5 Best Kids Fishing Poles

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I remember the first time I went shopping for one of the best kids fishing poles. Let’s just say…I was skeptical about it.

My son had shown interest in fishing from a very young age. Unfortunately, I knew nothing about fishing. I had no clue about what features a good fishing pole for kids should possess.

I sought guidance from friends and family on the best options available. However, they complained that the children’s fishing rods they had purchased for their kids were cheaply made and broke almost immediately. 

And since I didn’t want to buy a fishing rod that would break during the first day of use, my search for the best fishing poles for kids began. Here is what I found out.

At a Glance: The Best Kids Fishing Poles to Buy

We highly recommend looking at the comparison table we have below where we highlighted the features of each product.

In my search for the best fishing reel for kids, I discovered that there are fishing poles toys that can only be used in a bathtub and other rods that can be used in a lake or ocean. 

I wanted a children’s fishing pole that was easy enough for use by a child with no fishing knowledge but still good enough to catch some fish in the lake. After reviewing several options, I settled for the Kids Fishing Pole by PLUSSINO. It is lightweight and very easy to use. My son loves it!

Top 5 Best Kids Fishing Poles

Here are my top five choices.

1. Kids Fishing Pole By PLUSINNO – Best Overall

If your kid is tired of playing their usual toddler games and wants to experience the outdoors, consider taking them on their first fishing trip. It will be fun, and you'll create wonderful memories that will last a lifetime.

And since adult fishing gear is too heavy, a good idea is to get a kid-friendly fishing pole. A great choice of a starter fishing pole for kids that you can invest in is this fishing pole by PLUSINNO. It is light and easy to carry around.

A striking feature of this fishing pole is its attractive bright blue color. Kids love it. It’s also made with a right/left interchangeable handle that can be used by both right-handed and left-handed kids.

It comes as a complete set with a telescopic rod, spincast reel, line, and tackle. You'll have everything your child needs for an exciting fishing experience. The handle of the pole is small enough to fit well in your little child's hands, making it one of the best fishing rods for kids available.

Users of this pole report that they were able to catch fish in a few minutes. They also say that its two sizes make it ideal for both toddlers and older kids.

Pros:

• Simple to set up and put away
• Lightweight and compact
• Telescopic rod is very portable

Cons:

• Fishing line tangles easily

If you are looking for an ultra-light fishing pole that you can use for backpacking, this one is a great choice for that too.

2. Cozybomb Magnetic Fishing Toys Game Set For Kids – Runner Up

Fishing is a fun activity that children can use to learn skills such as hand-eye coordination and differentiating various colors.

If you feel your child is not old enough to go out fishing on a real lake, this fishing toy set is guaranteed to give them an awesome fishing experience right at home (either in the bathtub or water table). And once they are old enough to go to a real lake or beach, the set is light enough for them to carry around.

This set is designed in such a way that it can be used by kids together with their parents for a fun family bonding activity. Or if you are looking for an activity to keep your kids entertained, this fishing set is a safe and sure bet.

Customers who have bought this fishing set report that all the pieces are durable and very colorful.

Pros:

• Portable
• Educational for kids
• Pole is made with high-quality PVC plastic, making it very durable
• Fish are 3D and of various bright colors, perfect for teaching kids color recognition
• All toys are water-proof and will float on water
• Includes a storage bag

Cons:

• Can be a little difficult to catch fish

The fishing rod works just like a real fishing rod and is a perfect way to introduce your kids to fishing.

3. Multi Outools Kids Fishing Pole – Best Value

Another great starter kit for children who have shown an interest in fishing is this pole by Multi Outools. It comes in three bright colors: red, blue, and green.

This fishing pole also includes fishing accessories such as hooks, swivels, and fishing lures. On top of that, there is a waterproof bag that you can use as a storage bag so your kid can carry it by himself. The instructions provided are also easy to understand.

Customers who have bought this pole say that this is a great fishing pole for kids. It is durable, and everything fits well in the bag provided.

Pros:

• Easy to use
• Made with durable material
• Can be used in both salty and freshwater
• Comes as a complete fishing set
• Pole is extendable

Cons:

• You may need to prepare real bait to catch fish more easily

Toddlers will need adult supervision and a little help casting. Other than that, it is a great purchase that your kid will love.

