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The 7 Best Kids Fishing Poles (2023 Reviews)

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The best kids’ fishing pole in 2023 is the Shakespeare Reel and Fishing Rod Combo. This two-piece fishing rod comes pre-spooled and has a 6lb fishing line. It also has about 170 stickers included and measures about four–and–a–half feet, making it a good option for young anglers. This fishing rod is versatile and can be used for most freshwater sport fishing. The Zebco Fishing Rod Reel Combo is our first runner-up. This two-piece rod combo features a durable fiberglass blank construction and ultra-tough dial-adjustable drag, thus making it hard for young anglers to break it. It also features a dual-ceramic pick-up line that ensures smooth retrieve and less abrasion resistance.

When you decide to teach your kids to fish, it’s good to use a fishing pole that’s kid-friendly and easy to use. Adult rods are complicated to use, and teaching your little ones how to fish using them can be challenging. Here is a list of the best kids’ fishing poles that you can choose from.

Best Kids Fishing Pole

1. Shakespeare Customize-It Spincast Reel and Fishing Rod Combo

Best Spincast Rod and Reel Combos

Key Features

  • 4’6″ 2-Piece rod and reel combo
  • Has a pre-spooled with 6LB line
  • Have 170 stickers included
  • Can be customized with markers and paint pens

This two-piece youth fishing rod and reel combo is pre-spooled with a 6 lb line which is both spin cast reel and fishing rod. It comes with various stickers and measures four-and-a-half feet when assembled, making it perfect for the little angler.

Shakespeare Fishing Rod Reel Combo is robust enough to handle most freshwater sportfish. More so, It comes with 170 stickers as well as markers and paint pens for decorations.


2. Zebco Roam Orange Fishing Rod Reel Combos

Best 2-piece Rod Combo

Key Features

  • Has a QuickSet anti-reverse spincasting reel 
  • Has a durable fiberglass blank construction and ultra-tough dial-adjustable drag
  • Has a cushioned comfort grip handle ensures a sure-grip
  • All-metal gears in a 3.6:1 gear ratio
  • Has a dual-ceramic pick-up pin that ensures smooth retrieve and abrasion resistance

Zebco has a 50-year reputation for quality and this fiberglass rod shares the same internal components of the trusted “33” reel. It also brings a new vibrant, trendy, and cutting-edge 3D design to excite the youngest anglers. Kids break stuff easily so always choose a durable rod.


3. ODDSPRO Fishing Pole for Kids

Best Fishing Poles for Kids With Convenient Storage

 Key Features

  • Has a split EVA-foam grip for adequate non-slip space for small hands
  • Comes with a spin casting various reel and pre spooled fishing line
  • Comes with a storage bag, plastic storage box, and tackle

This ODDSPRO fishing reel combo kit features everything you want a young angler equipped with. It comes with a tackle box and a selection of crankbaits, jig heads, soft lures, float bobbers, swivels, and sinkers suited to a range of different fishing situations.

It is also available in two short lengths, and its rod features three or four eyes, depending on the rod length.


4. Shakespeare Ugly Stik Dock Runner Spinning Combo

Best Fishing Pole For Durability

Key Features

  • Has a short cork/EVA-combination handle well spaced for small hands
  • Comes with a spinning reel already spooled with a six-pound line
  • Has a durable short fiberglass blank
  • Has four stainless steel guides to distribute pressure

Comprising a graphite and fiberglass construction, Shakespeare’s Ugly Stick Dock Runner is a real rod and perfect for rewarding young anglers serious about fishing. More so, it is a great fishing pole.

It is 5 feet 6 inches long; and can catch real fish, which is great for short, precision casts. More so, this is great for teaching your future fishing buddy the basics of fishing.


5. Zebco Dock Demon Reel and Fishing Rod

Best Fishing Pole For Flexibility

Key Features

  • Has a durable Solid-Core 30-inch Z-Glass Rod
  • Has a comfortable EVA Handle
  • Has a pre-spooled with 6-lb line
  • Changeable left/right hand retrieve Ball Bearing Drive
  • Line Capacity of up to 135 yards/6-lb mono

If casting with a spinning reel is a step too far for your child, the Zebco Dock Demon Reel rod will be ideal for the level they are at.

