Fishing with kids around Taupo

Hey all, our son is coming up 6 and he’s asked to go fishing in Taupo for his birthday. We live in south Waikato and would like to fish somewhere close to Taupo. We have zero experience fly fishing and he’s getting a new kids rod for his birthday, being a kids rod it’s somewhat basic. Any ideas on where to go? We have done the prawn park many times and I think Tongariro trout centre doesn’t do fishing at the moment. I’m happy to buy a fishing licence if need be, not sure how that works with seasons etc. I have seen plenty of trout in the rivers south of turangi while out hunting but not often..
all helps appreciated and any other cool 6yo boys outdoor present suggestions!

contact fish n game...find an area where worming is allowed.... a running rig with small (00 buckshot sized) ball sinker on main line,then swivel then 1mtr of trace to hook with worms.
kids get bored easy...let him catch a few on worm and get the bug...as long as he stays within...15mtrs??? of rod all is good. so can build sandcastles ,sit in chair reading book,xbox etc etc.... I found with kids that age I had to do most of casting and let them wind in if spinning...that gets old fast.
I have remains of one of those cheap birthday present rods...solid fibreglass all of 4 foot long. the origonal handle got busted so its now got a piece of shovel handle with hole drilled lengthways down end...the glass is glued in there and old metal reel holder glued and bound in place...I would guess that rod has caught close to 300 trout n small salmon in last 15 years....vividly recall son hooking and landing a 5lb rainbow in lake benmore using it...and a 4lb brown that spent more time above water than in it...never seen a more aerobatic fish . the wee bendy rod took it in its stride.
worms first.
spinner next
bubble and fly
whatever they decide they want to do.
its also cheaper as $5 per lure also gets old fast.

@Chelsea. Have you considered letting catch an eel? Might be easier if he is not easily frightened. I could help out with spot. Trout there too, trout may not be easy.

Thanks guys, he’s done a tonne of eeling in the farm rivers and some fishing for snapper from a boat and the rocks. I’m just not sure where to take him for trout. I was told you need to fly fish for trout and there’s only some places it’s allowed. I’ll give fish and game a message to see if and where we can go.

I don't know the Taupo area well, apart from having failed to catch a trout there once, but I have fished for trout for most of my life and have a boy the same age. It would be a tall order for a six year old to go fly fishing without fly fishing-savvy parents during winter and have a good time. A good time does not necessarily mean catching fish. That aside I could see boredom and frustration ahead. I might be wrong, maybe your boy is different to mine. I'd go on a fishing charter that specialises in jigging or trolling. It is expensive, but maybe there are some deals on due to current circumstances.

spin fishing might be a go if you find out where you are aloud to do it over that way, not so boring for a young fella and you can keep moving a bit more.

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Originally Posted by Mohawk .308

https://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-re...d-regulations/

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Thanks, looks like we are going to need a different present idea looking at the rules/ regulations and seasons!

Give F&G eastern region a ring. (Rotorua) They used to run fishout days at their hatchery grounds. Youngsters being taught by experienced old anglers. Fish virtually guaranteed and a lovely setting.

@Chelsea, the National Trout Centre near Turangi has "kids fishing" days. Give them a ring, it would be an awesome day for a young fellow, and will probably get him hooked for life :thumbsup:

Taupo fishery is DoC managed. Rotorua lakes and streams and Hawkes Bay rivers all managed by ERFG and more relaxed regs. A F&G licence covers all of NZ EXCEPT DoC's Taupo, which has its own licence and does not include the rest of NZ.

You can spin off the shore at Taupo, not within 200 metres of a river or stream mouth, I think. You can troll or jig out of a kayak or similar. I've caught a few trout with a lead line out of a row boat.

Spin fishing in the Tokaanu tail race might be the go

Thanks all, looked at getting something else but we went into H&F today and he really wanted a new rod. So I’ll head on back for it before his birthday and take a look at some of the places mentioned.

I'd check out the trout centre too. There's definitely enough to fill in a few hours. Underwater viewing of some good size fish (and throw food at them too), some other stuff to look at. And of course the very big pond where your kid can bait fish and almost certainly catch something. Just call or look up online to check what time they have the kids fishing set up.
And decent hot drinks and cake at the Creek Tackle shop cafe after would be my pick.

Trout centre is well worth the look when it's open. You'll need a day licence to fish Taupo, which you can purchase online through DOC. Try using a black and gold Toby or a Black magic Spin max lure, they're great on Rainbow trout see link below.
https://www.marine-deals.co.nz/trout...SABEgKxavD_BwE

Easy access locations would be, the boat ramp at Rainbow point, bit of a drop off there and easy access all along the walk way. Also try Mission point caught a few there last time, take care to stay 200m away from any stream mouths as theses are fly fishing only areas.

Tokaanu Tailrace

https://www.sportinglife-turangi.co....angi/17-10-17/

Kiwi's don't rate catfish, but they're good eating from clean water. And trout here too

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Originally Posted by chainsaw

Spin fishing in the Tokaanu tail race might be the go

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Some decent fish in there and off the old Tokaanu wharf. Big Browns too.

Unfortunately the shitty weed has made it hard going for a while now.

I believe catfish can be caught off Motuoapa marina easily, easy access, no license needed.

I wondered about that, how can you selectively target catfish? Bait of some kind presumably, something trout won't eat?

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Originally Posted by mawzer308

Trout centre is well worth the look when it's open. You'll need a day licence to fish Taupo, which you can purchase online through DOC. Try using a black and gold Toby or a Black magic Spin max lure, they're great on Rainbow trout see link below.
https://www.marine-deals.co.nz/trout...SABEgKxavD_BwE

Easy access locations would be, the boat ramp at Rainbow point, bit of a drop off there and easy access all along the walk way. Also try Mission point caught a few there last time, take care to stay 200m away from any stream mouths as theses are fly fishing only areas.

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Is it not illegal to fish Taupo with a treble hook lure? Perhaps I misunderstand.

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Originally Posted by outlander

Is it not illegal to fish Taupo with a treble hook lure? Perhaps I misunderstand.

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Yes you're correct it is, we replace the trebles with singles.

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Originally Posted by MB

I wondered about that, how can you selectively target catfish? Bait of some kind presumably, something trout won't eat?

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A piece of bread works well for them and Rudd.

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Originally Posted by mawzer308

Yes you're correct it is, we replace the trebles with singles.

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Okay, thanks, I've just done mine.