Taking My Kids Fishing for The First Time – Gear Advice Needed

beefmaster on 17/04/2025 - 12:10

I’m planning to take my 7- and 9-year-old kids fishing for the first time, probably somewhere along the Georges River in Sydney. The only catch is—I know next to nothing about fishing!

I’d really appreciate recommendations on beginner-friendly gear that’s suitable for kids. I’m after decent entry-level rods and reels—not too expensive, but also not the kind of stuff that falls apart after a few uses. I’m happy to spend a little extra for better quality.

Also, besides the obvious rod and reel, what other essentials should I bring for the day? I’m thinking maybe a bucket, a small tackle box, chairs, a knife—but I’m not entirely sure.

Any tips on keeping the kids (and maybe a friend or two) entertained and engaged while fishing would also be super helpful. I’d love for this to be a fun, not-boring experience for them.

Sports & Outdoors Fishing

Comments

  • Protractor on 17/04/2025 - 12:19

    Maybe there's a local anglers or father & son/daughter fishing group you can contact or fish with?.
    If you are lucky enough,Study your catch, take notes and stretch the experience for the kids into learning about the river,the species etc.

  • MS Paint on 17/04/2025 - 12:21
    +4

    Don't forget your fishing license otherwise it will be an expensive outing with the kids.

    Killing the fish in front of the kids is the hardest part.

    Keep it simple and have fun.

    • Jimothy Wongingtons on 17/04/2025 - 12:21
      +4

      killing the fish

      its him or us, kids

      the fish: aight pulls out hidden knife

    • beefmaster on 17/04/2025 - 12:24
      +3

      Is fishing license for real?

      • Jimothy Wongingtons on 17/04/2025 - 12:26
        +2

        You need a licence if you're aged 18 or over, and you're wanting to engage in any of these activities in NSW waters.

        Activities in NSW freshwater or saltwater that require a licence include:
        spearfishing
        hand lining or hand gathering
        trapping
        bait collecting
        prawn netting
        being on or near NSW waters and having fishing gear with you.
        You must show your licence fee receipt if asked by an authorised officer.
        Note: If you're eligible for a fee exemption, you'll need to carry the necessary proof when you're fishing, in case you're called upon to show it.

      • MS Paint on 17/04/2025 - 12:42
        +2

        Yes for Rod and Reel.

        Is just a fee to fish, you don't need to prove your competence to actually catch a fish.

      • AustriaBargain on 17/04/2025 - 12:49
        +12

        The fishing theory test is fairly easy, for the practical you need to catch five fish in front of the assessor. For the first year after getting your fishing license you will need to wear a red F plate, and then the next two years after a green F plate.

        • tenpercent on 17/04/2025 - 13:40
          +6

          I went for my practical but no F's were given.

      • tenpercent on 17/04/2025 - 13:36
        -1

        Ridiculous, right?

      • 2esc on 18/04/2025 - 10:55

        Yes in every state. Unless your a pensioner, a kid or First nation.

    • 2esc on 18/04/2025 - 11:00

      https://www.ikijime.com/ shows a more humane way to kill a fish as location of brain does vary with species rather than randomly stabbing at it like i have seen people sadly do.

    • gorgrond on 22/04/2025 - 11:11

      You don't need a license if you are helping minors to fish, but not fishing yourself.

      (2) an adult assisting a person under the age of 18 to take a fish using a single rod or to take prawns using a single dip or scoop net

      https://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/fishing/recreational/recreational…

  • Jimothy Wongingtons on 17/04/2025 - 12:21
    +1

    sun screen
    enough water
    strong inspect repellent
    bluetooth speaker (assuming you're in a spot without other people around that would get triggered by the noise)

    • Protractor on 17/04/2025 - 12:35
      +1

      Don't get insect or sun screen chemicals on the fishing gear.Bait,lures etc.
      (NOTE: I avoided using the word tackle)

  • Downvoter on 17/04/2025 - 12:22
    +2

    I’m confused how you are going to teach them to fish if you don’t know how?

    • beefmaster on 17/04/2025 - 12:28
      +3

      Youtube and Ozbargain. I could do what my dad taught me and that is nothing. Or I can try to give a life to my kids that I never got.

