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Posted

How small of kids are you talking? I started my kids fishing local ponds for bluegills. As they progressed they learned to fish a senko, topwater, and frog. Visual strikes for obvious reasons can get kids hooked. My usual fishing partner has an 11 year old that can tear them up on a jerkbait!!!

Posted

I have 5 and 9 year old boys. I started them each when they were about 3 years old and that was likely a year or two  to early.

Here are the 2 things that helped make our trips a lot more enjoyable. (They sucked really bad prior to this)

1. Do not buy those stupid Mickey Mouse type poles. If you already did, throw them away. They suck and will cause so much trouble for the kids and for you.

2. Do not use monofilament. Spend a little extra money and buy some 15# braided line. This will all but eliminate all of the the loops and knots the kids get in their lines. This was a game changer for us. The line is a little more expensive but it lasts a long time because you aren't constantly cutting knots out of the line.

On a side note: I MAKE my kids wear good sunglasses. I want to protect their eyes from the sun but I also want them to protect their eyes from themselves and each other. Your kid could be ruined for life if they get a hook square in the eyeball. The cost of sunglasses won't be anything compared to the cost of the medical bills. And don't get them crappy ones. They can end up doing more damage.

My kids have good polarized glasses but they can only wear them when we go fishing and any other time they are in their cases in my truck.

My 9 year old is getting pretty proficient with many different baits but the lipless crankbait is probably his favorite. While the 5 year old is the king of the Beetle Spin. I ordered them a whole case of them.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  • Like 1
Posted
7 minutes ago, JT Bagwell said:

I have 5 and 9 year old boys. I started them each when they were about 3 years old and that was likely a year or two  to early.

Here are the 2 things that helped make our trips a lot more enjoyable. (They sucked really bad prior to this)

1. Do not buy those stupid Mickey Mouse type poles. If you already did, throw them away. They suck and will cause so much trouble for the kids and for you.

2. Do not use monofilament. Spend a little extra money and buy some 15# braided line. This will all but eliminate all of the the loops and knots the kids get in their lines. This was a game changer for us. The line is a little more expensive but it lasts a long time because you aren't constantly cutting knots out of the line.

On a side note: I MAKE my kids wear good sunglasses. I want to protect their eyes from the sun but I also want them to protect their eyes from themselves and each other. Your kid could be ruined for life if they get a hook square in the eyeball. The cost of sunglasses won't be anything compared to the cost of the medical bills. And don't get them crappy ones. They can end up doing more damage.

My kids have good polarized glasses but they can only wear them when we go fishing and any other time they are in their cases in my truck.

My 9 year old is getting pretty proficient with many different baits but the lipless crankbait is probably his favorite. While the 5 year old is the king of the Beetle Spin. I ordered them a whole case of them.

What he said.

 

7 minutes ago, JT Bagwell said:

 

 

  • Like 1
Posted

I would say for kids a senko or fluke would be the way to go. Keeps the kids constantly reeling and casting and other then live bait in my opinion is one of the easiest ways to catch bass.

Posted

I'm working with my almost 5 year old daughter and it's been a struggle. She's got the casting technique of a spincast down but very little patience. I plan on picking up a short spin combo to broaden the bait choice. We'll see how that goes, lol

 I always enjoy taking her to the park even if we don't catch anything and she likes it too. 

Posted

I'll be the odd one out and NOT recommend a Senko.  In working with 3-5 year olds, I am always reminded that their attention span lasts for about 45 seconds.  So I avoid anything that causes them to stand there, and wait, for any amount of time.

I favor teaching the child a basic cast and retrieve approach.  Because It keeps them more engaged.  If theyre not catching fish, at least they are still physically doing something, and not waiting for anything.  Keeping the child engaged, is critical to having a positive fishing experience, and a learning experience.  And that is the goal.

At 3 yrs old I started my boy off by casting a practice plug off of the patio, and turned into a game.   Then took him to the pond with a 2inch curly tail grub.   Cast, and retrieve.  Taught him a thing or two about the right speed to retrieve at.   Not too fast, not too slow.  He learned how to retrieve it just right.  And then pulled 10 small bass in about 45 minutes.   Then the mosquitos were getting too thick so we walked home.

This is how it has been for the previous 3 years. 

 

Posted
19 hours ago, JT Bagwell said:

I have 5 and 9 year old boys. I started them each when they were about 3 years old and that was likely a year or two  to early.

