Author: John Paxton

My Lund Impact 1875 Sport: A Review of 8 Years of Awesome

I purchased my 2012 Lund Impact 1875 Sport, or “Penelope” as I call her, in the late fall of 2012. Since then I’ve taken her across many New England waters and caught countless fish. I couldn’t be happier with my purchase and thought I’d write an in-depth review of the Lund Impact 1875 sport from the perspective of eight years of ownership.

In this article, I’ll discuss why the Lund Impact lineup is an affordable boat that works great for families with small kids. I’ll discuss its layout, and why I prefer it over the Pro-V. I’ll also answer some questions you often see on fishing forums including whether you should buy the 1775 or 1875 Lund Impact, if you need to opt for the 150 hp motor, and if you should buy a Pro-V instead. Finally, I’ll talk about what maintenance I’ve had to do on this boat over the years and what problems I’ve had.

Why I Bought My Lund Impact

I’ve been fishing since I was a kid and used to go all the time with my dad when I was young. Then, like many boys I suppose, I got more interested in girls than fishing for a few years and put it away until I rekindled the hobby when I was in my mid-20’s and taking my girlfriend (now wife) out on some adventures.

Unfortunately, Dad’s boat (a late 1980s Fisher Hawk) wasn’t anywhere near as big as I remembered it from my youth, and had an alarming habit of sinking frequently, so I decided I needed to stop borrowing dad’s boat and buy one of my own.

As I suspect many of you reading this are doing now, I started researching everything I could about the various boat brands and asking all the same kinds of questions (rivet vs. weld? Should I max out my motor?) that you’re probably asking too.

Having done my due diligence, I decided that I wanted to get a high-quality, riveted boat. I started looking around and going to boat shows and originally thought that a Lund Rebel XL would be the perfect boat for me.

I started calling some dealers and found one that had a Rebel XL in stock about 100 miles away. He told me over the phone that he also had an Impact and I told him it was about $5,000 more than I wanted to spend. He told me it was about $10,000 more boat than I’d get with the Rebel XL. Anyway, I drove up and saw the two side by side and after doing that, there was no comparison. The Impact it was!

My Lund Impact 1875 Sport

I bought my boat from Yankee Boating Center as a year-end clearance, meaning she was still sitting on the dealer’s lot in late fall. You’d never believe me if I told you what I paid for her as the prices have grown astronomically since then, but let’s just say I got a steal by buying a boat just before winter, and I think I’d probably pay about twice as much just 8 years later.

My 2012 Impact 1875 Sport left the marina with the following options:

  • 1875 sport meaning it has the full walk-through windshield.
  • A 115 Mercury 4-stroke motor (note: it is rated for 150 hp).
  • A 24-volt, 80 lb thrust Minnkota Terrova trolling motor.
  • The popular cargo net option up front and under the consoles (newer models replace these with sliding drawers, which is an upgrade).
  • Aft flip up seating (or the “tanning deck” as my wife called it).
  • A complete vinyl floor (read: godsend).

I literally bought what was left on the lot, so I didn’t get to choose my options. Nonetheless, I’ve been very happy with this setup and found it worked well for my family. Let’s talk a bit about why I like these options.

Walk Through Windshield

My Lund Impact is a “sport model,” which means it comes with a walk through windshield. While this does cut down on available fishing space, the first cold, windy day on Lake Champlain convinced me that I prefer it over the single windshield SS.

One downside to a walk through windshield is that it’s one more thing to break. Forums and Facebook are filled with folks who’ve had a rock on the highway ruin their fishing trip. You can mitigate this concern by using your travel cover, but this is impractical if you’re just headed to the lake, as it takes awhile to remove. A better option is purchasing a dedicated windshield cover that goes on and off quickly. A company named Truxedo makes a boat windshield cover that many people vouch for.

24-Volt Trolling Motor on Lund Impact 1875 Sport

I’ve found my 24-volt trolling motor to be perfectly sufficient for this boat. It can propel it close to 3 mph depending on conditions and works fine for trolling. I don’t have a kicker motor on mine so this is all I use to troll.

I have a Minnkota Terrova with the spotlock function, and it works so well I haven’t used my anchor once in eight years. It is, however, getting a bit uppity and I might need to replace it sooner than later. Eight years is a long time for a trolling motor, especially since I fish so many electric-only lakes, so I definitely got my money out of it.

The 80lb thrust and spot lock is sufficient to hold my Lund Impact steady even in strong winds on Lake Champlain. I fish near several dangerous reefs such as one extending across the mouth of much of Bulwagga Bay, so you can trust me that this works well because otherwise I might not be here to tell you!

I have seen a few guys go with a 36-volt system on their Lund Impacts. Given how much I use it, it’s an option I would consider in the future simply because I want to extend its battery life, and a 36-volt would allow me to use lower settings with my light boat. Even so, I have no complaints about the 24-volt and I wouldn’t sit up at night worrying about it if that’s all your dealer has in stock (which is probably so).

Cargo Netting Option

My boat came with cargo nets along both sides of the bow as well as underneath each console. They’re handy places to tuck away gear such as dock line or even some tackle boxes, and I’d buy them again in the bow, but I wouldn’t get them underneath the consoles if I was building a brand new boat.

Rather than under-console cargo netting, I would greatly prefer to have the sliding drawers under the consoles that came out a few model years later. It would be much more convenient to pull out a drawer than to get down on the floor and try to reach stuff tucked far back past the netting.

Aft Flip-Up Seating

I do think the aft flip up seat is absolutely critical. I leave it down 90% of the time and it makes for an expansive casting platform. You have tons of room to maneuver while you fish and don’t have to worry about falling down like you do with some other walleye-style boats. My wife also loves it because it is her personal tanning deck. This is a family-friendly website so we won’t get into the bikini pictures here but suffice it to say, you should get this option for your wife or girlfriend. It’s well worth it.

The aft flip-up seating on the Lund Impact doubles as a tanning platform for my wife.
Trust me, fellas, your wife will love this tanning platform.

Should You Buy a 1775 or 1875 Lund Impact?

You can’t go wrong with either option. The reason I went with the 1875 is because it allows you to have three rows of seating. As you can somewhat make out from the photo above, there are two seat bases directly in front of the aft flip-up seating. With the 1875, you can fit two chairs in these while having the seating deployed. In the 1775, you can’t, as the bases are partially covered by the deployed casting platform. With that said, this was on the older (2012 in particular) models and I’m not sure if it applies to the newer ones that have different aft seating options.

Should You Buy a 115 hp or 150 hp Motor for Your Lund Impact?

This debate is constantly raging on forums like walleye central and other places Lund discussions are found. Many dealers stock their inventory with 115 hp motors, and many buyers are leery of purchasing these as they feel they have to “max out” the horsepower for better performance and resale value.

Speed and Power

Well, I don’t know what to tell you on this. Yes, Lund’s website claims about a 12 mph differential on the 1875 Impact between the 115 and 150 hp outboard (source). I can verify that my boat is equipped with a 115 and runs on average 38-42 mph, which is in line with the 40 mph posted on Lund’s site.

Would it be better to go 50 or 52 mph? I mean, I certainly don’t need to. The important question is, do you?

Even maxed out, you aren’t going to catch the true tournament boats like a properly loaded Pro-V, so you’re going to be left in their dust regardless. Because of this, I don’t know that it does much good if you’re trying to be first to a fishing spot.

Likewise, you also probably could get away with towing water skiers or a tube with a 115. There are certainly plenty of 1775 Impacts running around doing just that. I only say “probably” because I haven’t done it myself.

To me, a family fishing boat that can reliably hit 40 mph and keep everyone dry is good enough. Thus, I wasn’t upset that mine had a 115. If I ever had to repower it, I’m not positive I’d bump it to 150. I’ve read you want to consider hydraulic steering at that point, which my boat lacks. Also, why spend more money on something I’ve literally never missed or wanted?

Resale

There are many people who will tell you that maxing out your horsepower will enhance your chances of selling your boat when it’s time to part ways. This is certainly true if the buyer is only interested in a maxed-out boat and motor package, as they won’t look at boats that lack this.

You will attract more buyers and get more money for a used boat with a maxed-out motor, but bear in mind that you have to pay more for this up front.

You also need to consider when you intend to sell the boat. Some pros buy a new fishing boat each year. They would probably want to max out their motor so that they have the best chance of reaching a wide audience and attracting a sale. Other people sell their boat every 10, 15, or even 20 years. At that point, it probably doesn’t matter so much if the motor is the maximum capacity for the boat, as the general condition of it is much more important.

Finally, you have to consider the audience. If you’re thinking about buying a Lund Impact rather than a Pro-V, you are probably a person who appreciates quality, but doesn’t need everything to be the “absolute best.” There are plenty of folks out there who would be just fine buying a used 115 hp motor on these boats.

Problems I’ve Had with My Lund Impact

I really haven’t had many problems with my boat or motor, The few I have had were mostly my fault. This was my first boat and I made a few bonehead mistakes with it such as not tightening my connections enough to the batteries (and even reversing the positive and negative wires once). It’s hard to blame Lund or Mercury for my own independent issues.

I’ve only had a few “true” manufacturer issues that I don’t feel I contributed to. Some that you should be aware of include:

  1. The vinyl floor on the inside of my rod lockers peels away;
  2. I have oodles of mystery screws rolling around each year;
  3. The connectors for one of my cargo nets broke off eventually (year seven).
  4. The boat loads terribly on the trailer.
  5. There’s no way for water to drain out of the seat bases.

Let’s discuss these in further detail.

Vinyl Issues

My boat came with a complete vinyl floor. While this is wonderful in some respects (it makes cleaning it an absolute breeze) it does get extremely hot. I wouldn’t recommend this if you like to fish barefoot, or bring your dogs along. At the very least, you’ll need to bring a towel or two.

The vinyl on my boat was even wrapped in the storage compartments. These get very hot during the day and whatever glue they used in the factory degraded after a few years. As you can see, this causes the vinyl to peel off. I’m sure it would be an easy enough fix, but I haven’t got around to doing it. This is about the worse “defect” that my boat came with, so I can certainly live with it.

Peeling vinyl compartment lining on a Lund Impact.
The vinyl on the inside of many of my compartments now looks like this.

Mystery Screws

It seems like every year a few more “mystery screws” pop out. To the extent I can figure out where they came from, I put them back in, but often I’m left scratching my head. This seems to happen with alarming regularity so I’m a little surprised the boat hasn’t fallen apart.

This is a common occurrence with most boats. Driving up and down across the waves is going to jostle some screws loose over the years. Don’t let it alarm you, but it can take a bit of detective work to figure out where the screw fell from so you can put it back in place.

Cargo Net Connectors Broke

If you secure much with the bow cargo nets, you’re putting pressure on their keeper hooks which will eventually back out. It took about 7 years for this to happen but it did all the same so I thought I’d report it. This is not a big issue but is just one of those things that will go.

Difficulty Loading the Trailer

I trail my boat on a 2012 Shoreland’r trailer that I’m convinced doesn’t fit it that well. It is very challenging to get the boat to load correctly on all but the most perfectly straight ramps. I load the thing several times a week, and all the “sweet spots” in the world” won’t help if the ramp is tilted. It’s possible that I’m amplifying this or doing something wrong, but I’ve owned the boat a number of years and you really have to get things perfect or else it will sit dangerously one-sided along the reverse chine.

You want to try and keep the bunks off the reverse chine (yellow) but that’s easier said than done!

In fairness, I do launch at some atrocious ramps that are poorly maintained and have giant submerged potholes. Even so, the load guides that came with my trailer were generally worthless until I had my friend make them twice as large as seen below. Now the boat loads much better and even if it is off a bit, it isn’t dangerously so.

This quick fix helped the loading tremendously.

Water in the Seat Bases

Even though my boat came with four seats, I usually leave two at home. I’d rather have more deck space. Unfortunately this means that water can collect in the holes for the seat bases, and these holes don’t drain. All the same it’s an easy enough thing to fix. Pick yourself up a few of these seat base plugs and call it a day.

When to Buy a Lund Impact

Buying a boat is a major financial decision to hide from your wife. Joking of course but not really. Boats go for a ton of money these days and only seem to get more expensive each time I look. Even though the Lund Impact 1875 is supposed to be a “mid-range” model for Lund, they can still command prices well above your average car. If this makes you squeamish, consider reading this article that will help you avoid buyer’s remorse.

As stated above, I got a killer deal by buying in the late fall. I’d recommend that you do the same, if you can. This has been a very popular model for Lund over the years, which can mean that on occasion a dealer will have one or two left in stock.

The downside of all this is that you are unlikely to get “exactly” what you want. If you do find one that is still on the lot, it, like mine, probably has an option that many buyers don’t want. In my case, that was the 115 hp motor. This isn’t a problem for me, but if it is for you, you may need to bite the bullet and purchase one during boat show season instead.

Would I Buy an Impact Again? Or Would I Go With a Pro-V?

I often daydream about what boat I’d buy if you all started buying my book in bulk. I guess the major decision would have to be whether or not I’d buy another Lund Impact, or “upgrade” to the Pro-V. I’ve put a lot of thought into which one of these boats would work better for me in the future. You know, “just in case.”

Pro-V Advantages

There’s no denying that the Pro-V is an amazing boat. It is the flagship of Lund’s lineup and designed to be a true tournament winner. From a fish-ability standpoint, it seems hard to beat it. It also has an emergency ladder that stows into its gunnel rather than taking up space on the stern deck. This means that it would be easier to have both a kicker motor and some sort of shallow water anchor system, like a Minnkota Talon.

Some other advantages include:

  • Top speed. A fully loaded Pro-V with its 300hp motor is going to run considerably faster than an Impact.
  • Storage. The Pro-V (especially the 1975 and up) has more storage including dry storage than the Impact.
  • The Pro-V comes with a better livewell system than the Lund Impact.

Lund Impact Advantages

The Lund Impact is a very practical boat and a great one for familes. It costs significantly less than a Pro-V, which is always a plus. This allows you to either upgrade your electronics, or just have the boat paid off that much sooner, which is always a plus.

One thing I definitely think the Lund Impact 1875 has the edge on the Pro-V over is its layout, especially if you’re fishing with kids. The Pro-V has very wide gunnels whereas the Impact’s are narrow. However, on the interior of the gunnel of the Impact is a storage locker that doubles as a seat. It’s a great place for kids to hang out and fish and I think I’d miss it terribly.

Some other advantages of the Lund Impact:

  • Lighter weight – this means it can be towed by more economical vehicles. On the other hand, it is more likely to blow around in the wind.
  • The 1875 model allows for three rows of seating at a good price – you can get six seats in and everyone has leg room.
  • A better “beginner boat” where not every scratch will leave you crying.

The Verdict

You can’t go wrong with either boat, but unless you’re planning on fishing tournaments or never buying another boat again, I think I’d rather have the several thousand dollars savings and stick with the Lund Impact 1875. It has done absolutely everything I could ever ask it for and never let me down, all at an affordable price.

As an update, I’ve recently written a new article where I really go into a detailed comparison between the Lund Impact and Lund Pro-V. You can find that article here.

Well, folks, that’s it for this time. I hope you enjoyed this article and found it useful when considering this boat. As always, if you have any specific questions, please feel free to leave a comment or to email. I’d also like to invite you to join my new Facebook group to be updated on new articles. I’ve thought about how best to reach folks and decided that I hate mailing lists, and Facebook is the way to go. Please consider liking the page so we can keep in touch.

Thanks, and have a great day for fishing,

John Paxton

Why Does My Fishing Line Snap When I Cast?

Everyone once in awhile, and especially while fishing with braid, I’ve noticed that my fishing line snaps when I cast, and my lure flies off. This is extremely annoying as it often happens while I have a pricier fishing lure tied on.

As I wanted to stop this annoying circumstance, I started poking around online to determine what was causing my fishing line to snap when I cast, and how to stop it. I learned that there are a few potential culprits that could cause your fishing line to snap. (1) Your braided fishing line may be too light; (2) Your line might be digging in against itself on the spool; (3) There could be an issue with your line guides or other equipment; (4) Your knot might be weak; (5) Your line may be nicked from fish or abrasions; or (6) You might be overpowering your casts.

Let’s talk a bit about these potential issues and then how to address them.

You Might Be Using Too Light of Braid

This could be true for any kind of line but it is especially so for braid. Lighter braided fishing line is very susceptible to snapping off on a cast. One of braid’s main draws is that it is super sensitive, but this is because it doesn’t stretch at all. Accordingly, it has absolutely no shock resistance, so if it suddenly meets a point of resistance greater than its line strength, it can snap.

You might think that is a little crazy because as we all know braid is extremely powerful. I’ve dragged what seems like entire tree branches to the surface using it with little worry that it would snap. Yet if you ever try just jerking braid suddenly and with force, you’ll see that the lack of shock resistance can cause it to break fairly easily.

