Fishing with kids tips/tricks

[Shaggie]

How about some of you pros and shmos give up some of your knowledge for fishing with kids. Such as tips you've picked up along the way to make the whole experience a bit more fun so that kids can grow up in the sport and not get bored because they get skunked occasionally.

I'll go first, my brother taught me to use a smallish jig head 1/8oz or so with a live worm rather than a straight hook to prevent the fish from swallowing the hook. This has worked well on sunnys, perch, and bass.

What do you guys have to add? I'm looking for basics that may not be getting passed on to everyone.

 

[frogflogger]

I've fished with lots of kids over the years - small hooks and lures or baits of course - the most important (I feel) is to be somewhere they catch something no matter the species.

[Tracker22]

Throw on a beetle spin or rooster tail and watch the fun.

Loads of patience is required. If my kids go, I don't plan on fishing myself. Just spend time helping them.

[roadwarrior]

#1  Kids have to catch fish to have fun so go somewhere easy where you are sure to catch a few.

#2  Work with your children and DO NOT fish yourself. This will change down the road.

#3  Take along plenty of food, snacks and drinks.

#4 Fish as long as they want, but not a minute longer. When they are done, they're done. On the otherhand, they may just need a break so you do something else that's fun for awhile and come back.

#5 Tackle should be "easy".  Worms, minnows and crickets.

 

[the reel ess]

I bought my daughter a kayak and surprised her with it. She likes to go with me when it's warm. It's not her first choice, but if I inform her I'm going and give her the option of going paddling or hanging around the house with mom, she'll usually go. This usually buys me 2 hours of fishing time. If mom's going shopping, she's on that train. That buys me all day to fish. I might even go three places if they aren't biting well.

My daughter wants to paddle down a river with me but doesn't care for fishing. Last time we went together, she got close to me while I was casting a frog to some lilies. Then she started beating the floor of her kayak with her paddle. I said "What are you doing, trying to save the fish from me?" She said "No, there's a spider in my kayak."

[Florida Cracker2]

Always bring a minnow dip net. 

[Fishes in trees]

Be sure you want to do it.  Taking kids fishing - passing it on - that kind of stuff - all seemed perfectly OK in theory.   Then I did it a couple of times.   I found out that I am not mentally or emotionally suited for taking kids fishing.  Neither one of us will have a good time.  If I'm going to take a rookie adult fishing, that means I've lost a bet or something.

I've done a Fishing for Freedom event every fall for the last 5 years that involves taking a veteran out on Truman Lake for a day.   None of those guys have any fishing skills to speak of, but they are very interested in learning, which is why they signed up for the event.  Those have been positive experience, taking a rookie out fishing.

[Hog Basser]

I take mine and my friends' kids fishing when we go to the lake to swim and ski during the summer.  It's a great activity to keep the kids busy while mommies take a break.  No way to fish yourself, always too busy removing fish and re-baiting hooks.  I just use small bream hooks, weight and bobber and fish worms or crickets.  And once they're done, they're done.  We usually pull up at least 10-20 bluegill (all small) in a 30-60 minute period. Lot's of fun for them and work for you, but totally worth the memories and gets them ready to go after the bigguns in the future! 

Oh yeah, and I use those short dock rods so they don't whack each other the whole time.  

[NorcalBassin]

This has been an amazing experience for me with my daughters. I first started taking them out for short 2-3 hour trips when they were 4-5 years old basically acting as their guide teaching them how and where to cast and making sure their 4" worm or grub was always in working order. We'd always finish the mini-trip by beaching the boat for a little picnic and swim time.

Fast forward a few years and now they actually ask me when we can go out again and are pretty close to independent out there. If the bite is off and they look like they're starting to get a little bored I encourage them to go for a swim off the back of the boat on the lake side (so I can keep fishing), and they come back refreshed and ready for more. Making the investment in teaching them how to fish in a fun lighthearted way has been one of the most fulfilling things I've ever done. If you have the patience to make it about the kids you'll never regret it.

[the reel ess]

I've come to realize that not even most men like to fish as much as I do. I'll fish for hours for one bite. In fact, not getting a bite motivates me even more. I'm stupid like that.

