Fishing is one of the most rewarding and fun outdoor activities, and Florida’s abundance of freshwater lakes, rivers, and coastal areas makes it an ideal place for anglers of all ages. For kids, fishing can be a fun way to learn patience, improve motor skills, and experience the thrill of catching fish. One of the best types of lures to use for kids is the topwater fishing lure, which offers an exciting and interactive fishing experience.
In this guide, we’ll explore the high-quality topwater fishing lures for kids in Florida, explain why they’re an excellent choice for young anglers, and provide practical advice on how to use them effectively. By the end of this article, you’ll know what to look for when buying topwater lures, as well as the best techniques for teaching kids how to fish in Florida’s waters.
Let’s dive into everything you need to know about using topwater fishing lures to ensure that your fishing trips with kids are enjoyable, educational, and successful. At the end of the article, we will also point you to LureBolt.com for premium, kid-friendly lures and fishing gear.
1. What Are Topwater Fishing Lures?
A topwater fishing lure is a type of artificial bait designed to float on the surface of the water and create a disturbance that mimics injured or struggling prey. These lures work by splashing, popping, or creating ripples on the water’s surface, attracting fish with both visual and auditory cues. Topwater lures come in various shapes and designs, such as poppers, walk-the-dog lures, prop baits, and buzzbaits, each with its own unique action.
Key Features of Topwater Lures:
Surface Action: Topwater lures are designed to float and create surface disturbances, making them highly visible to fish.
Vibrations and Splashing: Many topwater lures, like poppers or prop baits, make noise and create vibrations that attract fish.
Exciting Strikes: The visual and explosive nature of topwater strikes provides a thrilling experience for young anglers, especially when fish strike the lure aggressively.
Topwater lures are popular because of their ease of use, the excitement they generate, and the fact that they attract fish near the surface, making them ideal for kids who want to see and feel the action.
2. Why Are Topwater Fishing Lures Great for Kids in Florida?
1. Instant Feedback and Excitement
Topwater fishing lures are perfect for kids because of the immediate feedback they provide. When a fish strikes a topwater lure, the strike is often dramatic and visible, creating a thrilling experience for young anglers. This instant action keeps kids engaged, helps them learn faster, and adds excitement to the process of fishing.
2. Easy to Use
Topwater lures are easy to cast and retrieve, making them perfect for kids, even beginners. Unlike other lures that may require specific techniques, topwater lures often need only a simple retrieve to be effective. This simplicity makes it easier for kids to learn how to fish without feeling overwhelmed.
3. Effective in Shallow Waters
Florida is home to many shallow lakes, ponds, and coastal areas where fish are more likely to feed near the surface. Topwater lures excel in these environments because they mimic the prey that fish actively target in shallow water. This makes them an ideal choice for fishing in Florida’s diverse freshwater and saltwater habitats.
4. Versatile and Fun
Topwater lures can be used for a wide range of species, including bass, bluegill, snook, and more. For kids, the ability to use the same lure in multiple environments and for different types of fish makes fishing more enjoyable and accessible. Additionally, topwater fishing encourages kids to develop their skills while enjoying the challenge of catching different species.
3. Types of Topwater Lures for Kids
There are several types of topwater fishing lures that are suitable for kids. Each type has its own action and style, and different types work better in different conditions. Here’s an overview of the most common topwater lures for kids:
1. Poppers
Poppers are perhaps the most popular topwater lure for kids because they are easy to use and produce a lot of visual action. Poppers have a concave mouth that causes them to “pop” when retrieved, mimicking the sound of an injured fish. This makes them especially effective in attracting fish that are feeding near the surface.
Best For: Shallow lakes, ponds, and coastal waters where fish are actively feeding.
How to Use: Use short, sharp jerks to create the popping sound. Allow the lure to rest between jerks to give fish a chance to strike.
2. Walk-the-Dog Lures
Walk-the-dog lures are designed to create a side-to-side swimming motion, mimicking the movement of a struggling fish. These lures are especially fun for kids because they create an erratic, visible action that attracts fish.
Best For: Active fish, especially in areas where trout, snook, or bass are chasing prey on the surface.
How to Use: Retrieve the lure with a steady twitch of the rod, making it move side to side. Vary the speed and pause intermittently to mimic fleeing prey.
3. Prop Baits
Prop baits are lures with spinning blades at the front or back, creating a buzzing or splashing sound as they are retrieved. The prop action adds extra vibration and noise, making them great for attracting fish in murky or choppy waters.
Best For: Murky water, where the added vibration and noise help fish locate the lure.
