Fishing & Kids II

Recently, we covered safety issues with kids and fishing. Now,  let’s talk about the “how” of fishing with kids.

Getting a Life-Long Fishing Buddy

Remember that the goal is to get a life-long fishing buddy! Making sure the first few trips are “all about them” will ensure their continued participation.

You will need to show patience  while you are untangling lines and baiting hooks.  If it is hard for you to split your time between your fishing and theirs, this may be the time to leave your rod at home.

Limit fishing time; kids are not going to enjoy fishing for a whole weekend (at first).

It’s All About Kids and Fun

Choose a place that is easy to get to, safe and offers other diversions. A fishing spot near a park is ideal; if the fish aren’t biting – kids will enjoy a swing ride or two — and then return when the fish get hungry.

Choose a place with plenty of action. Kids would prefer to catch lots of little fish versus a couple of large ones. If possible, use live bait. Children find this much more fun than lures, spoons, etc.

What if the kids decide to toss stones or chase around? Remember that this is their outing and take it in stride. The idea is that fishing is fun!

Fishing Can Be Fun for All Ages!

Hooking Your Kids

Use simple tackle: a hook, split  shot, night-crawler and bobber.

Alternately, use an old rig (in working order) from the back of the garage. You will feel better about losing this rather than watching your child accidentally drop your new graphite rod  in the water.

Another choice is to buy a “kid’s sized” tackle set. It’s the right size and fairly inexpensive.

Teaching Conservation

Teach conservation: Show the fish’s eyes, explain how they see. Let them feel the layer of “slime” (that protects them from bacteria).

Teach them only to catch what they can eat. Also, teach  ’catch and release.’ Explain that releasing this fish today will allow the fish to reproduce many more for the future.

Being Prepared

Besides tackle and bait, be sure to bring some snacks, drinks, sunscreen, insect repellent and some basic items of  first aid.

Even with you hooking their bait and helping them cast, kids will make mistakes. Leave your temper at home! Calmly explain why it is wrong and how to do it correctly.

Lavish praise and take photos!

Fishing and Kids

If we want to keep part of America in its natural state, we need to teach the next generation about the value of nature and wilderness.

Kids Learning to Value Nature by Fishing!

One of the easiest ways to do this is to take kids hunting and fishing.  The beauty of taking kids fishing is that you can start this at a fairly young age.

Taking Kids Fishing

There is something very satisfying about seeing a child’s face light up when they catch their first fish — even if it turns out to be in the minnow class!

A successful fishing trip is actually a juggling act! The trick is to teach youngsters the safety they need to know while engaging them in the fun of fishing.  This isn’t nearly as easy as it sounds!

The Safety They Need to Know

First, decide what young anglers need to know. Most kids look at the waters of a lake or stream as “wet land.” They think they know a lot more than they do. Kids want to get started; adults know that certain cautions should be observed.

My father killed the joy of fishing by lining the 5 of us kids up on a pier and droning on for more than an hour about the dangers of fishing.  It was a long time before any of us wanted to go fishing again!

The next time we went, with an uncle, it was a wonderful experience!  He told us the cautions while having fun fishing.

Some Fishing Safety Tips

Decide beforehand if flotation vests are required — and by whom.  Then stick with that decision!  Kids will try to whine their way out of wearing vests.

After teaching kids how to bait their hook and cast, talk about the effects of weather and winds on fishing. Anglers usually have one eye on their lines and the other on the weather.

They need to understand the dangers of lightning and how their rods can conduct electricity to their bodies! Explain when you decide to stop fishing — is it at the beginning of a rainstorm or when the thunder starts to rumble?

If there are power lines around, explain how to avoid danger if they use long rods or fancy fly-fishing casting.

Finally

When I go fishing with kids, I learn as much as I teach!  It’s a great way to communicate with kids on a different level.

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