Too Big Too Soon???? Rod/reel combo for 3+yr old

[Down to Earth]

I have a son who turned 3 last November 3. I got him out in the boat with me a few times last year, in which he used a little "Snoopy" style pole. It was so short and impossible to set the hook, etc. I pretty much had him casting a non hooked rapala eventually just to give him practice with the motion and to keep things safer in the boat. I've been looking in the Cabela's catalog and I'm thinking about picking up a Zebco Gold Combo with the 11 Gold reel. Rod length is a 5' 2 piece light action rod. What is your opinion with going with this kind of set for him at his age? Thanks.

Andy

[walleye_guy18]

andy,

if you think it would help him put more fish in the boat and have more fun than go for it. Just make sure he isnt getting frustrated with the longer rod or having any trouble because of the "higher tech" gear. it is better to make sure he stays interested in the sport and always wants to come with dad when he goes out fishing.

walleye guy

[The_Duckslayer]

If you are out in the boat then there is not a need to cast a half mile. Maybe a spincast reel on a 3 foot ice fishing rod would work. In the spring when fishing the crappie holes out of the boat under a bobber that is what I use... Take care and N Joy the Hunt././Jimbo

[delmuts]

wow ! it won't hurt, but keep in mind it mite be a little much for his motor skills. i would say get himm one. if he has trouble then save it for him for another year.it truely depends on the kid.i think i bought my twins spincast outfits when they were four ? with in a year or two they were up to spinning reels and about age 6/7 my son started using a baitcaster. if he loves to cast,( like dad! )then i would start him out with a beetle spin or something with less hooks. i would just try it and see.he will tire fast, so keep it fun ! good luck !

[CrappieJohn]

I think he'd do fine with that set-up, Andy. Remember, he is going to grow. If this rig "looks" like a "dad" piece of gear, it will be easier for you to teach him to respect the rod as it won't look or appear to him as being a toy. They notice this stuff. And yes, even in a boat you will find the need to cast. You do don't you?

[leechlake]

Speaking from experience (I've caught more fish on my son's Lion King combo the past three years than any rod I own)I'd say give it a try. Worst scenario is it doesn't work and you put it away for a few years. I'd suggest some sort of tether or float because kids have a tendency to drop it overboard accidently. Hats off to you to on bringing him fishing, my 6 year old has been my favorite fishing buddy and he seems to always catch fish, unlike his old man.

[SteveWilson]

My kids are 6 and 7 and they are just starting to use 5' light spinning rods with proper spinning reels. Before this (starting at 4 and 5) they used a combo from Quantum that included a 4' UL rod with a Quantum Xtralite Triggerspin reel. This little combo (picked up at Cabela's didn't see it online) from Quantum works very well. The reel is suprisingly good and each of my kids became quite proficient at casting with it (20 yards or so). They've caught crappies, walleyes, bass, and even the odd pike on it. I've even taken their combos with me when I've been shore fishing and have had to cast from the bushes.

I think a 5' rod would be a bit too long for a 3 year old to handle well. I would look at 4' rod; not much difference for you and me but a heck of a large difference for someone small. If you're pan fishing a decent ice fishing setup would probably work well too.

[CRAPPIEBAIT]

We had the "snoopy" set-up for all 3(soon to be 4 kids)of our kids.The first 2(girls)never really had a problem with casting.Now comes my boy,he could cast with it but no further than about 5'-6'.Well he was starting to get upset and looseing intrest in the sport.One night last summer him and I went to the tackle shop so he could pick out a new rod.Zebco gold it was.The kid does not put it down.Even in the winter.Every night/day we are home and out in the shop,he sits on the picnic table casting his practice plug. He can sit there for hours with out saying a word.Just casting and reeling.OH yeah,he can cast out about 35'+ with out any trouble now.

[slick814]

Zebco makes a 3 foot rod that they used to call a "Sizzle stick".. put a 202 on it, or maybe a little better spincast reel, and your son will be able to use it for a few years, until he's tall enough to handle a 5' rod pretty easily. I bought one for my oldest daughter (now 13), and it went from her to her younger sister, to their younger brother, 2 younger cousins, and will be used by the newborn in a couple of years. There have been Pike up to 6#, Walleye after Walleye, Crappies, Sunnies, and a 10# Cat caught on it with no troubles. Check out Wal-Mart, as I think they still carry them.

Nice thing about it, it's a perfect ice fishing set up for the young ones, too. In winter, I just tossed some hot sauce reel lube in it, and never had a problem. Like I said, this thing has been through 5 kids, from North Carolina to MN, open water, ice, spring, summer, fall...

Open water it can cast pretty decent 30 - 50', and it was about perfect when the kids were learning to cast, and there wasn't the learning curve problems that you'll experience with a longer rod. Trust me, I bought the boy a 5' rod when he was 5... BIG mistake... tangles, messes, watching your head, not to mention anyone else around.. the shorter rod is perfect for them at 3 - 6 years old...

[gunflint]

Down to Earth,

I don't think the rod and reel choice are that important at his age. The main thing is keep it fun. They grow so fast. I could tell you a hundred stories about fishing with my kids but I'll be darned if I can remember what rods and reels we were using.

Now I get to fish with my son on opener and that's about it for the year. He's foolishly off trying to start his own life. (go figure)

A word of caution; The fishing gods smile more kindly on children than they do on us. He will probably start outfishing you 3 to 1 by the time he's 5.

[Norsk Fisker]

My oldest boy started with a snoopy rig but by age of 3 he was needing something better. I found a cheap but short pole about 4' long and equipped it with a decent reel. He used it for years and still grabs it once in a while as a back up rod. He is 19 now, and really hooked on fishing, and I couldn't be happier. He was pretty coordinated for his age and found the rod to his liking. The ability to actually cast the lure or bait where he wanted it was great satisfaction for him. I say go for it, you should be able to find a short ultra light or something to outfit him with a "big kid" outfit. Keep in mind that every kid is different, my younger son was not up to using anything more technical than a broom stick and string.

Have a great time ... we sure did.

[Sportland_Bait]

The best combo for kids that are in between snoopy and a full size set up is the Zebco Hot Rod Combo. It is a smaller combo. The rod is about 4 feet long and has a matching spincast reel. They work great, they fight fish pretty good and you can even cast these rigs a little. They retail for about $13. They come in bright colors the kids usually love them.Durability is always an issue when it comes to spincast reels. So I'd guess you could get a year out of it before you need to update.

Jason Erlandson

[Scoot]

Related question to this- can you put superline on a spincast reel? I'd like to take my nephew out for some northern fishing this summer and I'd like to spool up his rod with 6/20 PowerPro. Will that work or will the line have problems in the reel?

[Sportland_Bait]

I'm sure it would work out fine. Power pro is pretty soft and should lay down ok. Just make sure you don't overfill the spool, that seems to cause problems.

Jason Erlandson