I've had some experience teaching kayak fishing to people that had never fished before.  Yes, Senkos do get bit, but you want to use them wacky rigged with an exposed hook.  That can hang up pretty easy.  I also encountered lots of deeply hooked fish.  Circle hooks did not solve the issue, as hookups were few.  I like to use a moving bait, like spinnerbait or shallow crankbait.  Something they don't need to detect the bite and set the hook.  Once they are used to that, then we graduate to feel baits, and learn to feel the bite and make a proper hookset.  For equipment, it really depends on the person. For some, they'll never get used to a spinning reel, and a quality spincaster is the right way to go. I recommend Daiwa Goldcast reels, spooled with 6# CXX.  Any medium/fast rod will do.

I was always taught to take them bluegill or crappie fishing to get them excited about catching fish and to be a guide. don't bring your pole and give all attention to them until they start asking to go. now I learned something new bring plenty of snacks and drinks ( thx road warrior).  my wife hates fishing which is ok with me cause one of the reasons I go is to get away from her roflmao. but those techniques worked in the past with girlfriends and kids.

This is what I did for my wife (girlfriend at the time). I took her to a pay lake like place. I let her catch fish. That was my goal. I did not want to take her some place else and her lose interest. I'll never forget the look on her face when she reel in her first fish. It was a good size trout. I've never had to take her to a pay lake again. I feel it is very important that they catch something the first time out. 

My girl was always picking on me for my obsession with fishing.....So I took her with me and put her on some hot spots and sure enough after she snagged her first one she is out with me everyday rain or shine. We have made a little competition of it and she is not to be taken lightly either.

I started my then girlfriend now wife out on bluegills. It's better for them to be catching fish or they'll lose interest quickly and never want to go again.

 

X2

 

 

The first time I took my wife fishing she caught a largemouth bass in a lake full of striped bass.  It weighed a hair over 8 lbs.  This was the first bass she ever caught in her life. 

 

I immediately got down on one knee and proposed on the spot. 

 

 

 

 

(Ok maybe I waited to propose just a little bit...)