While braid is available in very thin diameter and light pound test, I am not a fan of using braid thinner than 20lb test on my spinning reels and 30lb test on my baitcasters. I find the thinner, lighter line is too susceptible to issues.

Your Fishing Line Might Be Digging In Against the Spool, Causing It to Snap

This issue goes hand in hand with using too light of line, and may be a prime reason your fishing line is snapping as you cast. Braid is very soft compared to monofilament or fluorocarbon lines. This is the reason why it falls limply after use and doesn’t retain a memory. While this is good in that respect, it also means that it can easily cut into itself while it is on the spool.

If this occurs, you have a situation where instead of having a hundred yards of line that can leave your spool on a cast, you might have ten. If you wind up for a powerful cast only to have ten yards to throw, you’ll hear a loud *snap* and your line can break.

This can be addressed in part by using heavier line that isn’t as thin and less likely to dig into the spool. However, your main way to combat this is to use a backing of monofilament. Attach it to your braid using the Double Uni Knot below:

The Double Uni Knot is used to tie braid to mono, allowing for a mono backing on your spool.

Thinner braid, and especially the “slick” models advertised out there, are especially prone to digging into the spool. If you intend to use one of these products, you’ll want to use more mono backing because of this.

You can also purchase some fishing reels that come with “braid ready” spools. These have little rubber lines up and down them to act as backing and keep the braid secure. You can read about several reels that have them in this post.

Equipment Defects

Have you ever secured a hook to your rod when you were done using it by hooking it to a line guide? You may have damaged the guide. This is unfortunate, as a damaged line guide on your rod may be cause your line to snap and your lures to fly away into the abyss.

There’s an easy way to check for this. Just run a Q-Tip through your line guides. If you notice that cotton is being caught, it means you have some damage to repair. This isn’t the end of the world. First, your rod may be under warranty. Even if it isn’t, this is a good DIY repair job. Watch this video for some tips on how to do that. If you don’t have Q-Tips, you can also inspect your rod’s line guides visually, as I discussed in this post.

Although unlikely, it is also possible that your reel is defective, especially if you’re using a baitcaster. For example, your thumb bar may not be fully disengaged even though you heard a “click.” If you have this issue consider cleaning your reel and inspecting – perhaps a stray grain of sand has gotten somewhere it shouldn’t.

Your Knot May Have Failed

If you take a cast only to find that your lure snaps off, there is a chance that the problem was right at the knot. This is going to be simultaneously the weakest and most critical connection point you have. Ensure that your knot is tied on correctly and that you’re using a strong one to start with. As seen on this site, the Palomar Knot has good strength and is easy to tie.

Your Line Could Be Damaged

Your fishing line is snapping when you cast because it is damaged. This is going to happen over time (or if you do something silly, like try to bake it), which is why you should retie often throughout the day and spool on fresh line every so often, especially if you’re making many snap casts or placing a lot of stress on your line.

Your fishing line goes through a lot. It collides with weeds, rocks, sand, wood, and fish most times it hits the water. Over time this is going to cause it to weaken and be susceptible to snapping. Add the power of a cast into a mix, and it’s small wonder that occasionally your lure goes flying.

Braid starts off by looking like crisp and tidy rope. It is a uniform color, and very tightly wound. Yet look at some braid on your spool at the end of your season. What once was dark and smooth is likely light and frayed. Each little one of those frays is some fiber unraveling and breaking, and your line can only take so much before it snaps on a cast.

It is annoying when your fishing line snaps while casting. Make sure you change your line frequently to prevent this from happening.
If you look closely, you can see the strands coming apart on the braided line on the right. This is due to age, abrasions, and usage.

Your Fishing Line Could Have Gone Bad

Some types of fishing line last longer than others, and there are several factors that will affect how long it does. I recently wrote a detailed post about why old fishing line goes bad that you should check out. If your line keeps breaking when you cast, it is possible you need a fresh spool.

Overpowering Your Cast

If you don’t think any of the stuff discussed above is causing your fishing line to snap, there is a chance that you’re overpowering your cast. You want to be smooth when you cast and pick up speed in a graceful motion. If you just whip your line as fast as you can, bad things can happen. For starters, you might wrap your line around your rod tip, which would quickly break it. Take it easy – you don’t need to impress anyone!

Conclusions

There are few things as annoying as taking a cast only to have your line snap and your lure to fly away towards the heavens. It’s expensive, wasteful, and dangerous for this to happen. The six scenarios above are the most likely reason that it will occur, so to the extent that you can minimize their happening, you can cut down on this annoyance.

I hope you found this article helpful. If you did, consider joining my Facebook page so you’ll know when this blog is updated. I’ve been trying to find a good way to keep in touch with my audience and feel that Facebook is less intrusive than an email list (we all get enough emails)! I hope to meet you there soon!

Thanks,

John Paxton

Are Expensive Fishing Reels Worth It?

There’s something about having the fish of a lifetime get away that makes you feel sick to your stomach and start asking some dangerous questions. If you looked own in disgust at your “cheap” reel and drag that failed you, one of them might be, “Are expensive fishing reels worth it?” You also might want to know what the differences are between low priced and high priced reels as you debate plucking down a few hundred bucks to ensure your dream catch stays hooked next time.

While I have long advocated that you can get away with a cheaper fishing rod, I will emphatically say that buying an expensive fishing reel is definitely worth it, assuming you take care of it. An expensive fishing reel will be much smoother, cast better, have a more reliable drag system, balance better with your rod, and generally make fishing more enjoyable.

Note that this post should compliment my article on expensive fishing rods quite well. After reading this, I’d suggest checking it out. You can find that post here.

Navigation

Sometimes I get a little carried away with these articles. Here are some quick links so you can skip right to what you’re looking for rather than scrolling through 5,000+ words!

What Is the Difference Between Low Priced and High Priced Fishing Reels?

It would be impossible for you to decide if it’s worth shelling out your hard-earned cash for an expensive fishing reel if you didn’t first understand why they’re better than inexpensive ones. There are several differences between cheap and expensive fishing reels that you should know about:

Expensive Fishing Reels Tend to Be Lighter

One of the more distinct differences between low priced and high priced fishing reels are their weight. Cheaper fishing reels tend to weigh more than expensive ones. In some cases this can be quite dramatic. For example, the Pflueger Trion in size 35 discussed below weighs in 10.40 ounces compared to the 7.20 ounce Pflueger Patriarch XT. While you might not think 3.20 ounces is a huge deal, try fishing with the two all day long. You’ll feel a difference.

This probably isn’t that huge of a consideration if you fish occassionally, but if you’re dedicated to the sport and putting in long hours, it might be worth buying a more expensive reel due to their lower weight.

More Expensive Reels Can Balance Better With Your Rod

Because they tend to weigh less, a more expensive fishing reel should balance better with a higher-end rod that also weighs less. In my opinion, it’s well worth it to find a rod and reel that are as light as possible and balance well together. This makes fishing much more enjoyable throughout the day. There’s little point in spending hundreds of dollars on a top-end rod and then skimping on the reel you pair it with.

Easier to Learn On

This may be counter-intuitive but it can be easier to learn on a “better” fishing reel than a “worse” one. This is especially true for baitcasters. Higher-end baitcasters are likely to have more advanced (and useful) braking systems than entry level models. This “dumbs down” the process of casting and thumbing a bit, which can make things easier for beginners.

Likewise, high-quality spinning reels can also be easier for beginners because they’re smoother and less clunky than entry level models. This just gives a better feel that lets you concentrate on what you’re doing rather than wondering if your equipment is broken.

High End Fishing Reels Tend to Have Better Drag Systems

I say this with complete sincerity: I would rather have a $200 fishing reel on a $50 rod than vice versa. The reel, and specifically its drag system, are that important. You will flat out have a better chance of landing your next trophy if the drag system is top notch.

Many folks think that the drag system is simply meant to keep line from breaking. They reason that since braid is so prevalent, one can just up their pound test and call it a day. In fact, one of the most important things that the drag system does is prevent the hook from ripping out of the fish’s mouth. A thin wire hook, such as one found on a crankbait or drop shot, can easily tear through a fish’s flesh if they didn’t get a good hold of it. Braid does not stretch and compounds this problem.

A good drag system will allow you to play larger fish and tire them slowly without their breaking the line or pulling free from the hook. In my mind, this is the most critical difference between cheap and expensive fishing reels and the number one reason why its worth it to buy a top end reel.

Advantages of Cheaper Fishing Reels

There are certainly some advantages to buy a cheaper fishing reel over an expensive model. If it isn’t in the cards to go all-in on a high-end reel, don’t despair, as you might be able to find a great product for a cheap price (bear in mind, most of my fishing reels cost less than $75 and I use them all the time).

Often Are All That You Need

Oftentimes, an inexpensive fishing reel is all that you need. The reason I have so many Pflueger Presidents and so few Pflueger Patriarchs isn’t that I like the President more, but that it is all I need. I don’t really need an expensive fishing reel if I’m throwing spinnerbaits with their large hooks on braid. The drag system of the more economical options works well with these.

Likewise, my five-year-old son and two-year-old daughter don’t need the most expensive reel out there – they need one that they can drop in the sand and abuse for months on end before it breaks. Higher end fishing reels can be sensitive objects. The lower-grade stuff often stands up to beat downs better.

More Economical

An obvious difference between inexpensive fishing reels and expensive ones is price. You can often purchase several “cheap” fishing reels for the price of one high-end model. This is useful if you have many rods to outfit at once.

The economics may also make it more worthwhile to replace the reel rather than repair it when it wears down. You can look at this two ways: you can simply get a fresh reel when necessary (perhaps taking advantage of the “trade in” programs of your local tackle shop in the process), or, you could use this as an opportunity to learn to clean your reel yourself. Even if you destroy it beyond hope in the process, you really haven’t lost much.

Comparing Apples to Apples: Pflueger Spinning Reels Review

I’ll examine this issue in this article by reviewing several Pflueger reels. I have been using these for a decade and they are on the overwhelming majority of my rods. In fact, I own at least one of most of the spinning reels Pflueger currently offers for sale. The only Pflueger reel I don’t own is the Patriarch XT.

Using one brand of spinning reels to make comparisons should better illustrate the differences between the entry level models and high-end models which tend to be about four times as expensive, plus or minus.

For the sake of consistency, I will provide the weight for all reels in size 35. While I personally prefer size 30, not all reels are available in that class and I wanted to give you a good idea of the difference in weight between less expensive and more expensive fishing reels.

While many of these reels don’t come in appropriate sizes for children (20 and 25), those that do will be mentioned below as I know many people visiting my site are doing so to help their child or grandchild learn to fish.

Please note that while I will share some stats on these reels, I’m not going to list every stat as that would be more appropriate for an in-depth review. What I’m trying to do is showcase the major differences between models so that you can make a better decision if an expensive fishing reel is worth it to you.

Pflueger Trion

I have a number of Pflueger Trions in my arsenal. While they are considered Pflueger’s “entry level” spinning reel, they do a fine job. Some of their stats include:

  • Weight: 10.40 ounces (size 35)
  • Gear Ratio: 5.2:1
  • 7 bearing system
  • Slow oscillation gearing
  • Graphite body and rotor
  • Aluminum spool
  • Stainless steel oil felt drag
  • Aluminum handle
  • Soft touch knob
The Pflueger Trion is a good spinning reel for beginners. It is very inexpensive compared to other models, and you will feel the difference, but still catch fish.

10.40 ounces for the size 35 is a full 3.10 ounces heavier than the top of the line Patriarch XT. Many of its components are of heavier material, such as aluminum, rather than lighter carbon or magnesium in the top end models. You will notice this difference in weight after a long day on the water.

Where the Pflueger Trion Shines

I consider a Pflueger Trion to be one of the best spinning reels that you can buy if you are a beginner. They’re also very good reels for children. For one thing, they have reasonable features such as the 7 bearing system and aren’t ridiculously heavy at 10.40 ounces for a size 35, and 6.30 for the size 20 (which is much better for small children).

Another important consideration is price. While this is always going to be subject to change as you might find a sale here and there, they are one of the more affordable reels out there and you can buy several of them for the price of one Patriarch, for example. This makes them a good choice for anyone who wants to build an arsenal, and also allows for some “collateral damage” while your kids are learning. Note: spinning reels + children + sandy bank = disaster.

While I don’t think it’s fair to call this fishing reel “cheap,” there is quite a difference between it and the more expensive reels I’ll discuss further below.

If you’re interested in checking out the current price for the Pflueger Trion, you may do so at Amazon’s link for the product, found here.

Pflueger President

The Pflueger President is the “workhorse” of my arsenal of fishing reels. I like them so much that they’ve made me seriously question if more expensive fishing reels are actually worth it. The President does such a great job for me! A few of their stats for consideration:

  • Weight: 10.70 ounces (size 35)
  • Gear Ratio: 5.2:1
  • 10 bearing system (20 size reel is a 7 ball bearing system)
  • Graphite body and rotor
  • Braid ready spool
  • Sealed drag system
  • Slow oscillation gearing
  • Aluminum handle
  • Soft touch knob
  • Aluminum bail
The Pflueger President isn't an expensive fishing reel but makes a solid compliment to any arsenal all the same.

While the 10.70 ounces is .30 ounces heavier than the Trion, that’s a pretty imperceptible difference that buys you a lot of options.

For one, this reel comes with a spool that is ready for braid. If you look at the spool in the photo above you’ll notice two little black rubber lines running vertically. These prevent your braided line from slipping. This eliminates the need to “back” your spool with monofilament, so you can tie braid directly on without issues. I suppose that’s a nice option to have, but I’d still recommend you learn to tie a double uni knot and use a mono backing to save money.

I do want to come back to the weight for one more moment. Remember that I’m posting the size 35 weight. This is a very popular size of spinning reel but I do favor the 30 because I like to keep the weight down. The President’s size 30 weight is 8.80 or almost two full ounces lighter. This is a very comfortable reel to fish.

Who Should Buy the Pflueger President

Again, this is the main fishing reel in my rodbox. I’d estimate a good 70% of the fishing rods I own have a Pflueger President on them. I’ve put these on my children’s rods as well in size 20 as they pair up great with an Ugly Stik Elite.

I think these reels are a bit more durable than the Triumph. I don’t know if it is the sealed drag system or what, but they seem to stand up better. It also might just be a case of the extra three ball bearings making it seem smoother, however.

The only issue I’ve had with these is that they, like all spinning reels, will eventually have the bail wear out on you if you don’t manually flip it. As these reels are good for beginners and children, that doesn’t usually happen so I have had a few that wore out. I just switch those over to “my” rods as this is a non-issue for me given I manually flip mine (so it doesn’t matter if it fails to automatically flip).

The Pflueger President is a popular fishing reel and a good choice for beginners and kids. You get a few more options than the entry level Trion but it’s still inexpensive. You can check the best price at Amazon here.

Pflueger Lady President

Please leave me a comment if I’ve missed something, but as far as I can tell, the only differences between the Lady President and the regular President are the color and the fact that the Lady President comes in less sizes.

I bought one for my wife because she thinks it’s pretty. All of the information I wrote about its twin applies to this as well. This is a good reel for the price. If you prefer this color, you can find the Lady President for sale at Amazon here.

Pflueger Arbor

I only have one Pflueger Arbor so I don’t have the same experience with this model as the others. It’s obvious difference is the arbor spool which has a larger diameter than regular spools. This is touted as being better for fluorocarbon as that line tends to have high “memory” (meaning, it will spiral and take on the shape of spools). Having a larger diameter makes this less prevalent or problematic than a narrow diameter spool.

Some specifications:

  • Weight: 8.80 ounces (size 35)
  • Gear Ratio: 4.3:1
  • 8 Bearing System
  • Hybrid Body
  • Aluminum Spool
  • Sealed Carbon Drag
  • Aluminum Handle
  • Large Arbor Design
  • Soft Touch Knob

Who Should Buy the Pflueger Arbor

Note that the hybrid body and smaller spool contribute to a better weight. Another thing to notice is that it has a lower gear ration than many other reels in this list at 4.3:1. This is going to make it a better option for lures like crankbaits that are better fished with lower gear ratios (that the Arbor is also great for fluorocarbon lines, which are often used with crankbaits, doesn’t hurt). If this all sounds like a good match for you, you can purchase the Pflueger Arbor at Amazon by following this link.

