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Merwin: The Barbie Rod Challenge
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The Honest Angler
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August 17, 2009
Merwin: The Barbie Rod Challenge
By John Merwin
So are you ready for the Barbie Challenge? Barbie rods and related cartoon-character spincast outfits for little kids are sold by the hundreds of thousands every year. You can get one at your local chain-discount store for about 10 bucks. Everybody knows about these things and experienced anglers usually regard them as a bad joke. But have you ever actually fished with one?
I have, for both freshwater bass (pictured) and saltwater stripers. A few years back I even wrote a piece about “Fishing With Barbie” that you can read here. The whole point is and was that you can learn a lot about your own fishing skills by handicapping yourself with a kiddie outfit.
The rods--usually of solid fiberglass--are plenty strong enough. As a test, I once dead-lifted 16 pounds with my Barbie rod without breaking it. And I found that fishing with these things is indeed more difficult, from casting on to setting the hook with such a short rod. Eventually, I had both experienced guides and lodge owners trying to get the rod away from me so they could try it, too. Just to see if they could do it.
I’d really love to see a high-end Barbie tournament, where 10 of the top bass pros have to compete with one another using these dinky outfits. I bet the catch rate would go way, way down. One thing you’ll learn if you try this is that maybe little kids don’t need that handicap either. If such tackle is so hard for an adult to use, why stick a kid with the same thing when you’re trying to advance him or her in the sport of fishing?
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Comments (23)
an old steelheader I knew used these "toys" to bag many a steelhead...he enjoyed the challenge of landing big fish on tiny gear...one of the best fisherman Ive ever known...
I bought a "Taz" fishing pole about 6 years ago to use for bait fishing. It works great because of its length. it's easy to get back into little bait holes on small creeks which are usually lined with brush and hard to get a 7' rod into without getting tangled. Best $9 i ever spent.
I remember when my daughter was young she wouldn't trade her Snoopy rod for a G.Loomis. I guess it's all a matter of perspective. Maybe if G.Loomis came out with a Snoopy rod...
I have a picture on the wall of my son and I and his first fish. Prominently displayed in the foreground is another Snoopy rod. Great memories.
Awesome article! We were seeing a lot of trophy carp in a pond near our resort in Florida, so I went out and grabbed a 'snoopy' pole... Hooked into one and boy was it a blast! It was a long testy fight but we finally landed him. 30#'s... It really does test you and it's a lot of fun.
my nieghbor caught a 3 pound bass on his daughters barbie rod
John, I remember reading that article in the magazine some years back. I believe that you went saltwater fishing for that one. I have 3 children and have never allowed them to get the Barbie/Snoopy/Power Rangers combos, simply for the reason you state above. The money is better spent on a good light/medium action rod and a better made spincaster. The idea is to make it as easy as possible to cast and catch fish. I guarantee it will keep the kids coming back more than the chance to use a Barbie pole.
I had a snoopy bobber that bagged many a bluegill in it's lifetime until it's sorrowful demise of getting caught on a stump in a strong current then snapping and floating away never to be found. It was a sad day in my life. :(..
Great final point.
Many have asked "What is a good rod/reel for a beginner?", thinking they need something cheap and basic, and a lot of people give them that answer.
I have news for you - once you start fishing with your new gear, you won't want to stop. Don't buy something you'll outgrow/outperform in a few outings. Buy the best gear you're willing to spend on right away, and it will last you as long as you want it to.
Field and stream should hold a "toy" fishing rod internet tourney for like 4 different species such and trout/steelhead, salmon, bass, and any saltwater species. You'd have to provide proof of the catch on the rod by say a photo and a another of its weight but i mean hey it'd be fun to see what came out of it. I'd go out and do it.
I used aq "Tweety Bird" rod for a bit. The rod is so tiny I can throw it in the back of the jeep and not worry about it. I didn't buy it, it was a trash pick that just needed line disentangled, but I am really cheap...
lol right on bella!
Given the luck I had fishing at Nausett Light beach on Cape Cod last week, I could have been using a Barbie rod and would have fit right in with the herds of people on the beach.
Mr. Merwin, I told the folks at Blackbeards about your recommendation that I visit them. They appreciated the endorsement and it is a great bait and tackle shop indeed.
they make great ice fishing rods and they aren't near as expensive as the ice rods.
Douglas:
Thanks for letting me know what happened. Sorry your fishing wasn't better. The Cape in July and August can be tough. I'll be down there in late September and hoping for better luck...
This is great! Once used a spiderman outfit to land a 31" 10-15lb Northern Pike.
Mr. Merwin,
I was told the people in boats were having great catches. Next time I'll spring for the $600 for a charter.
Night fishing from shore was impossible due to the no-see-ums. September should be fine with the crowds gone.
The cape is a neat place, just too many people. Makes me wonder what happens to all the septic effluent.
I know a guy whose kid caught multiple 5+ pound bass on a scooby pole while crappie fishing on Lake Fork before all of the bass died off...I miss the days where you could cast shiners off the shore and catch 4-5 pounders almost every cast.
haha
My niece won a adult fishing contest with a 9lb. bass with a Care Bear pole.
I use a spiderman rod to catch spot and other small baitfish from the docks and salt marshes.
