Fishing with children will be enjoyable, but a few simple tips need to be followed. The first tip is to keep everything simple or as a result, children will give up. They want to have fun and will lose interest quickly if pushed too hard, or it is a complicated ordeal. Questions you need to answer include the following.
Does the child actually want to fish or are you pushing them to fish? If the child has no interest they will become bored almost immediately upon arriving at the water’s edge.
How long is their attention span? Younger children will often become uninterested if it takes too long to catch a fish.
Is their ability level high enough to handle fishing equipment? Take the child outside and let them cast a few times. Additionally, if they can crank the reel without problems it is an indication that fishing will be fun if they are catching fish.
Set a few rules before going fishing with children.
What Rod and Reel to Use
The child’s age and ability will answer this question when buying a rod and reel combo to start fishing. Young Children for generations have used Zebco spin-cast combos for their ease of use. These combos can handle panfish, trout, and smaller game fish. Casting is easy to learn as they have little chance of tangling the line as spinning and casting reels will do with inexperienced people just starting the sport of fishing. These combos are inexpensive and will last a couple of years until the child learns to cast.
Older children can start with a spinning combo as they have more ability learned from other skills, an example is T-ball. Spinning combos are common with adults using them for various styles of fishing. You can purchase a spinning combo based on the species of fish targeted or for overall fishing.
Terminal Tackle Used Fishing with Children
Terminal tackle is the term that refers to hooks, sinkers, floats, and other small items that will get lost or damaged with use.
The hooks are important. The wrong size or type will not work. As a result, use small hooks for small fish and larger hooks for bigger fish. The sizes 10-16 work for panfish and trout. A bass or similar-sized fish require hooks ranging from size 2-8 depending on baits and the size of the fish.
There are times people use bigger hooks, however, children need things kept simple. Safety note, hooks are sharp with barbs on them to keep them lodged into whatever they hook. Use caution when casting, baiting, and removing hooks from fish. I have seen too many people hooked by carelessness requiring an emergency room visit.
Sinkers are for casting and keeping the bait at the bottom. An exception is using a float or bobber for suspending the bait. Use a split shot or two with bobbers. A little experience will show a child what sinker to use when fishing for different fish or waters.
I do not recommend lures for children that are just learning to fish. Lures need acquired skills to be effective, but if a child wants to try a few, poppers and spinnerbaits are the best options. These lures only cost a few dollars and are widely available.
Where to Fish with a Child
The best places to start a child fishing are small lakes and ponds. A community or state park will often have a lake or pond stocked with panfish and a few other species. A google search will show you local parks that fit these criteria. Also, there are other benefits to parks with children. If the fish are not biting they have play areas the child can use making the trip enjoyable for them. I recommend parks for safety also.
The water is shallow and does not have a current. Rivers and streams have currents that can sweep young children downstream or underwater. A little common sense will ensure an enjoyable and safe outing with your children. Regardless of where you take children fishing supervision is the number one safety item.
What Bait to Use
This is where you keep it simple for a child. Depending on the age you may have to bait the hook. Worms are the number one choice as all fish eat them and are easy to get at bait shops, some gas stations and retailers selling sporting goods. Catching worms can be fun for children, consequently, they find catching the worms themselves, adds to the fun of fishing.
Minnows are another option anglers will use regularly for many fish species. They are usually not as productive for panfish except crappies. You also will need a minnow bucket when purchasing or if you catch your own. Catching your own minnows requires additional equipment in addition to a minnow bucket. Simply put, minnows are leading you out of the simple aspect for children even if they want to use them.
What Do you Need to Fish With Children
Depending on state laws, a license may be required. As a result, an adult accompanying children may or may not need a license. Check your local laws concerning fishing regulations.
Children like snacks when fishing so take a few along. Include some toys, they enjoy during the ride and if fish decide not to co-operate that day it is helpful.
A change of clothes as children will fall or walk into the water on occasion. Children are exploring their surroundings, normal activity for them, therefore, children need to be supervised near water. I cannot stress supervision enough, it only takes seconds for a tragedy to happen.
First Aid kit, a small one with bandages and ointments and a few other items you deem necessary. First aid training should be considered.
Insect repellent to keep mosquitoes and other annoying bugs from ruining the adventure. It is no fun to be getting bit or fighting off insects for adults, let alone children.
Use sunscreen to prevent sunburns. It does not take long in the middle of summer to get sunburnt.
Use floatation devices if deemed necessary. Check local and state laws regulating the use and common sense. Swift-water will take away a child or an adult quickly. As a consequence, adults wear life vests while wading streams and rivers, or in boats. The situations where children use life vests are more encompassing.
Keeping fishing simple for tight lines and bragging rights
John McIntyre