Rocket rod for kids?

[Shack]

Anyone use this neat thing yet? My kids are bugging the heck out of me to buy it for them. I think it shoots bait and bobber out 10 or 20 yards and you reel in when a fish takes bobber down.

[DTro]

My nephew wanted one in the worst way and I talked my sis out of buying him one.

Couple things to think about

1. If the mechanism that shoots the bobber breaks, it's totally useless.

2. Get a snag and break off the proprietary bobber and it's also useless. I'm sure you can buy replacement bobbers, but I'd bet they are way overpriced.

[fishonnopeoff]

I think they are like $40 at Target. My kid has been bugging me as well......Im sure he will get one. But now I can wait and see what others think about it. Good thread.

[LwnmwnMan2]

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[Jimmy Jay R]

I hear ya dtro, the first thing i thought of when i saw this was...its just another way for parents to spend less time actually teaching their kids how to fish with a real pole.

[katoguy]

Gimmick, hopefully the kids will have a little fun before they break it. I think teaching a kid to cast with a true rod and reel (less expensive) may be better. Most gimmicks like these are of questionable quality.

That said, if you have the money then treat the the kid! You've probably spent $40 bucks on worse dump, at least this may entice kids to go fishing with you.

[Surface Tension]

I don't know many kids that need a gimmick to entice them to go fishing.

Put that 40 bucks toward a spinning combo. You'll be surprised how fast they learn how to cast.

Get them their own tackle box too and fill it with tackle.

[Cliff Wagenbach]

Quote:

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I don't know many kids that need a gimmick to entice them to go fishing.

Put that 40 bucks toward a spinning combo. You'll be surprised how fast they learn how to cast.

Get them their own tackle box too and fill it with tackle.

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RIGHT ON!

Start them right with the proper gear! They will learn to cast fast and have fun doing it! Just put something without hooks on their lines and let them practice in the back yard.

They would soon be bugging you for a REAL fishing rod anyway!

Cliff

[Surface Tension]

The rubber casting plug and practicing in the yard is solid advice.

I remember the day I took a Dare Devil out of the ol'mans box and was in the yard casting.

The spoon snagged up in the grass and I yanked and yanked. The Dare Devil came loose like a rocket right at me. I had shorts on and the hooks went into my leg. My brother came running by and made matters worse when he tripped on the fishing line and buried the hooks deeper.

[RobertELee]

Quote:

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I had shorts on and the hooks went into my leg. My brother came running by and made matters worse when he tripped on the fishing line and buried the hooks deeper.

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OOOUUUCCCHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

You made me cring when I read that

[Fishinglund]

I bought one for each of my kids...ages 6 & 8. They love them! Both of my kids can cast regular fishing poles very well, but if the fishing action slows down, they start to lose interest. The rocket rods give them something to keep them busy, and they still have the chance to catch fish. I say if these "gimmicks" are a way to help our family enjoy quality time together on the lake, then I am all for it.

To each their own, but I think they are well worth the money.

Fishinglund

[Duck Matt]

My five year old recieved one for his b-day from my sister and really loves it, he can use a spinning rod just fine, and i agree it is overpriced and a gimmick but any gimmick that gets more kids fishing is fine by me. By the way, my dad's idea of a first fishing rod for my brother and me were level wind bait casters, in the late 70's, all my cousins had johnson spin casts, but dad figured we should learn to use "real" equiptment. I guess he just liked untagling backlashes