Fishing equiptment needed

[Disney Hot Mama]

HELP!
My son is gonig on a Boy Scout trip to Minnesota this summer to canoe the boundary waters and fish for their dinners.... We are not an outdoor type family so we need to purchase (hopefully cheaply) fishing equiptment for him to use. I am in need of a fishing pole, line (11# I think), lures, tackle box etc...

Any advice on the best items to purchase and were to get them? We live in So. CA if that helps but webordering is fine too....

 

[MandM-Mom]

I would try craigslist in your area, also you could post in the wanted section of that too. Good luck

 

[3boymthr]

I grew up with a dad who fishes recreationally and have fished all my life in lakes/ponds, streams and ocean (trolling, surf and deep sea). I don't really like it but I've picked up a lot thru osmosis.

There is a large variety of fishing equipment out there and each item serves a different purpose. My dad has a 10x10 room in his barn that is literally nothing but fishing equipment each item with a different purpose. Before you go shopping you need to know what type of fish will they be catching (bass, trout, pickerel, etc.)? Are they fishing in rivers or lakes or ponds? Fresh or Salt water? Even if it is a river you need to know if the water is swampy/ has a lot of vegetation or is swift moving. All these factors will dictate the bait/lures and what test line and how strong a pole and how long a pole you will need.

Also make sure to check with the fish & game department at their destination to make sure he doesn't need a license. If he does make sure to send the money for it.

Craigslist is a great idea but try bass pro shops or Wal-mart first to get an idea for what these items sell for in your area. These stores have a good selection where you won't break your budget and they (especially Bass Pro) have educated people working this department who can tell you what you need. Bass Pro also has online ordering. You can sometimes get good buys on e-bay or at yard sales but again you need to know what you are buying.

Finally, once he has his equipment, since this will be fishing for survival he should test it out. Make sure he knows how to cast and that the equipment is actually strong enough to reel in that fish.

Good Luck!

 

[mikehn]

Everything can be found at Walmart. Go there and be done with it. He may have to get a MN fishing license when he gets there, I dont know. Walmarts carry local fishing licenses also.

 

[wall*e2008]

Just borrow some from a friend that fishes.

How large are the fish he will be catching. I know that there are walleye in MN and they are a large fighting fish. Very fun to catch and tasty to eat.

We have many different poles depending on the fish we are trying to catch. Pan fish require small light weight poles so you can feel the gentle tug. Figher fish reguire large poles with heavy line and even steel leader, so the fishes sharp teeth cannot cut it.

 

[Justsyd2]

Academy has everything that he needs, with great prices! I find them less expensive than Walmart.

 

[NotUrsula]

If you can get him a telescoping or "breakdown" rod, do. Those are much more convenient for travel situations and putting into a backpack. They tend to be lighter in weight, but if they recommended 11# test line, they are not going after anything big enough to snap a breakdown rod.

I would encourage him to go to an outdoor store and ask to try different types of reels, and also to have it explained to him how to break the reel down if it gets snarled. (If this happens and he doesn't know how to break down the reel and clear it, he might end up pretty hungry with gear he cannot use.)

It takes practice to learn to cast, and some people do better with one design over another, so get his rod and reel ASAP, and have him practice hitting a target spot with a couple of washers tied to the end of the line. (This really is important if he'll be in a camping situation when he first tries to fish. You don't want him picking the rod up for the first time with a hook on the line; he could hook the back of his head or his arm.)

 

[MichelleinMaine]

I would check with his troop or the council group he is going with as to what they recommend. Our council does not do Northern Tier (assuming that is what they are doing?) but provides detailed checklists for everyone it sends to Florida Seabase. The camp usually provides some gear and somethings are needed on a troop/crew level, not an individual one. (For example- they wouldn't each need their own fish net in the canoe...) It's definitely not a stupid question to ask of the troop, council, or even the camp directly. (I'm trained as an assistant scoutmaster in my son's troop and do not know the answer, lol.)


Just wanted to point out too (not sure how much "not outdoor people" you are ), but one thing I would be concerned about as well is that he has proper clothing. Obviously Northern MN will be colder than southern CA, lol. Make sure he has things he can layer and that none of them are cotton. (Cotton does not hold in heat when wet and doesn't dry quickly.) We tell our boys that "cotton kills" to drive the fact home. Synthetics or wool are the way to go.