Pflueger President XT

Here we start moving past the entry level spinning reels and more into the mid-range. The Pflueger President XT is a step above the President in most ways as you can see from the stats below:

  • Weight: 9.10 ounces (size 35)
  • Gear Ratios: 5.2:1 or 6.2:1
  • 10 bearing system (20 size reel is a 7 ball bearing system)
  • Aluminum main shaft
  • Aluminum pinion gear
  • Braid ready spool
  • Sealed drag system
  • Rubber cork knobs
The Pflueger President XT is more of a mid-range fishing reel.

I picked up one of these reels for my father’s spinnerbait rod. He’s getting a little older and it is a chore to reel in a spinnerbait as fast as he can over and over again. As the Pflueger President XT is one of the few spinning reels that comes in a faster gear ratio (6.2:1), I thought it would work out well for this purpose (the fact that I was matching it to a custom red fishing rod for him didn’t hurt, either).

I’m not sold on the rubber cork knobs but that’s a matter of taste. I suppose if I fished in the rain more often I’d come to appreciate them more. I just don’t do that much since having kids.

Who Should Buy the President XT

All in all, I’d look at a President XT as almost the equivalent of a St. Croix Avid Series rod. Once you start going above this, the law of diminishing returns starts to kick in. For example, the next reel up is only .30 ounces lighter. The President XT might be the better buy if you want to build an arsenal of midgrade reels. You can find further details and purchase the President XT here.

Pflueger Supreme

The Pflueger Supreme is another reel that I’d consider “mid-range” from Pflueger. It is a bit of an upgrade over the President XT. For example, it’s the first class in Pflueger’s lineup that has a magnesium body and rotor for weight reduction.

  • Weight: 8.80 ounces (size 35)
  • Gear Ratios: 5.2:1 or 6.2:1
  • 9 Bearing System
  • Magnesium Body and Rotor
  • Braid Ready Spool
  • Stainless Steel/Oil Felt Drag
  • Aluminum Handle
  • Soft Touch Knob
  • Slow Oscillation Gearing

Who Should Buy the Pflueger Supreme

Just as with the President XT, the Pflueger Supreme is a good choice for someone who doesn’t want an entry level reel but also doesn’t want to go all out. You’ll definitely be able to tell some differences between this relatively expensive fishing reel and some of its cheaper cousins, and might come to appreciate them. The fact that it is almost two ounces lighter than the Trion being a prime example. You can pick up one of these for yourself and read more reviews at its product link on Amazon.

Pflueger Supreme XT

I have a confession to make. I bought this exclusively for its orange color. You see, I picked up a St. Croix Legend Glass spinning rod earlier this year and thought a rod of that caliber deserved an appropriately high-end matching reel. Given that the Supreme XT is orange and the Legend Glass is kind of an Amber color, I think they go quite well together.

Color aside, this is a high-end, expensive fishing reel well worth mounting on a high-end, expensive fishing rod such as the Legend Glass. Here are some stats:

  • Weight: 8.00 ounces (size 35)
  • Gear Ratios: 5.2:1 or 6.2:1
  • 10 Bearing System
  • Magnesium Body and Rotor
  • Braid Ready Spool
  • Sealed Carbon Drag
  • Carbon Handle
  • EVA Knob
  • Slow Oscillation Gearing

I really like this combo. It looks good, fishes smoothly, and can cast crankbaits a mile. The rod is 5.1 ounces so all in we’re talking 13.1 ounces. I could fish this combo all day. I’ve already linked to where you can purchase the rod up above and if you want to match it to a great, high-class fishing reel, pick up your own Pflueger Supreme XT today.

Pflueger Patriarch

This is the favorite spinning reel that I own, but it’s so expensive that I only have one. I have a size 30 Pflueger Patriarch paired with a St. Croix Legend Elite 7′ ML/F spinning rod that I use for drop shots. It is without any doubt my favorite combo. A look at some of its stats should tell you why:

  • Weight: 7.30 ounces (size 35)
  • 10 Bearing System
  • XCR Ball Bearings
  • Magnesium Body and Rotor
  • Machined aluminum main gear
  • Slow Oscillation
  • Skeletonized Spool
  • Sealed Carbon Drag
  • Carbon Handle
  • Carbon Arbor
  • Titanium Main Shaft
There is a distinct difference between a Pflueger Patriarch fishing reel and almost all others in the lineup. While I wouldn't say any feel "cheap" in comparison, the Patriarch is in a class of its own.

This is an exceptionally light weight yet powerful reel that has allowed me to catch some true monsters. The drag system works beautifully, which allowed me to catch this carp. I was using 6lb test at the time and fishing with a thin wire drop shot hook. The chances of this fish pulling the hook out or breaking the line would have been tremendous without the help of my Patriarch.

Expensive fishing reels tend to have better drag systems. This makes them worth every penny when a huge fish strikes.
I would have lost this fish if not for my Pfueger Patriarch.

I truly can’t recommend this fishing reel enough. Catching the carp above on such light line and hook firmly convinced me that expensive fishing reels are worth every penny. The only downside is the reel is so expensive that I would be very careful about where I took it and how I set it down as I wouldn’t want it to get dirty or ruined. In any event, the price of this reel makes having it repaired/cleaned worthwhile.

Who Should Buy the Pflueger Patriarch

If you’re the kind of angler who demands the best equipment, the Pflueger Patriarch is for you. Though this isn’t cheap (in fact, I’d call it downright expensive), there is a clear difference between it and lower-priced fishing reels. I really enjoy this reel but do think it would be out of place paired with a lower-quality rod.

If you’re interested in picking up one of these for yourself (and you should definitely be interested in it), you can find them at Amazon here.

Pflueger Patriarch XT

As I said above I don’t actually own this reel. It seems quite similar to the regular Patriarch but adds a bearing and cuts down its weight by .10 ounces in the size 35 option.

  • Weight: 7.20 ounces (size 35)
  • 11 Bearing System
  • Magnesium Body and Rotor
  • Machined aluminum main gear
  • Slow Oscillation
  • One piece bail wire
  • Skeletonized Spool
  • Sealed Carbon Drag
  • Carbon Handle
  • Titanium Main Shaft
  • Carbon Arbor

From what I can see, reviews are quite favorable towards this reel. You can find them and more information on the reel in general at Pflueger’s wesbite.

Are More Expensive Baitcasting Reels Better Than Cheaper Ones?

So far this entire article has focused on the differences between cheap and expensive spinning fishing reels and has made no mention of baitcasters. That was done deliberately as I have a good familiarity with the Pflueger brand and thought an apples to apples comparison would suffice.

I can’t do that with baitcasters for a few reasons, but the primary one is that I don’t recommend buying a cheap baitcaster, period. This just invites trouble. Let’s explore why.

More Expensive Baitcasters TEND to Have Better Braking Systems

There are several differences between cheap and expensive baitcasting fishing reels, but the primary one is going to be their braking system. A better braking system (and specifically, a dual braking system) will make casting much easier. This is important, because baitcasters aren’t that easy to use. It has been said by many before me that it’s well worth buying a more expensive baitcasting fishing reel than a cheaper option for this reason.

A “Better” Baitcaster MAY Have More Options

Another difference between a cheap baitcasting fishing reel and a more expensive one is that the more expensive one “may” have more options. What I mean by this is that they’re more likely to come in left hand retrieve and more likely to have a wide range of gear ratios and retrieval speeds to fit a larger range of presentations.

This is because most people who are buying expensive fishing equipment such as reels have particular needs. When you get into the higher-end stuff, it is usually purchased to fulfill a specific combo for a precise technique. A reel that works well for crankbaits might not be as great for spinnerbaits. Thus, the more expensive the fishing reel, the more likely the manufacturer offers several models to fulfill this wide range of purposes.

Apples to Oranges: A Few Baitcasters I Have Used

I can’t give you the same “apples to apples” comparison with baitcasters that I did with spinning reels, but I can at least set you on the right course if you’re looking to purchase your first one. This is because I own baitcasters from several different companies rather than one company’s lineup.

Pro Qualifier

This fishing reel is exclusive from Bass Pro Shops and is widely considered the best baitcaster for beginners because its one of the few reels with a dual breaking system that can be had for less than $100 (when on sale, which is often). It comes in left and right hand retrieves and a number of gear ratios.

The Bass Pro Shops Pro Qualifier is widely acknowledged to be one of the best baitcasting reels for beginners. It's inexpensive (when on sale) and has a good, dual braking system. It's only downside is it is a bit heavy.
This is an older Pro Qualifier. They now make the Pro Qualifier 2, which is blue.

As mentioned above, one nice thing about this reel is that it often goes on sale well below its standard asking price. Great times of year to buy it include the annual spring sale that coincides with the Bassmaster Classic and any normal holiday. I’ve seen these listed as much as 50% off at times which makes them a steal. I would not recommend paying full price for this reel ever as it is probably just a matter of weeks to months before you can get one at a steep discount.

Abu Garcia Revo STX

I purchased an Abu Garcia Revo STX in the hopes of finding an “upgrade” from my Pro Qualifiers. While the Revo STX is certainly more expensive, I’m not quite sure it is that big of a difference. The weight of the STX is 7.3 ounces which is the same as the Pro Qualifier 2. It does come in a higher gear ratio, topping out at 8.0:1 compared to the 7.5:1 in the Pro Qualifier.

I only own one of these and am not sold that it is “that” much different than the Pro Qualifier despite having a base cost that is considerably more, to say nothing of the sales the other reel provides.

Pflueger Patriarch Baitcasting Reel

I own two Pflueger Patriarch baitcasting reels that I have matched with a St. Croix Legend Tournament and St. Croix Legend Xtreme casting rods. I bought this reel mostly out of brand loyalty with Pflueger and because I wanted to match these high-end fishing rods with comprable reels. Given the St. Croix Legend Xtreme and Pflueger Patriarch are flagship models for their respective brands, I figured I couldn’t go wrong.

To be completely candid, I’m not totally sold on liking this better than the Pro Qualifer. Apparently, I wasn’t alone as it doesn’t appear that Pflueger even offers this model anymore. (Please drop me an email if you notice that this changes so I can update things, but as of writing, it has disappeared from their website). I had a hard time getting this reel to cast as far as my Pro Qualifiers, but then again I rarely needed to as I primarily use these setups for flipping jigs and creature baits at nearby targets.

What About Spincast or Fly Reels?

I hate to say this but I don’t fly fish so if you want information on whether or not expensive fly reels are truly worth it, you’re going to have to look elsewhere. I did find this interesting article that tackles the subject and seems to have good advice. It breaks down what makes an expensive fly fishing reel worth the money and I’d recommend you check it out. The author makes some colorful points as well, which is always fun.

As to spincast reels… I don’t like them, I don’t use them, I don’t teach my children to use them, and if you see a professional fisherman using them, in my opinion, they’re doing it to be cute. With that said, again, here is an external link to an article that breaks down a few of these reels, some approaching $100 for reasons entirely unknown to me.

Other Random Questions About Fishing Reels

While I’m at it, I thought it would be good to answer a few of the more common questions about fishing reels, specifically those having to do with their size. After all, there’s little sense investing in an expensive fishing reel that is the wrong size.

If you see a question that I haven’t answered, go ahead and leave a comment and I’ll update the post with an answer. One I won’t answer is if you can mix spinning reels and casting rods and vice versa, as I already discussed that at length in this post.

Should You Buy a Used Fishing Reel?

I would emphatically state that you shouldn’t buy a used fishing reel unless you are very confident you are able to fix it. Unlike rods, which can be purchased used with few issues, fishing reels are hard to judge by a photo on the internet. I’ve tried buying a few online and have often been disappointed.

With spinning reels, you have no idea if the person you bought it from knows to manually flip the bail or not, so you might be buying one with a weakened bail spring. It is also possible that it hasn’t been cleaned sufficiently from season to season. Neither of these are readily apparent via a photo.

An Exception: Good Deals Can Be Had on Baitcasters

I would make an exception to this rule with baitcasters simply because I think the odds of you getting a lightly used one are very good. Many a person has tried their hand at a baitcaster only to become frustrated and give up before they could learn it. You can get some phenomenal deals by remembering the motto, “his loss, my gain.”

With that said, it’s not as though there can be no issues with buying used baitcasters. You still have no idea how well it was maintained. I’m just saying, if it looks brand new, there’s a good chance it practically is.

What Is The Difference Between Fishing Reel Sizes?

Most baitcasters don’t come in different “sizes,” however spinning reels do. There are many schools of thought about what size reel you should buy. It boils down to what you need to use the reel for. Generally speaking, larger reels can hold larger diameter line, and more of it.

You can generally find the manufacturer’s recommendations for line size on their websites. Take these with a grain of salt as they are often wrong. For example, on Pflueger’s site they list the braided line capacity of a size 30 President spinning reel as 160 yards of 10lb test compared to a monofilament capacity of 130 yards of 8lb test. 10lb test braid is actually equivalent in diameter to about 2lb monofilament (source). 30lb Braid is the equivalent of 8lb monofilament.

How Do I Know What Size Fishing Reel to Buy?

In order to determine what size fishing reel you should buy, you need to identify what you’re going to use it for. Below is a chart with my recommendations.

Fishing Reel SizeUses
20Best for smaller children or ultralight rods. Good for pursuing panfish.
25A good sized reel for spinnerbaits for younger kids. I have my five-year-old’s spinnerbait rod equipped with a reel in this size.
30This is a good all around reel size that is comfortable to use. I favor this size personally as I like to keep weight down.
35This is likely the standard size most people use. Many professionals prefer a little bit larger spinning reel. It allows for a more powerful drag setting often which can be important if you want to get more fish in the boat.
40+Works well for larger gamefish where you want to put heavier line on. There’s a point where the line becomes so heavy that you’re better off with a baitcaster, however.

How Do You Match A Reel to a Rod?

You want to do the best you can to balance a comparable reel class to rod, but perhaps more importantly is ensuring you’re matching size as shown above. It would bed weird to have a Pflueger Trion in size 40 paired with a medium light Legend Elite.

I’ve prepared the following table that attempts to match a St. Croix Rod to an appropriate Pflueger fishing reel. These will balance well and would be my “ideal” match.

Please note I’m using spinning reels in these examples. If you’re interested in learning more about these fine fishing rods, check out this article.

St. Croix Rod SeriesPflueger Spinning Reel
TriumphTrion, President
PremierTrion, President
Mojo BassPresident
AvidPresident XT
Avid PearlPresident XT (colors match well)
Legend TournamentSupreme, Supreme XT
Legend GlassSupreme, Supreme XT (colors match well)
Legend ElitePatriarch
Legend XtremePatriarch, Patriarch XT
It's hard sometimes to find a fishing reel and rod that pair well together, but this match is made in heaven (I even like the color)!
This is a match made in heaven. It balances perfectly and is a great color combo.

Conclusions: Expensive Fishing Reels ARE Worth It

I trust that when you purchase your first expensive fishing reel you’ll immediately be able to tell the difference between it and a cheaper model. More expensive models are certainly worth their price when you consider that they are lighter, have better components including drag systems, and tend to balance well with higher end rods. You’ll find that you enjoy your time more on the water and probably catch a few fish that a less advanced reel would have lost.

With that being said, I really am a believer in the Pflueger products I listed above. I truly do use the President as my “main” reel. It works well given that I have small, excitable children prone to dropping it constantly, and I’ve caught my share of large fish with them. Thus, while expensive fishing reels are “worth it,” they aren’t necessary to have a good time or to be successful.

I hope you found this article, and its companion article on rods helpful. If you did, I’d like to invite you to join my Facebook group so I can keep you up to date with new posts and fishing reports.

Thanks,

John Paxton

Can I Use Goldfish as Bait, or Is It Illegal?

Sometimes I think I should have named this blog, “Ruminations of a Five-Year-Old.” Some of the more interesting questions I answer come from my son. His latest query was, “Daddy, can I use goldfish as bait?” I told him, “No, fishing with goldfish is illegal because they’re an invasive species.” I had no idea if that was true, of course, but threatened incarceration is my usual off-ramp to these conversations, and it worked this time too.

As it turns out, I was mostly right. It is illegal to fish with goldfish in a majority of states, including my own and most of the ones near me. This has nothing to do with sentimentality and everything to do with environmental protection. Goldfish are an invasive species and a particularly nasty one at that. They are prolific breeders and can quickly out compete native fish for resources.

Why Use Goldfish as Bait?

As mentioned above there are a number of states that allow you to fish with goldfish. The better question is why would you want to in the first place? There are far better ways to catch fish. Don’t worry – a bit further down I’ll do my best to convince you not to, but in the interest of being fair and balanced, let’s at least explore why someone, somewhere, has tried this.

They’re “Shiny”

As most parents know all too well, in the movie Moana, Jermaine Clement’s crab, Tamatoa sings:

Fish are dumb, dumb, dumb
They chase anything that glitters (beginners!)

The crab was on to something. Fish do tend to be pretty stupid, and are known for biting things that are shiny. Goldfish fit that bill.

