My brother inlaw is flying in for Thanksgiving from Costa rica. He's never gone fishing. Ever. I just don't want his first time to be frustrating. All I really own are bait casters aside from an Ultra light rig. I learned how to fish with minnows and cork maybe that would be best? In regrads to difficulty aND still gEtting bit. I just want him to have fun and hopefully catch fish

Forget about you lending him your gear, you go out and purchase him a nice ( I said nice, I din´t say expensive ) spinning setup, simple lures ( like in-line spinners ) and worry about him catching a bunch of fish, it doesn´t matter if it´s 8 inchers, just make shure he catches a lot, never forget you are taking HIM TO HAVE FUN, it´s pretty much like taking a kid fishing.

I agree.  Pick up a spinning combo that can handle the lures you want him to through.  I would look for a M or MH and have him start out with spinner baits and maybe wacky worms.   

give him a 2 or 3 inch curly tail grub, anything he does with it wont be wrong and you'll catch just about everything on it.

One of my cousins visited me from Canada and he never fish in his entire life. Out of nowhere, he wants to go fishing with me during his five days business trips.  I bought him a two piece spinning rod along with a reel, and my hope is that he will take the fishing rod back to Canada. It will be a bit difficult if your brother-in-law wants to keep a one piece rod and he is flying back to Costa Rica.

 

Basspro sells a nice travel set that you might want to consider and he can use your lures & terminal tackles. He can decide what lures he likes and doesn’t like, then can start hanging out with the bait monkey. 

Another viable option is to buy a beefed up zebco 33 and put it on a 7 foot mh rod that I no longer use. I think it may be an easier transition to learn how to cast

Can't argue with a spinner or 2" or 3"curly tail grub on a jighead, thrown on an inexpensive spincast.

Consider bringing along some Nightcrawlers so he will definitely catch something.

12 pack of IPA so you both catch a buzz

Raul's advice?  Spot on.

I agree with the spinning rod/reel combo, use 8 lb mono like Trilene XL. My suggestion is a split shot, slip shot or drop shot rigs, 1/8 oz with size 1 drop shot hook, nose hook Roboworm MM II or oxblood red flake 5 1/2" curl tail worms. Your guest will be able to cast and drag the rig along the bottom. Show how to rig and let him do it!

Enjoy your on the water.

Tom

Clh

I don't know how long you and your wife have been together but this fishing trip may not be about catching fish but about getting to know the man that his sister is married to. With that said if it all about fishing take Sam's advice bring nightcrawls you can't go wrong with that.

Oh yeah my said pick up some Strike King Bitsy crank baits they catch fish

12 pack of IPA so you both catch a buzz

Best answer. 

I agree with both Sam and Bigfruits. I'd teach him about bass lures and have him start there. But live bait and beer isn't a bad backup plan.

All great answers. I don't drink at all anymore. But don't mind others having a few responsibly. reb67 said it best. Catching fish should come second to bonding with my brother in law... but I still plan on getting bit!

My wife has never really fished so I just give her a fat albert on a jig head and it works the best.  She could really care less about catching fish, but likes to be on the water on a nice day.  I've been known to let her reel in a fish also.  For some a good experience may not mean catching any fish.  Make sure you pick a day with good weather, high winds, hot day, or rainy may make for a less than enjoyable day.  Maybe show him how to drive the boat and let him do it.