Freashwater fishing setup for a 3yr old - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

boxturtle · 04-04-2016, 10:45 AM

So it looks like my kiddo is ready to graduate to a real fishing setup. I was looking at the starter kits but remembered how they use to always bird nest inside the reels. Any suggestions?

jorluivil · 04-04-2016, 11:08 AM

Avet 2 speed and a Calcutta rod with 65lb power pro

JeffB · 04-04-2016, 11:48 AM

My son uses a little Shimano Symetre 1000 w/ a 5' 6" crucial rod. It took a good cpl trips to teach him how to flip the bail and hold/ let go of the line when casting, but it'll handle almost anything we fish for fresh and in the bay. He also has a Symetre 2500 on a 6' field Stream special.

Hunters Pa · 04-04-2016, 12:23 PM

Mine learned spinning reels a lot faster than I thought. Get a sturdier (6-12 lb line rated) rod about 5 -6 feet long. Something easy for them to handle but sturdy enough to handle some abuse. And inexpensive enough that you won't get upset of it gets broken if it is used as a light saber.

Same approach on the reel. Something they can handle easily, but that you can take apart to clean out the dirt & sand if it gets dragged behind them for 20 yards before you realize.

I'm not saying your kid will do these things, but when supplying any activity for my kids I try to avoid potential frustration on my part from the start. A happy daddy makes for a happier outing.

YOYOYaker · 04-04-2016, 01:16 PM

I can remember, when I was 6, I loved my Zebco 202. Not that I would trade my current reels for one, though. I think I liked it because it replaced my 1st setup, which was one of those handlines with the green dacron wrapped around the yellow plastic.

Harry Hill · 04-04-2016, 01:57 PM

I started with a Johnson Century spin cast reel on a stout fiberglass rod, I caught a ton of fish on that outfit. You couldn't mess up casting or bird nest it and it was a tough reel.

boxturtle · 04-04-2016, 02:01 PM

Haha Jorge I will tell the wife that... jeff awesome pic right there! Hunters Pa great advice! yoyo my first setup was a beer can lined with 15lb mono. Slayed a ton of catfish with it. I will go to the local tackle shop to see what type of rods they have. I was really hesitant about the spinning reel but will give it a try.

04-04-2016, 10:45 AM	#1
boxturtle Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Posts: 291	Freashwater fishing setup for a 3yr old So it looks like my kiddo is ready to graduate to a real fishing setup. I was looking at the starter kits but remembered how they use to always bird nest inside the reels. Any suggestions?

04-04-2016, 11:08 AM	#2
jorluivil Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Posts: 6,855	Avet 2 speed and a Calcutta rod with 65lb power pro __________________ www.facebook.com/Teamsewer

04-04-2016, 12:23 PM	#4
Hunters Pa Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Fullerton Posts: 1,358	Mine learned spinning reels a lot faster than I thought. Get a sturdier (6-12 lb line rated) rod about 5 -6 feet long. Something easy for them to handle but sturdy enough to handle some abuse. And inexpensive enough that you won't get upset of it gets broken if it is used as a light saber. Same approach on the reel. Something they can handle easily, but that you can take apart to clean out the dirt & sand if it gets dragged behind them for 20 yards before you realize. I'm not saying your kid will do these things, but when supplying any activity for my kids I try to avoid potential frustration on my part from the start. A happy daddy makes for a happier outing.

04-04-2016, 01:16 PM	#5
YOYOYaker Junior Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: San Marcos, CA Posts: 28	I can remember, when I was 6, I loved my Zebco 202. Not that I would trade my current reels for one, though. I think I liked it because it replaced my 1st setup, which was one of those handlines with the green dacron wrapped around the yellow plastic.

04-04-2016, 01:57 PM	#6
Harry Hill Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: Yucaipa, CA Posts: 1,136	I started with a Johnson Century spin cast reel on a stout fiberglass rod, I caught a ton of fish on that outfit. You couldn't mess up casting or bird nest it and it was a tough reel.

04-04-2016, 02:01 PM	#7
boxturtle Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Posts: 291	Haha Jorge I will tell the wife that... jeff awesome pic right there! Hunters Pa great advice! yoyo my first setup was a beer can lined with 15lb mono. Slayed a ton of catfish with it. I will go to the local tackle shop to see what type of rods they have. I was really hesitant about the spinning reel but will give it a try.