Beginner's Tips???

[jimmythegreek]

as said get a cheaper light action combo (or 2 for you too) and some small hooks/bobbers and start w panfish, the perch are in full swing along w other panfish. you can also try some basic spinners but a worm on a bobber or a small shiner will catch anything that swims small and large alike. another good option if you think she gets into it is go on a boat with a freshwater guide, or take her to a pay to fish lake like the few in PA. a 5+ pund trout will put a smile on any kids face, worth the 40 bucks IMO. I just got my stepson into fishing this past season hes 4 also, and didnt care about fishing he wanted to play in the boat and goof off. I brought him striper fishing and he landed a few hybrids pretty much on his own and hes hooked, he just doesnt understand you gotta wait sometimes, they wanna keep catching them back to back

[Skunk City]

Originally Posted by jimmythegreek

as said get a cheaper light action combo (or 2 for you too) and some small hooks/bobbers and start w panfish, the perch are in full swing along w other panfish. you can also try some basic spinners but a worm on a bobber or a small shiner will catch anything that swims small and large alike. another good option if you think she gets into it is go on a boat with a freshwater guide, or take her to a pay to fish lake like the few in PA. a 5+ pund trout will put a smile on any kids face, worth the 40 bucks IMO. I just got my stepson into fishing this past season hes 4 also, and didnt care about fishing he wanted to play in the boat and goof off. I brought him striper fishing and he landed a few hybrids pretty much on his own and hes hooked, he just doesnt understand you gotta wait sometimes, they wanna keep catching them back to back

That's why you send him out with Uncle Rob and Uncle Mikey in The Hornet .

[shrimpman steve]

Russ give me a shout. I live on skyline lake in Ringwood. If your considering shepherd lake I will invite you to fish skyline lake. It's private (I'm a member) and you can fish from shore. Franks is less then 1/2 mile away.

201 78& 0060

[briansnat]

Most 4 year olds don't have the coordination to cast so you'll most likely just be dropping a worm off a dock, rock or bulkhead. For that all you need is one of those cheap Zebco combos. Or perhaps a 5' UL Ugly Stick with a small Shimano Sienna if you want something your kid can grow into.

Until your kid learns how to cast you'll largely be using bait. Dough balls, worms and perhaps shiners. In light of that you don't need much in the way of tackle. Some hooks, swivels, split shot, bobbers, pliers and to keep dad busy, some inline spinners, spinnerbaits, Rapalas, and plastics.

Of course dad will want some slightly better equipment, so a spinning reel like a Pfleuger President or Shimano Sedona combined with a medium/light or medium rod in the 6'6" to 7' range. The Berkley Lightning Rod and Lightning Shocks are very good rods for the money (about $40). Moving up in price Fenwick HMG, Shimano Clarus or Garcia Vendetta combined with the President or Sedona will give you a very nice outfit for under $130 or so.

All of this should bring you in well below your budget.

[reely]

http://www.state.nj.us/dep/fgw/peqoh.htm

[Rickhem]

Originally Posted by RussH

Help me out gents/gals. Cause while I can talk about fluke for hours, on this... I know nothing!!!

Maybe a bit late getting a response on here, but here goes.
For a kid that young, you need to keep it simple and you need to catch fish. Along with some of the other places mentioned, the Duck Pond in Ridgewood makes for a nice quick trip, and there are abundant sunnies there that'll eat your worms. She'll get to see and hold them and kids don't care what the fish is, as long as there's fish. The side benefit is that there's also a big playground too so when the fishing isn't working, you can play on the playground to save the trip. It's a small lake and you can walk around the whole thing in less than 15 minutes, even with a 4-year old.
For equipment, let her help pick one of those kiddie-combos. There are Barbie rods, Dora the Explorer, Punguins, and probably 6 or 8 others. Yeah, it's disposable equipment, but it's hers, and that matters. Plus, at less than $20, you can replace it easily enough if/when she steps on it or whatever. At 4 years old, no need to invest in more until she expresses a definite interest. Those little combos are safer too since they're so short. Use small circle hooks so you can release the fish unharmed. Maybe even bring a cooler or something to let them swim around in a bit before releasing them, kids love that. My kids used to name the fish, even the minnows in the bait-well.
As for where to buy, I used to work at Ramsey Outdoor in Paramus, and I appreciate that positive mention from the other poster. A couple of the guys from the Paramus store still work at the Ramsey Outdoor Store in Ramsey, and I've met a few of the other guys that work in fishing in Ramsey and they're good guys. They've helped me a few times.
In any event, definitely get your license, and if you're planning to fish in April at anyplace that the state stocks with trout, the trout stamp is a good idea.

[jimmythegreek]

Originally Posted by Skunk City

That's why you send him out with Uncle Rob and Uncle Mikey in The Hornet .

yeah but I always have to show uncle Mikey and uncle Rob where the fish are so they can catch em instead of me!

[RussH]

Just wanted to pop back here. I received a ridiculous amount of advice in both PMs and here. I ended up taking her to dicks today. It was weird the Barbie type fishing poles were a no go she knew they were a toy and wanted something real. I ended up buying a pair of rod/reel combos with 6# test on sale for 40 dollars. Ultra light spinning. She can't cast it that's for sure but she's able to hold it. I also got some number 4 hooks, assorted bobbers, split shot and gulp tiny nuggets in a few colors. All of that and the license was around 100 dollars. I'll take her to the lake next week in Waldwick to see of it holds her attention but hey dad likes to fish also so I'm gonna go online and buy some small I guess rapala jigs to cast around with. Thanks again to everyone public and private this is a good start!

[Wilson]

Originally Posted by RussH

Just wanted to pop back here. I received a ridiculous amount of advice in both PMs and here. I ended up taking her to dicks today. It was weird the Barbie type fishing poles were a no go she knew they were a toy and wanted something real. I ended up buying a pair of rod/reel combos with 6# test on sale for 40 dollars. Ultra light spinning. She can't cast it that's for sure but she's able to hold it. I also got some number 4 hooks, assorted bobbers, split shot and gulp tiny nuggets in a few colors. All of that and the license was around 100 dollars. I'll take her to the lake next week in Waldwick to see of it holds her attention but hey dad likes to fish also so I'm gonna go online and buy some small I guess rapala jigs to cast around with. Thanks again to everyone public and private this is a good start!

Just a friendly reminder that Whites pond.will be closed to all fishing at 12:01 AM 3/21 as will all Trout stocked waters until. April 9 at 8:00 AM
Getting a ticket for fishing would not set a good example for your daughter! lol

[shrimpman steve]

Russ. Reach out if you want. I can take my 10 year old daughter and the two of you to our lake anytime. No closure. Let me know