Hook, Line and Sinker: A Guide to Teach Children How to Fish Safely

Of all the things needed to teach children to fish, one necessity is more important than anything else: Patience. Without an ample supply of tolerance, it's difficult to get youngsters hooked on fishing, one of the great outdoors' greatest gifts to mankind.

And just for the record, this guide isn't just feeding you a "line." Its author has taught her own children, neighborhood kids, and young family members the basic skills of fishing over the last three decades.

Any adult who has helped a child learn how to fish knows that there will be tangled lines, hooks in tree limbs, hooks in clothing, ongoing underwater snags, and tackle dropped in the drink before this temper-testing event is over. Those same adults also understand the fulfilling feeling of enrichment that can be gained from teaching a young person the exhilaration of catching and reeling in a fish. Fishing is, after all, a primitive and ancient method of obtaining food that takes us back to the roots of our origin.

Besides all that, it's really fun! If you think about it, even if no fish swim near anyone's hook, the fact that you and your kids are outdoors, reveling in nature's glory, makes it all worthwhile.

Step One - Calculate: How many, how old, and what's your destination?

When planning a safe, educational fishing experience, there are various basic factors to consider. The first is to determine how many children it is comfortable to handle at once. To arrive at this estimate, consider these factors:

a. Is the fishing instructor planning to seriously attempt to fish while teaching, or just offer instruction? If "yes," to fishing, it is strongly recommended to only work with one child, two at the most. The more youngsters in attendance = the less fishing time for the chief angler.

b. The age of the kids also factors in to the equation. Older children are usually able to handle tasks more easily than younger children. I took my daughter fishing at age 4, and realized that it shouldn't even be called "angling" when kids are that young. A more accurate term for this activity might be "Unt-angling."

c. How potentially dangerous is the water's edge? If the desired fishing site creates a scenario where young anglers are near a deep-water edge, that's a whole different can of tuna when compared to fishing from the edge of a shallow stream or pond. If you'll be fishing at the rim of anything over a young child's head, it is perfectly acceptable and advisable to have the little angler wear a life jacket. If you're fishing with older children who know how to swim well, you can take that into consideration.

This fishing enthusiast witnessed a boy about 10 years old get pulled into Misery Bay from a pier where he was quietly fishing. The size and velocity of the hit took him off guard, and caused him to lose his balance before he realized he should let go of his pole. It was early spring, and the water was absolutely frigid. Luckily, he was able to swim safely back to the pier, but it must have been a cold trip home for that young man. The bay swallowed his rod and reel as efficiently as the whopper at the end of his line swallowed the bait.

Step Two: Anticipate: What supplies will you need?

Regardless of the number of children fishing, there are certain supplies to include on a checklist to help the endeavor flow more smoothly. This initial list may seem a bit cumbersome, however, once you've assembled everything, it's easy to grab the tackle box and go on future excursions without much forethought.

Bait - live bait varies by location, and it's the best choice for young, novice anglers

Lures - constant casting should be reserved for older kids who have fished before

Bobbers - very helpful for fishing in calm water

Extra hooks - bring lots of extra hooks in case of loss due to snags

Split shots or other sinkers - use one or two split shots if bobber fishing, a larger sinker if bottom fishing

Extra fishing poles - just in case

Long-nose pliers - This tool will help with hook removal, if necessary

More than one stringer (in case the first one swims away - don't laugh - it happens)

Hats with visors - Even when it's cloudy, the sun can be damaging

Sunscreen - coat any exposed skin

First-aid kit - antibiotic ointment and bandaids are must-haves

Cleansing wipes - Especially if you're using live bait

Flashlight - Always a good thing to have

Pocket knife - This has many uses when fishing

Camera - You'll probably want to capture that ultimate fishing moment when your child proudly touts their first fish

Drinking fluids - your choice

Snacks in sealed packages - Keep things closed tightly to prevent bugs from infiltrating

Cooler for bait - If it's warm outside, be aware that worms, grubs and night crawlers don't last long in direct sunlight or heat. Earthworms and night crawlers will last for several weeks if safely stored in your refrigerator. Be sure the container is sealed tightly, though, I can recall opening the 'fridge and gasping at the sight of redworms crawling up the chilly walls inside. Thank goodness my non-fishing husband wasn't home at that moment.

