Spinner baits are good. You might also try a whacky worm or Senko on 10 # Flourocarbon when they don't want to chase.

if you all's kids are anything like I was, don't teach them to bass fish with any lure that requires a hook set.

You don't get enough bites throughout the day when you don't know what you're doing, and missing one of those strikes is so frustrating.

I learned on H&H spinnerbaits and Rat-L-Traps and medium-light spinning gear.

I have five kids, so I have a little experience with this one.

First of all teach them to use a baitcaster as soon as possible. It just makes throwing a spinnerbait or a rattletrap so much easier. Almost any seven or eight year old can do it with just a little practice. I just learned with my first one that when they get where they can cast a baitcaster, you can take them fishing with you instead of trying to baby sit them while you fish.

All of the baits that have been mentioned are good, but I am a big fan of Texas Rigged Worms and Spinnerbaits at first, just to stay away from the treble hooks. All of my kids have been able to set the hook and catch fish on a t-rig at any early age. In fact my 12 year old is the best t-rig fisherman that I have ever fished with and I am convinced that it is because he started fishing it at about seven.

If you start them off right, by the time they are eight or so they will be able to fish any bait that you can fish.

I have to say that watching my kids catch fish has been some of the most enjoyable times in my life.

Good luck,

Pat

Just make sure you use a light wire hook & you will not have much problem with hook sets.

Depending on area, but a Trap is what Mine heave throughout the day. No problem casting it, really no wrong way to work the Bait, kinda feels like their doing something versus the others mentioned. Cheap and plenty of colors to choose from. If yall's are like Mine they always want another color to try..

Glad to hear she caught a fish... woulda broke my heart to hear she got skunked!
I'll send ya a PM. Give me a shout on the cell! I might be coming down to Fork at the end of the month to hang out with Cameron and some of the KaRu guys (might even bring my wife for the first time!) and would love to take a picture with you and your daughter for the website!

My daughter got her firts on top water when she was 8. Then she fished a lot of crankbaits.

Don't forget the ole Beetlespin

Rattle trap.

Watching my kids reactions to top water "hits" was one of the coolest things ever.

Take an old Pop-R or similar and replace both of the treble hooks with single hooks - If you get into a school (whites, blacks, hybrids, trout) - they will be able to see the fish hit the bait. I get just as many schooling hookups with single hooks as I do with trebles.

I think one of the most entertaining baits for people new to bass fishing and will catch fish on it's own without worry about hooksets is a good ol' Jitterbug.

I have used it to keep beginners interested in what they are doing and I am amazed at how many fish get stuck on this thing. The "bloop bloop bloop" of the bait in the water keeps the beginner interested.

All they need to do is reel it fast or slow and it catchs fish. Has worked for me to keep 'em watching what they are doing.

Bettle Spin.

My six year old boy likes to do a lot of casting so I like to tie on a Blakemore Road Runner and let him get after it. They will catch just about anything that swims and have a single hook which seems a lots safer than a crankbait.

He did catch his first bass on a worm last year and that was pretty cool. Thank god the fish set the hook on his self because he got a tap and just started reeling.

It's a blast seeing him catch em and makes a world of difference when he knows he did it by himself.

Hey Rudy... Sounds good. Just let me know when you'll be around and we might be able to work something out.

Monte... I agree buddy, it's a blast to watch 'em bring in that bass all by themselves

anyone feeling the H&H? grew up using them, still have friends that live by them.

Fishing in a pond, stick with the spinner bait. They work, are somewhat safe, and beginner proof. If you go to a lake you might try some other lures, but for ponds, the spinner bait is awesome.

I have several ponds and my son greatly prefers the spinner baits. I do take people on guided trips to the ponds if they want to catch a LOT of bass, great place to learn worm fishing for those who want to learn to recognize a bite versus a weed or a branch.

fisherfesser at yahoo dot com

That is exactly what I have done with my kids. It only takes one day getting 15-20 bites for them to understand what they are looking for.