I've never used spinnerbaits but they seem popular. What lure could I get for the little guy that is fool proof (i.e. wont get snagged, doesnt need rod action to make it effective etc).
You know, just cast out and retrieve, nothing else too it. Any of course, something that WONT GET SNAGGED.
Thanks guys.
Anything that won't get snagged will usually require a more firm hookset... For example a true Texas rigged worm
I recommend an inline spinner. Mepps to be specific. A true multi species bait that will keep the kid busy.
It's what I tie on when I just want a bite and I have caught bass, crappie, bluegill, pike and channel cat on a mepps spinner.
If you cast and continuously reel there won't be any snagging.
Other than that you can try a 4" senko weightless rigged Tex-posed and then lightly skin hooked.
Hard to beat a Texas rig with worm 'texposed'. The few occasions I've had, I started them with a worm with a curly tail...that way, they can drop and drag real slow, if they have the patience....or if they like to reel a lot, the action helps them get bit. Cut-R's and Culprits are what I generally reach for. Depending on your situation (dock, boat, cover, etc.) a ned rig can be fun, too. Esp since you can now get weedless ned heads.
Bladed swim jig....ie, Chatterbait, or a paddletail bait rigged weedless. You're doing a good thing with that little guy.
On 5/26/2017 at 2:34 AM, Yeajray231 said:Anything that won't get snagged will usually require a more firm hookset... For example a true Texas rigged worm
light wire hooks, light weight and texposed rig ....and more often than not, the fish will hook themselves....hopefully, not in the gut too much
Yeah we're fishing in a really small pond. I think the bass are maybe ~6 inches big. The bottom of pond seems to have a lot of a plant life/weeds. Perhaps the first 6 feet or so is shallowish and then it starts to drop.
I was thinking a swimbait could work. I use Sebile Magic Swimmers for stripers and they work great. Anything similar for a 6 inch bass?
The little guy also needs something with a bit of weight to get out as he is still learning to cast!
Wont a texas rig need rod action to work and get snagged in the weeds?
On 5/26/2017 at 2:47 AM, bitsandbass said:I was thinking a swimbait could work. I use Sebile Magic Swimmers for stripers and they work great. Anything similar for a 6 inch bass?
I use the Keitech Easy Shiner in ponds, small 2/0 EWG does the trick if it needs to be 100% weedless. Any kind of fluke-like bait would also be a good choice. But, unless you add a nail weight or something, they're still pretty light and don't offer a whole lot of feedback until you get bit.
I would second the initial response on the Mepps (or walmart brand) inline spinners. Small bass, bluegill, crappie will just keep biting them all day, and the treble hook takes the frustration out of trying to set the hook. Sure it might get snagged here and there, but they're inexpensive and as long as the kid can crank fast, they're effective.
If the weeds are sub-surface by a few inches, the 90 whopper plopper or a small wakebait could also be a good fit.
On 5/26/2017 at 2:36 AM, 2tall79 said:You're doing a good thing with that little guy.
Yeah I dont know if you saw my other posts about trying to find him a rod & reel. I found a decent deal on a reel today, well at least I hope so.
Are Shimano Nexave FD spinning reels any good? I got the 1000 for $15 at Dicks. I figured it would be better than the Chinese Pisfun at at the same price I was planning to get.
Now I just need to find an ultralight rod. The 6' rod he is learning to cast on is a bit large. I think 5' would be ideal, but then again, he will get less casting distance with a shorter rod, and next year a 5 footer may be too small for him, so I want to invest for the future. I was thinking about just getting him a 6'6 and hoping he grows into it. Still trying to figure out what length is best, and trying to find a deal on a decent rod. More to come.
I would think a topwater plug like the Heddon Tiny Torpedo might be a good choice. It floats so you won't snag bottom and for young anglers being able to see the lure keeps their attention.
On 5/26/2017 at 2:56 AM, fullcoupe said:I would second the initial response on the Mepps (or walmart brand) inline spinners
I actually looked these up. I have a bunch of them at home. I dont know where I got them. But surely these would get snagged like crazy on the bottom?
