Best Kids Fishing Poles

Getting children and even toddlers into fishing at a young age is a great idea. It allows them to experience nature and enjoy the outdoors as well as spending precious time with loved ones.

Whether fishing on a river, lake or even the ocean there are many different options to choose from for kids and toddlers fishing rods.

The best children’s fishing rod will be affordable yet reliable and able to withstand and compensate for all types of budding angler.

A great tip when starting out is to take the child to a place where they are likely to catch fish! This will increase their enthusiasm and have them asking to go fishing again and again.

Top-Rated Kids Fishing Poles

1. Plusinno Kit

A complete fishing kit with rod, spincast reel, fishing line, tackle and bag. Everything you could need for a fishing adventure.

Key Features

• Complete kit with telescopic fishing rod, spincast reel, string with fishing line, fishing tackle and accessories (lures, hooks, bobbers, sinkers, beads, swivels and more) plus a travel bag
• Lightweight yet soft and flexible
• Rubber handle
• Extendable
• Comes in 3.9 foot or 4.9 foot options

Introduce your young angler to the world of fishing with this PLUSINNO Kids Fishing Kit. Available in two sizes, there is an option to suit both younger and older children.

Pros

• Various size options available
• Telescopic rod ensures that this rod is easy to carry, even for youngsters
• Lighweight
• Made for small hands
• Thumb click for easy handling

Cons

• None to mention

Suitable for both lake and freshwater fishing, this kit has everything for the young angler.

2. Zebco Splash Float Combo

This Zebco Splash Kids Combo is made for children between the ages of 3 and 5.

Key Features

• Dial adjustable drag
• Right hand retrieve
• Quickset Anti-Reverse
• Gear ratio 2.6:1
• 29” length
• Line weight: 4-8lbs
• Lure weight: 1/16-1/4 oz.

This small 29” fishing pole is perfect for the budding angler. An excellent option for introducing toddlers and children to fishing. Also, it floats if dropped in the water, so no need to worry about losing the pole.

Pros

• Perfect for little children and toddlers due to its small size
• Thick plastic pole eyes are not easily damaged
• Comes with line
• Floats
• Includes two custom silicone wrist bands

Cons

• Cannot be stored with hook due to small size

Fantastic option to begin teaching 3 to 5 year olds how to fish. More time for fishing with this easy to use rod.

3. Echo Gecko Fly Fishing Kit

This Echo Gecko Fly Rod Kit is perfect for young beginner fly fishing boys and girls. It’s ready to use right out of the box and has a ton of great features for children.

Key Features

• Small lower grip for two-handed casting
• Fast tighten reel seat
• EVA handle and fighting butt
• Hard chrome snake guides
• Med fast
• Four-piece travel design

Can be fished with one or two hands and is very forgiving. With its lightweight design it allows for easy casting and comes pre-rigged.

Pros

• Great for beginners to get into fly fishing
• Comes in 4 pieces for easy traveling
• Comes with a travel bag
• Pre-rigged with fly line, backing and leader
• Alignment dots for easy set up

Cons

• Lightweight set up may not withstand drag

This introductory fly fishing kit is perfect to fish for trout, panfish, and bass. Comes with rod, reel, line, leader and rod/reel tube – the complete kit!

4. Oddspro

This all-in-one fishing kit comes with everything a beginner angler may need. Kitted out with this Oddspro Rod & Reel Combo Kit, kids will be the envy of all their fishing friends.

Key Features

• Selection of crankbaits, float bobbers, jig heads, soft lures, swivels and sinkers
• Comes with carry bag
• Bright and colorful design
• Stable epoxy construction combined with soft EVA and plastic
• Lightweight yet durable
• EVA handle
• Accommodates short casting distances
• Portable Telescopic Fishing Rod features a collapsible design

What more could you want out of a fishing kit. With a selection of crankbaits, floats, lures, sinkers and more, this complete kit is amazing value and will suit even the fussiest of anglers.

