The Best Fishing Poles for Kids

Zebco Splash Kids Spincast Rod and Reel Combo

Simple and affordable

Kids find this pole extremely easy to use, and adults love the price.

Best Overall

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If you’ve been searching for an easy-to-use fishing pole for your kiddo, Zebco’s Splash Kids combo may be the right choice. The fiberglass body floats, so if your child drops it, you can get it back without diving in. We also appreciate that the oversized knob makes it easier for kids to reel their catch in. That helps them learn while also giving you space to help without taking over. The smooth action rounds it out for an overall excellent experience.

Pros:

• This pole uses a patented tangle-free design to prevent knots and the loss of line
• The push-button reel comes pre-spooled for your convenience
• It’s super affordable

Cons:

• Not ideal for fishing for larger species like bass or salmon
• It’s not very durable

Play22 Fishing Pole for Kids

Scope it out

An extendable rod and carrying case make this fishing pole extra portable.

Runner Up

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When you’re a family on the go, your equipment needs to be as portable as possible. That’s why you may want to take a look at this travel-friendly kids’ fishing pole from Play22. It comes in a set that includes artificial bait, hooks, bobbers, and even a little tackle box. Meanwhile, the pole itself is telescoping, which means you can close it up and put it in the handy carrying case for easy travel. We love that the case has plenty of room to hold the pole, tackle box, and a neat net that’s fun for catching minnows, crawfish, and other little critters.

Pros:

• The pole is lightweight and uses a simple push-button, making it perfect for kids
• This set is affordable
• The case has handles that make storage and transportation simple

Cons:

• It’s not as durable as we’d like
• The line tends to tangle

Oddspro Kids Fishing Pole Set

Hook, line, and sinker

Get your child everything they need to start fishing with this one convenient set.

Best Complete Kit

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For maximum convenience and excellent quality, you don’t need to look any further than this kids’ fishing set from Oddspro. It comes with all kinds of awesome stuff, including swivels, hooks, bait, sinkers, bobbers, and so much more. The pole itself is sturdy enough for kids fishing for bluegill and other small fish species while also being lightweight and easy to carry. It comes in a variety of sizes and colors to ensure there’s an option for virtually every child.

Pros:

• This set includes a tacklebox and carrying case to make it easy to take everything along
• The pole is telescoping to make it perfect for travel
• It’s an excellent starter set to help teach kids about different types of bait and fishing styles

Cons:

• You’ll need to double-check the reel before each trip because the screw often comes loose
• It can be difficult for small kids to open it up on their own

Shakespeare Ugly Stik Jr.

Sturdy combo

Adults love the grown-up version for its strength and durability, and now kids can get the same experience.

Most Durable

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The standard Ugly Stik is beloved by many fishing enthusiasts for being extremely tough, durable, and ideal for fishing a wide variety of species. That’s why we chose the Shakespeare Ugly Stik Jr. when we wanted a high-quality kids’ pole that we can count on to last. It’s got a thin, clear tip that ensures your child can feel every bite and nibble on the line, helping them learn to use their senses to fish. Add that to the EVA grips that make it easy for small hands to hold, and you have a fantastic combo for kids.

Pros:

• The reel is pre-spooled with six-pound test
• When your child is ready to advance, you can change the reel out from the push-button to a spincast reel
• This set includes a practice plug

Cons:

• The reel isn’t as durable as the pole itself
• It doesn’t come with any accessories

Shakespeare Youth Fishing Kit

Fantastically fun

Get your kiddo excited for a day on the water by bringing along their favorite animated friends.

Best Characters

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How do you entice a young child to learn a new skill like fishing? You add their favorite characters to the mix, of course. That means turning to this personality-packed kids’ fishing kit from Shakespeare. This all-in-one pole comes with fishing line already spooled and ready for casting. An extended thumb button makes it easier for youngsters to use, while the finger guard and round knob make turning it a breeze. When you add in the cute designs, you get a great pole that almost any kid will love.

Pros:

• There are lots of characters to choose from, making it easy for your child to pick one they like
• No assembly is required
• The price is awesome

Cons:

• We don’t like how easily the line tangles
• It’s not the most durable option

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do most fishing poles for kids use push-button reels?

Push-button reels are the easiest option for most kids to learn to use. They also do a good job of giving them the right tools to start learning to cast more advanced reels. They hold down the button and pull the rod back, and as they move forward, they release the button to cast. That is the same general concept as the more advanced reels, but it requires less coordination, and they don’t need to control the line manually.

When should you change the reel to a baitcast or spincast reel?

When your child is very easily using the push button and beginning to get bored, it may be time to switch over to a more advanced reel. Push-buttons are great for teaching children the basics, but they aren’t very durable, and they don’t cast as far as bait or spincast reels. So, once your kiddo’s coordination is on point and they’re ready to catch bigger fish, you may want to make the switch.