looking for simple ideas for taking my kid fishing

[UphillHabit]

I'm pretty new to fishing myself, but I've been thinking about taking my 5-year-old out for a fun day on the water. I saw some kid-friendly rods at a local store and wondered if that's a good way to kick things off. What kind of setup do you all recommend for beginners? I'm looking for something that's easy and practical, nothing too fancy. Just want to make it a fun experience for my little one.

 

[2A Idaho]

I personally wouldn't buy a "kids" rod and reel, but a small adult rod. Maybe a spin cast reel, the kind with the push button. You should be able to find a set up like that for around $40 or so. Then when the kid gets better at fishing you can replace that reel with a nice spinning reel. Have fun!

 

[Kimmyan]

Zebco has some great combos for kids that only cost between $20 and $30. You'll want to use something that's light and a bit short. Aim for a rod that's about 4-5ft long. This way, it’s easier for them to handle and they'll actually be able to feel those nibbles when the fish start biting.

 

[CyberSnow]

I took my 5 and 8 year old grandsons with when I bought them rods to take them fishing for the first time. Of course they did not choose the rods I had thought were perfect for them. But the good side of that was they were determined to show Gramps they could use them. I would also suggest looking at the Fish stockings at your local ponds. While it is not challenging for an experience fisherman, it is exciting for the beginners to catch and then eat their catches.