Kids and Fishing

[Spankey]

When asked or approached about taking a kid(s) fishing or just a curious adult friend male or female as to what I’m doing out there on the water, I’m up for doing it. I put on a good show, generally don’t care if I get a line wet, I bring everything they need, put on a bit of an on the water classroom first, try to see if they are green as grass or not. I try to be a guide. Most times I’m told they fished before blah blah blah only to find out they never touched a rod or reel. But there is nothing wrong with that. Wanting to be there is the most important. How long their attention span is the next thing. 
 

Yesterday I had my sister-in-laws twin grandsons out. 9 year olds. Well behaved, respectful, listened and teachable. Weather cooperated but recent weather and water conditions has the normal bite off for a variety of panfish. Had my bases covered with live bait, I didn’t them to get skunked. Them catching is important for them to keep an interest. They caught about 25 fish apiece. A few large bluegill, sunfish, white perch and bream in the mix. 
 

I could not get them to bait a hook with that livebait. I tried like heck. They would touch it, would give it to me to put it on but they had no interest in doing it. I could not get them to un hook fish. I have all the tools for those smaller hook and showed them how to use them. I have them use Aberdeen and cricket hooks. Makes hook removal simple and easy. Fish don’t get injured. I didn’t want to press this lack of trying with them. Thought if I overpush it, maybe they would get turned off. They clearly were having a good time.

 

I had them fish some soft plastics. The Bass are there and I wanted to see them hook one. My thought with soft plastic worms is you pretty much can’t fish them wrong. It took awhile but they started to catch on. They didn’t grasp on too well about fishing a tighter line but they finally got it. Got them to rig weedless. I fish with them awhile figured they would copy what I was doing. They did catch on to hopping, sliding and shakey worming and maintaining a tighter line. They were worn out and wanted to take a break and get into the snacks. 
 

I continued to fish on a bit longer with a worm. As much as I would rather have seen them keep catching them, in my head I wanted them to see a bass caught to show them what else is there for them. On about my third solo cast I had a solid hookup, what I perceived was to be a sizable greenie. A minute or so into the fight I had my doubts about a huge green fish. Acted more like a catfish. I had a full 10 minute fight on 6 lb. test and landed a 29 1/2” 12 pound channel cat. Finessed rigged PowerWorm. I wish they would have landed it. They could not have handled it. They would have lost my rod. I was speechless and dumbfounded. I never expected anything like that. Those kids were amazed, and so was I. They got to see a big fish. I tried to get them to touch it, hold it, unhook him and let him go but they wanted no parts of it. They wanted to leave after all that. Thought maybe that would spark them up. They wanted to roll. I guess they seen enough. We went to the Diner for lunch. I wasn’t sure how good a time they had. I had my doubts because they didn’t like to handle bait or fish. They had a great time and kept thanking me for taking them. They thanked me for landing that catfish. They never seen anything like that before. 

[roadwarrior]

Good for you and good for the kids!

 

 

 

                                                         

[Spankey]

Sorry for being so long winded. They were good kids. They way of the world these day is kids don’t touch things like we use to. Maybe not all kids. Most of us here were fishing at a real young age. 

[Mobasser]

Glad to hear you all had a good time. Thank you for taking those boys out fishing.

[Spankey]

Thanks for the response. They were good kids. Not really blindsided by any means, family members that I only see a couple of times a year. 
 

At the diner we got to talking about them asking to be taken fishing at home. They are near tidal water. I like the sound of that. My niece and nephew are pretty easy going. All the kids have to do is ask their mom and dad. 
 

For awhile I felt bad about catching the monster. But that should be a learning experience also. I was praying that I do loose it. I wanted them to see it. That’s

1 hour ago, Mobasser said:

Glad to hear you all had a good time. Thank you for taking those boys out fishing.

 what I care about the most, whether they learned something or not. And hope they don’t stop wanting to go. 

[GreenPig]

Excellent. I'm sure they had a good time and learned a few things. 

[WRB]

Kids are the future of fishing, thank you for helping our sport grow?

Tom

[LrgmouthShad]

Fishing is kind of a hard sport to get into. You deal with more frustrations than most other hobbies. At a young age, kids are just less emotionally inclined to want to deal with frustration in pursuit of something. Makes it harder, too, when they just can’t quite appreciate the end goal. 
 

I was fortunate in that when I tried fishing on my own, I was at the age where I was mature enough to deal with frustrations, I grew up hunting and with a profound appreciation for the outdoors (can’t stress that enough), I love a challenge, and I also was a big video gamer prior to fishing. Fishing is a game, too. Everything lined up for me. It doesn’t for everyone. Some people want more relaxing and less frustrations when they are partaking in some recreation away from work and there is nothing wrong with that. 
 

Let me wrap up by saying that I think that any exposure people get to the outdoors at a young age is invaluable. Invaluable! 

[WRB]

I got into fishing because living on a lake using a cane pole, line, bobber and hook at age 3. Kids lived outdoors until dinner time, we didn’t have or know about perverts in the rural mountains where I grew up. Simple times and simple life.

