My son wants to fish his first tournament next weekend and is 8. He will be using his zebco's with new line I put on. However he can't cast super far and I was curious what he should throw during the day? Crankbait, spinnerbait, small top water, or maybe a fluke? We will probably fish around boat docks and the bank some.

Senko or a fluke.


Easiest thing to get bit on for kids.

Anything with a single hook. Treble hooks and kiddo's could ask for trouble.

Well if he can't cast far with the zebco then put a 1/4 to 5/16 weight on his line for a texas rig.

I raised 2 boys on bass fishing. Started them on baitcasters from the age of eight.

Practice weights in the backyard with the cast control tightened down until they got use to loading up the rod.

8 year olds catch on quick. Be patient and have fun.

3” paddletail on a 3/0 weighted weedless swimbait hook

Fluke, TX rig, or a weedless wacky rig should get the job done.

Senko, spinnerbait, small swim bait

a few hours of teaching and practicing and he could be using a baitcaster

Ned rig

Trigged 4 inch senko or other 4 inch stick bait. Forgiving set up and with a smaller stickbait, more likely to get more bites and can use a smaller hook/easier hookset with a 4inch senko/stickbait.

I think it’s supposed to be windy on Saturday. My other thought was a 1/4oz beetle spin (catches everything) if conditions call for a moving bait.

I agree with the ned rig although its generally cast with a light weight. A fluke is good-just teach him to impart an erratic retrieve
on it. And a senko is great because its one of the easiest lures to learn. And I would get him learning a baitcaster or a spinning set-up.

Buzz bait...or spinner bait... things with open hooks will snag easy, and flukes and senkos could be a gut hook nightmare... he’ll prolly catch your big fish on the buzzbait as well...

Texas rig a 4" power worm camo or blue fleck on a light EWG 1/0 with a 1/16 sinker. Has a small tail on it so if he fishes it too fast it still has action and with the lite wire hook it basically will set itself. Will work great with 8-10lb. line and a zebco!

H&H spinnerbait or a Beetle spin will keep an 8 year old busy and catch fish.

#2 Mepps spinner with grey squirrel bucktail...i've caught thousands on it

https://www.mepps.com/information/aglia-dressed-aglia/121#B2ST%20S-G