Teaching kids to fish

[RacerX]

I will be bringing my Godson to a small pond by my house this Saturday. I bought him a little Micky Mouse fishing pole. Any pointers on how to teach a 4 year old how to cast it and any tips on how I can keep his interest.

Any stories about when you taught your kids how to fish would be nice also.

Thank you.

[JKJ]

Leave your pole at home. If the kid has a buddy, bring him along too. Concentrate 100 percent on them.

[cisco]

For me, success with both my kids and my grandkids was the result of timing. Keep the sessions short enough that their interest is sustained. Keep the simplicity present until they get older and able to undertake more difficult tasks. You'll be amazed at how quickly they learn if not pushed -- My youngest grandson, now 6, was casting both spincast and spinning reels last summer. If he wishes, we'll add baitcast reels this summer.

Panfish are the best to begin with. As they get more interested, move on to gamefish. Trolling is usually of interest because there's the feeling of "doing something" by moving along in a boat under power, as opposed to either drifting or sitting at anchor.

You'll have lots of fun. Also, check with your state to see if there's and angler skills instructional program. Wisconsin has a fine program and offers terrific opportunities to urban youth. Illinois has started one, but I don't know how far they've gotten.

[BD]

Dad and Grandpa started me when I was three (I'm a two time grandpa now). The walleyes were biting and I didn't get bored. They didn't know (?) they were creating a fishing fiend. If the fish aren't biting they will be looking for something else to do. If you stay fishing they will get bored and you might turn them off for life. If the gills are snaping you will think you're in the middle of a three ring circus. They won't want to leave. The most important part of their experience is being there or anywhere spending time with you. ENJOY!

[John N]

When I started teaching son Spence how to cast, he had a lot of fun with the practice plugs. Right out in the front yard, casting at the neighbor's driveway, etc. Just spending the time with him, and giving him something that he could keep doing (not watching a bobber, etc.) worked out great. That, and treats. Treats are good. And not just for your godson. Have fun! John.

[Gunga Din]

Bring plenty of snacks. Target easy pickin' fish. And bring other activities for him to do while there. I think you should bring your pole, because he's probably not going to be interested until there's a fish in your bucket. For my young kids, that's the best part of all--playing with the fish in the livewell. They'd rather play with the fish in the livewell than reel in a fish swimming away with their bait. If you're shore fishing, a change of dry clothes would be a good idea too! :)

Relax, be patient, and remember why you're there.

[pwuebker]

My youngest daughter was interested in fishing and, I too, bought one of the cartoon fishing poles. She was about 5. She wanted no part of it. She wanted wanted a real fishing pole. I found a closed faced rig in the boat house. She mastered that pretty quick and then had to have an open face. Now she has her own set up and tackle box at 10.

We fished for perch and sunnies from the dock, intially, to ensure plenty of constant action.

[cisco]

Boy how I agree. Those cartoon imitations of rods and reels rank right up there with Popeils Pocket Fisherman. And they called the Edsel a mistake.

[MNBS]

Ditto on the "Snoopy" pole. What a piece of crap. For a little more money you can get a simple spinning reel that is much easier for little kids to work.

For my 4 year old daughter, ice fishing has been the key. We had a great winter catching sunfish and crappies. As long as your in a house and they are warm, they will have a blast. You don't have to worry about controlling the boat and line tangles as much, and you can help them catch fish. Once I took her, she wouldn't let Dad go without her. With ice fishing, they can use a small rod and a small bobber, and there is not much to it. My biggest problem now is that she wants the Vexilar in her hole not in mine!!

Coloring books and treats are a great help, too.


Bob

[Cangl]

Family,Fishing and Freedom. Have to admire an adult that takes the time to fish with the kids.Takes patience to get a good bite going when angling alone, its going to take even more now.
Comfort, no cold, dark, and rainy fishy days. MUD/MOISTURE
Warm a child before they start crying by walking with them on the bank or heading in.
Snacks/drinks, yeah its messy but its them, they crave it.
Don't plan on that trophy outing, you may be letting yourself as well as the child. Fish for the easiest species available or be prepared to. Cast floating lures for them and have them reel the rig in, surface plugs can keep a kid interested longer because they can see the plug and jump almost as high as you would with a strike. Fish that hit well reeling is the ultimate gift, they catch on quick at that point as you and I wouldCatch a fish no matter to the size, keep it in the bucket/livewell this alone will entertain them. And its an excellant way to keep the fish or start a future catch and release angler. The creature(turtle hunt) slow fishing let em use the net, hunters that they be. Have Fun Then Fish. When done give them a card or lure(soft plastic) and let them plan on using it next time. I hand out turtle hunting cards, with phone number I get calls.....

[Mike Michalak]

The single biggest pointer I can think of is, take him again Sunday too. Far too many times such efforts fail because there's no follow-up. Such activity can't be taught in a day.

I have a fundamental problem with a lot of the "take a kid fishing" campaigns that get children exposed to something once then ignores them the rest of the time. It's a committment that needs to be made. Take him tomorrow and enjoy the heck out of day. Tell him next time you go, he'll have a rod 'n reel like you do!

Good luck you guys!