      I have done camping with my kids having know nothing about it. If I can do camping then I can do fishing.

  • FaLLeN25 on 17/04/2025 - 12:22

    Hey mate, depends what you define as still cheap. Anything that is not specifically targeted at kids for around $100 combo would be the go. Consider if they need 1 each or can both share. A decent combo will save a whole lot of headaches, as will learning at least a uni knot. The ready made tackle boxes are fine, but also full of junk, probably best of grabbing a pack of suitable hooks, a roll of fluro for making rigs, a bag of swivels and a bag of suitable sinkers. Prepare them for the disappointment of catching nothing, although if you keep the hooks small enough you should be able to catch some pest fish at the very least. Don’t forget a fishing license.

  • wallet72 on 17/04/2025 - 12:23
    +2

    unless you are sure they are going to keep fishing, go to Kmart and grab an entry level combo for them - should be about $15-20.

  • sumyungguy on 17/04/2025 - 12:28
    +1

    Bone up on how to remove hooks from digits and how to treat hooks embedded in the face near the eyes.

    • beefmaster on 17/04/2025 - 12:31

      Reminded me when my sister managed to hook our cousin's tongue.

  • Gdsamp on 17/04/2025 - 12:31
    +1

    Change your username to fishmaster

    • beefmaster on 17/04/2025 - 12:34

      I will have that title bestowed upon me.

      • Protractor on 17/04/2025 - 12:37

        Take one of those wiggling singing fishes along with you, and if there no real fish, spring on your kids by surprise, have a good laugh and go home planning the next trip.

      • Jimothy Wongingtons on 17/04/2025 - 12:59

        The knighting ceremony can be done in a fortnight maybe looking at availability

  • theHMASfriendship on 17/04/2025 - 12:45
    +1

    I find it’s easier to get fish from your local seafood shop or supermarket

    • Gdsamp on 17/04/2025 - 12:49

      Snap

  • JustinFR on 17/04/2025 - 12:52

    Good stuff, we just took my nephew for his first fishing experience, he is 4 and he loved it.

    You want to ensure that the setup you have is going to give you the highest chance of catching fish as they may lose interest pretty quickly if you don't hook anything (I'd say attention span of 7 and 9 year old kids is likely greater than a 4 year old but nevertheless something to consider).

    My recommendation would be to rig up a sabiki set, multiple tiny hooks on one line, and chuck some small, stinky pilchard cuts on. Easiest to drop directly down into the water rather than casting out, so would be ideal if you found a spot on a jetty or boardwalk somewhere. Regarding the actual rod and reel setup, I'd best bang for buck would be a cheap junior combo from Kmart or an Ugly Stick from BCF.

  • Dollar General on 17/04/2025 - 13:30
    +1

    I started my kids on Kmart junior rods. That’s all you need

  • DashCam AKA Rolts on 17/04/2025 - 13:31
    +1

    Just don't take them to the freshwater pond on Delfin Island.

    • MS Paint on 17/04/2025 - 14:17

      I had to Google the reference. What a bunch of Karen's. FFS

      • mapax on 17/04/2025 - 15:02
        -1

        Is calling someone a Karen going to fall under the gendered violence or hate speech laws?

  • tenpercent on 17/04/2025 - 13:37
    +1

    The only catch is—I know next to nothing about fishing!

    If you don't know how to fish then that probably will be the only catch.

  • dtc on 17/04/2025 - 14:11
    +7

    As others have said, the Jarvis Walker kids combo 5ft or 6ft rod will be fine to start with. they are about $20. They come with fishing line. Buy a tackle kit - one like this will be fine https://www.kmart.com.au/product/jarvis-walker-kids-mega-fis… ; alternatively a pack of size 6 or 8 hooks and some ball sinkers, probably size 2 or 3 (however if you are fishing in the current of the river you will need a heavier sinker). Once you get above the Jarvis Walker stuff you may as well go to the $100 combos since nothing much in between is that much better, and no point spending that $$ unless the kids are interested

    Grab an old kitchen knife, a bucket and a couple of rags and thats the gear you need. Rags to wipe hands, grip fish and so forth; bucket to hold the bait and whatever you catch that you want to keep. if you have a little cutting board or an offcut of wood, take that along to help cut the bait.

