Thread: best rig for young kids

after much good behavior, I finally purchased a rod and reel for my 7 year old daughter. She's not what I would call overly coordinated, so I got her a Shakespeare Microlite combo. It's actually a ton of fun in TX freshwater. She is insistent on casting herself, so I will usually rig up a plastic artificial work (or similar) with the hook nestled such that it's weedless and really the hook is nestled along side the worm so as to keep the danger level lower.

We will be down next week and she wants to "surf" fish with dad. What is a good rig or set up where I can let her cast on her own and have fun without too much worry. I have plenty of artificials where I could do similar, but not sure anything will even remotely be interested in that.

She has NEVER caught a fish, despite many tries, so I would love to up the odds for her. Thought maybe a bottom type rig (or pompano rig) with fishbites could be fun (although she seems to really just want to cast and retrieve). any suggestions?

I will do my best to impress upon her that perhaps casting and retrieving with a microlite set up may not have the highest probability of success, but I'm no expert myself. Perhaps you guys know of something that will work just fine to suit that need.

Unfortunately there is not much you can do in the surf for a kid with cast and retrieve I would really try to get her to use a Carolina rig with fish bites and fresh dead shrimp She should catch fish Other than that take her tithe pier and get her a sabiki rig Drop it straight down and gig it or tip the hooks with shrimp She ll get tired of catching fish doing this Good Luck !!

Thnaks Dan. I think I need to get her to catch a fish using the pompano or similar type rig and fishbites and then she will understand that for her, bait and wait will produce more fish. what size hook is best for that kind of fishing? she's got 4# test on that cheap little combo and I haven't had the time to change it out.

IF the gulf is calm it may be 'doable'.
Try a 3" Gulp Shrimp on a 1/4 ounce jighead or maybe even two 2" Gulp shrimp on 1/8 ounce jig heads rigged in tandem (kindof like a speck rig).
She should catch all kinds of small jacks, maybe even a flounder, whiting or pompano.

C rig with any dead bait will get her on a steady remora bite. They are big and pull perfect for a kid. Bring a step stool orva bucket to stand on to get her over the rail..

If I were you I'd try the plan you outlined Bait and wait will be her most successful approach 4lb line may be stretching it but could work I'd be more comfortable with 6-8 Small hook I use 1.0 and size 2 With your guidance she should be fine If worst comes to worst and you need something a little heavier for her send me a PM and I'd be happy to lend you an outfit for her to use during your trip as I can tell she's a fisherperson at heart and that needs to be cultivated

Originally Posted by DAN S II

If I were you I'd try the plan you outlined Bait and wait will be her most successful approach 4lb line may be stretching it but could work I'd be more comfortable with 6-8 Small hook I use 1.0 and size 2 With your guidance she should be fine If worst comes to worst and you need something a little heavier for her send me a PM and I'd be happy to lend you an outfit for her to use during your trip as I can tell she's a fisherperson at heart and that needs to be cultivated

That is too kind of you! thanks. I actually bring another combo that is a little bigger for either her or the wife to use, should she want in on the action. I am also bringing some 8# ande back country that I can throw on her reel should the 4# prove inadequate. I will pick up some 1.0 and size 2 circle hooks if i can find them at the old BP tonight. I think the real key will be showing her some results with bait and wait that will make even a 7 year old have an ounce of patience. And if that fails, I can use Pier#r's suggestion of some gulp shrimp (which I've got plenty of) and she can have at that method while I go off and fish myself for a bit.

mforbesiii,
It sounds like you have the right gear and plan; the only thing I would suggest is you might want smaller hooks. i like #2 and #4 Kahle hooks with Carolina Rigs.

Also, don't under estimate the power of small setups!

Whiting are plentiful in the surf just a few yards past where the waves are receding off the beach. Size 6 hooks with small pieces of fresh dead shrimp will catch them along with the occasional pompano, juvenile jack crevalle, hardtail, or pinfish. The whiting will also bite a heavier weight chartreuse tandem speck rig(cheap ones from Wal-Mart work fine). If you're not picky about what you catch then bait her up with some squid. You will almost certainly catch a hardhead catfish and maybe a pompano or redfish. Spray her reel inside and out with Reel Magic before you expose it to saltwater, rinse thoroughly afterwards with cool freshwater and reapply Reel Magic or the saltwater will destroy it. Hope she catches dinner!

In years passed I would let my young son use a ribbon rig to catch LY's on the pier. He had a ball. Only draw back was I had to remove them so he could catch more. Not much fishing for dad but what the heck it's about them having fun.