People Think They’re Inexpensive and Easy to Find

People use goldfish as bait because they think they’re cheap. My local pet store sells them for about 31 cents each. Cheap bait is relative, though. Worms are free if you have a shovel and some rain. Further,

With that said, you can find goldfish in any pet shop that sells fish and they’ll have absolutely no qualms about selling them to you to feed to other animals (the inexpensive ones are called “feeder goldfish” for a reason).

They’re Durable

I’m going to have to take the internet’s word for this one, but people claim that goldfish are more durable bait than minnows. It makes sense to me as these fish are often a kid’s first pet and hold their own for some time, but I have no first hand experience with this and don’t plan to obtain any.

Reasons Not to Use Goldfish as Bait

Regardless of what your local legislature thinks or says, there are several reasons that using goldfish as fishing bait is a bad idea. While I don’t intend to preach (it’s hardly my business what you decide locally), it is true that the mere fact that your local government is OK with something doesn’t make it a good idea.

Now that we have that out of the way, let’s get into some specifics about why you shouldn’t use release goldfish or use them as fishing bait.

It Is Illegal to Use Goldfish as Bait in Many States

For many of us, this is the only reason that we need. As I stated above, it is illegal to use goldfish as bait in a majority of states. I hesitate to tell you precisely which ones for a few reasons. First, laws change much more quickly than this obscure blog post will. Secondly, I am not a lawyer and therefore am unqualified to interpret laws for you.

What I would suggest you do is assume that fishing with goldfish is illegal until a state representative such as a game warden informs you otherwise. You can check your local Department of Environmental Protection (or whatever your state calls it) for more details. Some states, such as Indiana, seem to have this information readily available while others don’t.

Painting of Goldfish by Violet Davenport
Image by Violet Davenport

Goldfish Are An Invasive Species

Goldfish are native to Asia, so unless you’re reading this blog from there, they’re an invasive species. Any time a foreign species is introduced to an ecosystem, you run the risk of considerable trouble.

Goldfish Can Out Compete Native Species

A prime reason why it is illegal to fish with goldfish in many states is that they can ruin fisheries. Goldfish are an invasive species that can out compete native species and eventually edge them out of an environment. This can have cascading effects, as everything in that pond naturally is there for a reason.

You might wonder how a tiny little fish like this could be any threat to other species. Consider a few things. First, goldfish are prolific breeders who can lay 25 eggs at a time. Each one of these fish can go on to to live anywhere from 7 to 30 years (source). That’s a lot of goldfish swimming around to compete with native species.

Also consider that your tiny little pet isn’t going to stay small for long in the wild. Goldfish over several pounds have routinely been plucked from lakes and ponds where they were released (source).

Goldfish can Cross Breed with Native Species

You might be thinking that it’s no big deal to use goldfish as bait if they all die, but if even one gets away, you could have trouble. There is evidence that goldfish are able to crossbreed with common carp and that the offspring may be able to have young of their own (source). In time, this could reduce the genetic viability of the native species.

Goldfish Introduce Disease, Bacteria, and Parasites

Goldfish are disgusting critters when you think about it. One of the reasons they’re so popular as pets is they’re one of the few fish that can handle sub-optimal conditions in their water tank. Diseases that they shrug off can devastate other creatures if this invasive species are introduced to a water body. Goldfish can introduce a number of bacteria, parasites, and diseases such as koi herpesvirus. Some of these can infect native fish and amphibians (source).

You Name the Darned Things!

Let’s level with each other here: if you use a goldfish as fishing bait and your kid starts talking about it, someone in his kindergarten is getting traumatized. There’s a reason farm kids don’t name the chickens! Fishing with goldfish is no different. They’re a pet to some and should remain that way.

Even if it wasn't illegal to use goldfish as fishing bait, why would you want to? (Note: image by Violet Davenport).
Image By Violet Davenport

There is Better Fishing Bait Than Goldfish

If i can’t appeal to your sense of stewardship, are you at least a pragmatist? If so, consider that a goldfish is unlikely to prove a better offering than any other bait fish. You’re probably much better off buying or collecting native minnows, worms, or even just using fishing lures. Heck, you can find a fishing lure that looks just like a goldfish if you really want to.

The bottom line is there are simply better options out there, so why run all the risks discussed above when you don’t have to? Buy some worms and call it a day!

Conclusion: Even If Fishing with Goldfish Isn’t Illegal, You Still Shouldn’t Use Them as Bait

I hope this article helped dissuade you from this idea. While goldfish can be used in some states, and probably work just fine, there’s just too much that can go wrong. You can inadvertently ruin your waterways or some kids’ birthday for no true gain. There’s far better bait out there that is legal and as effective, so why go rogue? Leave the goldfish at home, and do your bit to preserve our planet.

Please note that the art in this blog (including the cover photo) was used with permission from the artist, Violet Davenport. If you are interested in viewing more of her amazing work, or wish to reach out to buy a piece, please contact her at her facebook page.

Thanks,

John Paxton

What Lures Catch What Fish? Which Lures are Best?

If you’re learning to fish one of the first questions you’ll have is what lures catch what fish? There are so many options that it can be tough if someone doesn’t walk you through. In this article I’ll discuss what the best types of fishing lures are to use for any particular job, as well as what makes a good fishing lure in the first place.

Simply put, every species of fish out there will chomp on any object that they perceive as food if it is small enough to fit in their mouth. Therefore, technically speaking, all lures will catch all fish. However, some lures are definitely better than others depending on what species you are targeting. For example, certain species like northern pike are very likely to break your line if you use lures that don’t have any kind of guard against their teeth. Likewise, other lures like giant jerkbaits are unlikely to be attacked by all but the pluckiest of panfish.

Use this article as a guide, but not a be-all-end-all. Sometimes, the best thing you can do is show the fish something they haven’t seen before, so never be afraid to “think outside the tackle box!” Also, bear in mind that this article will deal specifically with fishing lures. If you’re curious if you should use live bait instead, read this article.

The Best Lure for the Job at a Glance

Below you’ll find a handy table that will help you understand what lures to use for what fish. In the first column you’ll find the type of fishing lure. In the second, the primary species of fish the lure will catch (note that an “*” denotes the fish is likely to cut the line without a leader on this technique). Finally, I break down whether or not I feel the lure is easy for a beginner or child to use.

Following this table, I will provide a detailed analysis of each lure, explain why I ranked it as “easy,” “moderate,” or “difficult” to use, and offer recommendations on which ones you should buy.

Type of Fishing LurePrimary Species of Fish the Lure Will CatchEase of Use for Beginner or Child
SpinnerbaitLargemouth bass, smallmouth bass, northern pike, chain pickerel, bowfinEasy
BuzzbaitLargemouth bass, northern pike, chain pickerel, bowfinModerate
Swim JigLargemouth bass, smallmouth bass, northern pike*, chain pickerel*, bowfin*Easy
Squarebill CrankbaitLargemouth bass, smallmouth bass, northern pike*, chain pickerel*, bowfin*Moderate
Drop ShotPanfish, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, anything with teeth*Easy
Plastic WormLargemouth bass, smallmouth bass, anything with teeth*Easy
JerkbaitLargemouth bass, smallmouth bass, northern pike, walleyeModerate
Bass JigLargemouth bassDifficult
Roundhead JigPanfish, walleye, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, anything with teeth*Moderate
SwimbaitLargemouth bass, smallmouth bass, northern pike*, chain pickerel*Moderate
FlukeLargemouth bass, smallmouth bass, northern pike*, chain pickerel*, bowfin*Moderate
PopperLargemouth bass, smallmouth bass, bowfinModerate
Hollow Bodied FrogLargemouth bass, chain pickerelDifficult
SpoonNorthern pike*, salmon, lake troutModerate
Creature BaitLargemouth bassDifficult
“Gimmick”Could catch everything, or nothing. Often, nothing.Varies.
You’ll note a lot of asterisks above. Some lures, such as spinnerbaits, have built-in protection against toothy predators. Others, like crankbaits, are very likely to be cut by northern pike and chain pickerel.

The Lures in More Detail

Here I’ll discuss each lure or presentation in more detail to help you make a decision if it is one that you’d like to purchase. I’ll also recommend a product if I have used it and particularly believe in it.

Note that there are hundreds if not thousands of options for each of these lures so don’t feel as though you need to purchase what I recommend. I’m just offering some help on what works well to try and cut through the fog a bit and clear a path for you.

I’m also going to write a bit about why I consider certain techniques “easy,” “moderate,” or “difficult” for beginners or kids. This is purely subjective but is based on my observations over the years and basically boils down to how easy the lure is to use without getting it snagged or fouled, and how much action one must input in the technique. Generally speaking, the more finesse or technique a lure requires, the less suitable it is for beginners or children.

Spinnerbaits

I don’t care what kind of freshwater fish you’re seeking, a spinnerbait is one of the best lures to catch them. They are easy to use, fairly weedless, and offer at least some protection from sharp teeth right out of the box.

All you need to do to catch fish with them is find a bay with submerged weeds and start tossing them out, and reeling them in. I’ve found if you twitch your rod now and then to give your spinnerbait a little “pop” it really helps trigger strikes.

Spinnerbaits are a great lure for catching largemouth bass, northern pike, and chain pickerel. The latter two rarely bite the line while throwing these as the bent wire frame in front of the spinnerbait offers a bit of a distance from the hook and some protection for the line.

There are thousands of these lures out there and almost all are good. I’ve highlighted a Strike King Bleeding Bait above because it is reasonably priced and durable. Here’s a photo of a fish caught with one to show you I actually use these products!

A largemouth bass caught on a Strike King Bleeding Bait spinnerbait.
Not a giant, but any fish is a good fish!

Buzzbait

A buzzbait works similarly to a spinnerbait in that you toss it out and reel it in. The difference between the two is while a spinnerbait typically is retrieved submerged, a buzzbait is meant to skim along the surface of the water as a topwater lure. Because of this topwater nature, I’ve rated this lure as “moderate” difficulty. To be candid, however, it is one of the easier topwater lures to use, because fish tend to hook themselves on the first strike. All the same, you need to start reeling in almost immediately once it hits the water, and this can be difficult for kids especially to do.

Buzzbaits are interesting in that they’re one of the few lures that actually seem to get better as they get worn out. You want these things squeaking and rattling and generally causing a great commotion as they go through the water. Older joints and attachments work much better for this. This is one lure you should be happy if your kids beat up.

Swim Jig

Even those these are jigs I’d rate them as considerably easier to use than true “bass jigs” described further below. This is because a swim jig is meant to be retrieved quickly through the water, just like a spinnerbait and buzzbait above. This makes them easy to use for beginners and kids as all you need to do is cast and retrieve.

Swim jigs work well in a bit thicker cover than spinnerbaits can handle. The blades on a spinnerbait will often get snarled with weeds that a swimjig will pass right through.

A downside to swimjigs is that they lack the wire frame of spinnerbaits. This means they have absolutely no protection between the hook and the line, so pike and pickerel ravage them. But for this reason, I’d have them tied on much more frequently.

Crankbait

Crankbaits aren’t that difficult of a lure to catch fish on, but I still rated them as “moderate” because they need to be used under specific conditions. They have treble hooks which makes them a poor choice for kids. As most models dive, these can be very difficult to use along weed beds.

Crankbaits come in many models which dive to various depths. I mostly fish the shallows so I favor square bill crankbaits such as the one shown above. If you fish deeper water, they make cranks that will dive to 20+ feet on the retrieve.

These lures are meant to be cast and retrieved, though they do draw many strikes when there is some interruption. Many anglers deliberately drive them towards cover to get their crankbait to bump it, hopefully drawing a strike. Because the lure dives, it is angled in such a way that (theoretically) the hooks will be protected from the cover. This works 100% of the time 50% of the time.

You’re going to want to buy a good lure retriever if you use crankbaits! These are tools that are designed to follow your line down to your lure and then pop it off whatever it is stuck on. I keep one in my boat and it paid for itself the first trip. I recommend the Frabill 15 Foot Telescoping Fishing Lure Retriever. As its name indicates, it telescopes up to 15 feet which is good for getting most crankbaits that are stuck. This is going to be something more useful in a boat, but even on shore, most crankbaits will get stuck within reach.

Drop Shot

I write about the drop shot often on this website. I am a firm believer that it should be the first technique you use when introducing children to fishing. This technique works great with the best kids fishing rods. They are also easy to tie, versatile, and is the type of lure that will catch a wide variety of fish in all sizes. I have caught everything from a 2″ sunfish to 20lb carp on a drop shot rig.

The hook above is made by Gamakatsu. It’s a good brand and one I trust. If you use too thin of a hook on your drop shot and run into a larger fish, it could be bent, so I wouldn’t skimp there. You can, however, skimp on what weight you use, as you will often lose the sinker. I would use the least expensive ones that I could find in appropriate size (use the smallest ones you can get away with).

To fish a drop shot for panfish, all you need to do is cast it out and wait. If you were anywhere near them in the first place it won’t be long before they take a nibble. This makes this a good lure to explore with, as you’ll quickly be able to tell if a certain area holds fish.

You can learn more about how to tie and use a drop shot in my article on the basic skills you need to take a kid fishing.

Plastic Worm

One of the easiest lures out there to use is a plastic worm. This lure will catch just about any fish that sees it and can fit it in its mouth. The only downside is that if the fish that happens along has sharp teeth, it’s very likely your line will be cut.

Plastic worms can be rigged in a variety of ways. You can rig them weedless, such as via a Texas Rig, or you can rig them “wacky style” which lets them fall awkwardly (fish would say enticingly) through the water.

When using a Texas Rig, you tend to hop the worm along the bottom through cover like you would a jig. Wack rigged worms are intended to splash down and then fall vertically, with fish often biting it on the descent. If you get no bite on the initial fall, lift your rod tip up to bring the worm towards you and then lower it to let it fall again. Reel in your slack and repeat.

Because all you need to do is let the worm fall, and bass often home in on it immediately, plastic worms are one of the best types of fishing lures for smaller kids to learn on.

Jerkbait

Jerk baits are hands-down one of my favorite techniques. I first learned how to use them on a fishing charter with Captain Mick over at Lake Champlain Angler. The jerkbait in the photo above is an X-Rap by Rapala and is the first jerk bait I used.

These cast a mile, are extremely durable, and catch a ton of fish. You use them by retrieving them in a cadenced series of jerks such as “twitch…twitch…pause….twitch…twitch…pause” until you figure out the rhythm and pattern that the fish want that day.

A smallmouth bass caught with an x-rap jerkbait lure on Lake Champlain circa 2011.
My wife with a nice smallmouth bass. Note the x-rap jerkbait in the lower left corner.

Jerkbaits work all year round as they mimic dying or distressed baitfish, but they’re mostly known as an early-spring lure. Part of this, I imagine, is because they will pick up weeds very easily later in the year, so there simply isn’t as much water that you can fish them with as summer goes on.

They are dynamite vs. spawning smallmouth and huge northerns will crush them too. Frankly, you can expect to catch just about any kind of fish on this lure. I’ve had perch not much bigger than them crush them.

The only downside is their hooks are sharp and plentiful. In addition to catching all the weeds I discussed above, they’re also known to snag anglers. Thus, they aren’t a good fishing lure for a small child or beginner.

Bass Jig

If there is one lure I’m going to catch grief for defining as “difficult” it is the bass jig. This lure is one of the most popular out there and nothing that common can be difficult, right? Well, if you judge by the number of folks scouring fishing forums seeking help using these, I’d beg to differ.

While jigs are extremely versatile, they do rely heavily on feel which can be difficult for someone just starting out, especially if you don’t have proper equipment like sensitive rods. This is because you need to determine if that pressure you suddenly feel is a fish, twig, rock or leaf all in a split second. It’s far easier said than done.

Regardless, you should invest some time learning these eventually as you’ll often catch your biggest fish of the year on them. They tend to be large offerings that have skirts that flair out making them look even bigger. Big bass absolutely crush these.

To use a bass jig you’re usually going to hop or crawl it along the bottom s.l.o.w.l.y., but occasionally fish want a faster presentation. Be aware that many strikes will come as the lure falls through the water.

Don’t be afraid to throw jigs into nasty cover. Their brush guards do a good job of helping them come back home, often with some lunker attached.

The jig in the picture above comes with a rattling sound chamber which is handy if you fish stained or murky water, which I often find myself doing on Lake Champlain. If you’re fishing clearer water, you might want to select a model that is silent.

Roundhead Jig

One of the first lures Dad tied on for me was a roundhead jig with a straight tail grub attached to it. We used to drift along the shores of Lake Champlain near Bridport, Vermont casting these out and reeling them in with little “pops.” We would catch a ton of smallmouth and largemouth bass.