Pros

• Short casting distances
• A multitude of inclusions
• Full tackle box
• Easy to use
• Super grippy for little hands
• Will also suit more experienced youth anglers

Cons

• More advanced set up than other options

Great value-for-money kit for beginner and more advanced youths. Casts smoothly, simply press the button, hold down and release to cast. Super easy to pack away and the durable bag fits everything neatly.

5. Kid Casters Youth PJ Masks

Complete Youth Fishing Kit with casting plug, spincast pre-spooled reel and strong 6lb line. Made from strong and durable fiberglass.

Key Features

• Practice casting plug
• Spincast reel pre-spooled
• Strong 6lb line
• 1:1 gear ratio to allow smooth retrieval
• Fiberglass material
• Medium-light action
• 5” youth pole
• Various designs
• Ages 4+

This beginners fishing rod kit is perfect for youth anglers who want an element of design to their rod.

Pros

• Durable and tough for landing bigger fish
• Available in Paw Patrol (both girls and boys), My Little Pony and PJ Masks designs

Cons

• Does not come with hook or bobber

The Kid Casters rod is more durable and stronger than other options for catching larger fish. The perfect option for moving from a childrens fishing rod to a sturdier, youth fishing pole.

6. Zebco Dock Demon Spincast

This is a compact, lightweight and portable children’s fishing rod. This Zebco Demon is great for taking on kayaking, hiking or biking trips to remote or out of the way fishing spots.

Key Features

• Durable solid-core Z-glass rod
• 30” in length, perfect for children
• Comfortable EVA handle
• Pre-spooled with 6lb line
• Dial-adjustable drag

Great starter rod for kids getting into fishing because it’s lightweight yet durable. Comes pre-spooled with a 6lb line, ideal for reeling in medium fish. A sturdy fishing pole for both boy and girl beginner anglers.

Pros

• Portable and lightweight
• Made from strong and durable fiberglass

Cons

• More plastic than expected for this type of rod

The Zebco Demon at 30” in length and its lightweight material make it a great beginner option for childrens small hands. Sturdy, rigid and seemingly unbreakable, this rod will perform in all types of fishing situations.

7. Rocket Rod

This Ready-to-Fish Kids Fishing Pole is great for taking on family trips and getting older anglers involved in fishing with the whole family. The rod is super simple to use and a bobber feature avoids snarls and snags.

Key Features

• Complete fishing kit, ready out of the box
• Accurately launches its line up to 25-30 feet so kids can catch real fish
• Safety bobber encloses the hook and bait
• Lure/bait drops out of the bobber once it hits the water
• Easy casting for kids to be able to fish by themselves
• Ages 8+

An ideal rod for older children replacing standard kids fishing poles and providing a more advanced option. Hook remains enclosed in the safety bobber until it lands in the water which avoids snags.

Pros

• Great launching range
• Suitable for catching real fish as kids can cast by themselves
• Great for older anglers to fish with the family
• Comes ready to fish straight out of the box

Cons

• Shoots a bobber instead of casting

The Rocket Fishing Rod is also made using a patented design and ABS construction ensuring durability which will withstand tough outdoor fishing activities for the adventurous angler.

8. Melissa & Doug Catch and Count Wooden Game

If you’re looking to introduce your toddler to fishing, this Melissa & Doug Fishing Game may be the perfect option.

Key Features

• Wooden game with a magnetic hook
• Ages 2+
• Includes working wind-up rod and reel
• 10 magnetic numbered and patterned fish

Before moving up to an actual fishing rod and being unleashed in the wild, get your toddlers interested in the sport with this wooden fishing game. Recommended for ages 2+, this is a great playset to get little ones involved and interested in the concept of fishing.

Pros

• Introduction to fishing concepts
• Educational
• Fun and entertaining
• One or two players

Cons

• Indoor play only, cannot be used in real fishing scenario

Use this set to enrich learning about sorting, numbers, counting, colors and patterns.