Step 3: Initiate: Let's get this fishing show on the road

After you've arrived at your designated fishing destination, unloaded all your tackle and gear, it's finally time to settle into your role as "Chief Angler." You don't really need to have fishing experience to teach youngsters what to do, as long as you are not squeamish about putting a worm or a minnow on a hook.

Before we "tackle" the bait topic, let's first talk about the rod and reel. Be sure that your pupil(s) are using closed reels. The rod isn't too important, kids are okay using:

1. Cane poles with no reel - just a line, hook and optional bobber
2. Short, kid-sized rod with enclosed reel
3. Full-length rod with enclosed reel

Reel: It is strongly advised that you avoid putting any sort of open reel into the eager hands of children. Many adults I know find it difficult to use an open reel without tangling their line at some point, and kids find it even easier to get snarled up. Closed reels are much easier for teaching and learning purposes at this tender young age.

Hook: When attaching the hook, wrap the end of your line in the knot 5 times before pulling it tight to be sure it is seriously on there. Attach a split shot about six inches above the hook. If the water is calm, children are usually readily adept at bobber fishing.

Bobber: When the bobber is afloat, if a fish nibbles on the bait, there will be a series of circular ripples that erupt outwardly from the bobber. If the child keeps her gaze fixed on the bobber, it's easy for her to tell when and if she has a bite. Then, when the bobber disappears below the water's surface as the fish tries to swim away with the bait, that's the time to yank upward with the pole.

You should put the bobber 1-2 feet above the hook. The hook will dangle in the water from the bobber straight downward, so the bobber sets the depth at which you will be fishing.

Casting: After the hook is baited and you're ready to roll, it's time to get the bait in front of the fish. To cast, hold in the button at the end of the reel, and keep it pushed in. Then raise the pole until it is at about a 45-degree angle behind your head. As you bring the pole downward to cast the line into the water, release the button on the reel. This allows the line to propel forward and sends the hook to a destination where the fish are eagerly waiting.

Step 4: Officiate: What to do when a child catches a fish

The angler gets a nibble, then the bobber disappears beneath the water's surface! This is one of the most exciting moments in a child's life. They yank the pole upward, and hook the fish.

Now it's time to reel it in. Instruct the child to turn the knob (clockwise) on the reel somewhat slowly until the fish reaches the shore. Then grab the line several feet above the fish, lift it out of the water, and make sure you place it on the ground far away from the water's edge. Many a fish have been lost after being unhooked because they freely flopped right back into the water. It's an instinctive thing.

If the fish is large enough to keep (check local regulations) and you choose to hang on to it, then it's time to remove the hook.

Hook removal: If luck is on your side, the fish should only be hooked around its mouth, thus making it easy to remove. If you're not so lucky, and the fish swallowed the hook, you have two options:

a. Cut off the line and leave the hook inside, using the pocket knife from the tackle box. Most types of fish can live for quite awhile like this, and you want to make sure your fish stay as healthy as possible, whether you keep them or not.

b. Get the long-nosed pliers, and try to use them to remove the hook. Be careful though, this method can cause more damage than just cutting the line.

Storage: Once the hook is removed, you can either throw the fish back (called "catch and release) or you can choose to keep the fish alive until it's cleaning time.

1. Stringer: To use this, put the pointy end of the stringer through the fish's open gill so that the tip of the stringer comes through its open mouth. Don't worry, it sounds worse that it is. Regardless of what type of stringer you're using, be absolutely positive that it is securely attached to the shore.

2. Creel: This is usually for more advanced anglers, who are standing in the water (or boat). It is a live-fish container that the angler wears or carries.

3. Bucket: If you don't choose to use a stringer (or you don't have one), a bucket is usually a safe storage facility for live fish. Be careful, though, and don't let the water in the bucket sit too long in hot sunlight. Use water that is indigenous to the fish. If necessary, dump the old, stale water and put fresh water in it several times to keep the fish alive and healthy.

Cleaning: Well, this topic needs a whole 'nother article. To simplify my mother-of-six lifestyle, I simply drive to a bait store down the road and have the fish filleted on the spot. If that's not how you want to handle your freshly caught fish, there are plenty of fish-cleaning websites on the internet. Just google it, and you'll be amazed at the great advice you can find in seconds.

Speaking of amazing, there are very few things in this world that can beat the pride you'll feel when all of your patient efforts culminate with a fish on the other end of your child's line! After that, you'll both be hooked.