My fishing class

[BassinAssassin171]

Well I recently got a car and with the soaring gas prices I (mainly my dad) was looking to make a few bucks to supplement my gas funds and money for other things.  Sports and other highschool events prevented me from getting a summer job early on, so there is not much of a choice for me now.  I live in the suburbs, but thankfully there is a lake in my neighborhood.  I have the idea of starting a little fishing class at the lake for all of the kids and other people in the neighborhood who want to learn more.  I could offer live fishing lessons and lessons about all the other stuff you need to know even before you get on the water.  I'd like comments and ideas on fees, lessons, and whatnot if you don't mind! Appreciate any ideas

Trey

[preach4bass]

You're probably not going to like my advice, but I'll shoot straight:

If you have a lake in your neighborhood, park your car and WALK to your fishing hole.  Money saved!

As far as the fishing class, that sounds like a good idea.  However, it only sounds like a good idea if you are planning on offering it FREE to the kids in your neighborhood, to introduce and get them interested in bass fishing.  I doubt you'd get a lot of folks willing to pay to get their kids in a fishing class.

That's just my opinion, but I hope you find something to keep a little jingle in your pockets, and be able to teach kids about fishing as well.  Good luck.

[BassinAssassin171]

Oh I ALWAYS walk to the fishin hole, its only a few hundred yards away!!!  I know it is hard to believe... but... there ARE other places I take my car than to the fishin hole.

My dad's theory was that:  It is summer, parents wouldn't necessarily care about there kids learning fishing, just getting them out of the house and occupied.  It is like babysitting with fish involved per say.

I have offered to teach kids for free but nobody has ever asked about it.  And I was thinking of marketing to a little older audience who might be interested in learning the finer points of fishing

[Low_Budget_Hooker]

If you plan to charge $$, you've become a "guide".  There are many laws involved with being a guide from liability to licensing.  Careful.  If one kid gets hurt, you're in a world of poop.

[rondef]

x2  LBH said it best.  I would be careful proceeding on this plan without investigating the licensing, insurance etc.

[fishfordollars]

My freshwater license in Texas is $125.00 a year and the mininum requirements of liability must be current. think about it. It can be more than you might be willing to bite off. Even though I do not use my license I keep it current just in case.

good luck.

[warmer]

It is like babysitting with fish involved per say.

thats the spirit.

if they are right about the licensing, its a true shame.  but as you say, find a loophole.  offer outdoor activity based "babysitting.".  

you know the triumph of this country is that a young man can have an idea, get in line at the dmv for 16 hours, go to the county, research the 7000 state and federal laws that heavily regulate the way that he can implement his idea, give up, and hire a lawyer to interpret the law on his behalf, and run out of money just in time to get busy at school in the fall.  oh, breathe deep, the free air of opportunity young man.  breathe deep.

[JShrock07]

get in line at the dmv for 16 hours, quote]

Gotta love the DMV!!!!!!!!!!!!! ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D

[Grey Wolf]

Oh to be young again and "dream the impossible dream."

[russ0101]

You gotta remember you live in Atlanta - law suit capital of the world! Believe me, I know - I live in Canton and work in Dunwoody. I am also an underwriter for Risk Management and theres no way in Hades you want to get the liability insurance. You'd more than likely get that one person in the neighborhood who needs gas money more than you - they find out you have $1million limits of insurance, then tell their kid to do something stupid so they can get the loot. You think it's a crazy idea, but I see claims come across my desk like this all the time - and when kids are involved, there's no mercy in the court.

Best thing you can do is get the parents to bring the kids to the lake, drop them off with you for a couple of hours. Don't advertise it as babysitting, because then you are liable again should something happen. If the parents leave them on their own accord, you're pretty much off the hook. You aren't being paid, and you don't have to have a license because you aren't babysitting. They will usually tip you pretty good for just taking their kids off their hands. If you have a Home Owners Association (HOA), bring it up at one of their meetings and see how they react. They will let you know right off the bat whether they will allow it or not. One other thing, make sure you know the parents well enough for them to leave their kids with you. You might want to think about taking the parents along the first time and go thru the whole class thing with them so they know how you react with their kids. If you plan on having a lot of kids at one time, be careful because I don't care who you are, there is no way one person can keep an eye on 10 kids at one time and keep them out of harms way. Kids are too nosey, and if they aren't the ones being instructed, they'll surely find something to get into.

Hope you can figure something out.

[Eddie Munster]

Some sage advice here; don't bother with it man. Too many buttheads looking for a quick buck and NOT accepting personal responsibility out there.

Instead earn $$ other ways. Just cut grass, clear brush, throw pinestraw, etc.....too many ways to count on how to make extra cash. Walk around your neighborhood and spot some homeowners with some landscaping issues and make them an offer politely. Get your foot in the door and word of mouth will spread that you're a solid, dependable worker.

[Black Bass]

Contact your City or County Parks Department about putting on a fishing class where you charge a fee. They are usually looking for people like you who are willing to put on an event. They provide the insurance and local advertising. They may limit the fee you charge. You put the class and materials together. It's a good deal for all.

Go for it! Good luck!

[Bassn Blvd]

Here's what I did for a while to earn extra cash. I repaired fishing rods for my friends and their friends. I would re-wrap a broken guide or fix the top guide if it broke. Sometimes I would re-do the whole rod.

I also worked at 2 different tackle shops building rods for them but I preferred doing it at home on my own.

[Castamasta]

teach me your secrets!