What age to start bass fishing with lures

johnnie crain outdoors · Mon Jun 23, 2003 4:19 am

Pro Staff, at what age do you feel it is appropriate to start a young angler fishing with lures for bass. I know some youth advance faster than others and it's usually up to the young anglers desire, but there must be a good starting point. 2-3-4-5-6-7- years?? Just another one of my little surveys I enjoy doing and presenting to my readers and listeners. Thanks, Johnnie

JT_BAGWELL · Post by **JT_BAGWELL** » Wed Jun 25, 2003 1:36 am

Johnnie,

I have had kids as young as 3 throwing lures for bass on a scooby doo rod and reel. As a matter of fact a friend of mine got outfished by his 3 year old son one day when we were dock fishing. The kid was using a white twister tail. Don't think I ever let the dad live it down. LOL

I was told that my grandparents started taking me bass fishing when I was 3 but I dont recall what I used for bait.

JT Bagwell

johnnie crain outdoors · Wed Jun 25, 2003 1:52 am

JT , my parents (used) me for bait when I was three. I think 3-4 might be good and twsiter tails or small spinnerbaits would most likely be good starter baits.

britchie · Post by **britchie** » Thu Jun 26, 2003 12:10 am

Well Johnnie my son will soon be 5 in Aug. and has been cathin fish with dad on artificels for a couple of years.
They all want to chunk and wind just like dad.
His first fish was a crappie on a minnow but that took a back seat to the artificles.
The cream scoundrel is an excellent bait for a youngster
Its never to early to take a kid fishin

BASSGUIDEPA · Post by **BASSGUIDEPA** » Thu Jun 26, 2003 1:33 am

Johnnie,

I have a picture of my son with his first bass--a 1 1/2 lbs. He was only 2 1/2 yrs old. I did have to hold the rod while he reeled in the hawg.

johnnie crain outdoors · Thu Jun 26, 2003 3:12 am

Isn't it wonderful to see the faces of our youngsters when they catch a fish, any fish! There's just nothing like it. I started both my daughters when they were two, then my grandson when he was almost two. My grandson, now seven, has a four pound bass to his credit, a spinnerbait fish, times like those make me think the camera was the greatest invention ever. I will be taking eight kids in the 4th of July parade holding flags and riding in my Ranger all decorated red, white and blue. I know they will love it, and the townsfolk will too. We have a great little club, the Muscatine Future Anglers Club, nine members and growing. I'm proud to work with these young anglers, Dan Galusha, Illinois Pro Staff helps me a lot, thanks Dan. Johnnie

dansfishntales · Post by **dansfishntales** » Mon Jun 30, 2003 12:15 am

Johnnie,
My first fishing trip was when I was 6 months old. Of course, not throwing any lures. The first photo taken of an unassisted fish landing was when I was about 4.

As for starting kids on lures, you are right on each being an individual. When starting I would try using a float with a small tube jig under it, and explain how the wave action is bobbing the jig. I would also have them move it along. This way, they would not only have the feel, but also get a little visible help. With this rig you could start them anywhere between 2 and 5.

World Champion angler, Mick Thill came along with a plastic worm fishing technique called Illinois rigging. This uses some of his float designs, and will greatly assist any angler starting into fishing plastic worms. This is a slip float technique. As you know, Mick is strongly into teaching kids via bank angling, and is a leading force in the National Bank Angling Association.

If I had to select a good age to teach a kid more details, and perhaps have them understand a little more about what the lure was trying to do, then I would have to go with 6 or 7.

Dan

johnnie crain outdoors · Thu Jul 03, 2003 4:37 am

Thanks Dan, now where have I heard about slip bobbers before?? That would be a good starter technique, kids love to move baits and the moving target would keep them occupied between strikes. I haven't heard about the slip bobber worm thing, but if Mick uses it it must be good.
Caught a lot of largemouth and Kentucky bass this week on Norfork Lake, MO./Ark. mostly on a homemade Spook, wiggle Warts, Poe's 400 crankbaits and spinnerbaits. Even caught some bass and white bass that were feeding on the surface with a chartreuse Road Runner, right in the middle of the lake, it was fun." Some pattern huh"?? Hope to get with you soon. Johnnie