My 6 yr old is starting to show more interest in bass fishing and I'm wanting to get him a good combo to bass fish with. He has a lews baitcaster that he sandbass fishes with but I believe it's too long of a rod for him to cast. Any suggestions on rod lengths, action and reels?
Thanks,
Weston.

My son learned on a black max/all star setup. His was 6ft. This is an original all star rod I used to use.There was no tip ratings back then. It was soft enough he was able to load it up. That would be the key thing to me is making sure the tip action isn't to stiff. I would say something moderate to moderate fast. Since there is no guidelines for rod actions they will vary from company to company. One rod that comes to mind is Falcon but I don't know if they make a 6ft rod. Their medium power/moderate action rods are very castable. As far as reels find one that fits his hand as good as possible. I am an Abu and Ardent guy but they are all good just find a fit. The best option would be a dual magnetic brake reel.

Daiwa Laguna


Here's a great starter reel for the young fella. It's gonna have everything he'll need to build confidence in using a baitcaster. It's gonna have a good, strong drag, a nice and smooth retrieve, and he's gonna be able to cast it real easy. Best of all, it's inexpensive.



Shimano Sellus

And here is his rod. This rod is lightweight and packed full of features. And like the reel, it's inexpensive.

Here is Falcon Rods website for the HD series. It shows the "Action" and "Flex" rating for each rod. My suggestion would be to go with a 6'6" rod, Medium to Medium Heavy action and definitely a Medium to Medium Fast flex. This is a rod he could throw small spinnerbaits, crank baits, small jigs and T-Rigs on. It will also be a useful rod when he gets older.


http://falconrods.com/hd.html

Doesn't matter. Just make sure you use black electrical tape on the spoil while he is learning. The tape will keep him from backlash in bad and getting frustrated. Start with about 20 feet of line out before the tape and gradually lengthen the line and retake as he gets used to thumbing it. That is how we teach kids at school to keep from digging out backlashes all day.

I know this is a little off topic, but at what age did you guys get your boys fishing for the first time? I just can't wait to get my boy on the water, but I've got a ways to go.

My son started going with me at 7. That's about the time he showed interest in going. If you want him to really love fishing start out with sandbass or striper fishing. Something you can catch a lot of and they will never look back. If you only go bass fishing they tend to get bored because of slow action.

Find a short rod and Zebco 33 or try a spinning outfit. Let him pick it out at the store.

Let him use whatever reels you use/like on a shorter(6') limber rod till he figures it out.

This is what I did with my son since he was 5, he is now almost 8. I initially used a 6'6" rod with one of my reels ( pflueger patriarch ) because I have reels with double braking systems which help prevent him from backlashing as much. Now he uses whatever rods I have plus he has a couple of 7' rods with nice reels of his own.

Thanks for this practical tip! I have a 6 year old grandson who will be ready for a baitcaster this summer. Both grandsons were casting a Zebco by age 4, which I was surprised they could do (rod about 5'). Both started going out on the boat by age THREE when I could plan trips that would not be too long for them. They have never complained. This year we will start making longer trips.

Great info guys! Thanks. My boy has been in a boat since 4 yr old and has never once said lets go home. Like someone mention above, I'm a sandbass fisherman so that's what we did and he got hooked from the age of 4. In fact, we got this boat 2 yrs ago for Christmas (he asked Santa Claus for it) and had it on the water a couple months later ( I believe it was in Feb, on a nice day). We launched the boat at noon and at midnight I said, "dude, it's time to go home", we hadn't caught a fish all day long. And he started cry and pitching a fit, like a 4 yr old does, not wanting to go home. I knew then, he had it in his blood.
Now I think is time to start him on a baitcaster ( great tip Dan-O, thanks).
Here is his PB largemouth, caught sandbass fishing a slab this fall

I would start him on a 5 ft. or 5 1/2 foot rod, the reel should be one that has dual breaking that you can adjust to cast without having to thumb till he gets used to it.

Ill have to try that, my sons 7. Thanks for tip

Two.