Don't Forget To Take A Kid Out This Year

[Smokinal]

I know we are all anxious to get out this year but don't forget the kids. About 9-10 years ago, I started a pact with myself that I would take a different kid out in my boat once a year. I called my local Big Brothers/Big Sisters and asked them how I could help. That first year I got to take out a girl about 11 yrs old and her "Big Sister"; they had a blast and were very thankful. Since then I've taken out a few neighbor's kids, some more mentors and their kids from BB/BS, the son of a friend of mine who died in an airplane accident etc...

So try to give up just 1 day per year and get someone new in your boat. The smiles on their faces will be all the thanks you need.

 

[papajoe222]

My wife and I have been running an unofficial 'day care' for fourteen years basically babysitting one or two of my daughters' friends children. This gave me the opportunity to introduce those kids to fishing, first from shore and when their casting became consistent, in the boat with me. Those kids,of course, told their friends an cousins how much fun the have and it took off from there.

We don't baby sit anymore, but I still take those 'kids' out a couple of times a year.

[Djman72]

This is a great idea. I'll be taking my nephew out as much as possible now that he's just about old enough to handle fishing safely. I don't have a boat, but he's fine with plucking 50 bluegill's out of the water.

 

I'll be sure to think of other people I could take out fishing from my network.

 

-Dan

[Smokinal]

One thing I forgot to mention is how important it is to keep intruducing kids to the outdoors. With so many issues coming up about regulations, access to waters etc... it's extrememly important to keep our kids liking and involved in the outdoors so they can continue having a voice in these issues.

While you are out you can teach them about wildlife you see, keeping our waters clean from trash and polution, keeping our ramps, launch areas and shorelines clean from trash etc...

The future of our sport depends on it folks.

[Master Bait'r]

This will be the first full summer I will get to spend with my stepson.  He will turn 9 this July and he LOVES fishing.  I taught him a lot last year about how to rig and fish different ways and he has been right there with me all winter talking about fishing gear and getting stoked.  He can't wait to go to the big lakes this year.  I actually just picked him up another heavier spinning setup so he can throw small 1/4oz frogs and little swimbaits etc. to compliment his lighter spinning combo.  Little dude is stoked and I'm stoked that he's stoked.  

 

 

I already told him he can bring a friend when we go on the big boat, and it's funny how fast he excluded like half of them because "They can't be quiet enough" lol...  The kid gets it.       

[HardcoreBassin]

I've always had an "open door" policy with my boat.  I love bringing people out, young or older.  My nephews have been asking me and my dad to bring them out this year as soon as the ice melts.

 

Great ideas/points you made Smokinal.

[Nebasska]

^{Yes!!! Take kids fishing I learned the hard way to never take my addiction too serious you cant take a kid and teach them the skillz its slows you down and really is good}

^{luck to have a beginner with you!}

[a1712]

There isn't a kid with interest, that I know, who hasn't been on my boat. I got 2 trips planned to take 2 friends grandsons on, as soon as the school year ends. Brian.

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

This will be the first full summer I will get to spend with my stepson.  He will turn 9 this July and he LOVES fishing.  I taught him a lot last year about how to rig and fish different ways and he has been right there with me all winter talking about fishing gear and getting stoked.  He can't wait to go to the big lakes this year.  I actually just picked him up another heavier spinning setup so he can throw small 1/4oz frogs and little swimbaits etc. to compliment his lighter spinning combo.  Little dude is stoked and I'm stoked that he's stoked.  

 

 

I already told him he can bring a friend when we go on the big boat, and it's funny how fast he excluded like half of them because "They can't be quiet enough" lol...  The kid gets it.       

Props for being an involved and nurturing step-parent, an often thankless and under-appreciated role. It's never a bad thing for a kid to have an extra adult that cares about them in their life. 

[Senko lover]

Coming from the perspective of one of those kids, I heartily "approve" this statement.

[Master Bait'r]

Props for being an involved and nurturing step-parent, an often thankless and under-appreciated role. It's never a bad thing for a kid to have an extra adult that cares about them in their life. 

 

 

Honestly, thank you very much.  That means a lot and it can definitely feel thankless at times.  It isn't easy but we work really hard to give the kids the best in everything we can from schools to skiing.  I feel it's very important to give them strong backgrounds in outdoor recreation- they need those physical & mental outlets as well as bonds that you can share as their love for it develops.  Their dad is a good enough guy I guess but doesn't do much with them so I feel it is doubly my duty to get them out there and show him how to live right and love being outdoors.  They appreciate the heck out of it too whether you're taking them on a bike ride, a fishing trip, going camping or just teaching them how to spool a spinning reel in the right direction.  It's not always easy and we don't get any child support etc. but we always find a way.  To me, those sorts of things are absolute necessities and you HAVE to keep kids engaged in positive and constructive ways.       

 

The only thing better than landing lunkers yourself is teaching a kid how and watching them do it.   

[Catt]

Got 12 grandkids!

Aint no forgetting!

No really I've work with kids from 4-60

[Cgrinder]

I go fishing with a younger guy that I met on this forum, which is good.

 

Then again, I convince him that he needs Megabass stuff, which is bad. 

[jiggerpole]

 

Every year I sponsor an annual kids fishing day for my Church. Last year I had to work unexpected and they still had it without my presence thanks to plenty of help from the dads and moms. Simmons Sporting Goods has always donated to the cause and brought a few smiles to the kids.

 

Also another event that is always worth while is Cast For Kids.

 

  

[Bluebasser86]

I was a "Big" for a year and almost every week my "Little" Ernest and I would go fishing together. He was a very bright kid, probably smarter than I was/am and really loved getting to be in the outdoors, something he didn't get to do much living in the inner city. It was a great experience and I was even the volunteer of the year for the area that year. Taking kids fishing is one of the most rewarding things you can do that relate to the sport IMO. 

[Jacob Krahenbil]

If you don't have a boat I still encourage you to take your kids fishing. My dad isn't a big fisherman or anything. He took me and my brothers brim fishing atime a friend's pond every Sunday when we were little. They are the best memories I have. That introduced me to fishing and now it's my passion. Please please take your kids fishing I'm 18 now and I can tell you it means alot. The best gift you can give your kids, you can't buy with money. It's spending time with them.

[ColdSVT]

Ill have my daughter out again this year for sure...she did well last season

she will be five in a few months and is already hounding me about fishing this year...stupid ice is killin me lol