…I have absolutely zero experience and knowledge on fresh water fishing. With a couple attempts, I could probably still rig a ballyhoo from childhood memories but when I look at these feathered and shiny lures, I’m a bit confused.
We got him this pole about 1.5-2 years ago, and I think he’s about ready to upgrade to a larger one that we have lying around. His uncle has said he’d show him the ropes but hasn’t come through, and to be honest isn’t much of an angler at all.
I’ll start reading through the beginner guide, but if you have any tips/knowledge to share, especially anything relevant for a 5 year old, it would be greatly appreciated. He’s really wanting to finally catch a fish. We’re in central Florida and would mostly be shore/dock fishing. Thanks in advance!
Posted by andy_1232
7 Comments
Learn together he wont know you know nothing look up your local species and what they like to eat and look up fishing knots
I live inland so not surf fishing, but all you need for a pond/lake is bobber hook and worm.
Youtube is your friend here.
Could also find a tackle shop or bait shop and ask for advice there.
My advice: Watch and learn from fellow anglers when you guys are fishing. Ask them all your questions. Fishermen are usually always receptive to beginners and enjoy teaching! 😀
Get that frog off there first of all. Some night crawlers and maybe plastic senko is all you need to start.
You can never go wrong with a worm/split shot/slip bobber combo for the youngins. The slip bobber is clutch, as it lets them cast one small package instead of a 2′ section of line below the bobber with the hook whipping around and hooking something that would be less fun to deal with.
I just started my 6 year old on moving lures with crappie sized paddle tail I rigged up weedless with a size 2 ewg and split shot in place of an exposed hook jig head and she’s been having a blast (and not getting snagged nearly as much as when we tried the rooster tail….shed get distracted and stop reeling long enough for it to hit bottom and get hung up). She’d get bored on slow days waiting for a hit on the worm/bobber combo but she can go all day with a more cast and retrieve style.
If he’s solid in the casting department and that keeps him engaged, I’d go with a weedless soft plastic (half a senko weightless on a small ewg or offset worm hook is money, and it’s super hard for them to snag) or something like a 2″ paddle tail rigged weedless like I mention above.
Given that you’re in Florida, any of the above mentions should get him into some fish with ease
Also to add that it is a good idea to go by yourself if you get a new rod that you aren’t comfortable initially with casting (aka some solo practice so you don’t have to worry about accidentally hooking him) or trying a new local place. The new location doesn’t have to be a fishingbtrip per say but to at least do some scouting to generally understand where things are. That can frustrate very young anglers. Once he gets some experience too, he will want to be on those scouting trips but initially avoiding all of the downtime generally keeps his fish per hour and thus excitement up.
Square bill crank bait for smaller panfish. A local pond will likely have them. Bass is bit more difficult imo but id start with panfish