9. Tomy John Deere Farm Pond Adventure

Get toddlers and young children fishing with this childrens fishing game.

Key Features

• Includes 2-foot rod, 5 magnetic fish, 5 electronic sounds, spinning board
• Easy to grip handle for small hands
• Magnetic hook catches the fish by the mouth
• Unisex game
• Ages 4+

Fun little magnetic fishing game for children between the ages of 4 and 6. It enables kids to learn about how fish attach to a hook through the use of magnets.

Pros

• Learn numbers and colors
• Fun game to introduce your children to concepts of fishing
• Has fishing sounds and songs for interactivity

Cons

• Requires batteries so can’t be used in water
• No casting feature
• Line only reels one way

This is a fun and interactive fishing game for young children. Magnets are easy to use and can increase child dexterity. Great for hand eye coordination and fine motor skills.

10. Star Wars Spincast Combo

This Star Wars BB-8-inspired rod is perfect for younger children and toddlers. Won’t be lost to the bottom of the lake as it floats!

Key Features

• Dial adjustable drag
• Right hand retrieve
• Quickset Anti-Reverse
• Gear ratio 2.6:1
• 30” length
• Line weight: 4-8lbs
• Lure weight: 1/16-1/4 oz.

This rod comes with a line and is made from lightweight durable glass. It has a right-hand reel and handle position with an easy-to-use casting button for smaller toddlers and children’s hands.

Pros

• Small length perfect for little children
• Simple casting button
• Lightweight
• Floats

Cons

• Not suitable for left handers
• Small length so not suitable for children 7+

Great rod for smaller children about 4-6 years old, due to its small length. Kids will love the Star Wars theme and design.

11. Shakespeare Barbie Spincast Rod and Reel Combo

If you’re after a girls fishing pole, then this Barbie Spincast rod and reel combo kit from Shakespeare may be just what you’re looking for.

Key Features

• Barbie design
• Rod and reel combo
• Comes with line
• Comes with casting plug
• 6” in length
• Rod power: medium
• Line weight: 4-10lbs
• Right handle reel position

Girls can fish too and look the part! Take this Barbie rod for a spin on the lake and start catching fish with this easy to use girls fishing pole.

Pros

• Barbie design
• Smooth casting adjustable drag
• Practice casting plug to perfect casting
• Plastic practice fish
• Small size

Cons

• Great to introduce girls to fishing but may not be long lasting or durable

Every girl will be excited to show off their Barbie rod and learn how to cast with this easy to use pole.

12. Magnetic Toddler Fishing Playset

An assorted net of fish and sea creatures with plastic rod for pretend and imaginative fishing playtime.

Key Features

• Includes assorted colored fish and sea creatures
• Comes in a handy carry all net
• Rod can be extended, telescopic action
• Includes 2 catch-all baskets to scoop up fish and sea creatures from the water
• Ages 3+

Use this fun playset in the bath as an educational tool to teach how to use a rod, line and hook to catch play fish. Colorful fish, baskets and sea creatures to catch childrens attention and engage them.

Pros

• Learn fish and sea creatures
• Plastic rod can be used in the bath
• Fun playset to introduce your children to concepts of fishing
• Interactive fishing playset great for showing fishing reel action and how a fishing rod works for small children

Cons

• Toy only, not for real fishing activities

Teach fine motor skills, hand eye coordination and foster interest in fishing with this fun and colorful fishing playset.

Bottom Line

Whether your little one is just starting out or an avid angler going into their teens, there are some fantastic options on the market to cater for all fishing abilities.

Even toddlers can pretend fish and girls are covered too with themes and designs on some of these options!

Kids fishing rods can be outgrown quickly though due to their size, so be sure to upgrade when your fishing buddy learns the ropes and moves on to catching bigger fish.

No matter what rod or kit you select, kids will love getting into fishing and learning all the terminology associated with it. And the best part will be spending time in the outdoors and not stuck at home on a screen all day! 

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