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This article is about taking a kid fishing for the first time, and tips on how to take a kid fishing. Learning how to fish can be challenging and frustrating, and some kids will give up on it after a couple of trips where they don’t catch anything. There are many things that you can do to ensure their success on their first fishing trip.
9 Tips to take a kid fishing
1. Scout before you go fishing with a kid
The first step is for you to find a good fishing spot ahead of time. Go there by yourself or with a friend, find out what kinds of fish are there and what they bite on.
Set your kid up for success from the beginning.
2. Avoid cartoon character polls
Cartoon character polls are toys, not serious fishing gear. You’ll be lucky to get a handful of fishing trips out of a cartoon pole before it stops working and frustrates both of you.
The goal is to be fighting fish, not your equipment. So buy a decent rod and reel from the beginning or let the kid use yours.
3. Show them how it’s done
This is another reason to fish together with the kid. You can have one hand on the pole or at least be closely monitoring them if they’re using your nice equipment.
For the first few trips out to introduce a kid to fishing do not bother bringing a fishing pole for yourself.
If you catch any fish it should be on the kid’s pole to demonstrate how it’s done. If the kid’s pole isn’t good enough for you to catch a fish how do you expect them to catch any?
4. Be ready to fish
Tying lures on is incredibly boring to most kids so don’t make them watch you for 15 minutes as you get things ready. You should arrive at the spot ready to fish.
5. Carry snacks and water when you take a kid fishing
Bring lots of snacks. A snack break can be a nice reset button if someone gets frustrated or it can pass the time while you’re fishing on the bottom or with a bobber and waiting for a strike.
6. Teach them how to cast in a safe place
Their first few attempts to cast will probably need some improvement. I would recommend having them learn how to cast in your backyard or a local park.
Find a wide-open area and get their casting technique down. Once they get good at casting give them a target and have them practice and earn some reward if they can hit the target.
A kiddie pool makes a great target and makes a nice exciting sound when they hit it.
7. Use a casting plug
Casting plugs are available for practice. They have no hooks and are fairly heavy to make casting easier but do not buy a fish-shaped one. They catch the air and fly crookedly.
The kid will never be able to hit their target because your casting plug randomly turns in the air. This is a surefire way to get someone really frustrated with casting.
8. Start with bluegills/panfish
For bluegill fishing bring a small hook or jig and a bobber. I prefer narrow bobbers not the big round ones. The skinnier the bobber is the easier it is to detect a bite.
The big round bobbers make a ton of noise when they hit the water and they take a lot of force to pull down even a little so a bunch of your bites will go unnoticed.
9. Bring an activity just in case
If you’re bottom fishing for things like carp, catfish or bullheads bring a game or activity to keep you busy while you wait for a bite. Use rod holders to keep the rods still and make it easier to detect a bite.
Often the fish will hook themselves and it will be obvious that you have a fish on.
Remember that the trip should be a special time with your kid. They will remember how much fun they had talking with you, learning a new skill, catching a fish, or seeing a dragonfly. Let them have fun and guide your time by the water.
Even if they don’t catch any fish they will enjoy their time and they’ll want to go back out again. Good luck and have fun.
FAQs on how to take a kid fishing
Is fishing good for kids?
Kids gain an adventure and wonder-filled sense from fishing. The contribution of imagination to cognitive development has received a lot of academic attention. Fishing is the best thing there is for the imagination.
When should I introduce my kid to fishing?
Although you may start taking kids fishing at any age, I believe the ideal age is approximately two. It’s still a good idea to introduce children to fishing while they are young so they become accustomed to it. Fishermen of all ages can enjoy the sport.
Is fishing easy to learn?
Fishing is one of the easiest outdoor sports to get into, despite the fact that it can be overwhelming at first. Finding a lake, doing some study, making an investment in some basic equipment, and casting a line is all you need to do to catch your first fish.
Do children have to have a rod Licence?
A free rod license, which can be obtained online or over the phone, is required if you are 13 to 16 years old. Children under 13 do not require a rod license.
Should you take a toddler on a boat?
An infant shouldn’t board a boat until they can wear a personal flotation device (PFD) and weigh at least 18 pounds, according to the U.S. Coast Guard’s Office of Boating Safety.