4. Shakespeare Youth Fishing Kits – Best For Beginners

To make your kids’ first backyard fishing experience much more fun, consider getting them a fishing pole with one of their favorite Disney characters. A good example of such a pole is the Shakespeare Youth Fishing Kits. Your kid can choose from various themes ranging from Mickey Mouse to Moana.

If you are looking for an affordable pole to teach your kids fishing and casting in the backyard before heading to the lake, this is a great choice. It functions well and is a great starter pole for kids. It is easy to use and can be used by kids as young as three years.

Customers of this pole say that it is a super cute purchase that has really helped their young kids learn and practice how to cast. Their kids love the pole. Others say that the pole is still in good shape even after being mishandled by their kids.

Pros:

• Thumb button extension makes casting easy
• Comes with a rubber fish for practicing
• Perfect size for small kids

Cons:

• Pole doesn’t float

This pole is perfect for kids looking to learn how to fish.

5. Zebco Dock Demon Spinning Reel And Fishing Rod Combo – Most Durable

If you are looking for a beginner fishing rod that can be used by both kids and adults, this would be a perfect choice.

The Zebco Dock Demon Spinning Reel and Fishing Rod Combo is light and compact, yet very durable, and can be used to catch even the big and heavy fish. Its performance is impressive for a rod that is so affordable.

Whether you are a beginner adult or are looking for the best rod and reel for kids, Zebco has you covered. Their combo is easy enough for kids to use, yet strong enough to be used by adults to catch big fish.

Customers of this pole love the fact that it is very sturdy and casts pretty far. The only complaint is that the line is not as strong, and you may need to replace it. They also say that overall the rod is worth every coin.

Pros:

• The handle is strong and comfortable
• Unbreakable rod
• Fantastic design

Cons:

• Line tangles easily

For anyone looking for a pole that a kid can learn fishing with and still use it years later, consider this fishing pole.

Difference Between Kids And Adults Fishing Rods

Although the technique used in fishing by both kids and adults is the same, their fishing rods are different. Children are impatient and tend to lose interest very fast.

Thus, if their fishing experience is prolonged, tiring, and has no visible results (fish caught) the child will hate the experience and may never wish to it again. For this reason, children's fishing poles are made in a way that a child can catch a fish using very little effort.

Kids fishing poles are shorter (about three feet) and have very few (or no) moving parts. This makes them easy to handle and minimizes the chances of line tangling. They are sturdy to ensure that fish caught have minimal chances of escaping.

On the other hand, adult fishing rods are longer to enable experienced fishermen to cast longer distances. 

Fishing Rod Vs Fishing Pole

Although these two words, rod and pole, are often used interchangeably, they are actually quite different.

• A fishing pole is a long stick that has a line tied at the end. The line has a fixed length and cannot be adjusted. Fishing poles are mainly made from natural materials such as cane or bamboo. Also, a pole is simple and has no moving parts. 
• A fishing rod is a long lever that has tiny metal loops (eyes) which the fishing line passes through. It has moving parts and is made from light and flexible materials such as fiberglass and graphite. Rods are more advanced than poles and allow one to cast longer distances.

Combo Of Rod And Reel Vs Separate Rod And Reel

If you a looking for a fishing kit for a kid who is going on their first fishing trip, then a good option is to choose one with a combo of rod and reel. These are simpler and easier to use. You can then consider buying the separate rod and reel once your kid has gained more fishing experience.

Reasons Why Fishing Lines Tangle

Every fisherman, whether novice or highly skilled, will deal with a tangled line once in a while. However, there is nothing that can be more frustrating than endless tangles in one fishing trip. Here are the main reasons why the lines often tangle.

• Casting Into The Wind

This is the main cause of all line tangles. Thus, if possible, avoiding casting into the wind. But if it is inevitable, try casting low, near the water’s surface.

• Casting Too Hard

Many fishermen think that swinging the rod very hard will increase their casting distance. However, that's not true. The casting distance is dependent on the technique used and not strength applied. The excess energy released often causes inconsistent line speed which makes it tangle.

