My 10yr old and 7yr old can both cast open face reels, I put bigger bass sized spinner baits/rapala's on for them. When they get tired of casting and catching bass and pike (haven't caught a ski casting yet) we put on the big baits and troll. If not for them casting the smaller baits and catching fish their patience would be severly tested.
Also take breaks and catch gills too.
My 8 year old throws a baitcaster better than some of the bass guys I know….Got him a Revo Toro (low profile) reel and a 7'6" rod and he does real well with it. The whole combo floats from the cork in the handle of the rod and I usually have him throw a floating bait (like a super shad rap) in case the setup goes in the water.
Until they get good at it I would recommend bending down the barbs on their baits and make sure everyone in the boat is wearing good quality sunglasses to protect their eyes. If you fish with a kid plan on not fishing much yourself and make it fun. We will stop during the day and go explore an island or have a picnic and a airsoft gun is great fun on the water. Good luck.
Anyone like the idea of having a kid's fishing event? I know kids are always welcome to all the MMA events but what about one primarily focused around kids? Maybe bring a son/daughter and one of their friends to get more kids fishing? Just something to think about for the future.
"Esoxonthefly" said:
Practiced casting with a baitcster and go figure, he's a natural. We'll keep working on it but I think he'll do just fine.
Kids do great with low profile baitcasters. Brendan started at 8 y.o. with a trion low profile on a 7.5 H uglystick and he uses the toro 50 as well no problems.
We always pack a light duty spinning reel setup for panfish and bass, and a 4000 series shimano spinning combo because that's what he likes to throw.
On dec 4 brendan was using a DT 5 fat rap and pulled a muskie to the boat before it shook off. Whatever he throws, we normally use a muskie leader if we are in Muskie waters. He loves the slop master and likes to run the blade just under the water. He has some swim baits that he is eager to use and has a new lure that he got from the banquet he is eager to try as well.
Bill
Changing it up and making it an adventure works for me.
"Esoxonthefly" said:
Practiced casting with a baitcster and go figure, he's a natural. We'll keep working on it but I think he'll do just fine.
That's normal, Tyler has been casting a baitcaster since he was about 3.5. It's a simple transition for kids though if they have been using a spincast reel because they're used to holding with their thumb and letting go. It is really much easier to teach kids than it is to teach adults.
Here's Ty's first all on his own about a month and a half before his third birthday (thanks to Jim LeMay for being there to capture all the action). I've never thought of this before but I've got another for "You might be a muskie nut if…"
If you caught your first muskie while in diapers… you might be a muskie nut.
"><url url="[Permission to view this media is denied]<url url="[Permission to view this media is denied]
">[Permission to view this media is denied]
” alt=”
">[Permission to view this media is denied]
” />
144
30