A recent tour through a national discount chain store showed me that at least two major manufactures make "Youth Fishing Kits"  They come with either closed face or open faced spinning reels, a rod, line, and one even had a small supply of artificial baits.  Add a small tackle box, some split shots, a couple of bass sinkers and supply of small hooks and your in business.  Total cost roughly $25-$30.  This equipment, when shown the proper care, will last for years.

If you want to let your kids have the "Huck Finn" experience you can still get a cane pole.  Not a bad way to start.  Swing the line into the water and wait for the bobber to start dipping.  Settle down in a comfortable lawn chair and talk with the kids and wife. Have a picnic.

Fishing does not have to be an expensive pastime.  Sure,  you can blow $25-$30K in the blink of an eye if you include $200 rods, $100 reels, $25K boats, electronics, and three of every "Wonder Lure" ever made.  You could, but don't have to.

You say "Hey... I don't know anything about fishing"  Well fear not.  If you fish ponds you only need to put a small hook on the line, a small split shot just above the hook, and a bobber, a foot or two, above the hook with a wax worm or red wiggler imbedded on  it. Throw it out and wait.  If you don't get a bite in a few minutes,  raise the bobber another foot or two.

You say "Hey...I don't know how to cast"  Well fear not.  Using spinning or spin casting (closed faced) takes all of about 2 min. for an adult to learn the basics.  The clerk in the store should be able to teach you or you can find someone in the neighborhood that will give you some lessons in the backyard.  What do you mean, your neighborhood doesn't have a anglers living in it! Impossible!!!!  Everyone knows at least one other person who fishes.

For kids up to about 9-10 I recommend going with the closed faced (spin cast) type outfits.  They are easy to use.  If you can walk and chew gum at the same time you might go for the open faced spinning rigs.

The State of Ohio maintains a large number of stocked ponds.  There are 55 of them in Delaware State Wildlife area alone.  Check and find out which ponds are open for fishing and what they are stocked with.  For information on the ponds call Division of Wildlife, 614-844-3925.

Try it sometime.  I think you might just find it fun.

Note:  Where young children are involved, always, always keep an eye on how close they are to the water.  Mom or Dad should take control of the tackle box.  Sharp hooks are nothing to be played with.