I have this bait in with my spinnerbaits and don't know the correct name but it is produced by Blue Fox that is an inline spinner with a blade, shad shaped body, with an undressed single treble hook on the rear. They can be bought with various body patterns. Silver, gold, rainbow trout, brown trout, brook trout.
On 5/26/2017 at 2:58 AM, Turtle135 said:It floats so you won't snag bottom
This is what I think would be best. Something that floats, has some weight so it can be cast at distance, and that swims by itself on return not requiring rod action to work.
Do you guys know SP Minnows. Great lure for stripers. Anything comprable for the pond?
What about a crankbait? I found this, any good? 0.5oz
Original rapala jointed minnow, in one of the larger sizes that cast better.
Also It may not be for all environments, but both my boys learned on shallow square bills in ponds. Only possible concern is where they transition from the waters edge to bank, sometimes kids don't have the best awareness of where the bait is and booger it up at the end of the retrieve.
LOL.....all you guys above suggesting inline spinners and crankbaits and torpedos and wp's.....all with treble hooks....none of youse guys have kids....do you?
@fullcoupe not just small bass eat an inline spinner I promise you this !
@Choporoz yes... I do have a child. And nephews and cousins and I tend to always put them on some fish. And a spinner bait does the trick quite often ! If they can cast and reel it's effective .
Beetle Spin.
Tom
On 5/26/2017 at 3:00 AM, bitsandbass said:
I actually looked these up. I have a bunch of them at home. I dont know where I got them. But surely these would get snagged like crazy on the bottom?
Don't fish em on the bottom ! I don't know your location but most of the US has warmer water and some active fish ! Cast and reel.
Johnson Silver Minnow
> No Hazardous Treble Hooks
> Nothing To Rig, Nothing To Fail
> Remarkably Weedless
> Casts like a bullet
> Catches ALL piscivorous fish
(Just be sure to sharpen the big single hook before using, which are notoriously dull out of the package)
Roger
On 5/26/2017 at 4:05 AM, Choporoz said:LOL.....all you guys above suggesting inline spinners and crankbaits and torpedos and wp's.....all with treble hooks....none of youse guys have kids....do you?
That's what I was thinking. We're headed to a lake this weekend and my 3 year old wants to fish with me. We've got her Dora rod with 10 lb power pro and a flouro leader ready with a 4 inch curly tail worm with a split shot about 6 inches from the barbless worm hook.
I'd rather see my daughter catch a sunny than me catch a 5 pounder.
your 5 year old is patient enough to cast and retrieve lures? wow, mine sure wasnt. worm and bobber was all she used
Ditto on the Beetle Spin .
On 5/26/2017 at 4:18 AM, RoLo said:
Johnson Silver Minnow
> No Hazardous Treble Hooks
> Nothing To Rig, Nothing To Fail
> Remarkably Weedless
> Casts like a bullet
> Catches ALL piscivorous fish
(Just be sure to sharpen the big single hook before using, they're notoriously dull out of the package)
Roger
There is no doubt. This is it. Get him the weight that he can cast easily, put a white pork rind or grub on the back, and go for it. Good for you , Roger! All the suggestions for spinnerbait variations, spinners with trebles, etc, will just get snagged. If not getting snagged is a priority, this is the answer. You can cast it onto the pads, drag it, and the bass will kill it. Just be sure as suggested that you sharpen the hook and make sure the weed guard is bent so it's just above the hook point.
On 5/26/2017 at 4:13 AM, tholmes said:Beetle Spin.
Tom
This looks interesting. Never used one. The hook is facing up so wont get snagged on the bottom. Seems simple enough to cast out and retrieve. Neat.
Yeah guys, if anyone has kids, you know whats its like. Maybe he will cast out, and see a butterly, and drop the rod for a bit. Any type of inline spinner with trebbels will drop to the bottom and get snagged while little guy is messing around.
I'll look into the Johnson Silver Minnow too. Thanks.
for my kiddos i always went with a taxes rig or Carolina. ball weight or a barrel. for bait wise i would use something that the hook can be buried in or just poke the tip out a worm.