It is equipped with a pre-spooled spin-casting reel, a 30-inch fiberglass rod, and an EVA foam handle that new anglers will find comfortable in fishing.


6. Shakespeare Captain America® Rod and Reel Fishing Kit

Best Fishing Pole For Casting Practice

Key Features

  • Fiberglass rod construction
  • 2’6″ all-in-one rod and reel with line
  • New design featuring a round knob, thumb button extension, and finger guard
  • Double anodized braid ready aluminum spool
  • EVA handle knob for a lightweight comfort

The Shakespeare Captain America® Fishing Kit is a colorful kit with a ready-to-fish, 2’6″ all-in-one rod. It also has a reel spooled with line and flashing lights that pulse when the thumb button is pressed.

It even has a themed target to help with casting practice before catching fish.


7. Shakespeare Disney® Frozen Lighted Fishing Kit

Best Kids Fishing Pole For Fun

Key Features

  • New round knob, thumb button extension, and finger guard
  • Double anodized braid ready aluminum spool
  • 2’6″ all-in-one rod and reel with fishing line
  • EVA handle knob
  • Rod made out of Fiberglass

Shakespeare Disney® Frozen Lighted Fishing Kit is a 2’6″ all-in-one rod spooled with line and flashing lights that pulse when the required button is pressed. It also gives children a themed target to help during casting practice.


best kids fishing poles
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Things to Consider When Buying a Kids’ Fishing Pole

A fishing pole designed with kids in mind is way different from adult fishing poles. To help you choose, here are things you should consider when buying a kids fishing rod.

Special Features

Because of how young your kids are, it is unlikely they will be into angling for sport. But they do want to have fun which is why when searching for the best fishing poles for kids, you should look out for rods with stickers, design features, and the like.

Sometimes the goal is to get a kids fishing pole in your child’s hand so you can gravitate towards, for example, the Disney-theme brands they love. 

Size

Once you’ve chosen a reel style, you can now focus on the rod length. What size fishing pole does your kid need? This will depend on your kid’s size. The taller your kid is, the longer the pole they can handle. Choose a longer length for your older kids.

Kit

You can consider a kids’ fishing pole with dynamic kits that make learning angling easier for young anglers’ fishing gear. Some kids’ poles have telescopic fishing rod designs, an advanced spinning rod, additional spinning reels, etc.

You may also want to consider a fishing pole for kids with a tackle box, casting plug, a practice casting minnow net, among others, just to spice things up.

Price

As you may know, prices on rods run from under $20 to over $1,000. But it will be foolhardy to overspend on a rod for your kid. Thankfully, there are enough quality reel combos offerings under $30 that will provide your child with the adequate tools to hone their craft.

Age and Skill

Consider your kids’ age. Older kids need a different rod. Most kids will lack the coordination needed to cast with a spinning tackle, so you should opt for a spin casting rod, which is likely to be a good-sized fishing pole for them. With this, teaching young kids the fundamentals of casting, hook-setting, and fighting while having fun is possible. 

Quality

When searching for the best fishing rod for your kids, you should consider attributes such as length, weight, usability, and durability.

You also need to decide on whether your child’s fishing pole will have a spinning reel and whether it will be good for Fly Fishing, for example. While a lot of children’s rods will be toys that rarely cast, by all means, go in for the rods adept at catching fish if you feel you

Conclusion

While considering all the fun, it is important not to compromise on quality and ease of use when looking for the best kids fishing rods compared to choosing an adult rod.

You can then focus on teaching your budding anglers how to cast, retrieve, and reel in a fish instead of fidgeting with bent and broken parts that will make your next fishing trip frustrating.

Take time to get great beginner rods for your child, so your attempt to share the excitement of angling is nothing but fun-filled. And don’t forget to equip your kid with the best gears and clothes such as the best fishing waders for kids.

Diana Nadim
Fishing Expert
Diana began fishing at the age of seven, as it has been a long-time family tradition. From catching small bullheads to catching strippers on the backwaters of Bighorn, she loves to get out in the wild and have a marvelous day on the water. Her dad was an expert angler, and he taught her fishing along with her two siblings. They used to go to the Bighorn River in Montana and Henry’s fork, Idaho. As a pragmatic person, she is obsessed with creating well-researched and practical guides and reviews of the best fishing methods and gear.
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