Here are the 2 things that helped make our trips a lot more enjoyable. (They sucked really bad prior to this)

1. Do not buy those stupid Mickey Mouse type poles. If you already did, throw them away. They suck and will cause so much trouble for the kids and for you.

2. Do not use monofilament. Spend a little extra money and buy some 15# braided line. This will all but eliminate all of the the loops and knots the kids get in their lines. This was a game changer for us. The line is a little more expensive but it lasts a long time because you aren't constantly cutting knots out of the line.

On a side note: I MAKE my kids wear good sunglasses. I want to protect their eyes from the sun but I also want them to protect their eyes from themselves and each other. Your kid could be ruined for life if they get a hook square in the eyeball. The cost of sunglasses won't be anything compared to the cost of the medical bills. And don't get them crappy ones. They can end up doing more damage.

My kids have good polarized glasses but they can only wear them when we go fishing and any other time they are in their cases in my truck.

My 9 year old is getting pretty proficient with many different baits but the lipless crankbait is probably his favorite. While the 5 year old is the king of the Beetle Spin. I ordered them a whole case of them.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Im gonna go ahead and disagree with some of this...

1.)  The Mickey Mouse type poles are fine.  Yes they suck for us adults, but they are not made for us, or for our kind of fishing.   For child who is 3-5 years old, I preferred that pole because it was an ideal size for a child of that age to easily handle and manipulate.  They are made for little kid-fishing, and they function in that area just fine. But I wouldn't recommend it for kids any older than 5.  In total, my little boy has caught 34 small bass with his little pole, and it has never failed him.  So Im ok with that.  He is going to be 6 soon, so its time to upgrade.

2.) No Mono?  Mono works just fine.  Never had any problems with it, and never had any of the loops and knots that you described.  Certainly never once had to cut any line out because of it.  Cant relate to why this was such a game changer for you.

3.) Eye protection is always a good thing.  But, when a child only fishes for about an hour, and the size of the fish are such that they hook themselves without the need for actually setting the hook, then Id say that reduces the need for expensive sunglasses.  

How do the "crappy ones" cause more damage?

  • Super User
Posted

 when i take my kids fishing i dont fish  its all about them saltwater i do fish though i have about 5 setups for croaker and its a waiting game ..

Posted

I usually take them out crappie fishing first because they are usually easier to catch quite a few with very little skill involved. Then work then up to bass fishing. Now my two oldest sons 10 and 12 can fully operate the boat and are great bad fisherman. My five year old on the other hand... I bring two minnow buckets full of water. He moves them from one bucket to the other and then back again and loves it lol.

  • Like 1
  • Super User
Posted

1. Use live bait.

2. Use corn kernels out of the can or small white bread dough balls on small gold hooks to catch bream and bluegill. Kids don't care what kind of fish they catch, only that they catch something.

3. Remember that kids have a short attention spans before they get bored so make sure they get a bite on every cast.

4. Don't force the kids to touch the fish. If it is their first adventure fishing they need to see the fish, and then work up their confidence to touch it. Have them throw it back but be careful that they do not get stung by any scales or fins.

5. Celebrate every fish caught and keep count. Try to keep the count balanced. The kids will be keeping count especially if there are more than one and the kids are 5 and older.

6. Introduce the boat and tackle to the kids before you start to fish. Make sure they wear their PFDs on the bank, dock and in the boat. Also have sunglasses, caps, sunscreen and hand wipes for each child, plus water and snacks.

7. Make the trip as much fun as you can, even though you are going crazy not fishing and working with the kids. It is difficult to not fish but it is more rewarding to show a kid how to fish and the excitement that goes along with catching something.

8. Show them nature. Birds, bugs, snakes, fish, trees, flowers, dead bodies (if fishing the Historic James River in Richmond), piers, docks, other boats, people, etc. Give them an appreciation of nature.

Post pics of your adventure.

Have fun.

  • Like 1
Posted
On ‎3‎/‎16‎/‎2016 at 5:44 PM, Heron said:

Im gonna go ahead and disagree with some of this...

1.)  The Mickey Mouse type poles are fine.  Yes they suck for us adults, but they are not made for us, or for our kind of fishing.   For child who is 3-5 years old, I preferred that pole because it was an ideal size for a child of that age to easily handle and manipulate.  They are made for little kid-fishing, and they function in that area just fine. But I wouldn't recommend it for kids any older than 5.  In total, my little boy has caught 34 small bass with his little pole, and it has never failed him.  So Im ok with that.  He is going to be 6 soon, so its time to upgrade.