These guys are good!
#1 vote -Beetlespin (great for multi-species, especially slab crappies)
#2 vote - Johnson Silver Minnow.
Bottom-line, IMO, avoid trebles with kiddos..........you're just askin' for it
On 5/26/2017 at 4:13 AM, tholmes said:Beetle Spin.
Tom
My exact favorite color body too. I like a 1/8 oz gold blade too. Always have one of each when I go to a new body of water
On 5/26/2017 at 4:13 AM, tholmes said:Beetle Spin.
Tom
Im going Beetle Spin! I dont know, but this lure just looks sexy AF. Really like it hahahaha. Hopefully my little man can catch something.
Thanks for your help.
On 5/26/2017 at 6:02 AM, Dorado said:These guys are good!
#1 vote -Beetlespin (great for multi-species, especially slab crappies)
#2 vote - Johnson Silver Minnow.
Bottom-line, IMO, avoid trebles with kiddos..........you're just askin' for it
My exact favorite color body too. I like a 1/8 oz gold blade too. Always have one of each when I go to a new body of water
What color is this one? Bass Pro has like a kajillion different weights and colors.
My grandaughter is about 4 yrs old in my avatar, we were having a blast over some shallow rocks with a popper. I'd cast to get some distance, she could understand to let the rings disappear and give the bait a little pop, then wait and watch. The smallies were willing and we had a blast... she's 8 now and still remembers. She lives 7 hours away and we don't get to do that near enough!
oe
Kids always remember putting their first worm on a hook, so I would do that before going with a surface jig. Kids love casting and seeing a strike is a lot of fun.
.......and a weightless/weedless 4 inch Trig always works
On 5/26/2017 at 5:50 AM, bitsandbass said:This looks interesting. Never used one. The hook is facing up so wont get snagged on the bottom. Seems simple enough to cast out and retrieve. Neat.
Indeed, the Beetle Spin is a well-known panfish slayer of yore, but in my opinion, it is the not
the ideal lure for a toddler. Unlike modern safety-pin spinners that employ an "R" bend eyelet,
the Beetle Spin uses the old-fashioned looped wire eyelet. Depending on wind direction,
throwing a beetle spin in an adverse breeze can cause the line to wrap around the wire eyelet
on every few casts. Just a heads-up.
Roger
Zebco 22/ Ugly Stick ml combo from Wally World is what my 7 yr old has been using since he was 4. He started with an 1/8 oz beetle spin with a white 2" curly grub in place of the green grub that comes with it. Once he got comfy casting (and I felt safe), I got him a MH rod and started him with square bills and especially a whopper plopper. He fishes the plopper 90% of the time now. I also replaced the line on the reel with 15 lb power pro once he graduated from the smaller lures.
We use a 4 inch senko with a 3/0 EGW offset worm hook Texas rigged for all our little folks when we switch over from what we call bobber klobbing. (Live bait). They catch a lot of fish with this rig.
On 5/26/2017 at 2:34 AM, Yeajray231 said:Anything that won't get snagged will usually require a more firm hookset... For example a true Texas rigged worm
I recommend an inline spinner. Mepps to be specific. A true multi species bait that will keep the kid busy.
It's what I tie on when I just want a bite and I have caught bass, crappie, bluegill, pike and channel cat on a mepps spinner.
If you cast and continuously reel there won't be any snagging.
Other than that you can try a 4" senko weightless rigged Tex-posed and then lightly skin hooked.
Totally agree on the inline spinner. That was my favorite lure from age 8 to 15. I really enjoyed using the Eagle Claw two way spinner (and still do) with a little plastic grub or piece of nightcrawler on the hook. This has caught me rainbows, bullhead, bass, bluegill, brown trout, channel catfish, drum. Beat worm under a bobber every time plus I was able to constantly cast and reel instead of wait. Highly Recommended
These were my greatest multi-species and numbers lures as a kid.
