Taking kids fishing? Good for you! Studies show that fishing benefits children physically, intellectually, emotionally, socially and spiritually. And taking the right bait will help kids get hooked on fishing, rather than hooking themselves.
A Storm 360GT Searchbait is great lure for fishing with school-age kids.* For starters, it’s got a single hook, rather than multiple treble hooks. Trebles can be tricky for young anglers – fingers, clothing and boat seats often end up stuck. Second, the 360GT is easy to fish – Master Angler skills are not mandatory for success.
“This is a truly a ‘Fish Everywhere, Catch Anything, For Everyone’ kind of bait,” says bass pro Jacob Wheeler. “No experience required to catch fish and have fun.”
Walleye pro Chris Gilman seconds that notion.
“You can let it sink to the bottom and then just do a slow reel,” he says. “Everything will bite it.”
Creating the ultimate illusion of natural movement, 360GT Searchbaits pair a lifelike, single-ball rattling jig head with a realistic, soft body with 3D holographic eyes and a toe-in boot tail that imparts incredible action at any retrieve speed. They’re great for catching bass, walleye and pike. “GT” stands for “Go To” bait.
A simple, steady retrieve gives 360GTs a fish-attracting swimming motion. Whether you’re fishing from a boat, dock or shore, youngsters can easily cast them around main-lake points where the water is four to 12 feet deep. Or try targeting shallower bays with emergent weeds, swimming the lure over the tops of them. Pro Tip: Fish shallower on windy days and deeper in still weather.
Storm’s 360GT Searchbait is available in 11 color patterns: Chartreuse Ice, Gaga, Herring, Houdini, Hot Olive, Marilyn, Pearl Ice, Smokin’ Ghost, Smelt, Tru Blue and Volunteer. It’s available in three sizes: 3 ½ inches (1/8 ounce); 4 ½ inches (1/4 ounce); 5 ½ inches (3/8 ounce).
Each size comes in a handy package containing one pre-rigged bait and two extra bodies. When fishing with kids, your best bet is the 3 ½-inch model.
Tips for Fishing with Kids
The Iowa Department of Natural Resources offered these great tips for fishing with kids:
• Life jackets are strongly recommended for children. Make sure the life jacket fits your child snugly and won’t ride up around their face.
• Pack plenty of snacks and cold drinks
• Choose a spot close to home
• Morning trips are best – the fish bite better and kids have more energy
• Make sure there are restrooms nearby
• Pick a sunny day with moderate temperatures
• Keep the trip short – a couple hours at most
• Take plenty of breaks from fishing
• Take pictures
• Plan alternate activities to do if the weather turns bad or your child gets bored
• Have fun! Emphasize that fishing is fun, catching is a bonus
Rapala Pro Staff Guide Greg Brush here, dba EZ Limit Guide Service, chiming in from Alaska!
Great read here, and oh-so-true. Its all about the future, imo so TAKE A KID FISHING TODAY!
Ive been guiding families with youth anglers in Alaska for 28 years now…and Ive successfully taken THOUSANDS of kids and learned a lot over the decades. The author is spot-on with the life jackets, the weather, the snacks etc. but I might add one more thing to the list: be sure to take the kids to a sure-fire, red-hot fishery where you KNOW they will catch fish. That’s how ya get kids “hooked on fishing” IMO.
for a kid, or any new anglers, its paramount to experience SOME success to light their fire. doesn’t matter what species or size, kids just want to catch fish! Ive found that’s the key, so use quality Rapala and Luhr Jenson lures and take them to an easy fishery where “the bite” is on! Like our pink salmon or even silver salmon.
Trophy kings, or musky in the mid west, can come later!
Thanks for being so involved with our youth!
We should NOT have to wait until July to get the jigheads for the extra bodies in the 360 GT pack !!!
Keep in mind, these are a newer release. Takes some time to get all inventory out.
Happy fishing!
Storm
Best bait ive used in years!