The starter fishing combos for children need to be lightweight and easy to use. In addition, the equipment needs to withstand the abuse children will accidentally inflict. They do not have to be expensive and different models will fit the needs of children based on their age when you start fishing. Answering a few questions to narrow down the choices is the best place to start.
Does the child plan to fish more or less? The more time a child spends fishing will mean buying a fishing combo that is better quality allowing the child to grow into the combo, and this aspect needs consideration.
Is this going to be a basic piece of equipment? This is likely what many people are looking for in a child’s first fishing combo. Children’s fishing combos come in many budget-friendly offerings. Although better combos are available.
What Fishing Combo is Best for Children?
Fishing combos 30-40 inches are best for young children. A longer rod will be difficult for them to handle. Children 6 years or older can use a rod equal to their height or up to a foot longer. Children become discouraged quickly with difficult tasks, therefore, a short rod is important.
What Type of Reel to Choose?
Children without experience should start with a spin-cast model reel. Spincast reels have a closed face greatly reducing the tangled line off the reel. Spin cast reels also have a push-button release adding to ease of use. A simple drag system is another feature of these styles of reels.
Older children are exceptions to this guideline. Considering that a child 6 or older may be able to use a spinning reel combo based on physical ability. If your child has played T-ball this could be an option, as a result of skills crossing over between sports. The spinning reels use an open face concept in the design.
A bail works as a line guide to put the line on the reel. The bail is flipped open for making a cast and closed after the cast. There is a chance the line will tangle during the cast due to improper loading of the line, or an older and often cheap line. The drag system adjustment can be on the front or rear of the reel with finer adjustment possible on many models.
What Type of Line?
The starter fishing combos for children come spooled with the correct strength of the line installed. Although the line is of a lower quality, it is still satisfactory for a short period of time. The lower quality lines tend to have “memory” that causes them to loop. Therefore a spool of moderate-priced monofilament line of 6-8 lb test is a good insurance policy to prevent a ruined day of fishing.
How much are Starter Fishing Combos
The price of fishing equipment is often a reflection of quality. You do not need to spend a lot to get started. After all, the fishing combo will be used for one or two years in most instances. The child will then want to get a better fishing combo or lose interest possibly. Starting in the twenty to the sixty-dollar range is reasonable and consequently, this will give plenty of options based on what you feel best suits your individual child. Additionally, if you have multiple children the proper care of starter combos will allow the equipment to be passed on to another child.
Additional Tackle
You have a few options in this area of fishing. The starter fishing combos often come with a small assortment of hooks, sinkers, and floats. These are considered terminal tackle and will last a few outings. You should purchase extra hooks, sinkers, and floats (a.k.a. bobbers) when buying the starter combo or soon afterward.
It is suggested to buy hooks in a couple of sizes based on the fish you are trying to catch. An example is a size 10 -12 hooks for panfish or trout along with a size 6-8 for larger fish. Consider targeting common species that are easy to catch.
Assortment packs of weights are available. The packs contain various sizes and possibly styles. The bobbers also come in assortment packs and choose a pack with several sizes. Terminal tackle costs a few dollars and will be used within a couple of outings.
Fishing equipment manufacturers have beginner anglers in mind with various selections of starter equipment. The majority are worth purchasing if you follow the suggestions in this article. The best option is to keep the cost down until your child expresses an ongoing interest in fishing. At that time better equipment can be purchased based on ability and how often they fish.
Keeping fishing simple for tight lines and bragging rights.
John McIntyre