I used to give my kids a small crappie jig (the ones that come in a tube) with a stick bobber up about 18".
It got enough action from pull it in that they caught a few and it stayed off the bottom so snag free.
Worked pretty good til my daughter caught about a 24" pike. Hilarious!
Guys, will hard plastic crankbaits catch all fish or only specific species?
This crankbait at Bass Pro looks like it would be simple enough for my son to cast and retrieve, 1/2oz.
Strike King Red Eye Shad Crankbaits
On 5/26/2017 at 4:13 AM, tholmes said:Beetle Spin.
Tom
I liked that guy's vid. What color is this one (specific name, I cant find it at Bass Pro)?
another vote for the beetle spin, color almost doesn't matter it's such a good lure especially for kids. Just cast and retrieve and it's enough to set the kid on a lifelong passion for catchin.
Dug
On 5/26/2017 at 11:31 AM, bitsandbass said:Guys, will hard plastic crankbaits catch all fish or only specific species?
This crankbait at Bass Pro looks like it would be simple enough for my son to cast and retrieve, 1/2oz.
Strike King Red Eye Shad Crankbaits
The RES mostly catches Bass and Pickerel, however I have caught trout, salmon, and pike with it. If you do decide to go with a RES, they also make them in a 1/4 oz size which casts a mile because of the internal rattle system. There isnt a need to go with the 1/2 oz for a youngster.
Beetle spin- YES! Catches everything. 82 cent at Walmart
On 5/26/2017 at 11:31 AM, bitsandbass said:Guys, will hard plastic crankbaits catch all fish or only specific species?
This crankbait at Bass Pro looks like it would be simple enough for my son to cast and retrieve, 1/2oz.
Strike King Red Eye Shad Crankbaits
Really dude ? You're talking about your kid looking off at a butterfly and the inline spinner getting snagged on the bottom... Which is much lighter than a RES... And now you're wanting him to use a 1/2oz bait with 2 trebles ?
Lol and I'm the one "who doesn't have kids" because I recommended a treble hooked lure...
That will catch them all day
I usually use a bobber of some sort with young kids, you can still bobber a senko or a fluke and reel and twitch it, the fish in ponds around here aren't offended at all by that presentation and it keeps me from having to unsnag or retie the kids lure every 5 minutes. My favorite version of this is one of those little crappie jigs under a Styrofoam bobber, they catch fish and have fun and I can fish in between taking bream off their lines. You probably have plenty of stuff that would work fine, if he is just learning to cast, in the spirit of safety and not wanting him to have a bad experience I would avoid treble hooks for the time being, if you've fished with young kids enough you know one of them or you has gotten hooked on wild casts before, a hook in the back will ruin a fishing day real fast for a kid. Floating worms and senkos sink so slowly that as long as he is so-so reeling hes likely to never touch bottom, a light wire hook will do most of the work by itself as far a hooksets go.
Meh Dicks has limited supply of the 1/4oz beetle spins.
If you guys had to choose, white/red dot or Black/Yellow Stripe???
Id go white/red dot with those choices, but I'd buy a pack of grubs too.
You can fish the back half of ripped senkos and twister tail grubs on it too.
That way you can have them fish with a bunch of other colors
Here are pics of some that I poured. Green Pumpkin with blue hilites and orange tips
Edited by Dave AI have some pork rinds for buck tail jigs that last forever. Could I use those?
Five years old. OK.....do you really want to start them off with an artificial lure? I'd go straight to a worm suspended under a bobber. This way, they can cast, retrieve or let it sit and they will still catch a fish.
If dead set on an artificial, then I'd go with a 1/4 oz. Jitterbug. Full of visible action and when hit he/she will be a dedicated angler forever.
I try to keep every thing my Grandkids use Texas rigged. I'm afraid of them hooking themselves or others with any open hooks. We mostly use a 4" plastic worm with an 1/8 oz weight and a 2/0 hook. That set up is about as weedless (snag proof) as anything I can think of. If they HAVE to cast and retrieve to be happy we go with the little swimming fluke Texas rigged. We ALWAYS make them wear some sort of glasses as well.