[ww2farmer]

I have two daughters, that will be age 7 and 11 this coming season. I learned a few valuable lessons with the 11 year old over the years that has helped me make fishing more enjoyable for the 7 (as well as the 11) year old. 

#1............They have to catch fish. It don't matter if it's just dinky perch or bluegills. No fish = boredom real fast, and boredom = a short day for you

#2...........Your fishing is at the bottom of the list when the kids are out, put the bass rods away and just help them.

#3............When the first "daddy when are we going home is muttered" DO NOT keep fishing for hours on end.

#4...............Mix in something fun other than fishing. My boat is no good for tubing, or any thing, but a short ride around the lake, or anchoring in a shallow swimming area and letting them get in the water for a little bit breaks it up nice, and helps them have a good time.

#5................Secondary activities are a plus, if I ever want to sneak in a little fishing when they are out, and they are not asking to go home yet, it's usually because they have something else to do one the boat. 

[geo g]

4 hours ago, roadwarrior said:

#1  Kids have to catch fish to have fun so go somewhere easy where you are sure to catch a few.

#2  Work with your children and DO NOT fish yourself. This will change down the road.

#3  Take along plenty of food, snacks and drinks.

#4 Fish as long as they want, but not a minute longer. When they are done, they're done. On the otherhand, they may just need a break so you do something else that's fun for awhile and come back.

#5 Tackle should be "easy".  Worms, minnows and crickets.

 

Roadwarrior, hit the needle on the head.   If the kids are little, don't fish yourself.  Let the kids tell you when fishing is over for the day.  The key is to have fun.

[olegs]

I prefer to take my kids for perch fishing.

Usually, I find a school of perch and give my kids to catch them on 2 hooks drop shot rig with live minnow.

They can catch fish non stop, and I only help them with it.

 

 

[Jaderose]

All good stuff.....the number one rule I learned....that pretty much everybody else has said.....do NOT plan on fishing.  Put them on some bluegill and remember that it ain't about you.  

[tbone1993]

I do this all summer long and have learned from the best.   Teach the kids about the equipment before you get on the water. Make knowing what each component is some sort of a game. Also buy the same poles for each child is important, generic zebco 202 combos are cheap and normally the same color. Have the children underhand cast as it will eliminate hooks flying through the air. It's not a question of if you will get hooked it is when so make sure you mash the barbs down on the hook. The simplest rig to run is a bobber , split shot, snap swivel, and snelled aberdeen hook. We use spikes aka maggots because they always catch gills.  One of the best things to do is create a "magic" pole. Basically catch a gill and hand it to the child that hasn't caught one yet. Getting past the first catch relieves a lot of stress and they enjoy it more. Usually the child that gets the magic pole ends up catching the most fish when its all said and done. Sunglasses are a 100% necessity along with a throwable cushion just incase someone takes a spill.  If you're running into small gills hemostats are a must for removing hooks. If the kids are older set them up with a wacky rig and tell them to hang on.  

[Bankbeater]

3 hours ago, geo g said:

Roadwarrior, hit the needle on the head.   If the kids are little, don't fish yourself.  Let the kids tell you when fishing is over for the day.  The key is to have fun.

Bingo.  When I would take my kids fishing, they were in charge.

[Mike L]

What I did when they were little the first or 2nd time out was I gave them each a rod rigged a lot of the ways already memtioned. I moved away from them a little and threw whatever I thought I would catch something,  anything, the fastest. When I did I kept my mouth shut, walked over ever so casually to the youngest and handed her the rod.

In about 2 seconds her face lit up, she started screaming and jumping around....Did the same with the older one the next time. After that They were asking me to take them fishin...They still do 

 

Mike 

[J._Bricker]

I also believe Road Warrior listed the golden rules for introducing young children to fishing.  It doesn't hurt to bring a bucket so they can watch "their fish" while waiting for the next bite.  It's a recipe for a life long fishing partner.  My daughters are in their 20's and still ask to go fishing...