Tom

[TnRiver46]

Kudos!

[12poundbass]

Well done sir!

[Krux5506]

It's certainly tough with kids not fluent in their own ways with fishing so I commend you for having the patience that many people lack. What I've found with my own kids who are way younger than that (2 and 4) is they love touching worms, fish, other bait whatever but when we are out fishing on the boat, unless the snacks are plentiful, they lose interest quick. Last time my daughter was out with me she fished maybe 10 minutes, then was just hanging out, eating snacks and taking in the scenery. I finally asked her why she wasn't fishing and she snapped back at me "Because Papa I'm just trying to RELAX!!" Hopefully as she gets older she'll find the relaxation in actually fishing, but until then if she's happy just being out there with me then thats good enough for me. 

 

 

 

[Bankc]

You did everything right but trying to get them to touch a catfish.  Those things are gross!  

 

And it was a good idea to leave when you did.  Finish on a high note and leave them wanting more!  

[Spankey]

3 hours ago, Bankc said:

You did everything right but trying to get them to touch a catfish.  Those things are gross!  

 

And it was a good idea to leave when you did.  Finish on a high note and leave them wanting more!  

They loved it. I was sort of lead to believe they had fished before. I didn’t pick up on that at all, a kid(s) a lot of times sing like canaries. I heard nothing of the sort of prior fishing. They were smart enough to know what fishing is. I had a good time with them. At first I felt bad about catching that big cattie, wanted the whole day to be about the kids. If by chance they hooked it it would not have turned out well. Would have gotten ugly. Probably would have lost that St. Croix rod and Shimano reel. They liked the diner. That was a plus. You can get breakfast there 24/7. 

[LrgmouthShad]

23 hours ago, WRB said:

I got into fishing because living on a lake using a cane pole, line, bobber and hook at age 3. Kids lived outdoors until dinner time, we didn’t have or know about perverts in the rural mountains where I grew up. Simple times and simple life.

Tom

Yeah, different region of country too. We are 57 years and halfway across the US apart, sir

[slonezp]

My grandson will play with the nightcrawlers if we aren't catching fish. He will not put them on the hook. He's 6 and I don't expect him to, right now.

 

This past week the family went up north to WI and met some family from TX. We booked a salmon charter for 2 days. Grandson was booked for day 2. He slept in bed with grandma and when I went to wake him up at 3am, he wouldn't get up. We left without him. Grandma calls me while we're out on the boat and he's crying why didn't we wake him up, he wanted to go. Come to find out, grandma fell asleep and he was up until maybe 1am on the iPad. I got home, showed him the salmon I caught and reiterated to him what I have told him many times before. "You snooze, you loose". I took him fishing later that day off the pier.

 

Up until this year I volunteered annually to introduce kids from 5-15 the basics of fishing at a 1 day event. The gentleman that ran the event is terminally ill and the charity will be dissolved. I cannot tell you how difficult it is to get adult fishermen to make time to volunteer for 1 day a year for the kids. 

 

 

[Big Hands]

On 8/15/2023 at 2:38 PM, Spankey said:

And hope they don’t stop wanting to go. 

 

Having fun (and being safe) are the main priorities when I take kids fishing. Everything else consists of details to give my best effort to make sure they are safe and have fun. If they are sitting in the truck honking the horn when I tell them we're going, that is a good sign.

 

I have in the past volunteered for taking kids from the city fishing. I did again last year at an iCast event. It was well organized and well run. I recommend seeing if you can find one of their events in your area if anyone is interested in doing that sort of volunteer work.

[BFS-Angler75]

On 8/15/2023 at 8:02 PM, LrgmouthShad said:

Fishing is kind of a hard sport to get into. You deal with more frustrations than most other hobbies. At a young age, kids are just less emotionally inclined to want to deal with frustration in pursuit of something. Makes it harder, too, when they just can’t quite appreciate the end goal. 
 

I was fortunate in that when I tried fishing on my own, I was at the age where I was mature enough to deal with frustrations, I grew up hunting and with a profound appreciation for the outdoors (can’t stress that enough), I love a challenge, and I also was a big video gamer prior to fishing. Fishing is a game, too. Everything lined up for me. It doesn’t for everyone. Some people want more relaxing and less frustrations when they are partaking in some recreation away from work and there is nothing wrong with that. 
 

Let me wrap up by saying that I think that any exposure people get to the outdoors at a young age is invaluable. Invaluable! 

 

Yeah, my fishing buddy who's my 10 year old daughter feels that pain. She's interesting though, and likes getting challenged by something. However, she told me that fishing makes her frustrated more than other things. She does stick with it, but there are a lot of times where she'd just rather chill out on the boat than fish.... totally understandable lol. 

 

She loves going on the trips though, and usually at some point picks up her rod and starts casting. She's caught 3 bass so far, and her next goal is to pull in something heavier. But yeah, just have to keep encouraging. I don't force her to fish as I don't want her to resent anything lol, but I really respect her tenacity. Its one of my driving forces when I start getting frustrated as well.

