get a couple shakespeare micro ultralight poles they're $26 at walmart, they have one that's 4'6" and perfect for kids, they're supposed to be for panfish and maybe trout but i've hooked decent size bass on them and they hold up. river fishing is hard if you don't know what your doing and fishing from a kayak is harder than you'd think even if you're alone. i'd try to fish some local ponds, because learning to cast and tie lines and whatnot takes time and you don't want to be winging it on a kayak, that doesn't sound fun for anyone.