Freashwater fishing setup for a 3yr old
 

So it looks like my kiddo is ready to graduate to a real fishing setup. I was looking at the starter kits but remembered how they use to always bird nest inside the reels. Any suggestions?

Avet 2 speed and a Calcutta rod with 65lb power pro

Kid set up
 

My son uses a little Shimano Symetre 1000 w/ a 5' 6" crucial rod. It took a good cpl trips to teach him how to flip the bail and hold/ let go of the line when casting, but it'll handle almost anything we fish for fresh and in the bay. He also has a Symetre 2500 on a 6' field Stream special.

Mine learned spinning reels a lot faster than I thought. Get a sturdier (6-12 lb line rated) rod about 5 -6 feet long. Something easy for them to handle but sturdy enough to handle some abuse. And inexpensive enough that you won't get upset of it gets broken if it is used as a light saber.

Same approach on the reel. Something they can handle easily, but that you can take apart to clean out the dirt & sand if it gets dragged behind them for 20 yards before you realize.

I'm not saying your kid will do these things, but when supplying any activity for my kids I try to avoid potential frustration on my part from the start. A happy daddy makes for a happier outing.

I can remember, when I was 6, I loved my Zebco 202. Not that I would trade my current reels for one, though. I think I liked it because it replaced my 1st setup, which was one of those handlines with the green dacron wrapped around the yellow plastic.

I started with a Johnson Century spin cast reel on a stout fiberglass rod, I caught a ton of fish on that outfit. You couldn't mess up casting or bird nest it and it was a tough reel.

Haha Jorge I will tell the wife that... jeff awesome pic right there! Hunters Pa great advice! yoyo my first setup was a beer can lined with 15lb mono. Slayed a ton of catfish with it. I will go to the local tackle shop to see what type of rods they have. I was really hesitant about the spinning reel but will give it a try.

Yep. Had one when I was a kid and caught plenty of fish with it.

Do they still make bamboo poles? Bobber, hook, worm. If the kid likes fishing, guess what they get for their birthday?

3W fly fishing set up!!!!!!

Ha my dad put one of those in my hand when I was 4 or 5. It was my only rod for a couple of years and then I was given a spin rod and forgot about the magic wand. I've been relearning flyfishing the last two years!

Instead of getting a Snoopy rod and reel like I did for my oldest son, I opted to get the younger one a base model Shimano (Sienna) reel and an ice fishing rod. It was fun for several trout. And when he was ready for a bigger rod, I just kept the reel and upgraded.

http://www.basspro.com/Shakespeare-S...4041403013057/

I didn't get this exact Shakespeare rod, but it was something like it.

I started with a zebeco spin caster for the kids, but it was a hassle and would get knots inside.

I had a couple old bait casters in the garage that I spooled up with 30lb braid.
Most bait casters have a cast control knob that you can dial way up until they get the hang of casting. Gave the kids hookless crank baits to practice casting with, and now both of my girls are pretty good with them (better than me...)

The rods will take some abuse. I'd look at ugly sticks if I were going to get another.

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d1...ps9cammplu.jpg

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d1...pstuqaajqo.jpg

^2nd pic is soo awesome!

x2 on the 2nd pic.
i was going to say spinning with a 5 ft rod.that is what i did with my kids.But Steve's suggestion sounds too good to not try. i wish i'd thought of that. kids love to cast and the spinning gear twists the line up after a while.

X3 on pix!

my dad started my son casting just before his 2nd birthday. he has a pretty good loop now. he works with him monthly. 3 in a couple weeks.

awesome pics of the kids! Can't wait until mine is old enough to take her out

Walmart has fiberglass teloscopic cane poles for around $10/ea depending on length; I got my small kids the 10 footers. They like to use them off the rocks for opaleye with frozen peas or at the urban lakes for baby bluegill. My kids will even use them to wade out in the bay during the summer and catch staghorn sculpin. It's a great way to enjoy hassle-free fishing with your small kids.