nofrills
10-12-2006, 08:59 PM
Howdy all
ive been playing in the shed lately and the challenge has been to put together a set up that will enable my small children,of which there are four, to tangle with some of the larger fish i like to chase.My kids have all caught mackerel and tuna and the problem is they dont have the strength in their arms yet to lift the rod for an extended period.So i end up leaning over their shoulder pumping the rod for them ,which works, but i really want them to be able to fight and capture the fish all on their own.
Ive put a fair bit of thought into this and spent the last week running around the back yard with a line in my hand pretending to be a fish and this set up seems to be pretty good so ill post up some pics and some theory for any dad's that might be interested.
N0 1 Most over head reels are akward for little kids and a light weight eggbeater with a fast ratio will be easier for them to handle.The ratio will mean they have to wind less to recover line and will have more chance of keeping up with a pelagic fish that is swimming toward the boat.also an eggbeater will be less prone to overrun and most''fishing'' kids are familiar with them.ANSWER TSS 4.
NO 2 The TSS 4 is a spinning reel so there is no harness fittings on it, so ive made a stainless bracket and bolted it to the rod.this means the kids dont really need to use their arms too much as i can drive the boat forward to keep pressure on the line/fish and all they have to do is crank the handle when the opportunity arrives.
NO 3 As im trolling all the time the kids need to have lifejackets on as the boat will be under way, so ive threaded the harness strap into the jacket and used the same quick release clips you find on a back harness.I will also tie them into the boat ::){DON'T TELL MUM}
No 4 Ive bought a really form fitting/curved gimbal belt,so it won't slide around the kids little hips.
No 5 the rod is a cheapie jarvis walker that will bend all the way to the butt.the big curve under load means i can watch it and see when the pressure is decreasing and give me more time to idle forward or make sure the child winds.The sloppy rod will mean less hurt on the fish but it will also mean less hurt on the kid.All i have done to the rod is fit a good tip ,shorten the butt,knurl the grip .and put on a gimbal fitting.
Now in theory its all sweet ,we might drop a few fish but all they need is one ;Dso this week the kids are on holidays and so am i,the forecast is perfect and ive got the video camera ready so stand by.
see pics below
{tell me what ive forgotten}
cheers scotty
ive been playing in the shed lately and the challenge has been to put together a set up that will enable my small children,of which there are four, to tangle with some of the larger fish i like to chase.My kids have all caught mackerel and tuna and the problem is they dont have the strength in their arms yet to lift the rod for an extended period.So i end up leaning over their shoulder pumping the rod for them ,which works, but i really want them to be able to fight and capture the fish all on their own.
Ive put a fair bit of thought into this and spent the last week running around the back yard with a line in my hand pretending to be a fish and this set up seems to be pretty good so ill post up some pics and some theory for any dad's that might be interested.
N0 1 Most over head reels are akward for little kids and a light weight eggbeater with a fast ratio will be easier for them to handle.The ratio will mean they have to wind less to recover line and will have more chance of keeping up with a pelagic fish that is swimming toward the boat.also an eggbeater will be less prone to overrun and most''fishing'' kids are familiar with them.ANSWER TSS 4.
NO 2 The TSS 4 is a spinning reel so there is no harness fittings on it, so ive made a stainless bracket and bolted it to the rod.this means the kids dont really need to use their arms too much as i can drive the boat forward to keep pressure on the line/fish and all they have to do is crank the handle when the opportunity arrives.
NO 3 As im trolling all the time the kids need to have lifejackets on as the boat will be under way, so ive threaded the harness strap into the jacket and used the same quick release clips you find on a back harness.I will also tie them into the boat ::){DON'T TELL MUM}
No 4 Ive bought a really form fitting/curved gimbal belt,so it won't slide around the kids little hips.
No 5 the rod is a cheapie jarvis walker that will bend all the way to the butt.the big curve under load means i can watch it and see when the pressure is decreasing and give me more time to idle forward or make sure the child winds.The sloppy rod will mean less hurt on the fish but it will also mean less hurt on the kid.All i have done to the rod is fit a good tip ,shorten the butt,knurl the grip .and put on a gimbal fitting.
Now in theory its all sweet ,we might drop a few fish but all they need is one ;Dso this week the kids are on holidays and so am i,the forecast is perfect and ive got the video camera ready so stand by.
see pics below
{tell me what ive forgotten}
cheers scotty