I have taken my sons (6&9) out several times now...they have learned to cast and fish with a small rod& reel and love it. We have taken 50-60 1/2 #ish lmb out so far and dozens of blue gill. The largest LMB we have caught so far was only 12-13oz, and I threw that one back.

Tonight we took the canoe out for the first time. Only caught 3 small bass. Then I got a huge hit and the canoe started getting dragged. When I got him up to where I could see him...and he could see the boat...he snapped the line in a flash. Very nice LMB. I'm not a good judge of weight under such circumstances but that's one of the largest I've ever seen, possibly 6# or more.

Very excited to know there are still some good ones in there. Now I need to get a better line setup. Hope the hook/line don't hurt him.