[dave]

well all i have two kida one age 3(almost 4) and the other a year and a half. i started teaching my daughter to fish at 2. we really started before that by watching the outdoors shows on tnn every saturday morning instead if cartoons. my mother bought her a minnie mouse fishing pole on her 2nd christmas. that winter we practiced every night casting it in the house(not a real good idea but it worked). when the weather wormed we went out side to practice. i am fortunate enough to have a nice 15 acre private lake at our service and it has some super large perch in it. since i first started she has caught alot of perch and this year she went with me after white bass and has caught her biggest fish todate<<G> a 17inch white bass. she has since retired her snoopy pole and has moved on to the zebco 33. although she wants to use daddys spining reels, and we will probably work on that this summer.as for how i was taught to fish, i really cant say for sure.i am a 4th generation angler in my family it isnt just a sport but it is our way of life. my great grandad and my grandad on the other side were both guides here in mo. i think the best advice is to take them where they can catch fish and start as young as possible. my 1 1/2 year old son like to play with fish and my tackle. he has his own reel that he packs around and plays with. i would like to be able to take both of them with me but he is a handfull at this age and i am affraid to get him around water when i have to watch his sis to. so mabey by mid summer i can take him to. sorry this is so long guys but when it comes to taking kids fishing i just have a hard time shutting up about it. after all our sport will only live on if it lives on in their harts.., dave

[dave]

just one more thing. most states have a kids fishing day. here in missouri the kids get to fish stocked private bodys of water. these water are stocked with channle cats,bass, and perch. these fishign derbys can have some awsome action for the young ones. and i agreew ith the statement that it is not a one time thiung you have to take them and stick with it.
I fix old rods and reel up and give the to local kids in the comunity. these kids are kids who live close to the water but have no resources to get rods and reels on their own. when my finances allow i also go to bass proshop in springfeild at the catalog out let and buy bulck hooks and sinker(when i can find them) and give them out along with the rods and reels. some of the folks here on the inter net has been really helpfull in my task by donating their old and broken rods and reels. i fix them all myself and try to find the kids who really dont have money to buy their own.any way i am going on and on again. anyway for all of you who are going to takew a child for their first time just rember kjids dont like to waite 3 hrs for a nice fish they would rather catch any fish as to have to waite. dave

[Badger]

You should post an address as I'm sure many of us have plenty of no longer used (and quite good) equipment that was upgraded years back, or just needs bail springs, a new rod tip, etc that deserve to get second chances at life (and what better place than in the hands of an eager little child).

[TLY]

Couldn't put it better.

[water_wolf]

My fishing partner & best friend for the last 7 years has been my 11 year old son.....Not much more to add that already hasn't been posted except....I love him dearly & visa versa. Some of the best times of my adult life has been on the water with with "my best friend". His passion for fishing has probably been a direct result of hanging with dad & I wouldnt have it any other way.

Rich

[Walleye Guy]

I'm expecting a son in june.I can't wait.I've already bought him a Snoopy pole and a infant sized life jacket.I think I'm rushing it a little but,I'm kind of exited if you can't tell!

[Eyecon]

Its great to pass on traditions.My dad took my fishing from the time I was about Three.Now I take him fishing, its alway keep us close.I taught my nephew to fish and I can't wait till my son is old enough to teach him.

[TIM(WI)]

My son who was 2 at the time, would always be with me while working on the boat or watching fishing or hunting shows on tv. Last year while camping in northern WI on a lake my parents have been taking us as kids and have been going to for the last +30 years my wife bought my son a snoopy rod. I put a small hook and split shot on it and began showing him how to cast and reel it in. One afternoon he was casting and reeling the line in without dads help and doing a very good job. A friend came over to show me some pix from the last 25 years of camping we had done as kids with our parents. I looked at some pix and then noticed my son looking for somthing in the campsite. I asked him what he was doing and he said "GOT A FISH" He walked back to his pole with the dip net from camp and sure enough he had a small mouth bass on the line. He just stared at it for a while and played with it before we put it in a bucket for him to look at. Man I took a bunch of pictures and told him what a good job he had done. I will never forget that day as long as I live. He loves going to the store and looking at fishing stuff and guns. We parents may not know it but Kids watch everything we do and lock it in memory. Kids are what it is all about and there is nothing more exciting than teaching young ones to hunt and fish. Take a child fishing and you will have the time of your life.

P.S. Any child, Does not have to be yours.

[GORD]

Don't give him a rod. He's too young. Let him be your helper. That way you will have a little more control and he won't have that old "I have to do this" feeling. Show him that it's fun and he will want to do it also. Go for panfish from a dock. Smaller fish would be more his size and there would be a lot more action. Perhaps you could take him for walk and he could watch other fishermen. Going fishing would then become his idea.

[Lee]

Neither of my parents, or any of my relatives fish. I don't know how I ever got started!!!
I took my son out when he was about four to a small river a few miles away. It was summer and I knew we could catch carp so thats what we tried for. He had a Fisher Price rod with the line running through the middle of the rod!
We started fishing and he got an 8 pound carp on. You should have seen him trying to reel that fish in, it was hilarious. Needless to say he was hooked on fishing from then on.

[dave]

badger if you all want me to give an adress so you can get rid of your old stuff that would be great!i left out friday to deliver some rods and reels to some kids about 75 miles away. you should have seen their faces when i brought them their own rods and reels. but anyway ill gladly email my mailing address to anyone who would like to donate the old to the cause. dave