On 5/26/2017 at 12:06 PM, bitsandbass said:
I liked that guy's vid. What color is this one (specific name, I cant find it at Bass Pro)?
That color is called catalpa/black stripe. Almost perfectly mimics a catalpa worm, a favorite food of all kinds of gamefish.
Tom
On 5/26/2017 at 4:13 AM, tholmes said:Beetle Spin.
Tom
The first bass I ever caught was on a beetle spin. They are the magic kid lure and the first thing I thought of when I saw this thread.
On 5/27/2017 at 5:57 PM, Crestliner2008 said:Five years old. OK.....do you really want to start them off with an artificial lure? I'd go straight to a worm suspended under a bobber. This way, they can cast, retrieve or let it sit and they will still catch a fish.
If dead set on an artificial, then I'd go with a 1/4 oz. Jitterbug. Full of visible action and when hit he/she will be a dedicated angler forever.
I agree with this, and once they get a little bit of experience casting maybe put on a whopper plopper 90. We did this with my brother's young one, and she was so fascinated by the sound it made that it kept her occupied with it for a couple of hours, then there was a blowup on it, the squeal from her... (she is a bit older than 5 however, 8 I think)
Any other lure recommendations? We're planning a kayak trip soon.
I'm pickup up a Beetle Spin, some 4 inch YUM Dingers with o-ring and 1/0 gama circle hooks.
I feel like a need a hard bait swimmer type lure. Keep the ideas coming!
I don't recall you mentioning anything about a kayak before.....I thought it was a very small pond with six inch long bass. Will the five year old be in a solo kayak? And trying to fish?
Did you get a couple bobbers? Seems like at least a half dozen people above suggested a bobber....you "feel like a need a hard bait swimmer type lure"....what? Is this for you or for the five year old? If you feel the need to get a crankbait, then buy a crankbait....you're going to BPS; you can get a BPS-branded minnow-type hard bait with treble hooks for less than four bucks. It will catch fish. But, if you're asking a five year old to cast it and retrieve it....good luck...I don't care if he's in a kayak with you, or by himself...good luck
Respectfully, focus more on the experience than overwhelming yourself with all of the possibilities. Trust me, you'll enjoy the time more with your kiddo. Treble hooks with a 5-year old just opens up to so many adversarial outcomes -especially on a kayak. It's tougher than you think to cast from that position too - so keep that in mind. Beetlespins and that 4" Dinger should create some fun memories......no need to invite Murphy on board
If you're using an ultra light combo, I'd focus on ultra light lures.
To me, that eliminates crankbaits, lipless crankbaits, silver minnow and a few others.
if it were me, I'd choose beetle spin, rooster tails, 2-3 inch grubs on 1/8 oz jigheads, roadrunners or a small rapala floating minnow. And of course the bobber and bait option as well
On 5/31/2017 at 1:41 AM, Choporoz said:I don't recall you mentioning anything about a kayak before.....I thought it was a very small pond with six inch long bass. Will the five year old be in a solo kayak? And trying to fish?
Did you get a couple bobbers? Seems like at least a half dozen people above suggested a bobber....you "feel like a need a hard bait swimmer type lure"....what? Is this for you or for the five year old? If you feel the need to get a crankbait, then buy a crankbait....you're going to BPS; you can get a BPS-branded minnow-type hard bait with treble hooks for less than four bucks. It will catch fish. But, if you're asking a five year old to cast it and retrieve it....good luck...I don't care if he's in a kayak with you, or by himself...good luck
Kayak trip was a new idea a friend came up with and is organizing it. Pond fishing has been great but we've only caught stocked trout. Ive been trying nightcrawlers on 1/0 gamakatsu circle hooks but can't hookup. Bobber moves, kids get excited, sometimes it will dip and then no activity. Reel in and worm is gone. A bit frustrating to reworm every couple of minutes for 2 kids. Wonder if bluegills are stealing the worms?
