new to fishing with my 5 year old

[UphillHabit]

I'm thinking of taking my 5-year-old fishing for the first time, but I'm really a total beginner myself. I didn't fish as a kid and I'm not sure what to get or how to even start. I saw some kid-sized rods at a store the other day, and they seemed perfect, but I'm curious if anyone has advice on what kind of setup works best for little ones. What do you usually use for simple trips? I just want to make it a fun experience for my kid.

 

[BearBio]

Depend on what you're after: Trout, bass, or perch. Chinook might be a bit much for a 5 year old although I started saltwater fishing at 3 with my dad and caught my first two legal barracuda at 12.

I would recommend a spinning (Not a spin casting) 5 ft light action pole, about 6-8 lb test. Spinning rods should be cast with one hand (a bit much for a 5 year old; I assume you'll be casting for him). Thread the line through a sliding sinker and tie a swivel on the end. Attach a short 6-12" leader with a hook attached. Place a ball of Zeke's or Powerbait on the hook and cast it out. Take up the slack and hang a red & white bobber on the line between the first and second eyelet. Place it in a rod holder stuck in the sand/ground. Pull back just a little line so there's just a bit of slack and the bobber hangs down.. Of course he will get bored, so he might want to hold his pole. That's OK, he'll learn patience. Practice casting with a rubber plug or sinker about 3/4 to 1 oz.

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For bass or perch, use a bobber with a hook with a worm below it. (Use a small (#12) hook for perch. Perch are probably the easiest to catch and are found in most canals on the eastside of the mountains.

Good luck and tight lines!