10 Tips on Fishing with kids.

10 Tips on Fishing with kids.

Look at that smile.

Tips on fishing with young kids.

Introducing your kids, grand kids, nieces or nephews to the outdoors and the wonderful sport of fishing. Fishing is a rewarding family activity that promotes bonding, develops patience and is quality time spent together talking, enjoying nature and making memories.

When fishing with your young angler a few tips to consider making their first trip a success: make it about them, proper supplies, and keep it short.

1. Go where the fish are.
Young kids want to catch fish so go where the fish are.  Many local parks have stocked ponds and some hold fishing events. This is a great time to introduce a young angler to the world of fishing.

At a local fishing pond freshly stocked with catfish.

2. Keep it short.
Kids will not have the patience to sit and wait for hours. Start them off at a nearby location. Only stay long enough to hold their interest.

Our first trip with our niece and nephew was at a local park to fish for catfish. My niece was 3 at the time. With the help of my wife she was able to reel in a nice size catfish. But soon she was ready to wonder off and wanted to play on the swing set.

3. Bring Snacks and drinks.
Bring along some snacks and drinks. Especially in the summer to keep them hydrated.

4. Choose days with good weather.
We have often heard the term fair weather fisherman, only going when the conditions are favorable.  Choose those days for taking your young fisherman out wisely. They will not enjoy fishing in the freezing cold rain.

5. Let them reel it in.

We all love the tug on the pole and the excitement that follows. Nothing wrong with setting the hook and letting them reel it in. If they get distracted and give up when the fish are not biting let them reel in the next fish, you catch.

First fish of the day.

6. Fishing teaches kids patience.

Fishing will teach your kids patience. That’s why they call it fishing not catching. They will have to learn in real life you don’t always get a fish your first cast, this is not a video game.

Take a little time to practice casting.

My first fishing trip with my 8-year-old nephew was in a quite back water cypress bayou. When we reached our first spot he was overwhelmed with excitement. I asked him if he knew how to cast and of course he said yes. He faced towards the middle of the bayou, clicked the button on the Zebco, slowly pulled the pole over his head and in one motion cast forward spinning his body completely around and let his line fly towards the bank a complete 180.

7. Bonding Time.

Being in the outdoors with young kids is a rewarding experience. It is a great way to get them away from the Xbox. Some of my earliest memories are fishing and canoeing with my uncle.

8. Start small.

Keep it simple and target small fish like bream. A simple hook, sinker and bobber will be easy for the young kids to reel in. Who doesn’t get excited watching that bobber go down?

9.Sun Screen and Bug Repellent.

Don’t forget to bring along sun screen and bug repellent. I remember a trip with my young son, we where being attacked by mosquitoes and had to abandon our trip. A good bug repellent would have saved the day.

10. They will learn to appreciate nature.

Enjoying the outdoors and take in the sights and sounds.  We can all benefit a great deal if we made a more concerted effort to take in the beauty of the great outdoors.

Enjoying a trip down the bayou.

Say hello to the locals.

Have fun and don't forget to make it about them. Let them enjoying being in the outdoors and have fun fishing.