2.) No Mono?  Mono works just fine.  Never had any problems with it, and never had any of the loops and knots that you described.  Certainly never once had to cut any line out because of it.  Cant relate to why this was such a game changer for you.

3.) Eye protection is always a good thing.  But, when a child only fishes for about an hour, and the size of the fish are such that they hook themselves without the need for actually setting the hook, then Id say that reduces the need for expensive sunglasses.  

How do the "crappy ones" cause more damage?

Well I guess you are doing everything right, so I will only address your question about the sunglasses.

Using cheap sunglasses is a two fold issue. #1 - Most do not have good UV protection. So the dark lenses cause the pupil to dilate (open up) which will allow more of the sun's harmful rays in because there is no UV protection to keep the rays out.  #2 The lenses are not impact rated so if by chance they do get hit in the lenses, it is much more likely that the lenses can shatter allowing the flying object (i.e. sinker, hook or whatever) into the eye along with the shattered lens material. You are probably fine since your kid only fishes for an hour. My kids fish for several hours at a time and they often catch decent sized fish.

  • Like 1
Posted

Although it is unlikely that a kid is going to break a cheap pair of sunglasses from swinging on a fish and missing, when they are first starting out they will often cast backwards or sideways.  I have had my eyes saved three times by my impact resistant sunglasses from kids casting.

Posted
7 minutes ago, Centralinfinnesse said:

Although it is unlikely that a kid is going to break a cheap pair of sunglasses from swinging on a fish and missing, when they are first starting out they will often cast backwards or sideways.  I have had my eyes saved three times by my impact resistant sunglasses from kids casting.

Exactly!  And as I stated, I have 2 off them casting at the same time. It is not uncommon that a 1/2 ounce lipless crankbait or a 1/4 ounce Texas rig goes flying by uncomfortably close. Usually that results in a short recess for a reminder on how bad it will hurt if someone gets hooked.

  • Like 1
Posted

Ive worked for a fishing camp for 4 summers now so I know a thing or two about taking kids out and most of the key points have been covered in this thread. first and most important make sure they catch a fish. Doesn't matter how big or what species just a fish. Second is to let them stop when they want to. For me there is not an option of going home mid day so we find other ways to make time go by like bring a net so they can catch frogs and crayfish and such. This kills some time and they have a blast. Next is I recommend going to a small stream and wading it with them. They love to go swimming every once in a while to take a break. If you do this you have to engrave in their brain not to let the reel go under water. we have lost countless reels and broken rods due to kids letting them get submerged. Make sure you take a second before actually fishing to go over the basics of handling a rod and casting with them. Fishing with kids can be extremely frustrating at times but also very rewarding.

 

Posted

I started with all 3 of my daughters the same way

1) pick a day after several days of the same weather, then take them one at a time, (about 3 years old) crappie or bluegill fishing with a bobber and worms. ,....allbeit  from boat or shore

2) you are there for them, dont plan on fishing at all. dont even bring a rod for you

3) explain on the way to the lake whats to be expected from them, ie: watching the bobber, setting the hook etc.

4) make sure they have a hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, bug spray, bathing suit on, food and drinks. and  a camera for that firrst fish is a must

5) if they get the boredom thing fired up,.stop fishing and let them swim,or eat, or explore, catch crayfish,, a diversion if u will.

6) be diligent about teaching them everything they need to know, like: dont reel when the drags pulling to avoid line twist, distance from rod tip hook needs to be before casting, how to load the rod for casting, how to point the rod at the spot they want to cast to and cast with the rod ending up pointing at it again or,.... "right at it" etc. ,...you're interaction here is paramount

7) and probably the most important, point out the beauty of nature, like: the huge blue heron near the shore, the turtles sunning on the laydown, a eagle flying high, the otters and other animals on shore,.. the views from the boat lookin down the lake, sunrise or sunset, dragonflies on the lilys .  the crayfish pincers sticking out of the fishes throat etc. meaning , give them something visual to  add to the experience

 reason being,.. these will be the days they will forever remember,.. make it as notable as you can, if the fish dont co-operate?  head home, come back another day

the idea is to get them "bit",...once they finally catch one they will want another

then as they got older my girlfriend and i took the kids camping for a week on a notable lake in maine, and this time i took them out together gave them all a spinning rod with a special jerkbait i use there for smallies,..now they all want to go smallie fishing.

