First off, I am not that great with kids. But my wife offered to take care of my nephew for the weekend. He wants to go fishing. I have a hard enough time putting myself on fish, so I am wondering what I should do.

I am going to make a run to Academy to pick up some kid gear. What do ya'll recommend with regards to rod/reel type and bait? He wants to fish with a bobber. I am in Austin, so I am looking for a place to bank fish with him as he is not ready to go kayaking yet.

Thoughts? Thanks in advance.

Maybe a Spiderman pole with night crawlers. Take him to Blue Hole in Georgetown.

Whereabouts in Austin? You can always try Lady Bird Lake with a bobber and nightcrawlers - plenty of sunfish. There are also tons of small ponds.

Don't waste your money on those kids rod and reel set-ups. They will be more trouble then they are worth. You can pick up a nice spinning rod and reel set-up that will not cost an arm and leg and not give you any problems. Then go pick up a dozen shinners and have fun.

use small hooks and trout worms on light line with whatever
fishing pole you wind up using.Split shot will help with casting distance. Plan on not doing much, if any
actual fishing yourself. You will need to help cast more than likely. And when the kid is ready to leave, pack it up and head in. I've never fished Austin myself, but if you post this in the
Bluegill section.
http://texasfishingforum.com/forums/ubbthreads.php/forums/35/1/Bluegill_Sunfish

there are lots of folks there from or around Austin and they would be happy to advise you.
My suggestion would be to find a pond in a park.
they hold lots of sunfish and this is what I would target
when taking a kid fishing.

I take my kids all under 6 all the time. For a 6 year old i would go with a zebco reel and bobber/live bait is fine. The really needed items are snacks and toys. Don't push them into fishing too hard it turns them off. It he wants to play in the dirt let him. It you have to set the hook and let him reel it in, then let him. Try hard not to get stressed, get him hooked on it. I started taking my son fishing when he wasn't even 1 and now i have a 6 year tournament partner who can cast with the best of them and catch'em at times.

Awesome responses guys. I live out in Lakeway, so making the trip up to Georgetown might be a stretch. I think if the trip is relatively painless with regards a long car ride, the enthusiasm for fishing might remain high.

Where might I get shiners or earthworms? I mainly flyfish...

Thanks again guys.

If your targeting blue gill, you could try using Berkley Crappie Nibbles. The scent disperses fast and I literally dip it in an 5 seconds later, I am pulling them off the hook! As far as locations.... Not familiar with the area.. Sorry

Lakeway? You're practically on Lake Travis. I would look on google for some city parks by the water and try fishing there. Otherwise, go to Mansfield Dam ($10, free if senior citizen) and fish near the boat launch/dock. Lots of bluegills there. Pick up a box of nightcrawlers at Academy and also ask them about a starter rod/reel. Shouldn't be more than $20 altogether.

+2 worth the extra $10 IMHO

Take a dipnet along for when the kid gets bored. Kids love scooping [censored] out of the shallows.

I guess you guys are right on the money about not getting as Barbie setup. I bought my grand child one and it is a pain in the a$$ but so is her Zebco 202. I learned to fish with the 202 an I am amazed and how cheaply they are made now. Pablo, you can get worms at Academy or Wally World. In a few months the state will be stocking Rainbows at Blue Hole. There shouldn't be to many folks there this time of year. Like already said upthread, don't plan on doing much fishing yourself. The park is located just noth of the new Williamson county courthouse.