Kids & Bait.....

[Bass Slayer 72]

Thought I’d share this with the class….. I took my 3 yr old out fishing the other day, he watches his big brothers go enough and he is at the age where if he see’s us getting ready to go, or if we get out the tackle boxes to tweak lures or clean/organize he wants to get right into the mix. He has his own pole, tackle box (mostly soft plastic bait and bobbers)…. Anyway, I decided to take him out just the two of us, I stop off at the bait store after dinner and grab worms, minnows, and crickets. I figured that I don’t take him enough to go out and get skunked, I wanted him to catch a lot of fish and enjoy the experience. I was quickly reminded why I don’t take him more often, as he proceeds to cast and reel repeatedly, managing to hook everything from the anchor line, boat carpet, fish basket, and myself (several times) I spent so much time with his pole that I never really got to cast my own except a few times. He wanted to see if some of my tackle would attract fish, so he threw over some lures, and at one point he was throwing worms over to feed the fish…. By an hour or so I was ready to go, he did manage to catch a few really nice Blue gill’s, and Sunfish, and Perch. As I was putting everything away and trying to get some of the mess picked up before starting up the engine, he knocks over the cricket bucket, freeing whatever was left over from the 2 dozen we started with… Now I go out to the outbuilding to put some items in the boat for this weekend and it’s still chirping like crazy they have crawled up under the bow and stern…. I know it’s funny, but next time I just might take him out in the aluminum V bottom instead….

[clayton86]

Cool story, My oldest is 3 iv been taking him for 2 seasons now first couple started off just how your day went. Iv adapted to taking him and leaving my gear at home though now he pretty much does everything but the hook business on his own I wont let him unhook or bait the hook for fear of the reaming I would get from mom lol. I switched from live bait to using the gulp alive worms or spikes much more kid friendly if you will and it lasts much longer. I love fishing with my son and by next season my youngest will be fishing to hes 1 now next season he will be 2 same age Noah was when he started and same age I started.

[hooah212002]

I had the same "problem" with my 5 year old. I barley get to fish because he constantly reels in his worm and bobber. However, it is far more gratifying to see his face when he catches a fish than even for me to catch a world record. I try to find places for him to cast where he is less likely to get hung up. He is pretty darn accurate so after just a few times taking him he hardly get hung up anymore. Plus, I've got him practicing in the yard to increase his accuracy and better his technique. Even better is when my dad goes so we can switch off on helping him.

Keep reminding yourself that he will remember fishing with dad for the rest of his life.

[Big-O]

LOL, Just keep taking him regardless of the simple challenges that arise after all they become fun and fond memories for you both GREAT PHOTO'S Too!

[islandbass]

Nice story. But when you take them at that age, you should not expect to fish, lol. I chose not to when my kids were older and so that I could give them 100% of my attention. I also bring plenty of snacks and drinks.

Untangling line, freeing snags, yada yada, it's all good when you take kid(s) fishing.

[MCS]

Nice story. But when you take them at that age, you should not expect to fish, lol. I chose not to when my kids were older and so that I could give them 100% of my attention. I also bring plenty of snacks and drinks.

Untangling line, freeing snags, yada yada, it's all good when you take kid(s) fishing.

Yeah I learned that quickly, it is all about them. The minute I put the rod down and focus on them the more fun all of us had. I keep the bait simple too berkley nibbles, they like them cuz they can bait their own hook I like them because you get a lot for 3 or 4 bucks and it doesn't die, or worms. I also don't mind if they quit after 10 or 15 mintues because they are bord, instead of forcing a long drawn out trip. Last time though with my my 5 and 2.5 yr old it lasted 45 mintues. Now I will take my 5 yr old for bass and take my rod, if he get bord he usually finds something to intrest him catching bugs or frogs and still enjoys when I catch a fish to take a pic or to release the fish.

[islandbass]

Yup, I learned the same lesson. It seemed every time I had them ready to go and I had barely picked up my rod, it was like, "Dad, it's stuck, or it's all tangled, need a new worm,"

The other thing I realized was needing to keep an eye on them in case they fall in as it only takes a split second.

The snacks work wonders but it only goes so far. My daughter was no fish in 10 minutes? It's time to do something else. My son had a longer attn span, closer to an hour. They are now a far cry from the 3-4 range now. Almost miss those days.

[slonezp]

Sounds like you got the next Mike Iconelli on your hands. LOL

I probably would have never tried fishing if it weren't for my dad, grandpa, and aunt. It's a tradition that is passed down from generation to generation. Kudos to you for keeping the ball rolling and keeping the Bait Monkey employed.

My son ocassionally acts like Ike on the water when he's frustrated. He got that from his mother.

[Bluebasser86]

Nice story. But when you take them at that age, you should not expect to fish, lol. I chose not to when my kids were older and so that I could give them 100% of my attention. I also bring plenty of snacks and drinks.

Untangling line, freeing snags, yada yada, it's all good when you take kid(s) fishing.

Couldn't have said it better.

[Indianapolis]

I fish all the time with my son, who is now 5, but we've been at it a few seasons. My secret at first was shoreline fishing (we still do mostly shoreline). Then when they get bored they wander around for 10 minutes, throw some rocks, mess with a stick, hike a bit, whatever -- then he'd come back and fish some more, then wander off again. It was as much about hiking around a lake and messing around as fishing, and it kept it fun for both of us. The boat was constraining for him, and he'd get bored, so he'd start doing crazy stuff (like throwing lures overboard! ha).

Good luck! I'm right there with you, untangling some epic knots.

[MarkH024]

Awesome story. I have 4 month old identical twin boys and I can't wait to get them going. I know I say that now and probably will hate myself for it later but its only a phase as I see it. I've had a taste of it with my nephews who now at 6 and 7 do ok without too much of a mess.

[Surveyor]

Took my grandson out this am.

This is what its all about.