I had one just like every other kid that starts out fishing young, but i wound up throwing it into the lake while trying to get the casting down.
I agree, seeing a pro with a barbie rod, in a competition would be something I would definitely watch. I just wonder how successful they would be?
How about the Popeil Pocket Fisherman? See those at garage sales all the time and remember the TV ads years ago. Talk about a minimalist fishing rig!
Awesome article! A BARBIE tourny would be a great "Field Leveler"!! Kind of like a restricter plate race in NASCAR. Your obsevations are correct. I used a ZEBCO 33 to teach all my children how to fish. They are a little more expensive, but work great. I have even gone back to one, just because they are so easy to use, & I never have "bird's nest" problems out of it! Sometimes it's good to get "back to the basics"!
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I remember when my daughter was young she wouldn't trade her Snoopy rod for a G.Loomis. I guess it's all a matter of perspective. Maybe if G.Loomis came out with a Snoopy rod...
I have a picture on the wall of my son and I and his first fish. Prominently displayed in the foreground is another Snoopy rod. Great memories.
an old steelheader I knew used these "toys" to bag many a steelhead...he enjoyed the challenge of landing big fish on tiny gear...one of the best fisherman Ive ever known...
I bought a "Taz" fishing pole about 6 years ago to use for bait fishing. It works great because of its length. it's easy to get back into little bait holes on small creeks which are usually lined with brush and hard to get a 7' rod into without getting tangled. Best $9 i ever spent.
John, I remember reading that article in the magazine some years back. I believe that you went saltwater fishing for that one. I have 3 children and have never allowed them to get the Barbie/Snoopy/Power Rangers combos, simply for the reason you state above. The money is better spent on a good light/medium action rod and a better made spincaster. The idea is to make it as easy as possible to cast and catch fish. I guarantee it will keep the kids coming back more than the chance to use a Barbie pole.
Awesome article! We were seeing a lot of trophy carp in a pond near our resort in Florida, so I went out and grabbed a 'snoopy' pole... Hooked into one and boy was it a blast! It was a long testy fight but we finally landed him. 30#'s... It really does test you and it's a lot of fun.
my nieghbor caught a 3 pound bass on his daughters barbie rod
I had a snoopy bobber that bagged many a bluegill in it's lifetime until it's sorrowful demise of getting caught on a stump in a strong current then snapping and floating away never to be found. It was a sad day in my life. :(..
Great final point.
Many have asked "What is a good rod/reel for a beginner?", thinking they need something cheap and basic, and a lot of people give them that answer.
I have news for you - once you start fishing with your new gear, you won't want to stop. Don't buy something you'll outgrow/outperform in a few outings. Buy the best gear you're willing to spend on right away, and it will last you as long as you want it to.
Field and stream should hold a "toy" fishing rod internet tourney for like 4 different species such and trout/steelhead, salmon, bass, and any saltwater species. You'd have to provide proof of the catch on the rod by say a photo and a another of its weight but i mean hey it'd be fun to see what came out of it. I'd go out and do it.
I used aq "Tweety Bird" rod for a bit. The rod is so tiny I can throw it in the back of the jeep and not worry about it. I didn't buy it, it was a trash pick that just needed line disentangled, but I am really cheap...
lol right on bella!
Given the luck I had fishing at Nausett Light beach on Cape Cod last week, I could have been using a Barbie rod and would have fit right in with the herds of people on the beach.
Mr. Merwin, I told the folks at Blackbeards about your recommendation that I visit them. They appreciated the endorsement and it is a great bait and tackle shop indeed.
they make great ice fishing rods and they aren't near as expensive as the ice rods.
Douglas:
Thanks for letting me know what happened. Sorry your fishing wasn't better. The Cape in July and August can be tough. I'll be down there in late September and hoping for better luck...
This is great! Once used a spiderman outfit to land a 31" 10-15lb Northern Pike.
Mr. Merwin,
I was told the people in boats were having great catches. Next time I'll spring for the $600 for a charter.
Night fishing from shore was impossible due to the no-see-ums. September should be fine with the crowds gone.
The cape is a neat place, just too many people. Makes me wonder what happens to all the septic effluent.
I know a guy whose kid caught multiple 5+ pound bass on a scooby pole while crappie fishing on Lake Fork before all of the bass died off...I miss the days where you could cast shiners off the shore and catch 4-5 pounders almost every cast.
haha
My niece won a adult fishing contest with a 9lb. bass with a Care Bear pole.
I use a spiderman rod to catch spot and other small baitfish from the docks and salt marshes.
I had one just like every other kid that starts out fishing young, but i wound up throwing it into the lake while trying to get the casting down.
I agree, seeing a pro with a barbie rod, in a competition would be something I would definitely watch. I just wonder how successful they would be?
How about the Popeil Pocket Fisherman? See those at garage sales all the time and remember the TV ads years ago. Talk about a minimalist fishing rig!
Awesome article! A BARBIE tourny would be a great "Field Leveler"!! Kind of like a restricter plate race in NASCAR. Your obsevations are correct. I used a ZEBCO 33 to teach all my children how to fish. They are a little more expensive, but work great. I have even gone back to one, just because they are so easy to use, & I never have "bird's nest" problems out of it! Sometimes it's good to get "back to the basics"!
Post a Comment