Tips on Fishing with Kids

"You taking your kid fishing?" I nodded. The look on the guys face said it all. He'd been down that road before, and apparently gotten stuck.

Too many people expect to hand their child a fishing pole, sit back and watch the kid bait the hook, cast, and reel in some big fish, like a pro, right off the bat. Not going to happen folks. When you take your child fishing it's more about fun, time spent making memories, and water. Fishing with your child is about the relationship between the two of you, much more than it is about the fish.

To make the experience gratifying, rather than frustrating, what should you do? Glad you asked.

Every fishing trip starts with the tackle. Let your child help gather the equipment from beneath the layers of dust in your attic, or help pick out tackle at the store. Remember to start with something that fits them. Smaller poles are easier for small hands to use. Make sure all their equipment works, as well. Nothing frustrates a child more than having to repair a reel every other cast. A cane pole isn't a bad idea. You'll need the appropriate poles, a few bobbers, a couple of packages of hooks, and some lead weights.

Use live bait. The fish like it, and most kids are fascinated by worms and crickets. A tub of nightcrawlers is a key to fun. You can also let the child gather bait from the back yard the day before.

Pick somewhere they are likely to get bites. Remember, kids will be happier landing lots of small fish like brim than a big bass or catfish. Their squeals of happiness as they reel in a struggling bluegill are a better reward than the look on their face waiting for 'the big one' to bite.

Don't bark orders at your kids. Contrary to popular belief, this does not make your child feel better about him or herself. Let the kid fish, then, if they're doing something horribly wrong (like trying to catch fish in a tree, or some other angler's hat) gently correct them. Remember that this is about the two of you and if you make them feel they aren't any good at it, they won't want to do it. So just relax, ok?

Be patient. Kids, especially younger ones, have a limited attention span. If the fish aren't biting, you'll end up catching frogs, skipping stones, or hunting for more bait. It's ok. Have fun with them; it's all part of the experience.

Don't get mad if your child catches the only fish, or the biggest fish. It seems to be some poorly understood law of fishing that the most inexperienced child will hook the biggest fish. Live with it, and take pride in your child.

Lastly, have fun. That's what this is all about; getting your child away from the Nintendo and yourself away from the cell phone and laptop. It's about reinventing the summers from our own childhood, when things seemed so much simpler. Just you, your child and a couple of poles; how much more could you ask for?

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Department of Natural Resources
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