Bass fishing relies on new people enjoying the sport to keep growing. While bass fishing with kids can be rewarding, there are challenges to be had when the wrong lures are used.
Kids can easily cast and catch bass with weightless stickbaits (Senkos), a Texas-Rigged worm, a Ned Rig, and a topwater popper.
Most children that are showing an interest in moving from panfish and bobber presentations to the exciting world of bass fishing want to use artificial baits. Using the same lures that mom, dad, older kids, and the pros use is not only exciting for young anglers but also rewarding when they catch that first bass on a lure.
These four lures and presentations were selected for the following criteria:
- Ease of use
- High-percentage of bites
- Safety
- Cost
I have been fortunate to work with hundreds of children over the years during this natural angling progression. Day-in-and-day-out these lures are responsible for lots of smiling faces.
Weightless Stickbaits (Senkos) and Rigging Methods for Kids
A weightless stickbait can make a strong case for the best bass fishing lure of all time. The fact that it is also one of the easiest and safest to fish makes this formidable setup the top choice for youngsters.
Wacky Rig Setup for Kids
One of the downsides of weightless wacky rigs is the fact that you can go through quite a few lures. We want to avoid the extra cost when possible, which is why I suggest using an O-ring.
A traditional O-ring setup will position the hook in-line with the stick bait. While many die-hard bass anglers prefer the hook be positioned perpendicular to the stickbait for increased hook-ups, I have not noticed a huge difference and I’ve spent countless hours fishing a wacky rig both ways.
Take into consideration the fact that the O-ring holding the hook in line with the lure is going to naturally reduce snags when casting and it is a solid choice.
When purchasing the O-rings, be sure to use some that are extra snug on the lure. When kids cast the motion is often erratic and at times quite intense in the “whip” back and forth. A loose O-ring will not hold the bait in place during the casting process.
Here is an article about different hooks used for wacky rigs.
Weightless Texas-Rig Stickbait for Kids
If the exposed hook point still makes you nervous, then switching the lure to a weightless Texas-Rig is an excellent option.
The presentation is still extremely effective and now the hook point is embedded into the plastic creating a safer situation for other anglers that may get too close to a young one as they are casting.
The Texas-Rig also offers a more weedless option which is nice when fishing waters with plenty of slime, moss, and other vegetation.
Depending on the age and ability level of the child, you can either fully embed the hook point into the plastic, or you can Tex-pose it, which simply means laying the hook point on the back of the lure and then only sinking the point into the plastic. This will help increase the number of hookups the child will get when bit.
Other Benefits of Using Stickbaits (Senkos) When Fishing With Kids
Most stickbaits on the market are impregnated with salt. This creates a lure that is noticeably heavier than unsalted models and therefore casting is much easier.
A wacky rigged or Texas-rigged stickbait can be slung quite a distance even by inexperienced anglers.
This lure also comes in a wide array of color options and kids love to pick out their colors just like we do.
Texas-Rigged Worms and Fishing With Kids
There are times when our youngest bass fishing partners are not keen on doing what we tell them. Imagine that.
The nice thing about a Texas-rigged worm is this lure can be fished in so many different ways and still be effective.
If the child wants to cast and let the lure sit. It works.
If the youngster wants to cast and wind. It works.
If the kiddo likes to bounce the rod all over the place. It still works.
There are few lures as forgiving, concerning the presentation, as a soft plastic worm. I prefer to rig them weightless so the enticing, slow fall is something that can still trigger bites.
If the child is having a difficult time casting the worm, then adding a small worm weight is a definite solution to the problem. And once again, the hook point can be embedded into the soft plastic making it more weedless, snag-proof, and safer for everyone involved.
The endless variety of plastic worm styles, shapes, and colors also allows for a good time to be had at the tackle store when choosing a pack of baits to fish with.
Ned Rigs for Kids Who Love to Bass Fish
Bass anglers know that Ned rigs catch bass all year and in a wide range of situations and conditions.
This diminutive offering is also responsible for huge numbers of bass being caught.
I have watched my nephew, who was six years old at the time, catch bass continuously on a Ned rig. It too can be fished by young anglers who range from antsy to calm and relaxed. Big bass and small bass both love to eat this lure.
Ned head jigs come both with a weed guard and without one. The hook point is exposed, so that makes the lure a little trickier to handle than the first two presentations. However, a Ned hook is small and not nearly as devastating as a giant treble hook hanging off a deep diving crankbait.
A Ned rig can be harder to throw because of its light weight. Children using spincast (push button) reels may have a challenging time getting some distance with the lure. Young bass anglers who have graduated to spinning gear will have a much easier time getting the distance they desire.
Topwater Poppers for Young Bass Anglers
Once our little anglers have started to handle a rod and reel with some confidence, a topwater popper might be the best lure for them.
Unlike other topwater lures, a popper is forgiving. Just about any action a child imparts on the lure will work and watching them react to a bass exploding on a topwater is something worth witnessing.
I had my own kids throwing poppers around 5 or 6 years old and they loved it. There was a time when that is all they would throw.
A popper will cast fairly well on spincast gear and can be flung a mile with a spinning reel. While there are treble hooks hanging down, they are small.
All it takes is one bass to blast the lure and most likely you will have a die-hard angler in the making.
The drawing power of a popper makes it a great choice for open water, around cover, or just about anyplace else a young angler throws it.
Smash the Barbs on all Hooks Kids Use
Getting a hook stuck where we don’t want it is inevitable for all bass anglers no matter what age.
Add the exuberance and inexperience of children, and the odds of a misplaced hook go way up. It’s bad enough when the barb of the hook gets buried into clothing, but we all want to avoid a trip to the emergency room if possible.
The simplest, safest, and fastest solution is to take a pair of pliers and smash down the barbs.
Does this mean a fish or two may come off if the child doesn’t maintain pressure on the bass when battling it? Sure.
But when the unforeseen happens and a hook is buried in someone, if you took the time to smash the barb down you can pull it right out. Trust me. I am so glad I did this to a crankbait on a recent trip.
I ended up with a bunch of treble hooks buried in my calf muscle. A few minutes earlier I had smashed the barbs down so the lure pulled right out with no effort at all. I was so thankful.
Create Memories and Life-long Anglers
It can be hard taking young or new anglers fishing. It is easy to let frustrations get the better of us.
It is still worth it.
A child will always remember the time you took to help them learn this sport we love so much. And as they grow, you may have created a new fishing buddy.
Good luck out there and be sure to encourage someone today. You never know how you may change their life forever.
Isaiah 6:8