Stan Fagerstrom
04-08-2002, 03:20 PM
Closed-Face Reel Best Bet For Kids
By Stan Fagerstrom
Got a little boy or girl you think might be interested in fishing? Then listen up because I can tell you the best way to go about fostering that interest.
I can say that with assurance. Why? Because of one of the questions that has come my way again and again in the countless hours I’ve spent giving casting demonstrations around the country. That question usually goes something like this: “I want to teach my little boy and girl how to fish. What kind of a reel would you recommend for them to start with?”
http://www.ifish.net/sfpsr.jpg
It's easier to get kids interested in fishing if you provide them with a rod and reel they can use. Here Stan shows the Zebco Pro Staff closed-face reel to a group of kids at an outdoor show.
My recommendation is the same today as it was darn near half a century ago. There is no better reel for a child to get a “feel” for casting than the closed-faced spinning reel and a lightweight rod to go with it. I’m talking now about smaller kids, not those who are old enough to use more sophisticated equipment.
But just saying that a closed-face is best doesn’t tell the whole story. Not all closed-face reels are the same and there’s one I especially favor for youngsters. That reel is a Zebco Pro Staff Model 2010.
I mention this reel primarily because it’s small enough for a child to handle. These reels are made in four different sizes. It’s the smallest of the lot, and that’s the Model 2010, that you’ll want for your kids and its small size is important. There are big closed-faced reels out there that I have a hard time trying to grip comfortably myself. For a child it’s next to impossible.
http://www.ifish.net/sfpsr1.jpg
Children have small hands. It's difficult for them to hold a large reel.
This young lady got along just fine using a reel small enough for her to handle.
They won’t have that problem with the Zebco 2010. I teach a technique, and it’s one you should teach your own youngsters, where the line is actually controlled with the forefinger of the left hand. The reel is placed in the palm of the left hand and the left forefinger is extended to feather the line as it comes out of the center of the reel’s enclosed spool.
The little Pro Staff 2010 snugs into the left palm nicely. It’s surprising how quickly even little guys and gals, provided they have the right kind of instruction, can learn to get a lure out where it belongs with this little reel and a matching rod.
One of the best ways to turn a child away from fishing, maybe for all time, is to provide them with mismatched equipment. I lived right on the shore of a popular bass and panfish lake for about 35 years. It wasn’t unusual to hear some guy yelling at the kids he had in his boat. Much of the time it was because they couldn’t handle their equipment to his satisfaction. You can imagine how much fun that was for the kids. You can also believe they will probably stay the heck away from future fishing trips if they can.
The last time I checked the Pro Staff was selling for less than $20. This little reel is a darn good buy for that kind of money. Again, I can say that with assurance because it’s the reel I’ve been using in my casting demonstrations for a long, long time. They hold up well and I’ve had limited problems with them.
Keep this same reel in mind if your wife, like mine, never will get neck deep in fishing. Perhaps, again like mine, she likes to go now and then when the weather is soft and sunny. When she does go she’s going to want to catch her share of fish. Most women, like youngsters, have small hands. The Pro Staff 2010 is my wife’s favorite reel. She isn’t interested in even trying anything else. This little closed-face just “fits” her. She’ll hold her own with anybody when it comes to putting panfish like crappie or bluegill into the boat. Her ability to handle her closed face reel is the primary reason she can do it.
As I’ve mentioned, the Pro Staff 2010 comes loaded with 90 yards of 6-pound line. That line test is entirely adequate for panfish. You can, of course, change line tests if you choose. With today’s small diameter monofilaments you can go up to 8 or 10-pound test if you want. I’ve loaded one of my wife’s reels with 10-pound mono. She uses that one when she goes bass fishing with me.
The Pro Staff closed face reels have been in the Zebco line for a long time. They wouldn’t have hung around that long if they didn’t do the job. The present models come with one ball bearing, have brass gears and an adequate drag.
As I mentioned before, I’ve been using Pro Staff 2010 reels in my casting demonstrations for a long, long time. And that’s about the only time I do use them. They aren’t my favorite fishing tools and if you’re an experienced angler they probably aren’t yours. But by golly they are great for kids, especially if you know how to teach them that left forefinger line control that I mentioned.
If you’ve attended one of my casting demonstrations you’ve probably heard me say I can take any 8 or 9 year-old with average coordination and have then casting well enough to go fishing within a half hour. I can because the closed-face reel I’ll have them use is one they can handle. All I need do is teach them that left forefinger line control and they’re in business.
http://www.ifish.net/sfpsr2.jpg
Kids are pretty much the same all over the world. Here Stan shows the intricacies of the closed-face spinning reel to a Japanese girl at an outdoor show in Tokyo.
Got youngsters you want to get interested in fishing? Study what you’ve just read. I’ve had the wondrous good fortune to help thousands of young anglers get started over the past half-century. Having had the right equipment to work with has been a great help. Where kids are concerned that’s been the closed-face spinning reel.
What has worked for me will work just as well for you and your little ones.