Good luck- I bet he'll have a great trip!

ETA- I found this checklist on the Northern Tier website (if indeed that is who he is going with):equipment checklist Doesn't specify what they need for a rod, but does point out they won't all be fishing at once. Do other guys he's going with have rods already? Maybe you don't need to get one?

 

[mombare]

I second the idea of checking with your group. There are groups that go to the Boundary Waters all the time, and they should have some good suggestions of what you need. I have never been there, but we fish quite often. There are a variety of lures...have gotten them at places like Walmart, Gander Mountain, etc. I am pretty sure they won't let any kids starve, though.
I know you didn't ask, but others have addressed this: As far as clothes, remember layers. Depending on when he goes in the summer, it could be very hot days and cold nights. And definitely remember good rain gear!

 

[Disney Hot Mama]

I would check with his troop or the council group he is going with as to what they recommend. Our council does not do Northern Tier (assuming that is what they are doing?) but provides detailed checklists for everyone it sends to Florida Seabase. The camp usually provides some gear and somethings are needed on a troop/crew level, not an individual one. (For example- they wouldn't each need their own fish net in the canoe...) It's definitely not a stupid question to ask of the troop, council, or even the camp directly. (I'm trained as an assistant scoutmaster in my son's troop and do not know the answer, lol.)


Just wanted to point out too (not sure how much "not outdoor people" you are ), but one thing I would be concerned about as well is that he has proper clothing. Obviously Northern MN will be colder than southern CA, lol. Make sure he has things he can layer and that none of them are cotton. (Cotton does not hold in heat when wet and doesn't dry quickly.) We tell our boys that "cotton kills" to drive the fact home. Synthetics or wool are the way to go.

Good luck- I bet he'll have a great trip!

ETA- I found this checklist on the Northern Tier website (if indeed that is who he is going with):equipment checklist Doesn't specify what they need for a rod, but does point out they won't all be fishing at once. Do other guys he's going with have rods already? Maybe you don't need to get one?

Than you everyone. This is a Boy Scout event but not through a camp program. His Boy Scout troop is planning this on their own through a company in MN. They will provide the cooking equiptment/food and we provide the rest. We are shiping some equiptment directly there. Clothing has been discussed in great depth and layering using wicking material is mandatory. The troop is buying the boys (well we are paying but they are purchasing) matching shirts and duffle bags. The troop will provide a packing list next month but I wanted to get a jump start if possible. We have zero fishing gear. He has fished at Summer Camps and earned his fishing merit badge but that was not on the lake or in a canoe. I think some of the fishing is 'trailing' hacing the fishing pole cast and then also paddeling the canoe at the same time. I could be way off.

I am comfortable with the adults attending as they have done this before but since fishing is new to us I am also scared we will forget something. Lucky for us he is only 13 so he doesn't need a fishing license - or at least I don't think so. If he does, I am sure the troop will arrange to purchase these for all the boys for their 10 night trip.

Thank you for all your help and suggestions.... Will start shopping this weekend..

 

[stacy2197]

We live in Wisconsin and actualy spend alot of time fishing on the Mississippi river which borders MN. We mainly use pole and reel combos from Walmart. Not the cheapest set but the next level up. Which is still only about $30. If he hasn't fished much I would sugest a closed face real. I've fished for years and I still am better with the closed face real. I would find out if he needs bait. We mostly use worms. I that was the case he would only need hooks, sinkers and bobbers.

 

[Disney Hot Mama]

We live in Wisconsin and actualy spend alot of time fishing on the Mississippi river which borders MN. We mainly use pole and reel combos from Walmart. Not the cheapest set but the next level up. Which is still only about $30. If he hasn't fished much I would sugest a closed face real. I've fished for years and I still am better with the closed face real. I would find out if he needs bait. We mostly use worms. I that was the case he would only need hooks, sinkers and bobbers.

Thank you.. I know they DON'T need bait. Just these lures with the hooks on them and the fish apparently love them.. I will ask about the open vs. closed face real.... This is all so foreign to me...