to stop catching prawns in order for us to actually start fishing! For many years to come she enjoyed collecting bait just as much, if not more, than actually fishing at that particular spot.
FAQs for Fishing with Kids
#1 – How Long Should a Fishing Session with Kids Be?
Like most other activities involving kids around a certain age, one should be aware of the limitations of their attention span.
If you are lucky the fish may go crazy for your offerings which are a sure way to keep anyone’s attention, but alas, more often than not it turns out to be just the opposite. It is therefore prudent to have a plan B in case the action on the fishing front proves to be rather disappointing and your young student quickly starts losing interest in the whole angling campaign.
#2 – What Should I Do When My Student Loses Interest?
The first important rule is not to expect them to keep on fishing no matter what. In that way, you may just create a feeling of resentment which may have a negative impact on any further excursions into the angling domain.
If it becomes obvious their interest is waning, for whatever reason, make a conscious decision to move onto something else. Fortunately, being out in nature generally presents you with various other activities that will hopefully focus their attention.
At the beach, this may lead to a treasure hunt for all kinds of shells, flotsam, and jetsam, or just a beach ball game. Rebecca normally wanted to go for a swim and that’s how we finished most of our fishing days.
#3 – Will I Get a Chance to Do Some Serious Fishing Myself?
If you are really intended to transfer knowledge to your young student, the short answer to this question is: “Probably not!” When I decide to embark on a fishing tutorial I find it best to abandon all ideas of having a successful fishing outing myself.
When you start to introduce your young learner to all the different aspects of fishing you are bound to focus mainly on the endeavors of your protégé. This means that you must constantly be aware of what they are doing, where they need assistance, and what exactly their specific needs are.
It is very important to be fully alert to your student’s needs as well as anticipating a range of the things that they probably need to know in order to develop their skills, but are unable to articulate due to a lack of knowledge.
Constantly asking questions like: “Do you think there is still some bait on your hook? Why don’t you reel in so that we can make sure? Can I help you with that knot” and so on will become par for the course.
#4 – How Serious Should the Teaching Sessions Be?
Fishing is of course a serious business, especially if you intend to be mildly successful.
But do keep in mind that young kids learn mostly through asking, observing, and playing. They are curious by nature and tend to ask the most bizarre questions not even remotely relevant to the subject at hand.
Be prepared to explain things in a way they can easily understand without going into too much detail. Do not overcomplicate things; that will definitely result in a loss of interest. Try to make it as interesting as possible and avoid being an authoritarian with very little flexibility. Again, remember to always try and instill a love for fishing, not resentment.
Final Thoughts
I can think of a few pursuits which are as educational in learning new skills and acquiring respect and awe for our natural environment as fishing.
In my opinion, it is also a kind of two-way learning process, because times spent with a child doing fun things always give an adult the opportunity to learn things from the kid.