[ 04-08-2002, 03:24 PM: Message edited by: Stan Fagerstrom ]
By Stan Fagerstrom
Got a little boy or girl you think might be interested in fishing? Then listen up because I can tell you the best way to go about fostering that interest.
I can say that with assurance. Why? Because of one of the questions that has come my way again and again in the countless hours I’ve spent giving casting demonstrations around the country. That question usually goes something like this: “I want to teach my little boy and girl how to fish. What kind of a reel would you recommend for them to start with?”
http://www.ifish.net/sfpsr.jpg
It's easier to get kids interested in fishing if you provide them with a rod and reel they can use. Here Stan shows the Zebco Pro Staff closed-face reel to a group of kids at an outdoor show.
My recommendation is the same today as it was darn near half a century ago. There is no better reel for a child to get a “feel” for casting than the closed-faced spinning reel and a lightweight rod to go with it. I’m talking now about smaller kids, not those who are old enough to use more sophisticated equipment.
But just saying that a closed-face is best doesn’t tell the whole story. Not all closed-face reels are the same and there’s one I especially favor for youngsters. That reel is a Zebco Pro Staff Model 2010.
I mention this reel primarily because it’s small enough for a child to handle. These reels are made in four different sizes. It’s the smallest of the lot, and that’s the Model 2010, that you’ll want for your kids and its small size is important. There are big closed-faced reels out there that I have a hard time trying to grip comfortably myself. For a child it’s next to impossible.
http://www.ifish.net/sfpsr1.jpg
Children have small hands. It's difficult for them to hold a large reel.
This young lady got along just fine using a reel small enough for her to handle.
They won’t have that problem with the Zebco 2010. I teach a technique, and it’s one you should teach your own youngsters, where the line is actually controlled with the forefinger of the left hand. The reel is placed in the palm of the left hand and the left forefinger is extended to feather the line as it comes out of the center of the reel’s enclosed spool.
The little Pro Staff 2010 snugs into the left palm nicely. It’s surprising how quickly even little guys and gals, provided they have the right kind of instruction, can learn to get a lure out where it belongs with this little reel and a matching rod.
One of the best ways to turn a child away from fishing, maybe for all time, is to provide them with mismatched equipment. I lived right on the shore of a popular bass and panfish lake for about 35 years. It wasn’t unusual to hear some guy yelling at the kids he had in his boat. Much of the time it was because they couldn’t handle their equipment to his satisfaction. You can imagine how much fun that was for the kids. You can also believe they will probably stay the heck away from future fishing trips if they can.
The last time I checked the Pro Staff was selling for less than $20. This little reel is a darn good buy for that kind of money. Again, I can say that with assurance because it’s the reel I’ve been using in my casting demonstrations for a long, long time. They hold up well and I’ve had limited problems with them.
Keep this same reel in mind if your wife, like mine, never will get neck deep in fishing. Perhaps, again like mine, she likes to go now and then when the weather is soft and sunny. When she does go she’s going to want to catch her share of fish. Most women, like youngsters, have small hands. The Pro Staff 2010 is my wife’s favorite reel. She isn’t interested in even trying anything else. This little closed-face just “fits” her. She’ll hold her own with anybody when it comes to putting panfish like crappie or bluegill into the boat. Her ability to handle her closed face reel is the primary reason she can do it.
As I’ve mentioned, the Pro Staff 2010 comes loaded with 90 yards of 6-pound line. That line test is entirely adequate for panfish. You can, of course, change line tests if you choose. With today’s small diameter monofilaments you can go up to 8 or 10-pound test if you want. I’ve loaded one of my wife’s reels with 10-pound mono. She uses that one when she goes bass fishing with me.
The Pro Staff closed face reels have been in the Zebco line for a long time. They wouldn’t have hung around that long if they didn’t do the job. The present models come with one ball bearing, have brass gears and an adequate drag.
As I mentioned before, I’ve been using Pro Staff 2010 reels in my casting demonstrations for a long, long time. And that’s about the only time I do use them. They aren’t my favorite fishing tools and if you’re an experienced angler they probably aren’t yours. But by golly they are great for kids, especially if you know how to teach them that left forefinger line control that I mentioned.
If you’ve attended one of my casting demonstrations you’ve probably heard me say I can take any 8 or 9 year-old with average coordination and have then casting well enough to go fishing within a half hour. I can because the closed-face reel I’ll have them use is one they can handle. All I need do is teach them that left forefinger line control and they’re in business.
http://www.ifish.net/sfpsr2.jpg
Kids are pretty much the same all over the world. Here Stan shows the intricacies of the closed-face spinning reel to a Japanese girl at an outdoor show in Tokyo.
Got youngsters you want to get interested in fishing? Study what you’ve just read. I’ve had the wondrous good fortune to help thousands of young anglers get started over the past half-century. Having had the right equipment to work with has been a great help. Where kids are concerned that’s been the closed-face spinning reel.
What has worked for me will work just as well for you and your little ones.
[ 04-08-2002, 03:24 PM: Message edited by: Stan Fagerstrom ]