Roundhead jigs come in a large variety of weights and hook size. The smaller ones are great for panfish. Larger ones are a good lure for walleye and bass.

You can tip these with anything you want. Dad favored straight tailed grubs, and marabou feathers (shown above). Other anglers prefer live bait, or artificial minnows.

These can be hopped along the bottom or horizontally retrieved like a spinnerbait. Both work well for catching fish, but you’re best bet is to combine the two. Reel in the jig while popping your rod up and down to give it some action. The fish love it!

A downside to this lure is that it can easily be bitten off by pike and pickerel. Luckily, roundhead jigs come in packs and aren’t that expensive.

Swimbait

Swimbaits come in many styles. The one pictured above is a soft plastic designed to be threaded onto a swimbait hook. You can also find ones that feature photo realistic paint jobs and look just like live fish. I don’t use these because they’re too expensive for my taste, especially since my waters are filled with northern pike and pickerel. Some folks swear by them and claim they are one of the best types of fishing lures for large bass.

Swimbaits are typically used by throwing them out and then reeling them back in. I favor the soft plastic type above as it can be rigged weedless and thrown into the shallow flats I frequent. The more expensive model that I linked has treble hooks and would need more open water.

Fluke

I caught my personal best largemouth bass on one of these fishing the Harris Chain of Lakes with Captain Mick (he gets around — if you want to a great fishing charter service near Orlando, go ahead and schedule a charter with him in Florida during the summer months).

While the fluke looks much like the swimbait above, it is mean to be worked more like a jerk bait. The same “twitch…twitch…pause….twitch…twitch…pause” cadence will work here, though you’ll want to be softer with it when working a fluke as there isn’t as much bait to use.

You can rig these weightless and fish right near the top of the water, or add some weight to it and have it sink down a bit. These work well in areas where you want the look of a distressed bait fish, but can’t get a jerkbait through do to the weeds.

Popper

Poppers are one of the easier topwater lures to use, but I still rated them as “moderate” because it might take you a few tries before you catch anything. Many people get too excited seeing the fish suddenly crash through the water and so they jerk the rod back before the fish is hooked. Try to count “one-thousand-one” after you see the splash before you set the hook. This will help increase your hookups.

These lures are best used early in the morning or later in the evening. You’re looking for a low light situation where the fish are cruising shallow water.

There are many companies that make poppers but I favor the old standard Rebel Pop-R shown above. This lure has a long history of catching fish and I can attest that it works. I’ve tried other models from other brands and while many cast farther, I just haven’t had the same success as with the Pop-R. Perhaps it’s placebo but you have to roll with what you trust.

Because poppers tend to have multiple treble hooks, they can be a poor choice when fishing with kids.

Hollow Bodied Frog

I love fishing with hollow bodied frogs. I also hate fishing with them. These lures will drive you absolutely crazy.

What frogs can also do is catch enormous bass. These are top water lures that lead to some spectacular moments. You’ll see bass propel themselves out of the lily pads like great white sharks going after your lure. Unfortunately, they’ll miss it a fair amount of time. Until you get the hang of things, you’ll miss the hookset even more!

Frogs are also one of the best lures to use if you’re fishing in heavy cover. Most models float (until a pickerel tears them up) and are entirely weedless. You can throw them into the densest of cover without worrying about getting stuck.

Unfortunately, hollow bodied frogs require very specialized equipment. You’ll need a stout rod with heavy or extra heavy power, and at least 50lb braid (most recommend 65lb). Because of this, you’re talking baitcaster territory. When I was just getting started fishing I tried fishing with frogs in a loaded pond with a medium spinning rod and monofilament. I had the most frustrating day of fishing in my life as I must have had 50-60 bass and pickerel blow up on them and didn’t land a single fish. I went straight home and bought a baitcaster!

For these reasons, I consider frogs to be a very poor choice of lure when fishing with kids. You can read me rant more about that here.

Spoon

Spoons are almost forgotten nowadays, but when my grandfather was plying the waters, they were the main lure out there. They work very well casting for northern pike and can be trolled for salmon and lake trout.

If casting, you can try a straight retrieve or “flutter” it by raising your rod tip up high and then dropping it quickly. Reel in the slack as the spoon flutters down. As with many presentations, many strikes will come on the fall.

Consider using a wire leader with a spoon as northern pike love them and will break you off if they take the lure too deep.

Creature Bait

Creature baits are almost a blend of jigs and plastic worms. They’re soft plastics that you can rig on a jig head or with most types of worm hooks. You can fish them the same way you fish either of those techniques. If you rig them Texas style, then they can be very weedless and good lures for throwing into heavy cover.

I rank them as a difficult lure to use right there with jigs because they do take a bit of getting used to before you understand if a fish bit. Once you get the hang of things, they can make for a very fun day.

“Gimmick”

Remember at the start of this article how I told you that sometimes it’s worth showing the fish something they’ve never seen before? Well, manufacturers feel the same way about fishermen. It seems like every year there is some crazy lure coming out that’s just different than anything anyone has ever seen before or used.

That’s not to say they don’t work. After all, every fishing lure known to man started off its first season as a “gimmick.” Some have stood the test of time, and then… Well… Some didn’t.

If you’re an early adopter you can rush out and buy these and try them. Sometimes this work very well. While I wouldn’t call a variation on a jerkbait a “gimmick” persay, Rapala came out with a new jerkbait several years ago (I want to say 2015) called the Shadow Rap. It had a unique action that was different than their other jerkbaits, and the first year I threw it, I lit them up. The point is, the fish had never seen it and weren’t wary of it. I couldn’t keep them out of the boat. Chances are the fish haven’t seen a “true” gimmicky lure either, so you might fill your livewell!

Oh, and full disclosure, I don’t own the duck lure above, but after looking at it, I’m itching to! The Bait Monkey is REAL!

What Makes A Good Fishing Lure in the First Place?

Above I provided several examples of different fishing lures that you could purchase via the affiliate links I posted. While I won’t claim they’re the only brands or designs that work, I do believe in them and feel they make solid choices.

Works Well For Intended Use

Use a lure that is going to catch whatever species of fish you’re seeking. If your lure won’t do that, it can’t be considered “good,” at least not for the job at hand.

You also need to consider if that crankbait you just tied on is really best for the area and conditions. If you’re near many weeds growing right to the top, you’re going to spend more of your time cleaning your hooks than fishing.

Finally, “think of the children.” If you’re out fishing with kids, the best types of fishing lures to use are going to be the ones that are easiest for them to handle.

Durability

In my mind, a good fishing lure needs to be durable. These things take a lot of abuse. They are cast far and wide, smashing down into the water, if you’re lucky, or tree branches if you aren’t. Once submerged, they will bang against rocks, laydowns, and other structure. They’ll snag lillypads and brush and need to be ripped loose. Not to mention, they might be bit – a lot if they’re any good!

I prefer to purchase lures that will hold up to some abuse. For example, the x-rap that I recommended above in the jerkbait section is the kind of lure that can last an entire day. It is a durable jerkbait that is well manufactured and features strong hooks. About the worst thing that might happen is its tail feathers could take a little trim, but it will catch fish without them, anyway.

In contrast, the shadow rap I mentioned above in the gimmicks section is not nearly as durable. While it too is a jerkbait (and an impressively effective one at that), it features extremely thin wire hooks that hold up to nothing, frankly. If you’re headed to the lake with a shadow rap tied on, you’d better have replacement hooks.

In fairness, however, the hooks bend when fish bite and you’ll be replacing bent hooks often as the fish really do seem to love that lure. Nothing against it – just warning you that it won’t hold up as well as an x-rap.

Reasonable Prices

A good fishing lure ought to be reasonably priced. There are plenty of extremely expensive fishing lures out there, but then again there are plenty of northern pike too. The two need only cross paths once for your lure to be gone. I don’t know about you, but I go fishing to relax and don’t want to worry if I can make rent when I get back.

Because prices often fluctuate I’m uncomfortable listing what any of the lures above go for today, but I will tell you that none of the lures I recommended above are anywhere near the most expensive models in their respective categories. I fish far too many pike-filled waters to bother with that!

Runs Right From the Box

I know I’ll catch some flak for this because many fishermen would tell you that nearly “no” lures run just right out of the box, but they ought to be pretty close. Most name brands do a fair job with this but if you’re purchasing knock off lures on the internet you often get what you paid for.

Companies pay engineers a lot of money to help design their fishing lures, so it is important they run right and as intended. If not, you need to do some tweaking or tuning. You’ll be able to tell they aren’t running right because they’ll pull to one side or the other. This usually also means they’ll have an unnatural look and won’t catch as many fish until you do something about it.

Don’t give up on a brand just because you needed to do some tuning. Most are going to have slight variations that can be easily fixed. Much of this information is readily available on the internet. Perhaps one day I’ll draft an article of my own addressing it, but until then, wired2fish has a great article about how to tune crankbaits.

Conclusion – What Type of Lure You Should Choose

As you can see, you have many choices when it comes to figuring out what type of lure to use to catch a certain kind of fish. If you’re just getting started, I’d recommend sticking to the lures I think are easy for beginners and kids to use:

  • Spinnerbait
  • Buzzbait
  • Swimjig
  • Drop Shot
  • Plastic Worm

Once you get comfortable throwing these you can move up to those that are rated as moderately difficult before eventually trying some of the more difficult lures I listed.

Or, you could live on the wild side, go crazy at your local sporting goods store, and fish like there is no tomorrow! (Just don’t tell your significant other I told you to).

If you do decide to take it easy and have a little cash lying around, consider picking up a copy of my book, Fishing with Kids: A Parent’s Guide, for yourself. If you liked the tips you found in this article, I trust you’ll enjoy the book as well.

Thanks,

John Paxton

What’s the Difference Between a Fishing Pole and Fishing Rod?

If you’ve spent much time around anglers, chances are you’ve heard them talk about their fishing rods and fishing poles. You might have even wondered if there is a difference between the terms, or if it is simply a “soda vs. pop” sort of thing.

To put it simply, what most people in North America refer to as “fishing poles” are, in fact, fishing rods. Anything that has line guides, a reel seat, and a reel attached to it is a fishing rod and is meant for casting lures. Fishing poles, on the other hand, simply have line attached to their tip. They are meant for placing bait quietly and precisely.

Frankly, it’s a petty thing to worry about so if you’ve grown up your whole life calling rods poles, go right ahead and keep it up. Only a fishing snob would correct you!

Why the Confusion?

Part of the reason people mistake these terms is simply that their fathers and grandfathers before them used the term “fishing pole,” so that’s what people grew up knowing.

At one point in the past, a line attached to a stick was the main tool anglers had to catch fish. Modern fishing reels have only been around a few hundred years and accessible to the masses for even less. Those who couldn’t afford these fancy contraptions had no need for a fishing rod, and caught their fish with handline or by attaching some line to the end of a stick – the fishing pole.

This isn’t exactly a life or death error so there’s been no need for correction, so the mistake has carried on for generations.

The issue is compounded, interestingly, by SEO enthusiasts. You see, those of us writing these posts on the internet generally want someone to read them, so we try to write for terms we think people will search for to enable them to encounter our websites. With the term “fishing pole” being so common in the United States, you’ll find many bloggers use it for this reason. To be fair, I have too on occasion. No harm, no foul as it helps us get information to you, but it certainly contributes to the confusion.

Fishing with Rods

I have no hard data to back this up aside from my 30 years on the water, but I will tell you point blank, very few anglers in North America use fishing poles. Almost everyone uses a fishing rod.

Fishing rods cast lures through the air. Hopefully towards water, but often towards trees. Let’s face it: always towards trees when children are involved. In any event, they’re meant to cast a lure towards distance targets, at which point the lure is retrieved through the water column, hopefully drawing a strike.

Advantages to Using Fishing Rods

Using a conventional rod and reel set up has many advantages over less viable fishing poles. These include:

  • Increased casting distance.
  • A wider range of available presentations.
  • An ability to cover water quickly in search of fish.

Increased Casting Distance

If your reel is properly set up, and your lure is of an appropriate weight for the rod, you can get incredible casting distance with by using fishing rods. With time, you can also increase your accuracy, especially when you’re casting short distances with techniques such as “flipping and pitching,” though you’ll never be as accurate as using a pole to simply plunk some bait right where you want it.

Because you are flinging a lure through the air, its momentum carries it a great distance. If you are throwing with the wind, this distance can increase even more.

How to Maximize Your Casting Distance

If you’re using a rod to be able to cast out far, you might as well learn how to cast it as far as possible. Here are some tips for how you can increase it:

Proper Lure Weight

You always want to match the weight of your lure to your rod’s power. Most manufacturers will print this information right on the rod blank. For example, my son’s Ugly Stik Elite is an ultralight model. It is rated for lures that weigh between 1/32 and 1/4 oz. A lure lighter or heavier than this wouldn’t cast as far as one that was within scope.

Consider Your Fishing Line

The thicker the diameter of your fishing line, generally the less distance that your rod will cast. This is due to friction on the reel. Thinner lines will tend to cast a lot farther (and also get your bait deeper) for this reason. With that said, there’s a balance to everything, because some baitcasters are hard to use with very thin lines and need a minimum diameter to function easily.

Longer Fishing Rods Cast Further

Generally speaking, the longer the rod, the further the cast. There are limits to this of course – you need to have room to wield the larger rods. They won’t do you much good if you’re fishing from a tree-lined bank or in your kayak. There, you’ll want a shorter rod so you can get appropriate leverage and backswing to launch your lures.

Greater Variety of Presentations

I had a spirited rant in another article about “The Bait Monkey,” which is this evil doer who causes… nay, forces fishermen to part with their paychecks for the widest arrange of lures known to man.

While I’m sure this dastardly monkey also visits Europe and other lands that favor fishing poles instead of rods, I can’t imagine it is so sinister there simply because your presentation options are more limited if your exclusively using vertical presentations.

With a fishing rod, you’re able to work the entire water column. You can explore the depths by bouncing jigs along the bottom, the middle of the lake with crankbaits that dive to various depths, and the topwater with poppers and buzzbaits. Rods can toss anything the fish want, at any given time.

You Can Cover More Water

This same versatility of presentations is one of the reasons you can cover more water with a fishing rod than a fishing pole. Because you’re casting and retrieving lures, you get to search for fish everywhere between you and as far as you can cast. You can cast to multiple angles quickly, targeting a different one each time until you have thoroughly probed the entire area.

It’s also easier to walk around with rods if you’re fishing on foot. Modern fishing poles can be as large as 60′! Even though many are telescopic (think of how a telescope compacts), many aren’t! Imagine having to construct one of these at each site you want to fish. Just watch the first 30 seconds of this video and tell me that you could do that all day.

Disadvantages to Fishing Rods

While most people in North America use them, there are a few disadvantages to fishing rods. For starters, they are generally a less accurate way to present bait or lures than fishing poles. Secondly, they have more equipment and parts, which means there are more things to go wrong, and more widgets (such as reels) to upkeep. Finally they can be more expensive, all things considered. While I’m sure you could find an example of an expensive fishing pole, it doesn’t have a reel and you won’t be as susceptible to the Bait Monkey.

Fishing with Poles

I have to be honest, being from North America, I thought fishing poles were something that Huckleberry Finn would have used. Sure, I’ve seen a few crappie fishermen in Florida use them, but I just didn’t think it was popular equipment in this day in age. Apparently, I’d be completely wrong over in Europe or Asia as I’ll describe a bit further below. First, let’s look at a few advantages and disadvantages to using fishing poles instead of rods.

Advantages

The main advantage fishing poles have over rods is that they can present a lure or bait in a much more precise manner and in a stealthy fasion.

Precision

To use a fishing pole, one simply guides it out over the precise part of water they wish to cover, and then lowers their bait or lure down. This allows extreme precision as one can easily move past any reed or obstruction and get their bait exactly where they want it.

This could have far-reaching implications even in bass fishing. For example, consider attempting to present a Senko in a very precise pocket in a nasty weed bed. Even if you were able to flip or pitch to it accurately, you’d still need to reel it in past the weeds to get it out. While I’m not exactly certain how well a fishing pole would work to horse a bass out of that sort of cover, it would at least allow you to make an entirely vertical presentation without fouling your lure.

Stealth

Some folks who fish professionally can make a perfect cast every time that enters the water with minimal splash. Then, there is the rest of us. A fishing pole eliminates the giant splash of a lure as you simply move it out over water and then ease it in. This is a stealthier approach if the fish are spooky, at least if the pole itself doesn’t frighten them. Given that these aren’t that popular in much of North America, it might be the first time a fish has ever seen it, and they may think it’s just a stick.

Disadvantages

There are several disadvantages to fishing with a pole rather than a rod. Many were covered in the rods section (such as a fishing pole’s comparative lack of maneuverability), but there are a few more to consider.