How to Use: Retrieve the lure steadily to make the blades spin and create noise. Adjust the speed depending on the activity level of the fish.
4. Buzzbaits
Buzzbaits are similar to prop baits but are designed to create more surface disturbance. They have a rotating blade that causes a buzzing sound, which is effective for attracting fish, especially when they are near the surface or active in shallow waters.
Best For: Shallow areas with active fish that are chasing prey.
How to Use: Retrieve quickly across the water’s surface, creating a strong surface disturbance. Vary the speed to see what works best.
4. Best High-Quality Topwater Lures for Kids in Florida
When it comes to topwater fishing lures for kids in Florida, quality is essential. Lures that are durable, easy to use, and effective are key to ensuring that kids have a successful fishing experience. Here are some of the best topwater lures for kids in Florida:
1. Rapala Skitter Pop
The Rapala Skitter Pop is a high-quality popper that creates a loud “pop” as it is retrieved, making it one of the best choices for kids. Its durability, ease of use, and effectiveness make it an excellent option for Florida’s trout, bass, and snook.
Best For: Shallow ponds, lakes, and coastal waters.
Available Sizes: 2.5”, 3”, 4”
Key Features: Concave mouth for effective popping action, great color selection to match local baitfish.
2. Heddon Super Spook Junior
The Heddon Super Spook Junior is a smaller version of the classic "walk-the-dog" lure. It’s easy for kids to handle and offers fantastic action. This lure is known for its ability to attract fish with its realistic side-to-side motion.
Best For: Active fish in shallow to medium depths.
Available Sizes: 3”
Key Features: Excellent for mimicking fleeing prey, long casting distance, ideal for targeting snook and trout.
3. Zara Spook Jr.
The Zara Spook Jr. is a smaller topwater lure that’s perfect for young anglers. Its walk-the-dog action is easy to control, and it’s highly effective for catching trout and other predatory fish in Florida.
Best For: Shallow water fishing, especially in coastal flats and estuaries.
Available Sizes: 3” (ideal for kids)
Key Features: Lightweight, great action, and effective for targeting a variety of fish species.
4. Strike King KVD Sexy Dawg Jr.
The Strike King KVD Sexy Dawg Jr. is another excellent choice for kids. It’s designed to create a side-to-side “walking” action and is particularly effective when fishing for active trout, bass, and snook in Florida’s waters.
Best For: Active fishing scenarios in clear water.
Available Sizes: 3”
Key Features: Durable construction, great for both freshwater and saltwater, and easy to use for kids.
5. Lunkerhunt Prop Series
The Lunkerhunt Prop Series features a unique prop design that creates a realistic splashing action. This lure is great for kids, as it’s easy to cast and retrieve while providing visual excitement with each strike.
Best For: Shallow waters and murky conditions.
Available Sizes: 2.5”
Key Features: Effective for attracting fish in low-visibility conditions and perfect for targeting snook and bass.
5. How to Use Topwater Fishing Lures for Kids in Florida
Teaching kids how to use topwater lures effectively requires patience and some basic techniques. Here’s how you can get started:
1. Casting and Retrieving
Casting: Teach kids how to cast the lure gently but accurately. A basic overhead cast is ideal for beginners.
Retrieving: For poppers, use short jerks of the rod to create the popping action. For walk-the-dog lures, twitch the rod in a rhythmic motion to make the lure swim side to side.
2. Choosing the Right Lure for the Day
If the weather is calm, use popper lures to attract fish with a loud, rhythmic popping sound.
In windy conditions, try buzzbaits or prop baits, as the added noise and vibration will help fish locate the lure.
3. Watching for Strikes
The excitement of topwater fishing is the visible strike. Teach kids to watch the water closely for any movement or splashes, signaling a fish is striking the lure.
6. Where to Buy High-Quality Topwater Fishing Lures for Kids in Florida
For the best selection of high-quality topwater fishing lures for kids in Florida, visit LureBolt.com. We offer a wide range of topwater lures designed for all skill levels, including popular options like the Rapala Skitter Pop, Heddon Super Spook Junior, and Strike King KVD Sexy Dawg Jr. Our lures are perfect for targeting trout, snook, and other species in Florida’s diverse waters.
Conclusion
Topwater fishing lures are an ideal choice for introducing kids to fishing in Florida’s waters. Their ease of use, visual appeal, and ability to generate explosive strikes make them perfect for young anglers. By selecting the right lure, using the proper techniques, and targeting the right spots, you can provide kids with a memorable and exciting fishing experience.
Ready to get started? Visit LureBolt.com for the best topwater lures and other fishing gear to make your next fishing adventure with kids a success!