I beleive that the agressive smallies really "bites" the kids into wanting that thrill again, the jumping and fight they put up on light line, their beautiful coloring in clear water really amazed the girls as well,.... almost as much as that red  eye

 to my amazement all three of my teenaged girls werent fighting (as drama laden teen girls normally do), they were actually interacting with each other, helping each other,  acting polite, thoughtful, and respectful,....... we all had the best day on the water we ever had.and i couldnt have been prouder of them all

Seeing as im seperated from their mom and only see them every other weekend, it brought a tear to my eye to see them interact in a peaceful manner. 

Only downfall? now they all want their own rods and lures,...lol

Posted

Ive got three young sons, so the older two fish with me more and more as they get older

The oldest being 9.

 

What I did to make it interesting when they first started was rig up a spinning rod with braid, with a water caster bobber, and then 2-3 ft of flouro leader and a little trout fly.

The braid makes it so its hard to get knots, and the fly catches bluegill all day. It also teaches them to cast, reel in, and to WATCH the line/bait.

My oldest wanted to switch to a wacky senco rig within a few days...

  • Like 1
Posted

Im usually the one getting skunked. :D I put small baits on there rods and turn them onto the small fish first every time out.    Often times resulting in the only fish caught that day or the largest by accident. 

I also never leave home for a ride threw the country with out carrying there rods. So there always getting the chance to fish one on one with me not having a rod to draw my attention away from them. 

 

Posted

I agree with all who said to forget about fishing for yourself and focus on the child.

And yes, they need to catch fish and don't care if it's a bass or a bluegill.

It's all about the kid catching fish

Posted

Trolling jigs is a pretty easy way to get a kid into fishing and there's little to no casting involved. If you're on a bed of crappie it can get a kid hooked due to the large numbers they can catch. 

Posted

I started my little man fishing when he was 3, he's 8 now and all about fishing. Everyone is right about not planning to fish yourself, you will only end up aggravated. I always bring a butterfly net to catch frogs, turtles and salimanders. We have a lot of trout where we are, that's how I started him, he loved how pretty they were.

Posted

I've found with my little brothers that they're each suited for different things. One of them is 7 going on 8 while the other is 4 going on 5.

They both have an appetite for fishing and are like myself in that they are almost never ready to quit fishing. This means I don't have to worry about them not having fun.

I do however want them to have the most fun that they can. 

 

Older One

The 8 year old loves bass fishing and with bass fishing comes the process of switching baits. I expedite the process by putting a snap swivel on the end of his line. He can change baits as many times as he wants and I'm not constantly having to tie, cut, and re-tie. (That's just about all I have for him he's pretty good at fishing with me!)

Younger One

The 4 year old loves fishing without constantly casting out and reeling back in. He says,"It makes my arms tired." So if we're bass fishing, I'll fix him up with a texas rigged worm or creature bait so he can slowly work it and I think it's important to build the versatility that comes with rubber fishing, so I'm getting him started early. 

This little guy also has a habit of hanging huge fish and then losing them. It's happened so many times and I just set there dumfounded watching his arms work at the reel 'til his line snaps. To remedy the situation, I put heavy line on his pole. Now when he hangs big fish, his line won't snap! I'm also going to buy him a tough Zebco with steel gears so his equipment will never fail. 

Not only does he hang huge fish, he also makes no noise whatsoever when he hangs one. He shows no emotion and literally makes no sounds. I'm thinking about putting a bell on the end of his rod so that I can tell when he hooks up because right now, he'll reel a fish all the way up to the boat and it'll splash and get away and I'll have been setting there with my back turned. If I have a bell on the end of his pole, I'll be able to help him get his fish in and be aware of when he hooks up.

Both of Them

If it's a particularly hard day fishing, I'll hook up on a fish and let one of them reel it in. They get to take turns for every fish I catch. I find that this lets me get some of my practice in and lets them get some action. 

 

The truth is that different kids are better at certain things. You just have to figure out your kid when it comes to fishing and help them so that you can all have the most fun you can. 

~ Mr. Netfish and Chill :ph34r:

  • Super User
Posted

Small kids and pan fishing

Rattle bobber get jiggy with it ring that dinnerbell.

Longer shank #10 or #8 hook for night crawlers so you can unhook the fish faster. Cut the worms in lengths to match the length of the hook.

Put a very small split shot above the worm so it drops faster.

Kids want non stop action. Remove those caught fish and get back in the water. Keep them interested.

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