From the time they could walk, my sons have fished with me. Early on, the actual fishing taking place out there was minimal, sure. But they were on the river, holding trout, breathing the air, feeling and learning what we all love about the woods and the water.

As a father of two sons, now ages eleven and thirteen, I’m finally seeing what everyone meant when they told me, “Kids grow up quickly, and this time goes by fast.” As a daytime dad for the boys until my youngest was in kindergarten, those early years didn’t seem so fast. But now, I marvel at the day-to-day changes in my sons.

Each of them have gone in and out of the phases of fishing. At the moment, Joey wants nothing more than to be on the water, every day possible, casting for as long as the sun stays up. But a few years ago, he felt more like his brother, Aiden, does now — happy to come along for the trip, but more interested in everything that goes along with fishing: playing with our dog, building rock dams and reeling in the fish that I get on a line.

From the beginning, I gave both of my boys a base of interest in fishing, simply by taking them out there. But I learned early on why so many kids don’t get that chance — because having a kid in and around the water is challenging. And keeping them comfortable, stable and successful starts with a few pieces of well chosen gear.

For years, I’ve written a Fishing With Kids series here on Troutbitten. And though I’ve received many questions about waders, boots, rods and more, this is my first time to address these things in particular. Why? Because, honestly, getting a kid on the river is the important part. And the gear is incidental to the experience.

That said, I’ve done all of this enough to know that a few selected gear items can make all the difference. And I’ve seen my kids take amazing strides in their fishing and simple enjoyment with a better pair of boots, a more suitable rod, or a new pair of gloves.

I won’t try to cover it all. But here are the most important items that have made the biggest difference in my thirteen years of fishing with kids.

Aiden with a good one.

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Waders

Of course, you don’t need waders for young kids. I started my boys in old clothes and worn out shoes, with two boys splashing around in the river. And in warmer months, wet wading is still our best option — same for adults.

But for coldwater trout fishing, having a good pair of waders is a necessity. Around here, fishing is a 365 endeavor. My favorite season for trout fishing (winter) is just around the corner. And to keep a kid on the water for more than twenty minutes in anything outside of warm summer weather, waders are required.

Here are my recommendations . . .

Oaki

Oaki makes the best waders for the youngest kids. I searched for a while to find Joey’s first pair of waders, when he was just four years old. Toddler-sized fishing waders are hard to find. But Oaki makes them.

These are good waders at a great price. Oaki offers both neoprene and breathable options. Through the years, I bought four pairs of these waders, and they all outlasted my expectations. In fact, I’ve handed each of these waders down to friends with young kids. Pinholes and a few tears are to be expected with a child in waders, but I never had the seams fail on these.

** Buy Oaki Kids Breathable Waders HERE to Support Troutbitten **

** Buy Oaki Kids Neoprene Waders HERE to Support Troutbitten **

Orvis

For both my boys, the biggest game changer was their first pair of stocking foot waders. And once they were tall enough to fit into the smallest size, the real fishing started.

A better and more tailored fit provided comfort for longer hikes and more time on the water. Just as important, the ability to add studs to the boots added a new wading confidence that opened up much more of the river and a whole new world of fishing opportunities.

The Orvis Clearwater Kids Waders have been excellent for us, and we’re on our third pair, as the boys just keep getting taller.

** Buy Orvis Kids Clearwater Waders HERE to Support Troutbitten **

** Buy Orvis Encounter Boots HERE to Support Troutbitten **
(These boots are offered as small as Size 4)

** Buy Orvis Clearwater Boots HERE to Support Troutbitten **
(These boots are offered as small as Size 5)

Simms

Simms also makes stocking foot waders for kids, and I have friends who’ve had great success with these.

** Buy Simms Tributary Kids Waders HERE to Support Troutbitten **

** Buy Simms Tributary Wading Boots HERE to Support Troutbitten **
(These boots are offered as small as Size 4)

Fly Rods and Reels

What you put in a kid’s hands for catching trout isn’t nearly as important as what you dress them in. While there are only a few options for toddler and kid sized waders, the rods and reels to choose from are almost endless, because kids use the same gear as the adults.

So, I’ll mention this. For a fly rod, there’s a certain level of quality necessary. Frankly, the cheapest outfit at Wal-Mart won’t give anyone a very good start. Sometimes, low-end gear holds us back. And, in truth, my first fly rod was so poor that I didn’t catch on to fly fishing until I got my second rod — a Redington Red Start, at the time.

Also, putting just a little money into a decent rod grants you a warranty for replacement. And you’re gonna need that! If you’ve ever watched a kid with a fishing rod in their hands, you know what I’m talking about.

I do not recommend extra-short fly rods for kids. In truth, the best approach is to find water where kids can wade shallow and fish deep. And a longer rod, with longer reach helps with this. My boys fished ten-foot fly rods pretty early on, and they handled them well. But my recommendation for ideal length is from eight to nine-and-a-half feet.

There are plenty of great options out there. But I’ll share what has worked for my boys.

