Taking a kid fishing

[cat938g]

As soon as the weather warms up I am taking my 14 yr old
Grandaughter out on the boat to fish for LMB. What kind of Rod
and reel should she start with i.e. closed face or spinning reel
and what length of rod?. Don't want to start her with a casting reel. I think she would get agitated and quit. Any ideas?

[barse41]

you shuld start any kid off with an ugly stick, they are practically indestructable.

[westcoastbass]

+1 on the Ugly Stick. My 14 year old niece used a 6'6" Ugly stick spinning rod and it worked out well. I would definitely reccomend using a spinning reel, they're really easy to get the hang of. Just watch the line on her spool, because kids dont usually pay much attention to the slack that builds up on the reel when they are fishing. Have fun!!

[BassManDan]

Most kids should be able to handle a spinning reel, but it might not be a bad idea to have her get a little practice in before you go. Nothing beats a 3/8 oz bank sinker in the front yard.

[JohnnyG1]

I started my little girl with a 5ft ugly stick and a spincast reel she's only six. And she knows where to cast to she has 8 fish over 3lbs and she likes to throw topwater and jigs. I still remember her first fish 2.5lb spot on a small spinner bait the fish hit it as soon as it hit the water and the fight was on. It look like a person fighting a Marlin it was great. She is now hooked just like Daddy. Future Nut Case

[Melones_IS_Mine]

Hey cat938g, I agree with using a spinning set-up. I still have my 4'8" ultralight UglyStik from 19 years ago.

I've taught my friends, girlfriend, and girlfriends in the past how to fish. I make sure that the bite is at it's easiest so they have a great experience. Fishing deep is hard for beginners, so wait til they are fairly shallow.

I know I don't have to tell you of what technique to teach them first, but I start them off with a split-shot rig. Especially if you are in a boat. Even if they don't get the hang of dragging it on the bottom, they can still hook up even with little to no bottom contact.

You'd be surprised at how quickly some can learn, so then you have to judge if you should teach them more on their' first trip.

[cat938g]

Thanks for all the response. Sounds like a spinning with
a 6' to 6'6" rod.

[calfisher71]

Bass Pro has a black and pink UGLY Stick, got one for mt girl, she is 7 and has requested a spinning reel like dad.