Buying the beetle spins and Yum Dingers for this weekend. Will try them this weekend. Kayak trip in a couple of weeks! Lots if fun. Kids are having a blast (they lasted 4 hours at the pond last weekend).
For both of my kids, I used a bobber and tied a fly (for fly fishing) on. The bobber would be the weight to make a nice cast and the fly does the rest. My kids still use that trick when they're bored. They out fish me every time.
As for a lure to cast and retrieve, I've let them pick out what they wanted to use, they always went back to the old heddon torpedo.
Little guy fished the beetle spin this weekend. Had the 1/4 and 1/8 oz ones. I think they were too heavy. They drop to the bottom pretty quickly because he doesnt retrieve fast enough (and sometimes he pauses to look at butterflies haha). So it sinks to the bottom pretty quickly and picks up weeds and gunk in no time (and sometimes gets stuck). We only fished it a few casts because of the weeds Nice lure though.
Any other suggestions for a genuine weedless rig for casting and retrieving? Something like the beetle spin that is genuinely weedless would work great. Ideas? Thanks!
I agree with the beetle spin 100%. Another thing I really recommend is the stump jumper from Bass Pro. They cost .69 a piece and they catch bass crappie and bluegill. I caught a 14" bass just the other day with one.
You need to have a small jerkbait like the Rapala or Rebel like we had as kids. These are easy because they don't sink. They don't twist the line within reason.
If you throw out an F5 Rapala for an hour and if the weeds allow, you're sure to catch 2 or 3 fish.
However, with all the new lures, my favorite is the Live Target Dace in 2.5 inches. Next up is Pointer 65. These are heavier, but still easy to use.
The F5 Rapala action is still incredible, but it cant be cast far, gets ot of tune a lot and breaks easy. Buy a Dace, my best find for 2016!
Otherwise, for an easy spoon that will catch a lot of fish it's the Acme Phoebe. The little one catches everything that's smaller!
Edit - I cant see kids having a lot of patience with topwater like Jitterbug. But, you can always use an F5 Rapala as topwater, it works very well for small bass, just jerk and pause.
jitterbug...
When I was 5, my two favorite lures were a Hula Popper, and a #3 flatfish. Yup, not snagproof, but a topwater rarely gets snagged, and flatfish are hard to snag due to their design. Caught a lot of perch, bluegill, and bass on those lures.
My son does well with a wacky rigged stick worm, and he's only 3. They don't have to know what a bite feels like, fish hang onto them forever and the small hook digs in really easily. Plus their herky-jerky retrieve style fishes a wacky rig about perfect. Get a worm that is a slower sinker (less salt content), and it will stay up higher in the water where it's less likely to get snagged.
Guys just wanted to say thanks. Im embarrassed to say the kids and I havent fished much at all. Too much going on this summer. However, I managed to get 10 casts into the Charles on a recent hike. The first cast in and BAM!!! I caught a small chain pickerel on the beetlespin. I couldnt believe it haha. Managed to get another 9 casts after that and had to run. It was pretty neat. Looking forward to trying the beetlespin again.
I think a lighter one would be better, one that doesnt sink as fast. I'll pick up a few more of these. Great recommendation! Cant wait to get the kids using them. Need time.............
On 5/26/2017 at 2:57 AM, bitsandbass said:Now I just need to find an ultralight rod. The 6' rod he is learning to cast on is a bit large. I think 5' would be ideal, but then again, he will get less casting distance with a shorter rod, and next year a 5 footer may be too small for him, so I want to invest for the future.
To be honest, I would start him off on a five footer simply because it will never be to small for him. I'm 5'8" and I've used a five footer ultra light when I fished for trout last year and even managed to drag in a 24" brown trout with it. Regardless of how tall he will grow, a five footer will always have its uses even if it's just ripping up bluegill from the water for bass/catfish bait. So my recommendation is to get him that five footer to start with. Zebco has a few nice setups that are fairly cheap but good quality, rod and reel for about $20 at walmart. But this is just my two cents and things are expensive.
Get him a crankbait or a topwater bait and teach him to cast, crank and keep it off the bottom. Best way to teach him imo