Fly Rod

The Orvis Clearwater has been a solid choice for decades. High quality rods at introductory prices and a great warranty — these are hard to beat. We’ve liked the 9 foot 4 or 5 weight for a great all-around tool.

** Buy the Orvis Clearwater Fly Rod HERE to Support Troutbitten **

The Redington Path is about the lowest priced offering I would recommend for a fly rod. And for this price, Redington provides a quality tool for learning fly rod tactics. The 9 foot 4 weight or the 8 foot 6 inch 5 weight will serve a kid well.

** Buy the Redington Path II Fly Rod HERE to Support Troutbitten **

Reel | Line | Leader

This is where you can cut corners. If you have an extra reel laying around, use that. For reels, lines and more, I’ll direct you to my Recommended Gear page:

READ: Troutbitten | Recommended Gear

This article will also help with priorities:

READ: Troutbitten | What to Spend on and What to Skimp On

Spend money on the waders, boots and rod. Prioritize those. The rest is secondary.

Joey, on a snowy late fall day.

Spinning Gear

In Episode 10 of the Troutbitten Podcast, I had my boys on for a Q&A round to start the show. I asked Joey the best way to get a kid into fishing. And he excitedly recommended learning to fish on a spinning rod.

That’s great advice. And from the beginning, I’ve had my sons fishing with both gear rods and fly rods. I certainly don’t recommend forcing a fly rod on a kid. It’s a different skill that can be more difficult, for sure, with extra knots, gear and rigging that puts a roadblock in front of a kid who is finding his independence.

READ: Troutbitten | Fishing With Kids — The Independence Marker

Fishing a spinning rod with lures, like inline spinners, is a fantastic way to get a kid casting and catching at any age. They can cast further, cover more water, carry less gear and make changes easily.

Just like fly gear, the options are endless. But here, I’ll share what have been excellent choices for my sons. Once again, I recommend passing up the cheapest options. Nothing is more frustrating than a spinning rod that stutters or seizes up, or a bail that fails and falters.

Pfleuger Combos

My sons and I have caught hundreds of trout and panfish on these combos. Pfleuger Trion Combos came highly recommended by a friend who understood my needs at the time — pretty darn good and at a pretty low price.  We have two, but the one we use the most is a 30 size reel with a 6 foot rod in medium-light.

** Buy the Pfleuger Trio Spinning Rod Combo HERE to Support Troutbitten **

St. Croix Rod

Joey’s newest addition is a rod that he bought for himself with his own birthday money. The St. Croix Triumph is a big step up, and it comes with a warranty. Joey’s is a Medium-Light — Fast action, 6’6”. And it’s a lot of fun to fish.

** Buy the St. Croix Triumph Spinning Rod HERE to Support Troutbitten **

Pfleuger President

Because we had zero issues with Pfleuger rods, through the years Joey decided on a Pfleuger President Spinning Reel. As a step up in quality to pair with the Triumph rod, it’s a great choice.

** Buy the Pfleuger President Spinning Reel HERE to Support Troutbitten **

Spinning Line

Yes, it is important to find a castable, strong monofilament. I grew up with Berkley Trilene. And sure, there are more expensive options and cheaper ones too. But this one is hard to beat. For casting trout spinners, we’re most often using six pound — thin enough to present light lures, but thick enough to yank them out of trees.

** Buy Berkley Trilene XL HERE to Support Troutbitten **

Lure

I know . . . So this spinning gear recommendation wouldn’t be complete without terminal tackle, right?

What should you tie to the end of the line? Mepps Aglia in Size #1. At 1/8 oz, it’s perfect for fishing riffles, runs and pools from one to four feet deep.

Joey and I actually build our own lures — because he loses a lot of them. But you can’t go wrong with the Aglia. Don’t get trapped into believing that you need different colors and designs to catch trout on inline spinners. Buy the Aglia. Cast it upstream and slightly across. Then retrieve just fast enough to keep the blade spinning. Fish on.

** Buy the Mepps Aglia HERE to Support Troutbitten **

Other Stuff

I’ll quickly mention two more items that are key, because cold weather is the biggest hurdle to overcome with a kid on the river.

We use Fox River Wool Fingerless Wool Gloves.

We use Darn Tough wool socks inside those stocking foot boots.

What about packs, vests, raincoats and more? Maybe someday, I’ll move this article to a full page with recommendations for everything. But for now, I think the most important things are listed above.

Taking a kid fishing is about the time that we spend on the water. Teach them fishing, yes. But show them the sponginess of green moss on limestone. Search for stoneflies by turning over rocks in the riffles. Make a big deal out of the bald eagle soaring overhead. And stop for ice cream on the way home. Because it’s the intangibles that matter most — the memories and the time together — even more than the fish.

Fish hard, friends.

Joey, making the adjustments.

Find the full Troutbitten Series, Fishing With Kids here:
READ: Troutbitten | Category | Fishing With Kids

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Enjoy the day.
Domenick Swentosky
T R O U T B I T T E N
domenick@troutbitten.com