question for those with kids?

[Mr.J.]

Now that we all seem to agree about getting the kids some decent equipment what do we do about kids being kids and dropping that $75 setup over board?

Anyone have any successfull setups?

[Relic]

Rod Floaters Saw them for sale at the Carp show.

[Mr.J.]

Is that like the pool noodle floater I have for my net?

And this was done because kids will be kids and I didn't want to watch my net sink away.

[Buck Fever]

I bought a character rods for each of my kids, they lasted 1 year and fell apart. Then I bought them a 'real' fishing rod, they were thrilled. I can't even say the f- word (fishing) around the house without the kids going nuts.

[DaveH]

hehe being a brand-new Dad, this isn't something i have to worry about quite yet, however, I did buy one of those Scooby Do outfits for my neighbour's kid.

We haven't been out to use it yet, but as he's only 2 years old...I suspect it will be just fine for floating a bobber and yanking up the tiny perch and rock-bass.

I know for my kid I'll probably start out that way for the first year or so, then buy him something more like the ice-fishing set up once he's a little older, like around 4, and is more interested in trying to actually cast (I can already feel the pain of the lure sinking into my ear)

But yeah, if you're looking at getting someone who's older than a toddler a fishing gear, get the real thing! And if you're going to get it for someone older than 7, spend some money on it, because even the cheap spincast reels are a total mess!!!

My little brother (10) used to use spincast reels, even some around $30-40 ... and they were a constant headache. I got him using my spinning gear last year and man, he's never looked back. He out-casts me half the time now!!!

So I guess my opinion is that choose you're target audience and potential skill level.
I remember catching a lot of fish with a tree branch and some fishing line when I was a kid...those scooby doo outfits can't be much worse *LOL*

[Kingmann]

My two boys 3 and 5 love their spongebob and mickey mouse rods. They have had them for two years now. The rods work well for very small fish (panfish) but when my 3 year old (two at the time) caught a 1 lbs smallie last year the reel would not bring the fish in. I had to hand bomb it and then reel in the line. I don't really like the rods that much but they do which is what matters to me. The first time they want a real rod I will give them the ones I have waiting in reserve (Zebco202's).

JasonM

[jsdx]

The snoopy rods are pretty lousy however once you see your kid pulling in a 4 lb bass, rod bent in two, lifting the fish clear out of the water with the rod alone, you'll be happy that he's only breaking a crappy rod. Looks pretty cool catching a huge fish on the toy rod too.

My kids did a couple of years with the snoopy rods (till aroudn 5-6 years old) and now have graduated to the bigger stuff. If they had good stuff from day one, I shudder at the abuse it would get.
1) whack sister, pretending its a sword, or zorro blade (write in dirt)
2) poking rocks, turtles. dad
3) bent in two due to snags and a misunderstanding of "stop pulling"
4) stepped on hundreds of times.
5) rescued from dropped in lake at least 5 times.

The reels suck but I found if you replace the line, they work better. The line that comes with them is a million years old and has the memory to prove it. Super coil spring material limper than some of that line.

[Mr.J.]

Rod Floaters Saw them for sale at the Carp show.

Relic

Help me out buddy, I looked thru Cdn Tire, Lebaron's and cannot find anything that comes close to this.

Do the math, my son's new rod and reel is worth $68.76 so I am very eager to find these floaters for rods.

[wolfe]

My kids did a couple of years with the snoopy rods (till aroudn 5-6 years old) and now have graduated to the bigger stuff. If they had good stuff from day one, I shudder at the abuse it would get.
1) whack sister, pretending its a sword, or zorro blade (write in dirt)
2) poking rocks, turtles. dad
3) bent in two due to snags and a misunderstanding of "stop pulling"
4) stepped on hundreds of times.
5) rescued from dropped in lake at least 5 times.

I think only people with kids will realize how FUNNY and how TRUE these are!!!!!!!! Good laugh, jsdx!!!!!

W.

[fishforfun]

I had a cord from the rod to thier life jacket, a pain at times but peace of mind. Rod floaters sound great, never seen them. As for fighting and jabbing, a good smack on the arse cures that!

[Moosebunk]

Yeah I bought my daughter Summer a Scoobie Doo rod last spring. We don't have panfish up here, only walleye and pike, which she can't cast for anyways because my boat is much too deep for her, and 5 year olds can't keep spoons skimming the surface or play jigs off bottom by feel. What I loved about the rod though, was that she learned to cast pretty good right there in my living room, and after all that practice when we went south in the fall, she had a blast catching perch and sunfish. I owe Scoobie Doo a Scoobie Snack for at least bringing some interest and enjoyment to my daughter. When I'm living on Calabogie, Rideau or Mississippi or whatever in a couple years, she'll get the real goods.

[wolfe]

I had a cord from the rod to thier life jacket, a pain at times but peace of mind.

fff...
What would have happened if the little tykes tied into a monster 'lunge?!

W.

[g unis]

i grew up long before the spinning reels were popular, you might remember the black line and an old casting reel steel rod. my dad took out thousands of back lashes with 3 boys. so hang in there it could be worse

[fishforfun]

Wolfe had It ever been that big I would followed the wake the kids were leaving in hopes I could get the rod! Just kidding honestly never thought of that, but with 4lb test could they be towed overboard?

[wolfe]

Just wondering, fff, as I'd hate to see you lose one of those cute rods!



W.