Unwieldy

I suppose this goes hand in hand with lack of maneuverability, but the longer fishing poles out there can be difficult to wield. Many techniques, especially in Europe, appear to be best-suited for those sitting down as you need to brace an especially long pole against something to control it. There are other techniques, such as Tenkara fishing discussed below that alleviate this, but it’s something to consider depending on how you plan to fish.

Availability

I work five minutes from my local Cabelas and before COVID-19, I was there most lunch breaks. I cannot recall ever seeing a true fishing pole. Likewise, I’ve never seen one in the tackle shops I frequent. The bottom line is that depending on where you live, you might have a hard time finding one of these! This isn’t a problem if you aren’t pressed for time, but if you break your only pole and want to get back to fishing, you could be waiting awhile.

European Roach Fishing

There is a species of fish called a “roach” in Europe that anglers use enormous fishing poles to reach. If you go search the internet, you can find plenty of videos showing the tactic, such as this one here.

I’ve never tried this, but it looks as though the anglers make use of these enormous fishing poles to first deliver a ball of chum or attractant over to an area, and then to dangle a baited hook over it to catch a fish in the ensuing frenzy.

Having watched a few of these videos, I might take back the “fishing rods are more expensive” argument I made a few sections higher. Some of these folks bring entire modular towers with them that they plant into the lake or stream to allow themselves to reach even farther.

Japanese Tenkara Fishing

Tankara Fishing is a new term to me, but apparently it has been around for a few hundred years in Japan. Essentially, it is fly fishing in a stream but without a reel. You just have the fishing pole, line, hook, and bait. You still swing the fly back and forth through the air to give it some momentum before casting it, but the amount of line attached to the end of your line is all you get.

I have to say, I’m a bit intrigued by this. I think it might be a decent technique for children, as it isn’t that complicated and the poles aren’t too long or heavy, at least compared to the roach poles in Europe. Who knows, if I try this out with my son, maybe it’ll someday make its way into my book’s sequel.

While researching this article, I learned that this technique was brought to North American in 2009 by a company called Tenkara USA. They have a website that discusses how to get started with the technique, and also offer started packs with everything you need to catch a fish besides the stream.

If you’re into minimalist fishing (and with kids, that might be a good thing) then you might want to give this technique a shot.

Conclusion: It’s Mostly Semantics

While there’s always going to be “that guy” who gets uppity if you call a fishing rod a fishing pole, let’s face it — it’s semantics, and a trifling one at that. Call it what you want, the bottom line is they both catch fish.

The only time I’d be concerned about the difference is if I was booking a charter in another country. You’ll want to know what kind of equipment your guide is using so you can tell what sort of experience you’re about to have. While I could go for some Tenkara fishing, I’m not sure I could deal with sitting in one spot waiting for a roach to bite.

I hope this article helped quell your insatiable thirst for information on this exceptionally important topic. If you have other pressing questions, poke around my site a bit as you’ll learn wondrous lessons such as if you can fish with dead worms, or use WD-40 as fishing attractant. Armed with this trifecta of knowledge, you will crush all fish before you!

Finally, I’d like to invite you to join my Facebook page so I can keep in touch with updated content and fishing reports.

Thanks,

-John Paxton

Ugly Stik Elite: A Great Fishing Pole for Kids

I’m often asked what makes a good fishing pole for beginners and kids, so much so that I wrote an entire article on the subject. Even so, I thought it might be good to explore one of the poles I talked about in detail: the Ugly Stik Elite.

Why I Love These Fishing Poles

I caught my first northern pike on an Ugly Stik my dad handed me some thirty years ago. That catch was a moment that ensured fishing would be a huge part of my life, and these fishing poles were with me every step of the way. Over the years, I’ve caught everything from tiny panfish to huge bass and enormous channel catfish on Ugly Stiks I borrowed from my dad. They served me so well as a child that when I became a father, I knew they had to have a prominent place in my rod box.

I now own half a dozen Ugly Stik Elites, all in the smaller lengths (4’6″ to 5’6″) that I use to fish with my children. These balance very well for them, especially when paired with a 20-size spinning reel (I favor the Pflueger President, personally).

These are the perfect fishing poles for beginners and small kids, but are also fine for anyone who wants to enjoy fishing without spending a lot of money.

Inexpensive Quality

I’m not going to list a price as they’ll change from time to time, but it is fair to say that this is not an expensive of a fishing rod. They cost a fraction of what my other rods did, even when I bought those other rods used. That might put you off and make you think that they aren’t quality, but that isn’t true. After all, how many rods can you honestly say would hold up to 30+ years of fishing, much of it by kids? To me, that is the mark of a quality product.

Why I Purchased These for My Children

These fishing poles are great for kids because they’re so durable. Little anglers get very excited when a fish is on the line and they don’t always listen well. They can put rods through a lot of stress by failing to appropriately position them, or by holding them on the blank for leverage. You can trust that this rod won’t break.

Even their ultralight models are fairly sturdy. I was surprised by this, as some of the other Ugly Stiks I’ve used throughout the years have been fairly “whippy,” but the Elite model is strong all the way to that power (at least in the 4’6″ model).

While sturdy, their ultralight models still give plenty of play. Even panfish will be fun to catch, which is important. As a parent, you’re going to spend a LOT of time targeting these species, so you’d better have a rod that’s fun to fish with.

A 4'6" Ugly Stik Elite balances well with a size 20 Pflueger President spinning reel.
The Ugly Stik Elite in a 4’6″ size pairs very well
with a Pflueger President in size 20. This is one
of my main combos for my kids.

Range of Models

The Ugly Stik Elite is offered in spinning and casting models and has a wide range of lengths, power, and action.

The smallest spinning rod is their 4’6″ ultralight model. Their largest is a 7’6″ medium power model. They also have a 7′ medium heavy if you wanted something to throw spinnerbaits or Senkos.

Casting models are, as expected, usually more on the heavy side as you tend to need beefier tackle with baitcasting presentations. Six models are offered. The shortest is 6’6″ and the longest is 7′. Most are either medium or medium heavy power, though they do offer on in ultralight, curiously. Light lures are pretty hard to use on a baitcaster, so I’d suggest you pick up a spinning model instead.

Are There Any Fish You Can’t Catch with These Poles?

You’d have to go out of your way to find a freshwater fish in North America that you couldn’t catch with an Ugly Stik Elite. I suppose some monsters like lake sturgeon or alligator gar might put the rod to the test, but I have to figure your line will snap long before your rod would when fighting one of those. Also, if you’re buying one of these fishing poles for your kids, you probably aren’t targeting these species.

If you did want to pursue one of these larger fish, Shakespeare also offers a catfish model that I’ve used and enjoy. It’s even sturdier and is meant to go head to head with monster blue catfish. It won’t let you down.

Channel catfish caught with Ugly Stiks on Lake Champlain circa 2011.
These channel catfish were caught with Ugly Stiks.

Does Ugly Stik Offer a Warranty?

A limited warranty is offered on these rods that covers manufacturer defects, but you’d have to do something crazy stupid to break them in the first place, and the warranty says in part:

[They are] not responsible for normal wear and tear, nor failures caused by accidents, abuse, alteration, modification, misuse or improper care.

To me, this means that this probably isn’t that useful of a warranty. I suppose you could always get a lemon, and if you do, they’ll replace it for a processing fee of $9.95 US or $10.55 CAD. While prices change from time to time as the rods go on sale, that’s roughly a sixth or so of what you might pay for it new, which is reasonable.

I’d guess the most likely way you break one of these is by accidentally slamming it in a car door or something similar, and that doesn’t appear to be covered.

Don’t let this dissuade you from purchasing one. Again, we have some Ugly Stiks in our family that have been fished for at least 30 years now if not more and they’re still going strong. Even though they’re inexpensive, these rods are made to last.

Closing Thoughts

The Ugly Stik Elite is one of my favorite rods. I own dozens that cost considerably more, yet always bring these along for a fishing trip with my son and daughter. If you’ve decided that fishing is a hobby worth sharing with your kids, buy them one of these rods.

They make a great fishing rod for anyone who needs durability and dependability. I own half a dozen of these that I use to fish with my kids, and can’t recommend them highly enough.

If you thought this tip was helpful and would like some other ones to help you get started with fishing, check out my book. In it, you’ll find more advice for what gear to buy!

-Thanks,

John Paxton

St. Croix Triumph Spinning and Casting Rods Review

If you’ve been reading my blog for awhile, you’re aware that I really enjoy St. Croix Rods. While I’ve written about them many times in the past, I thought it would be good to write a more detailed review for you. I’m going to start with a review on the St. Croix Triumph Spinning and Casting Rods. I’ll tell you if they’re worth it and what type of techniques I’d use them for.

Is the St. Croix Triumph a Good Fishing Rod?

In my opinion, the St. Croix Triumph is a really good fishing rod for anyone who is passionate about fishing, but doesn’t have hundreds of dollars to spend on a setup. They are St. Croix’s “entry level” model and available at most sporting goods stores (their higher end stuff often isn’t), but don’t let this dissuade you. An entry level St. Croix rod is still a great purchase, and miles above many other manufacturers.

While you aren’t getting the best components the company has to offer, this is still a great rod that is relatively lightweight and sensitive. The SCII graphite blank has held up to everything my son and I have put it up against without fail. I also appreciate how it has a classic look. I know that is cosmetic, but I’m not much for the flashy rods out there. The Triumph series has a very subdued look to it which I appreciate.

If you don’t have a nice rod yet, then this is a great one to start with. If you do have “better” rods, then this can still be a good addition to your arsenal. I own most types of rods that St. Croix makes from the Triump to the Legend Xtreme and I’ll tell you, you don’t need a hypersensitive blank for every technique. You can save yourself a lot of money by being sensible and picking up a few from the Triumph series for your spinnerbaits and other lures that don’t require the same sensitivity.

Versatility

One great thing about this tier of rods is that they are versatile. With six types in its “family,” there’s a rod for every situation.

You can buy St. Croix Triumph spinning and casting rods in either single piece or as two-piece travel rod. The Triumph lineup also has dedicated salmon and steelhead spinning and casting rods. Finally, there is “the big boy” Triumph Musky rod, though this is only available as a casting rod.

Available Rod Length, Power, and Action in the Triumph Lineup

The St. Croix Triumphs add to their versatility by coming in a lew of sizes, powers, and actions. For example, the spinning rod can be found in lengths from 5′ all the way to 7’6 and powers ranging from ultra light to medium heavy. The smaller sizes work well with kids making this a great birthday present for a grandchild. They light up knowing they have a “special” rod, and you don’t break the bank buying it for them.

There aren’t as many options with the St. Croix Triumph casting rods, but that is because you don’t throw as light of tackle on baitcasters. There are currently five models available in the base spinning, ranging from a 6′ medium power / fast action to a 7′ medium heavy power / fast action. If I was getting started, I’d grab the latter as it would work well for spinnerbaits, plastic worms, and lighter jigs.

If you’re looking for a rod that could handle plastic frogs and heavier jigs, remember that you do have the option of beefing up to the St. Croix Musky lineup. They have several models, such as their 7’6″ Heavy / Fast action that would work just fine for tossing a few toads.

I don’t fish much for salmon or steelhead but the Triumph series comes in a variety of longer models to accommodate fishing for those species. I see no reason why they too wouldn’t be quality products.

You Can Fish for Darn Near Anything

All of this versatility means that you can fish for just about anything with these rods. The ultralight models are great for panfish and the Musky models are great for… Well… Musky.

If you like throwing crankbaits, you can find some medium light models that would work well. The 6’6″ medium / fast rod would do just fine with jerkbaits, and as said above, there are plenty for worms and spinnerbaits. This means that if there’s any hole in your arsenal of fishing rods, you can plug it affordably. That’s important in this day and age.

Where are St. Croix Triumph Rods Made?

If you are looking for an American-made rod, the Triumph will disappoint. While it is designed in Park Falls, Wisconsin, it is manufactured in Fresnillo, Mexico.

Do St. Croix Triumph Rods Come With a Warranty?

The St. Croix Triumph lineup comes with a five year warranty. St. Croix rods offer good warranty service in general (trust me, I’ve had to use it a few times). You should visit their website for full details as they seem to strive to make this better each year. For example, I see they now have an “Excelerator” program that will get you a rod much more quickly, as they’re able to process it based on a photo.

Would I Buy One of These Rods for My Kid?

My children are still young so casting rods are out of the question, but I have purchased a St. Croix Triumph spinning rod for my son. I wouldn’t recommend this as the first rod you purchase for a kid. You’ll want to ensure they like the sport first, and also make sure they know how to take care of their stuff, as this is no Ugly Stik, but I’d have no qualms about recommending this rod for any child who fits that bill.

What Reel Should I Pair This With?

You could put pretty much any spinning or casting reel on a Triumph but, again, one of the benefits of this tier is it isn’t that expensive. It wouldn’t make much sense to take out a second mortgage for a reel for this rod. Instead, I’d keep things simple. I have Plfueger Trions paired with my Triumphs and they work quite well. For casting, I’d go with a Pro Qualifier from Bass Pro which you can often get on sale.

Conclusions

If you’re in the market for your first “nice” rod, it’s hard to beat a St. Croix Triumph spinning or casting rod. They comes in enough lengths, powers, and actions to allow for many presentations and does this all without being too expensive. It is also backed by a 5-year warranty and St. Croix’s great customer service. I own several and wouldn’t hesitate to buy more if my wife wasn’t looking.

Finally, I’d like to invite you to join my new Facebook group to be updated on new articles. I’ve thought about how best to reach folks and decided that I hate mailing lists, so Facebook is the way to go. Please consider liking the page so we can keep in touch.

-Thanks,

John Paxton

The Best Spots in Connecticut to Take Kids Fishing

I’ve fished in Connecticut my entire life and learned a good fishing spot or two, but not all are created equal when taking your kids. In this article I’ll help parents understand where to fish with their kids in Connecticut. If you’re looking for some advice on where to find family friendly fishing in the Nutmeg State, read on!

Rather than give you an overview of every lake in Connecticut, I’ve decided to stick to places I’ve actually visited and fished. I figure that this will give you better information, and give me a reason to go check out some new spots!

I plan on making this page a work in progress as I continue to ply my way across the state with my two children and discover new fishing holes, so make sure you bookmark this and return to it often! Edit 3/28/21 – I just found one!

As this is a longer article, here’s some handy navigation to get you started.

Great Places to Take Your Kids Fishing in Connecticut

Now that we’ve talked a bit about what makes a good fishing spot for kids, I’m going to break down some ideal places to take your kids fishing in Connecticut.

When possible, I will discuss the following:

  • Size: How large the lake or pond is. I won’t always have this data, but will provide it when I can.
  • Fish Species: The different fish you can find in the lake. Bear in mind that you’re going to want to see “sunfish” and “yellow perch” if you’re going fishing with little kids.
  • Facilities: If I know what facilities are available, including restrooms and picnic tables, if I’ll tell you.
  • Parking: I’ll give some thoughts on the parking lot so you know if you need to get there early. It can be stressful trying to navigate a trailer around a crowded lot.
  • Boat Ramp: Can you bring a trailered boat or only one you can carry in?
  • Shore Access: I discuss if there are a number of good fishing spots from shore or not.
  • Special Restrictions: Some places don’t allow outboard motors or ice fishing. When I know this information, I’ll share it, but you should always consult the most up-to-date Connecticut Fishing Guide you can to make sure you’re compliant with the law.
  • Distractions: I’ll talk about what you can do with your kids if they get bored of fishing.

After laying out these basics, I’ll also make sure to give you my personal thoughts on the location, and offer any other insight that I can.

Family Friendly Fishing Spots in Hartford County

I’ve spent many years fishing in Hartford County both before and after I had children, so I’ve learned a few good spots to take kids fishing. Here are a few of my favorite places to take my family fishing in Hartford County.

Paderewski Park (Plainville, CT)

  • Size: Not available, but I’d estimate around 10-15 acres.
  • Fish Species: Largemouth bass, Sunfish.
  • Facilities: There are restrooms with working plumbing in a building by the splash pad. There’s also shaded picnic spots.
  • Parking: There are two parking lots. One is right next to the pond and can accommodate 10-15 vehicles. It would be tough to fit a trailer.
  • Boat Ramp: No. Getting a canoe or row boat into this pond would be challenging for one person.
  • Shore Access: Good. There are several spots around the pond where you have plenty of room to fish.
  • Special Restrictions: Gas motors are prohibited.
  • Distractions: Tons. There are multiple sports fields, a great playscape with swings, and a splash pad in the summer.
Overview

If you’re looking for a family friendly fishing spot in Connecticut, look no further than Paderewski Park in Plainville. Its combination of ample shore access, numerous fish, and tons of distractions make it THE place to go fishing with your kids.