• Using Flimsy Rods

If a rod is seen to noticeably bounce up and down as the line leaves the rod, it may cause the line to also bounce and tangle.

• A Very Long Fishing Line

In case one fills the spool of their reel with a very long fishing line, coils of the line may literally fall off and tangle.

• Rainbow Casts

A rainbow cast is when you cast your bait high up in the air such that it forms a curve that looks like a rainbow. This also results in inconsistent line speeds and causes lines to tangle.

How To Choose The Best Fishing Poles For Kids

Fishing can be frustrating, especially when you spend hours without catching a fish. It can be worse if you're using the wrong fishing gear.

To help make your kid's first fishing experience more fun and memorable than frustrating, ensure you have one of the best fishing reels for kids.

Here are the factors you should consider when choosing the best children's fishing rods.

Length Of The Fishing Rod

Fishing gear for kids is made specifically to fit a child's needs. And, the length of the rod is key in determining the direction your kid's fishing experience will take.

If the rod is too short, your child will find casting too easy, and they will barely learn. On the flip side, if it is too long, your kid will find it too hard to handle. This may crush their confidence and leave them feeling frustrated.

To begin with, choose a rod that is approximately three to four feet long. You can later increase this length when your child becomes more experienced.

Weight

It may seem pretty obvious, but the weight of a fishing pole has a big effect on your child's fishing experience.

An ideal fishing pole is one that your kid can comfortably hold, cast, and control using one hand. However, since it can be tricky to assess exactly how much weight your kid can comfortably lift, a good idea is to choose a pole that is light enough for any kid.

Durability

It's no secret: kids are a bit rough with all their equipment. Thus, the best fishing pole for kids should be made with lightweight, yet strong, materials that can withstand a little mishandling.

Such rods are not only fun for use by your young angler but will save you money that would have been used to purchase rod after rod for each fishing trip.

Ease Of Use

Some fishing poles have additional features and accessories that enable fishermen to fish even in deep waters. However, children do not require fishing poles with these advanced features. If they find fishing too difficult, they are likely to lose interest completely and shift their attention elsewhere.

Choose a pole that has the simplest design possible. A child's fishing pole should also have the minimum possible number of moving parts.

Another feature that can cause total frustration to your kid is a fishing line that keeps tangling. A shorter line prevents this from happening.

Reel Style

One very essential aspect that you should consider when choosing a starter fishing pole for kids is the reel style. Most adult fishing poles use a baitcast reel. But this is not ideal for use in kids fishing poles, since they require advanced fishing skills.

The best beginner-level reels are:

• Spincast/Push-Button Or Closed-Face Reels

These are attached to a spinning fishing rod and use a push-button mechanism. Pressing the button activates the release of the reel line.

This type of reel is perfect for young kids who are new to fishing. It is very kid-friendly and requires no skills to operate. On top of that, it makes the casting process very easy.

• Open-Faced/Spinning Reels

If your kid's interest continues to grow with their age, a good idea would be to replace their basic spincast reels with spinning reels. These are a little more advanced than spincast reels but simpler than baitcast reels.

With this reel type, your child will polish their casting skills. This makes transitioning to adult fishing kits easier. Spinning reels are also easier to clean and can be used in both salt and freshwater.

Handle

Many people overlook the role of a good handle on your child's fishing pole. A perfect handle is one that is small enough to fit in your kid's hands.

It should also be easy to use and comfortable. The best handles are made from either EVA foam or rubber. These materials are soft and will be kind to your child's hands and arms.

Portability

A good fishing pole for kids should be light enough for your kid to carry around. Thus, go for a fishing pole that folds down to a small size. If possible, choose one that has a storage case. It will be easier to move with them anywhere at any time.

Final Thoughts

Looking for the best fishing rod for your child? Try one of the top five poles reviewed above. However, the best one for your kid will be dependent on age. I hope this buying guide equips you with all the info you require to make a solid choice.

But, if you are still unsure of what pole to get for your kid, I recommend the Kids Fishing Pole by PLUSSINO. It can be used by kids as young as three years.