[papajoe222]

I found out a long time ago that when it comes to taking little ones fishing, especially their first few times, the most important thing to do is make sure they have a good time, even if they don’t catch fish. 
A six year old that my wife babysat, didn’t catch a thing his first time out, but we had a blast and he wanted to know if his little sister could join us the next time. Eventually, they both graduated from bobber fishing and didn’t stop there. 
he’s sixteen now, loves fishing with soft plastics and now has a dislike for spinning gear.  

[N Florida Mike]

I always loved fishing. I remember catching my first fish when I was 4. I was always the one that never wanted to quit, and never had a problem handling any bait. My dad taught me the basics. Whenever he went, I was down for it. I remember getting in trouble and my dad went without me. Thought my heart would break lol.

My 2 sons fished with me a lot. The oldest is  good at it but not greatly into it. My younger son is great at it, and into it, as much or more than I am.

Out of all the grandkids, Mackayla is the best at fishing. She caught her biggest fish ( a 23 inch redfish) when she was 8. She baited her hook, cast out, hooked and fought the fish , got in in the boat all by herself, then pounced on it and was trying to get the hook out of its mouth when her uncle finally helped her…

Taking kids fishing is a blessing to them and you. It is a patience builder for both parties!!

[Captain Phil]

Not every kid or adult is into fishing.  I started fishing with my grandfather when he retired. We never caught much, but I loved being with him and I caught the fishing bug.  If you see a kid walking or riding a bike carrying a fishing pole, that was me.  Luckily, growing up in South Florida, there were plenty of opportunities.  The neighborhood I grew up in was not the best.  I could have easily got into crime, drugs and worse.  Fishing kept me out of trouble.  My parents did not fish, but they recognized my passion for it and found me an older man to fish with.  He was a bass fisherman and I followed his lead, which lead me into a lifetime of fishing adventures.

 

Back in Miami, I volunteered with a program working with troubled youth.  These kids were taken away from their parents and lived under State supervision.  For most of them, it was one step before going to prison. They earned points for good performance.  They could use their points to buy special things.  One of these items was going fishing with me on a day long trip.  I was offshore fishing at the time and these kids had never been in a boat, much less offshore. A State official always came with us.  All these kids needed was a chance to see a side of life that they had never seen before.  When all you know is broken families, crime, heartbreak, poverty and violence, you have no hope.  I would like to think I helped some of them.  The big thing we are missing today is family.  So many broken homes and kids with no Mom or Dad.   Many young men don't know what a real man is because they never had a father.  Same thing with girls.  If you can be a parent to a kid, even if it's just for day, you might change their life.

[slonezp]

12 hours ago, Captain Phil said:

Not every kid or adult is into fishing.  I started fishing with my grandfather when he retired. We never caught much, but I loved being with him and I caught the fishing bug.  If you see a kid walking or riding a bike carrying a fishing pole, that was me.  Luckily, growing up in South Florida, there were plenty of opportunities.  The neighborhood I grew up in was not the best.  I could have easily got into crime, drugs and worse.  Fishing kept me out of trouble.  My parents did not fish, but they recognized my passion for it and found me an older man to fish with.  He was a bass fisherman and I followed his lead, which lead me into a lifetime of fishing adventures.

 

Back in Miami, I volunteered with a program working with troubled youth.  These kids were taken away from their parents and lived under State supervision.  For most of them, it was one step before going to prison. They earned points for good performance.  They could use their points to buy special things.  One of these items was going fishing with me on a day long trip.  I was offshore fishing at the time and these kids had never been in a boat, much less offshore. A State official always came with us.  All these kids needed was a chance to see a side of life that they had never seen before.  When all you know is broken families, crime, heartbreak, poverty and violence, you have no hope.  I would like to think I helped some of them.  The big thing we are missing today is family.  So many broken homes and kids with no Mom or Dad.   Many young men don't know what a real man is because they never had a father.  Same thing with girls.  If you can be a parent to a kid, even if it's just for day, you might change their life.

Kids need positive influence from strong male adults. Doesn't matter if they are little girls or little boys. Positive male influence. 

[Captain Phil]

11 hours ago, slonezp said:

Kids need positive influence from strong male adults. Doesn't matter if they are little girls or little boys. Positive male influence. 

 

My mother was a 16 year old single Mom. When I was born, we lived with my grandparents.  I was lucky.  This gave me a father and two Moms. My mother eventually remarried and my wonderful step father adopted me into a loving family.  Without both a father and a mother, I would not have had the life I had.  Kids need to see both sides of life.  You can't always run to your Mom when you have a problem. A Mom will always love you.  A father will too, but he wants you to survive in this world and he knows it's not easy. 

[Dye99]

We are a kayak fishing family. Wife and all three boys...We go at least once a week, often twice to our local fisheries and load in a 4am, paddle our butts off catching fish. Got the kids buying their own gear and bait now...The family has really taken to it.

If we dont start them young chances they wont ever get into these days..