[N Florida Mike]

I can't add much to what's been said,except that I fish when I have taken my kids and g- kids out.There's a lot to be gained by this as long as you keep it about them.If they're having a hard time hooking fish you can sneakily hook one and ask them to " check your bait while you tie your boots or something.You can also have little mini- tournaments when they get bigger.My grandson nearly beat me in a bream tournament off the dock when he was 9.It was 29-28.Sorry,I'm still a little competitive. The other thing is to occasionally do a brand new type of fishing with them.That keeps them from being bored which is the main thing it seems like for kids.I'm going to post a pic of my G- daughter with her first fish caught while surf-fishing recently.She is actually pretty good at bass fishing for 10 years old.She can do everything including taking the fish off the hook and helping clean fish.

[lo n slo]

started taking my kids when they were around 5-6 years old. my son took to it, my daughter, not so much. by the time my son was around 8 he could fish a t rig on a Zebco, detect bites and set the hook. needed help with knots and stuff but we did alot of fishing in those days. good times. we got our grandkids lifetme NC hunting/fishing licenses for their first birthday for around $180. my grandson turns 5 soon. i'd give anything for him to fall in love with it....even his little sister too.

[N Florida Mike]

Yeah my two sons still fish.The older ones good at it but doesn't go much. My middle son would fish 24/7 if he could.( He often does because he does some commercial fishing in saltwater.)He's real good at bassin but he prefers saltwater.My dad got me started when I was 4.Now at least 4 generations of my family have fished a lot.I'm thankful for all the good memories with them.The pic is my older son with his fifth bass that day.

[Flippin4Biggins]

I have  three year old that we took with us when we're trying to kill time because he always saw me catch fish and wanted to fish so why not.  Put some floaters on him just incase and one we went. Got him a ice fishing pole bc it's more sensitive then a Micky mouse pole and a year later I will say this "he'll give some 5-8year olds a run for their money".  For those who think he's to young.  This was our decision as parents and it was a good one.  He's never caught anything other then small bass or bluegills and always at the same place but someday he'll wanna catch the big boys and I'll introduce frogging and punching to him.  I always fished off this dock and I can see when I get bit.  So I told him when you feel that... Set the hook and he's got it.

[phantom409]

My 3 main keys to fishing with kids are

1. Positive Attitude. If the adult can'take stay positive and upbeat the child will never learn those skills. 

2. This is probably the most important thing for a successful day. Keep Calm and fish on. Sometimes parents seem to forget the struggles we had when we first started fishing. No matter how many tangles snags broken lines or lost lures you must remain calm.

3. I personally do not buy the little Mickey Mouse rods. I don't want the child struggling while on the water with a rod that malfunctions or brakes. Instead buy some decent ultra light combos.

[Heron]

As others have stated...

# 1....FIRST and FOREMOST, go scout for a place with a lot of fishing action.  A place that seems overpopulated with fish, such that the fish are striking at least every other cast.   Why? because the same area that you fish may not be the ideal place to take the kids fishing.  Kids have short attention spans, and may get bored easily.

So how do we do this? Simple, take a pack of hot dogs, and go visit various lakes, ponds, etc. in your area.  Toss bits of hot dog in the water, to see which waters hold the most ravenous fish.   Then return to the place you have chosen, and use your kid's gear (rod, reel, lures) to fish the area, to familiarize yourself with those waters, and figure out what set up catches fish the best.

Then, on another visit, you bring the kids, and have them fish those waters exactly the same way you previously did, with the same setup that you established...and everybody will enjoy themselves.

Once you've accomplished #1....everything else will fall into place.

 

[Heron]

On ‎2‎/‎26‎/‎2016 at 7:47 PM, Flippin4Biggins said:

I have  three year old that we took with us when we're trying to kill time because he always saw me catch fish and wanted to fish so why not.  Put some floaters on him just incase and one we went. Got him a ice fishing pole bc it's more sensitive then a Micky mouse pole and a year later I will say this "he'll give some 5-8year olds a run for their money".  For those who think he's to young.  This was our decision as parents and it was a good one.  He's never caught anything other then small bass or bluegills and always at the same place but someday he'll wanna catch the big boys and I'll introduce frogging and punching to him.  I always fished off this dock and I can see when I get bit.  So I told him when you feel that... Set the hook and he's got it.

I started my kid off at 3yrs old too.