    Pilchards are a good bait but its quite soft so comes off easily when nibbled. Squid is much tougher. Perhaps a pack of each and you can alternate and see what works.

    Rig up either a sabiki set as mentioned above (just buy this pre rigged) or a paternoster rig with one or two hooks. You can use swivels or not, up to you. One benefit of swivels is you can pre rig a bunch of leaders (ie the rig) and if someone snaps a line then you pull out a pre rigged leader and just tie it on.

    Grab some white bread (can be old) and when you get there, crumble it up and throw some in the water from time to time as burley

    Your best option is around a jetty or some other structure, where the kids can just drop the line into the water and you dont have to worry about casting. Dont know the river so dont know good locations. Little fish tend to hang around structure hence its a good spot - you wont get a meal out of them but they are easier to catch and you can catch them fairly quickly (vs one larger fish every hour or whatever. On a good day…). If you are doing this (aiming for small fish) put a small bait on, size of your little fingernail or so.

    If you are fishing where there are rocks or seaweed on the bottom, for kids its probably worth adding some floats (these are perfect https://www.kmart.com.au/product/jarvis-walker-red-and-white… ) so you can keep the hooks off the bottom where they can get snagged. Float the bait a few feet below the surface.

    Hat and sunwear etc. Chairs can make things more comfortable. Can also get rod holders https://www.kmart.com.au/product/jarvis-walker-red-and-white… if you are fishing off the shore. When the kids get a bit bored, stick the rod in the rod holder and they can wander around

    You will probably find the kids either last 10 minutes or an hour. I wouldnt plan for the session to be longer than an hour unless the kids are begging to continue; but that is probably rare (some kids love it though)

    • beefmaster on 17/04/2025 - 17:56

      Thanks, that is a lot to unpack but I will go through each point since they are valuable info for someone like myself. Appreciate the time to type it out.

  • GordonD on 17/04/2025 - 14:15

    Catching the fish is the easy part.

    The hard part is what you do with them when you do.

    • beefmaster on 17/04/2025 - 18:11
      +1

      Do what Rex Hunt did, give it a kiss and send it back to the water.

  • onetwothreefour on 17/04/2025 - 14:33

    My son wants to go fishing but I have no idea how to fish, what tackle to use, what bait is good etc. Would like to learn but seems too much just from some YouTube videos.

  • apple2016 on 17/04/2025 - 17:09

    Visit an specialist store. Eg : https://www.compleatanglersydney.com.au/
    They would be able to guide you and give you options based on where you want to fish / what species you are targeting / $$$ you want to spend.
    Also be informed about rules around carrying knife. Check here : https://www.nsw.gov.au/media-releases/nsw-introduces-laws-to…
    Good luck!

  • flozen on 17/04/2025 - 20:45

    Fishing is a patience game and can be very boring if you don't know what you are doing

    the kids will lose interest very quick

    For a first timer, go to a fish farm.

    I can't pm you :(

    • tenpercent on 17/04/2025 - 20:51

      go to a fish farm.

      That'll be like shooting fish in a barrel.

      • cfuse on 18/04/2025 - 21:50

        If there is a fish farm that will let you open up on the fish with a variety of machine guns then I will pay for that immediately.

  • tenpercent on 17/04/2025 - 20:59

    I remembered seeing this and thought it could be of interest. If you are willing to venture further into the Western Suburbs this August, Blacktown Council has an annual Family Fish In at Mount Druitt Swimming Centre. $22 per fishing station. 1 line per station.

  • 2esc on 18/04/2025 - 11:01

    https://www.ikijime.com/ shows a more humane way to kill a fish as location of brain does vary with species rather than randomly stabbing at it like i have seen people sadly do.

  • 82norm on 18/04/2025 - 16:25

    6 foot rod, reel combo, the telescopic ones aren’t too bad for first timers, casual fishing, around $50-$60 each on Amazon. You may need to buy the line separately, go something around 3-4kg, mono or fluorocarbon line should be plenty, you could get a separate weighted line for the leader, but don’t worry about it too much. Most of these combo kits come with some swivels. As for bait, use soft plastics, rubbed with some bait scent.

    Bring spare bottles of water for hand washing too.

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