Paderewski Park is a square fishing pond with shore access on all sides, though the north and eastern sides would have you fishing in site of people’s back yards, which is awkward. I usually take my son fishing along the southern bank as there are several wide open areas for him to cast a line.

Most of the fish in this pond are stunted as there seems to be too many sunfish for their own good. You’ll find that many fish you catch are 3″ or so in length. This won’t be too exciting for older children, but little ones love it.

As a plus, there is an awesome splash pad and very nice playground for the kids to enjoy after they tire of fishing. This area also has several shaded picnic benches so you can relax in peace while your children play.

If you live near Plainville, Connecticut, I think you’d have a hard time finding a better spot to go fishing with your kids.

Paderewski Park Pond is a great place to take your kids fishing in Connecticut because it has ample shore access with good casting lanes.
Vast sections of Paderewski Park Pond have open areas where kids can cast.

Fisher Meadows Pond / Spring Pond (Avon, CT)

  • Size: 41 acres
  • Fish Species: Largemouth bass, Crappie, Yellow Perch, Sunfish, Common Carp, American Eel, Chain Pickerel (rare).
  • Facilities: A few porta-potties and some picnic tables.
  • Parking: Very large lot; unlikely to be filled unless there is a soccer game going on.
  • Boat Ramp: There is no boat ramp available, but there are several places where you can carry in a canoe or row boat.
  • Shore Access: Plentiful. There are many spots along the walking trail where you can easily fish with kids.
  • Special Restrictions: Gas motors are prohibited.. Ice fishing is prohibited by town ordinance.
  • Distractions: There is a well-kept hiking trail around the pond and several soccer fields to kick around a ball if your kids get bored.
Overview

Spring Pond was my absolute favorite place to fish in in Connecticut before I had my kids and still produces some of my earliest fishing reports of the year. I knew all the best fishing spots and would go there at least three times a week. Now that i have kids, I still go to Spring Pond, but I have to scale back where I wet my line.

While Spring Pond has plentiful shore access, many of its best fishing spots require you to go into the woods. For example, the southeast shoreline holds many fish, but you have to walk through the woods to access it. This makes it a poor choice to take your kids fishing.

You’ll still want to invest time in this pond because it has some of the largest bass in Connecticut. When I was younger and could go often, I would routinely catch my biggest bass of the year from this pond. I’m still hoping to help my kids tie into one of them, but it might be a few years at the rate we’re going.

One disadvantage about Spring Pond is that it is difficult to launch a boat. There is no ramp to speak of, and only a few clearings in the woods near the parking lot. None of these are capable of acting as a ramp, though you can get pretty close to the water on a few. You’ll need to drag your boat the last bit of the way. Since my Gheenoe LT10 weighs 150lb, this is no small task. Getting it in is fairly easy. Getting it out is another story!

The Farm at Carter Hill (Marlborough, CT)

  • Size: I’d guess about .25 acres
  • Fish Species: Largemouth bass, Sunfish.
  • Facilities: There is an expansive compound with multiple buildings, bathrooms, dining, dancing, etc.
  • Parking: Very large lot but pick your spots as they have large events at times
  • Boat Ramp: No. This is a private pond.
  • Shore Access: Plentiful. The entire pond is accessible/fishable with kids.
  • Special Restrictions: This is private property – you need to be a guest/patron of the establishment, but there’s so much to do, that’s not an issue.
  • Distractions: There are goats and ducks to feed, a 1/2 scale F-4U Corsair to marvel at, gift shop, ice cream, food, the list goes on.
Overview

While this isn’t a public place and you need to be a patron to fish there, The Farm at Carter Hill offers so much to do with your family that this isn’t an issue. It’s a wide open compound with outdoor everything. There’s a large number of goats, sheep, and ducks waddling around the place with food available to feed them. There are events like classic car shows, dances, or outdoor movie nights from time to time. Finally, there’s a gorgeous bed and breakfast that makes for a wonderful retreat, especially if you’re wary of going too far in the time of COVID-19.

The Farm at Carter Hill has a small but stocked fishing pond with bass in the 8 – 12″ range. Nothing huge but absolutely perfect for the little ones. We did catch some pretty good-sized bluegill when we went. The important thing was how accessible they were. Now, let me preface this by saying one thing: we went in late March – I don’t know what the weed cover is going to look like in a few more weeks. All I can tell you is the fish are there!

If you do check this place out, remember that it is private property. Come mingle first, buy some food, pet the goats, and meet the owners before politely asking if you can fish. When you do, make sure you carry out everything you brought in. In other words, be on your best behavior so you don’t ruin things for anyone!

For reservations or event information, reach out directly to The Farm at Carter Hill.

Batterson Park Pond (New Britain, CT)

  • Size: 140 acres.
  • Fish Species: Largemouth bass, Crappie, White Perch, Yellow Perch, Sunfish, Channel Catfish, Common Carp, Walleye (which are stocked each year by the state).
  • Facilities: None in the public sections.
  • Parking: There is a decently large lot. The back row works for backing trailers. You don’t want to go during busy times as many people fish from shore and the spots can get filled.
  • Boat Ramp: There is a ramp that works for fishing boats but there is no dock, so you need to drag your boat onto shore while you park your car. There is a submerged line of large rocks on both sides of the ramp.
  • Shore Access: Moderate. Much of this lake requires a boat to access. The shore access is larger on the Farmington side, but it is rarely mowed.
  • Special Restrictions: Gas motors are prohibited.
  • Distractions: Not really. Swans and ducks frequent the place but aside from looking at them, there isn’t much to do when you’re not fishing.
Overview

I have very mixed thoughts about Batterson Park Pond. On the one hand, its one of the few spots that Connecticut DEEP stocks with walleye, so any given fishing trip might let your kids catch a pretty unique (and tasty) fish. There are also some pretty big bass in the lake, and a healthy population of sunfish.

Having said that, the fishing at Batterson Park can be really tough. I’ve had plenty of days before I had kids where I would get completely skunked, even if on a boat, and if you read the reports at some local forums, this seems fairly common. Much of the surroundings are also in complete disrepair, though there’s recent political support for Batterson Park to be Maintained, finally.

Batterson also gets extremely windy at times with very few places to tuck in. Since it is an electric-only lake, it can be challenging to get back to the boat launch if the conditions go sour.

Where to Fish at Batterson Park Pond

If fishing from shore, you have two options. The New Britain side can be reached from the boat launch and parking lot while the Farmington side has a few parking spots along Batterson Park Road. Unfortunately, the Farmington side is rarely mowed so it can be challenging to walk across.

The New Britain side is deeper and has less weeds, but you’re limited in how far you can walk as much of it is private property. The Farmington side has many fishing spots, but they aren’t the best ones in Connecticut to take kids to because they tend to be enclosed by trees. The one exception is the northeast shore which is lined with rip rap.

If you’re fishing from a boat with an electric trolling motor, you might as well make a day of it and just power fish the entire perimeter of the pond. At 140 acres, it is small enough to do this in a couple of hours. Don’t forget to check out the sunken island near the middle as it holds fish, but be careful around it as it’s not always marked and is jagged enough to snag you.

The Farmington River at Tunxis Mead (Farmington, CT)

  • Size: N/A
  • Fish Species: Largemouth bass, Sunfish, Channel Catfish, Trout.
  • Facilities: There are bathrooms, but they are far away from the fishing spots. There are some shaded picnic tables along a trail that follows the river.
  • Parking: Tunxis Meade has a ton of parking, and the spots nearest the river aren’t usually taken.
  • Boat Ramp: There is not public boat ramp or docks.
  • Shore Access: Limited. There are some good openings where you can fish but much of the banks are wooded and difficult places to fish with children.
  • Special Restrictions: As this is a river, different fishing regulations will apply than in lakes and ponds. Make sure you check out your fishing guide to understand them.
  • Distractions: Yes. Tunxis Meade has a playground, several fields for numerous sports, a skate park, and great trails for hiking or biking. There is plenty to do when the little ones need a distraction.
Overview

There are several places that you can fish along this river, and one of the better spots to take your kids to is Tunxis Mead in Farmington, Connecticut. I like taking my kids here because there are some spots that hold a lot of fish, and if they get bored there’s plenty of other activities nearby. It’s also just beautiful.

When you drive in you’re going to wonder what I’m talking about as there isn’t any water in sight. Tunxis Mead is one of the main sports fields for the town of Farmington and this is all you’re going to see at first. However, if you walk past the fields there are several trails leading into the woods that take you to the river. Follow these until you come across a good spot that has room for your kids to cast. If it doesn’t work out, carry on and find another.

Tunxis Mead is a very family friendly spot to go fishing in Connecticut. It’s in a safe town, has plenty of shade, has good facilities, and plenty of other things to do. If one of your kids doesn’t like fishing, there are great bike trails for him or her to go on with your spouse while you take the little angler out. When everyone is done, there is often a shop filled with treats for whatever sporting events are going on at the time. You can’t beat it.

Ever wonder where to take your kids fishing? Try the Farmington River near Tunxis Mead. It has several great fishing holes along its banks.
There are several good fishing spots along the Farmington River to bring your kids. Look for spots that are wide open so they can easily cast.

The Farmington Reservoir (Farmington, CT)

  • Size: Not available, but I’d estimate around 20 acres.
  • Fish Species: Largemouth bass, Crappie, Sunfish, Bullhead.
  • Facilities: There are no restrooms or outhouses. There are a few park benches to sit, but that is it.
  • Parking: There is only space for a handful of vehicles and no room for a trailer.
  • Boat Ramp: No, and there isn’t a very handy way to carry one in, though it is possible with two people.
  • Shore Access: Moderate. While you could walk around most of the perimeter, there’s only a small section fit for children.
  • Special Restrictions: Gas motors are prohibited.
  • Distractions: Aside from an open field, no. There are limited things to do here besides fishing.
Overview

I’d argue that the Farmington Reservoir is one of the better places ot take your kids fishing in Connecticut. You just need to make sure you get there before it gets completely choked out with weeds.

You access this reservoir by taking Route 6 towards Bristol and turning right on Reservoir Road (directly across from Pinnacle Mountain and a bit past Will Warren’s Den).

While I haven’t caught many giants here, I have found the fishing to be excellent and it’s a place I can trust to catch a couple fish with my children during a lunch break. It’s very open to the water and makes for a great place to teach kids how to cast.

If you go often enough in the spring, eventually you’ll stumble across the crappie spawn. This brings in hundreds of crappie close to the rip rap and within casting distance. You can catch your fill.

My friend takes his children ice fishing here routinely and swears by it. He catches many bass near the western cove.

The only isssue with this place is that there is no access for boats. If you want to take a canoe in, you can, but you’ll need to carry it a long way.

Lower Pond at A.W. Stanley Park (New Britain, CT)

  • Size: Not available, but I’d estimate around 5-6 acres.
  • Fish Species: Largemouth bass, Sunfish, Yellow Perch, Common Carp, American Eel.
  • Facilities: There are restrooms, but not near the fishing spot.
  • Parking: There is only space for a handful of vehicles and no room for a trailer.
  • Boat Ramp: No.
  • Shore Access: Very limited. There are only a few spots where you can easily fish.
  • Special Restrictions: All boats are prohibited.
  • Distractions: Several sports fields, a basketball court, a picnic area with grill, and a swimming pool. Note, I’m unsure if the pool is just for New Britain residents or not. Get in touch with their Parks and Rec department for more information.
Overview

My sister-in-law taught me about this Connecticut fishing spot, as she takes my kid there from time to time. You’d never know about it unless you grew up in the area, as she did. To reach it, you need to go into A.W. Stanley Park and and follow the loop road back towards the baseball field.

While there is very limited shoreline access, the fishing spots you can reach with your kids are stacked with hundreds of fish during late spring and early summer. There’s a little spillway that seems to attract many of them and you can literally see schools of fifty yellow perch or more. The pond also has a good population of largemouth bass and some monster common carp swimming around.

There are a couple of downsides. As mentioned above, there aren’t many places along the shoreline that you can fish. Unfortunately, as the year progresses, more and more of the lake gets clogged with weeds, which makes it challenging to fish even the few spots available. Thus, I wouldn’t risk a long journey here with your kids unless you scout it out first.

Silver Lake (Berlin, CT)

  • Size: 146 acres.
  • Fish Species: Chain Pickerel, Largemouth bass, Crappie, Sunfish, Brown Bullhead, Channel Catfish.
  • Facilities: I’ve seen porta potties there some years, but not every year.
  • Parking: There are two parking lots. One is right next to the pond and can accommodate 10-15 vehicles. It would be tough to fit a trailer.
  • Boat Ramp: No. Getting a canoe or row boat into this pond would be challenging for one person.
  • Shore Access: Small. There are very few spots were you can fish from shore and even less where you’d want to bring your kids.
  • Special Restrictions: 8 mph except between June 15 and the first Sunday after Labor Day. During that time, speeds in excess of 8 mph and water-skiing are allowed. I wouldn’t recommend it though as the lake is shallow and weedy!
  • Distractions: Very few. There is a trail you can walk a bit but that is about it.
Overview

Silver Lake is one of the few fishing spots in central Connecticut where you can fish with your kids for part of the day, and pull them on tubes for the rest. There just aren’t that many places nearby that allow outboards.

Silver Lake is stocked with channel catfish and they are numerous enough at this point that you have a good chance of catching one on any given trip. While we have yet to tie into a giant, my son hasd caught a few pushing 3-4lbs which put up a good fight on his light youth tackle.

There is a decent boat ramp with a good amount of parking, though it isn’t going to hold more than a dozen or so boats (if that) so make sure you get there early.

We’ve had our best luck in the southern end of the lake. There are several spawning flats and also some marshes that hold a number of catfish. Another good option is the extreme northern end which is sheltered somewhat from the wind. Drop shots work well.

Good Fishing Spots for Kids in Litchfield County

Bantam Lake

  • Size: 947 acres.
  • Fish Species: Northern Pike, Chain Pickerel, Smallmouth Bass, Largemouth Bass, White Perch, Yellow Perch, Sunfish, Crappie, Brown Bullhead.
  • Facilities: There are a few porta potties at the boat launch.
  • Parking: There is parking for 20 vehicles with trailers, but this fills up very quickly on weekends.
  • Boat Ramp: Yes. There is a 2.5 lane boat ramp with the half-ramp reserved for carry-in boats such as canoes and kayaks. There is a floating dock with room for one vessel.
  • Shore Access: Limited. Very little of this lake is accessible from shore as most of the land is private property. With that said, there is a good stretch along Route 209 that people fish and it is in range of large bass and pike. You just need to walk a ways to get to it.
  • Special Restrictions: Motorboats restricted 11 p.m. to 5 a.m. This is a Trophy Northern Pike lake, so special restrictions will apply.
  • Distractions: None on land. While there are some private campgrounds nearby, there is nothing for a kid to do at the boat launch. However, this is one of the few lakes in Connecticut where it is practical to water ski or pull a tube.
Overview

Bantam Lake is one of the few places in Connecticut where you can easily and safely go water-skiing or pull a float tube. Many other locations (like Silver Lake in Berlin) are just too small to do this safely, even if they allow it. This alone makes it one of the more family friendly fishing spots in Connecticut, as water sports are available for everyone.

Bantam also has a good population of chain pickerel and northern pike, especially in North Bay. Chain pickerel make good targets for children, as they are an upgrade in size from sunfish and are fairly easy to catch. While pike are more challenging to hook, when they do, they make long runs to your children’s delight.

There are numerous docks on Bantam’s eastern shoreline that hold a number of panfish which makes it pretty easy to get a fish in the live well early to keep your little ones entertained. These docks service lake homes that are often for rent, though you need to book them very early in the year as they fill up quick.

There is some limited shore access in the southwest corner that you can reach by walking along Route 209. This is near good habitat for largemouth bass and northern pike so you have a decent chance of catching a good-sized fish with your kids even if you don’t have a boat. Just keep working your way up the shoreline until you find a spot that works well.

Make Sure You Get There Early!

The one downside of Bantam is that it has limited parking spots available to the public and fills up exceptionally quick on weekends. Many weekends feature fishing tournaments which don’t help. I wouldn’t even consider going to Bantam on a weekend, and only go there when I have a day off from work. If you are going on a weekend, make sure you check the Connecticut DEEP website for a list of approve fishing tournaments so you can avoid going when it is likely packed. You’ll also want to pick an overcast day where not as many people are likely boating.

Kid Friendly Fishing in New Haven County

So far, my fishing adventures in New Haven County have been limited to Meriden. Be sure to drop me a line if you have other locations you’d recommend, or like me to explore!

Hanover Pond (Meriden, CT)

  • Size: 70 acres.
  • Fish Species: Largemouth bass, Sunfish, Common Carp.
  • Facilities: I haven’t noticed any. It is next to a park with baseball fields, so I imagine there must be at least porta potties.
  • Parking: limited – I’d estimate 15-20 spaces.
  • Boat Ramp: Yes. There is a one lane boat ramp near the baseball fields.
  • Shore Access: Good. There numerous areas you can fish from shore all along this area.
  • Special Restrictions: Steerage speed only.
  • Distractions: There are several sport fields that you’re kids can play on if they get bored. Hubbard Park and Castle Craig are a short drive away as well.
Overview

Hanover Park Pond is a fairly good place to fish with kids in Connecticut. It has good shore access and is an easy place to launch a canoe or rowboat. If your kids get bored, there are plenty of fields to play sports on, and there’s a good walking trail around much of the park as well. These traits make it a family friendly fishing spot in my mind.

With that said, the fishing isn’t fantastic. I’m calling it “family friendly” because it’s easy to fish – not because your kid is likely to catch a trophy. While I’ve caught some big bass there, I’ve caught them with techniques that aren’t great for using around children. When I take my son, I’m usually going for panfish instead, and I haven’t found this lake to be overrun with them.

I’ve had the best luck fishing on the opposite side of the lake, away from the boat ramp. There is a little parking lot here off of Oregon Road, and you can follow the Quinnipiac Trail to some good fishing spots. Many of these are accessible with children, but they aren’t as wide open as they are on the other side by Habershon Field. The problem near the ball fields is that the water is extremely shallow and clogs with weeds easily.

One thing you may notice while fishing Hanover Park Pond are the monster carp that live there. Hooking one would give your kids their first fish story, as it’s unlikely you’re bringing one in on a child’s fishing rod! If you do, send me a picture! I’d love to see it!

Black Pond (Meriden, CT)

  • Size: 76 acres.
  • Fish Species: Trout, Largemouth Bass, Chain Pickerel, Brown Bullhead, Crappie, Sunfish, Channel Catfish.
  • Facilities: None.
  • Parking: limited – I’d estimate 10-15 spaces. It would be very challenging to park a trailer here given the layout. I doubt more than 1-2 could fit.
  • Boat Ramp: Yes.
  • Shore Access: Poor. There are few places that can be reached on foot with kids.
  • Special Restrictions: Gas motors are prohibited.
  • Distractions: None. There is very little to do here except fish.
Overview

If you read the Connecticut Fishing Guide and see Black Pond you’ll note that it is both a Bass Management Lake and Catfish Lake which would make you think it would be a great spot to take your kids fishing. I disagree. While my son and I did manage to catch many fish when we went there, we were limited to fishing right around the boat launch as there weren’t very many places he could access.

If I was fishing by myself, I could have probably reached more areas, but that just wasn’t practical with a four-year-old in tow. The terrain is rough, steep, and wooded. This is a poor combination with little ones.

Another concern is the boat launch. While there is one, the parking lot next to it is small and has very limited room for trailers. I doubt more than two could fit, and it would be very tough to bring my 19′ boat here. Again, if I was fishing by myself, this might be a different story as I could get there early enough to ensure I’d have a spot. That rarely happens with kids, so the more likely scenario would be we’d get all the way there and find we had nowhere to park.

For these reasons, Black Pond isn’t the most family friendly fishing spot in Connecticut if you have small children. It would, however, be a good place to take more adventurous middle schoolers.

Family Friendly Fishing Spots In Tolland County

I’m just starting to explore Tolland County. It is a bit of a hike for me but is a pretty part of Connecticut and easy enough to access from the highway. I have a cousin who lives in Coventry and I’ve noticed several good fishing spots on the way to his house, but have yet to fish them. The main reason I haven’t fished many places in Tolland County is because Mansfield Hollow Reservoir is just so good. Let me explain why it’s a great family friendly fishing spot in Connecticut.

Mansfield Hollow (Mansfield, CT)

  • Size: 460 acres.
  • Fish Species: Northern Pike, Chain Pickerel, Largemouth Bass, Trout, Yellow Perch, Sunfish, Crappie
  • Facilities: A few porta potties.
  • Parking: 50 parking spaces
  • Boat Ramp: Yes. There is a 2 lane boat ramp in very good condition. There is no dock, but there is a sandy bottom next to the boat ramp on both sides to pull your boat up to.
  • Shore Access: Good. There are walking trails along the perimeter and good places to fish with kids from shore.
  • Special Restrictions: 8 mph speed limit. No swimming is allowed.
  • Distractions: None on land. While there are some private campgrounds nearby, there is nothing for a kid to do at the boat launch. However, this is one of the few lakes in Connecticut where it is practical to water ski or pull a tube.
My Experience Fishing Mansfield Hollow With My Kids

If I was contemplating where to take a kid fishing in Connecticut for the first time, I’d seriously consider going to Mansfield Hollow. It can be a little bit slow early in the year, but once you get to about June, the fishing can be fantastic.

What I like best about this place is how close the shore access is to good fishing. This makes it a very kid-friendly place for a Connecticut family that wanted to go fishing. Just north of the boat launch you’ll find a bridge that has two culverts underneath of it. These are big enough for boats to pass through and create current. This activates fish and draws them in. On the right days, you can catch a ton of sunfish.

There are trails around the lake that you can walk and many places open up enough to get kids some room to cast. Most of these shorelines are reasonably good fishing for panfish.

If you have a boat with a trolling motor, the northern portion of the lake (meaning, the side you launched your boat on) has large grass flats that are great for trolling for pickerel and northern pike. This is a good technique to do on a lunch break so you can focus on getting some nutrients into your kids while the boat does all the work with fishing. If you’re interested more in this technique, I’ve written an article about it that you can read here.

Mansfield Hollow is a great place to take kids fishing in Connecticut. Some of the best spots for panfish are right near shore and easily accessible.
These culverts hold many fish due to the current flowing between them,
and they can easily be fished from shore.

Other Counties

Connecticut has eight counties and I’ve only written about fishing in four. That’s not to say the others are bad, I just haven’t had much experience there yet. A primary goal I had when starting FishingFather.com was to ensure that the information here would be trustworthy and authentic. That means I need to either spend some time at these waterways, or at least research them well enough that I’m comfortable giving you my word.

Again, I’d encourage you to bookmark this page and come back to it often as I intend to update it over time. If there is a particular body of water you’d like me to visit or even help you research, please email me and let me know. I’ll do the best I can to help you!

Want to Head Out of State?

If you’re interested in fishing adventures that aren’t too far from Connecticut, I’d highly recommend booking a fishing charter with Captain Mick Maynard and taking a trip north to Lake Champlain. It’s about 4-5 hours away, depending where you live in Connecticut, but is well worth it. Here’s a Lake Champlain fishing report to show you what you’re missing!

For those who are even more adventurous, Alaska is the mecca of fishing adventures, and Sportsman’s Cove Lodge is among the most family-friendly Alaska fishing lodges out there. I can’t wait to take my kids there, and you shouldn’t either!

Need Some Help Getting Started?

If you’ve gotten this far, you obviously agree that it’s a good idea to go fishing with your kids, but that doesn’t mean you know how! While Connecticut boasts many great places to go fishing with kids, it’s all for naught if you don’t know what you’re doing. Luckily, this website has a number of articles that are designed to help parents learn the basics of fishing, so they can take their families out and have a great time.

Some articles I would suggest starting with include:

In addition to these articles, I also wrote an entire book the subject of fishing with kids. It’s filled with tons of information that will help you get started. Consider giving it a read – I think you’ll like it!

Finally, you can contact me directly at johnpaxton@fishingfather.com as I’d be more than happy to give you personalized advice about taking your kids fishing in Connecticut. It’s important to me that your children have a good time, so please feel free to reach out.

Thanks,

John Paxton

Fishing Safely During the Coronavirus Pandemic

It’s been a long time since I’ve posted an article. 2020 came in with such promise. Then, COVID-19 hit and seemed to take much of the wind out of my sails. Thankfully, my family has remained safe and healthy through this time, but we had to adopt new routines just like everyone else. Gone are the days where I could take my kids to the aquarium or my son to a movie. We no longer enjoy a warm, American breakfast at Denny’s on the weekends. Instead, we need to provide our own entertainment in solitude. This is why I’ve taken my kids fishing as much as I can during the Coronavirus pandemic.

I’ve been taking my kids fishing as often as I can. It helps to break the monotony of home schooling and a friendless summer. Done smartly, it’s one of the few activities that you can do with minimal to no human interaction. This helps keep the kids safe from “The Sickness,” as we call it in my house.

If you’re looking for a new thing to do with the kids to break the routine, it’s hard to beat fishing. If you’re brand new to the sport, check out a few of my other articles or consider purchasing my book to help you get started. This article assumes you have the basics down and are just looking for some ideas on how to fish safely during a pandemic.

Avoid Large Crowds

Fishing and crowds usually don’t go hand in hand, but there are some times and places where you can expect to find a crowd. Jetties, certain bridges and beaches, and even certain days are going to be busier than others. I’d advise that if you’re fishing during the Coronavirus pandemic, you play it safe and try to find a quieter spot to wet your line.

Some governments are attempting to enforce social distancing on our waterways. For example, earlier this year the Connecticut governor opened fishing season early in an effort to avoid large crowds on opening day. In past years, you’d find anglers standing almost shoulder to shoulder vying for freshly stocked trout to come along and take a nibble. This probably isn’t the best idea in the middle of a pandemic.

To the extent you can, pick your spots. I’ll admit it has been a little challenging to do this. It seems that boat ramps are busier than usual on the weekends given how everyone is stir crazy. When possible, try to fish on weekdays to avoid the crowds. If you’re working from home, you might have spare time normally devoted to your commute. Use it to take the kids for a short little adventure at lunch to a nearby pond.

Buy Worms in Bulk

One of the first purchases I made during the Coronavirus pandemic was 500 Canadian nightcrawlers for fishing. I purchased them from Windsor Wholesale Bait . It worked out so well that I’ve purchased them twice during this time. You go through a LOT of worms when fishing is literally the only fun adventure you can take your kids on!

So long as you have some spare fridge space to store them, buying worms in bulk is a great idea. It is considerably less expensive than buying a dozen at a time, and much more convenient. Now with COVID-19, it also spares you a trip to the gas station, with all that entails.

I’m quite pleased with my interactions with this company. I am not an affiliate of Windsor Wholesale Bait, but can tell you that they are a pleasure to work with. Their website advises that they ship worms on Mondays, and that you need to put in your order by a certain time Friday to guarantee your order will ship quickly, but I’ve found that a phone call to them manages to get your order on the truck, regardless. Perhaps this won’t always work when things are busy, but their willingness to help me out was appreciated.

Other Retailers

If you prefer the convenience of Amazon, you can find several worms for sale on their website as well. For example, these European nightcrawlers from Uncle Jim’s Worm Farm. You can also find several items to help you keep your worms longer, such as the Frabill Habitat II. I like how it is slimmer than the styrofoam box the nightcrawlers ship in (my fridge barely fits the shipping box), and how it has plastic aeration vents. I attempted to make some vents in my first box of worms and it didn’t work very well.

You can also find other options like the Intruder Crawler Crib which boats breathable walls, and handy carrying cases to take them to the lake. I’ve just been using some plastic soup containers with a few holes punched into them, but it would be nice to have some dedicated equipment with handles and lids less likely to pop off randomly.

If you’re planning on keeping the worms some time, you can also invest in bedding for your worms. These claim to help grow worms and keep them lively. While I haven’t tried them yet, I have no reason to doubt it. I will say, however, that moist dirt also works fine.

Buying your fishing worms in bulk keeps you away from the public during the Coronavirus pandemic. It’s also convenient, less expensive, and saves you a trip to the store. These are all great reasons to consider purchasing them, but there’s an added bonus: Your kids will absolutely love opening the box:

Fishing during the Coronavirus pandemic convinced me to buy worms in bulk. My kids love playing with them!
We’re washing hands more now anyway, right?

Bring Your Own Potty

Let’s face it: most boat ramps don’t have world class facilities. You’re lucky if there is a porta potty much less a restroom with plumbing. Most of these “facilities” near far-off fishing hot spots aren’t going to be cleaned or emptied all that often, so you can’t count on them being sanitary, which is a problem during the Coronavirus pandemic. Many don’t have running water, so it’s challenging to clean your hands, and most adults likely try and thread the needle and touch as little as possible while they’re in there. Kids have no such qualms.

My advice is to bring your own potty for your children. If you’ve been potty training them, whatever potty you’ve been using will work fine. If you’re past that, a 5 gallon bucket does just fine. You can buy a lid that will fit on it and bring some creature comfort to the situation. You also can find privacy screens for sale if there aren’t enough trees nearby.

This is a decent investment even outside of the pandemic as you can all but guarantee that without it, your kids are going to need to go to the bathroom after you’ve made your trek to the best fishing spot.

The whole point of taking the kids fishing during the pandemic is to provide a fun escape away from places that are infested with germs. It makes very little sense to go through all the trouble to bring them to some far away lake only to have them use an outhouse or porta potty when they get there. You already have the 5-gallon bucket sitting in your shed. Invest in a seat and call it a day.

Fishing Toilet Recomendations:

If you wanted to go with the 5-gallon bucket adapter, just buy a toilet seat lid.

If you don’t have space for a bucket, or can’t quite bring yourself to that, you could also purchase a folding commode stool.

Whatever you go with, make sure you get some toilet liners. These are especially important if you plan on reusing that bucket to carry your stuff (or especially your catch) back home!

It might seem a little extreme, but I’d argue the last place I’d want to stop on a fishing trip during the Coronavirus pandemic would be an outhouse that’s rarely cleaned.

Consider Buying that (well, “a”) Boat

Another investment you may wish to consider is a boat of some sort. I make this statement with the full understanding that times are tough. Not everyone is secure or has disposable income lying around. You need to make ends meet and until they do, toys like boats should be the last thing on your mind. Make sure you have your six months emergency stash and a few weeks of toilet paper on hand before even considering reading further.

Still there?

Is your significant other somewhere else?

If you do have a few spare coins, picking up an inexpensive boat wouldn’t be the worst decision on earth.

Let me put it to you this way: All those things that you used to do with your kids during the summer have been put on hold indefinitely. In many parts of the country, water parks are shut down and even playgrounds are taped up and off limits. If you don’t have a yard, you’re limited in what outdoor activities you can do with your children.

Owning a boat opens up a lot of ways you can fix that. Depending on what you buy, fishing, tubing, or swimming away from crowds are all possibilities. There’s the chance to take your kids on an adventure down a canal looking at wildlife, and to simply let them sit on your lap and drive a bit to blow off some steam. All good things.

You need to consider the possibility that you may be left to your own entertainment devices for the foreseeable future. Isn’t a used rowboat a better choice than an I-Pad? If you can get your kids out fishing during the pandemic, Coronavirus won’t be as dreary.

Boating Options In A Pinch

The least expensive way to get into boating is to check around Craigslist. Used row boats and canoes can be had very inexpensively, as are many powerboats. Many of these things have been sitting in someone’s yard for ages, and people want them gone.

If you’re stuck in an apartment without anywhere to back a trailer, don’t despair. You can purchase high-quality inflatable rafts that can hold 4-5 people and fit in the trunk of your car when deflated.

There’s quite a range of styles and prices for any budget, though I’m skeptical about how well the less expensive offerings would hold up to a fish hook. I’d probably go with something like an Intex Mariner 4, Intex Excursion 5, or the Intex Seahawk 4. Intex makes smaller boats, but I’d rather have something with some space if i was fishing in it with my kids. Space is a premium with novice casters.

If you do go with an inflatable, consider installing a wooden floor. You can find several videos on YouTube, including one on installing this on the very Intex Excursion 5 I discussed above. A wood floor will add much needed stability to the boat. It will also offer at least some protection from hooks.

Again, please make sure this makes financial sense for you. Don’t do this if you’re in a risky position. Just consider it if you can, as it is an inexpensive way you can get your kids away from the television. This pandemic is very hard on your kids and having a new hobby would be great for them.

If you need more help picking out a boat, check out Chapter 9 in my book.

In Sum, Fish to Avoid Germs During the Coronavirus Pandemic

Again, many of the hobbies you once enjoyed are off the table for the moment. Fishing can be a very inexpensive way to keep the kids entertained while socially distancing from others, all while building some great memories you can cherish for life. Frankly, there is no better time to practice this hobby so I do hope you’ll take the advice above and get out there and enjoy some casts with your children.

As always, if I can be of any assistance to you, please drop me an email or leave a comment below and I’ll try to help you as much as I can. Thanks.

John Paxton