If all you want is a relaxing fun filled day think twice about taking the kids fishing. It’s hard work and harder still if there’s more than one of them. Be warned IT IS HARD WORK. So why do it? It’s going to cut into YOUR fishing time and you are going to get annoyed because they wont stay still and “listen” even if they do understand that word. But despite the negatives the rewards are huge, now and especially in the years to come. There's quite a big responsibility on our adult shoulders to spark that first seed of interest in fishing. Whether it's our own son, daughter, niece, nephew, grandson or granddaughter we will be doing them a great favour by introducing them to this fantastic outdoor activity.
When you are frustrated and feel like packing up and going home try and think of it as a win, win, and win situation. The child wins because they experience nature first hand and are outdoors away from that TV screen. You win as you are out doing what you love as well as trying to pass on your passion to someone you love. The other win is for your partner as the little ones are out of the house allowing them to have some peace and quite.
As a Dad, and a stay at home Dad at that, with two boys four and three, there is plenty of time for outdoor activities. I like to call it Adventure Daddy Day Care. Fishing is one of the biggest adventures one can do. Get them involved in the whole process of going fishing and their enthusiasm level increases. Kids love fishing rods and the games they play with them away from the water can only help fuel this interest. They go from casting practice on the front lawn and pretending to catch that huge marlin to playing Power Rangers with the rods used as swords. Note-two piece rods are great for this as the tip section can be removed to help prevent breakages. Why does everything have to become a sword? With boys being boys this will be your first hurdle to over come.
Over the past two years I have tried two types of fishing trips with my boys.1- The keep it very simple type with a small float, a hook and a loaf of bread as bait.
2- All the bells and whistles type like an all night prawn run, then home at 6am to pick the boys up and back on the water to try and get them into some quality fish.
Option 2 always produces the better quality but the kids don’t really care. It may help with your ego but they just want numbers and the simple techniques work just as well. It is the first few fishing experiences that will either hook a child for life (pardon the pun), or send them running back to their play stations. Get them hooked, and you are raising your life long fishing buddy. Remember the first fish you caught and how proud you were? Keep remembering that as that’s what the child you have just taken fishing will be feeling. They will gain a life long memory. Put it this way, you still get a buzz now going fishing and catching fish. Even if you get one child (your own or their mate) interested in fishing you will have done something positive for their future.
Following are ten tips to help get children keen on fishing and to make your life easier as well.
SAFETY FIRST!
Whether it is a big river or a small neighbourhood pond, water needs to be respected. Kids are vulnerable to the elements of nature. Show your child how to act safely around water, in a boat or on a jetty. Use your fishing outings to teach and rehearse what they should do if they get into trouble with water.
ALWAYS KEEP YOUR EYES ON THEM.
These days I shouldn’t have to say it but kids need protection from the suns harsh rays. Slip, slop and slap are standard things. Take the hats off for that all important photo but get them straight back on. Don’t forget drinks, food and especially life jackets if in a boat or anywhere near water. Stay away from ocean rocks all together until they are at an age where they can be trusted. Be sensible after all you are the adult in charge.
KEEP IT SIMPLE!
The easier things are the better it will be. I’m talking a hook, a split shot and a small float. It’s a simple combination that kids can understand and the float gives a visual aspect to fishing that will hold their interest longer. The float also helps you keep track of where the bait is. Parents with little or no fishing experience will find this set up very convenient. Bread is a simple bait to start with as it is easy to obtain and can also be eaten (and it will be). If bait is to be used try and use live bait as it adds to the excitement. Children may find the bait more interesting than actually fishing.
The easier things are the better it will be. I’m talking a hook, a split shot and a small float. It’s a simple combination that kids can understand and the float gives a visual aspect to fishing that will hold their interest longer. The float also helps you keep track of where the bait is. Parents with little or no fishing experience will find this set up very convenient. Bread is a simple bait to start with as it is easy to obtain and can also be eaten (and it will be). If bait is to be used try and use live bait as it adds to the excitement. Children may find the bait more interesting than actually fishing.
NUMBERS, NOT SIZE!
Children need a quick pace to keep their interest. Doing your homework is vital as that way they start out fishing where bites will be easy to come by. Don’t target fish that are tough to catch on their first outing. Most kids would much rather catch a lot of fish rather than one big one.
GIVE PRAISE!
This is where some careful planning and understanding will come in handy. Children will no doubt make bad casts, fling the hook around and probably drop the rod a few times. That’s okay, it’s expected! Do yourself a favour and squish the barb of the hook flat with a pair of pliers. Not only does it make unhooking the fish easier, but it also makes unhooking yourself and others easier. You will be unhooking both, trust me. Let them know they’re doing a great job, and show excitement when things are going well. If they do something wrong, explain it to them and teach them how to do it the right way. This is the time to leave the short temper at home (note to ones self)
IT’S ABOUT THEM!
As much as you may be itching to join the kids, leave your rod and reels at home. That way you can focus exclusively on them. Give them your undivided attention as you are creating a life long fishing buddy here. There will be plenty of time in the future to try and out fish them. Bring your gear and their focus will shift. They will try to use your $1000 combo when you turn away to address a problem and the combo may never be the same again.
As much as you may be itching to join the kids, leave your rod and reels at home. That way you can focus exclusively on them. Give them your undivided attention as you are creating a life long fishing buddy here. There will be plenty of time in the future to try and out fish them. Bring your gear and their focus will shift. They will try to use your $1000 combo when you turn away to address a problem and the combo may never be the same again.
PRACTISE ‘CATCH AND RELEASE!’
Only keep what you're going to eat. This will ensure that when they get older, they'll have the same great fisheries that you have today. But don’t deny them the chance to take their fish home for tea. Teach them about the local rules and regulations that apply to your state and warn them in advance that they won’t be able to keep everything they catch. Use a fisheries ruler that has a picture of all the different species to help identify your catch and the rules that apply to it.
Only keep what you're going to eat. This will ensure that when they get older, they'll have the same great fisheries that you have today. But don’t deny them the chance to take their fish home for tea. Teach them about the local rules and regulations that apply to your state and warn them in advance that they won’t be able to keep everything they catch. Use a fisheries ruler that has a picture of all the different species to help identify your catch and the rules that apply to it.
MAKE IT AN ADVENTURE!
For any great adventure, planning it is half the fun. Fishing is the same. While at home, study a map of where you're going. Break out the old photos of when you were a kid fishing to help build their knowledge. Exploring new lakes even without a fishing rod can add to the excitement. Use modern technology to help the process of finding new streams or beaches. Google Earth and Google maps are great for this. Digging for worms, pumping nippers and collecting bait really sets the scene for the whole process. Pretend you are on a treasure hunt while bait collecting. Get them involved in the food preparation for the outing be it making a picnic lunch, a BBQ by the waters edge or just a simple sandwich.
For any great adventure, planning it is half the fun. Fishing is the same. While at home, study a map of where you're going. Break out the old photos of when you were a kid fishing to help build their knowledge. Exploring new lakes even without a fishing rod can add to the excitement. Use modern technology to help the process of finding new streams or beaches. Google Earth and Google maps are great for this. Digging for worms, pumping nippers and collecting bait really sets the scene for the whole process. Pretend you are on a treasure hunt while bait collecting. Get them involved in the food preparation for the outing be it making a picnic lunch, a BBQ by the waters edge or just a simple sandwich.
USE RELIABLE EQUIPMENT!
Quality fishing equipment is important to ensure that everyone has a positive, frustration-free experience. Stay away from the $20 kids combo that you can buy anywhere from your local service station or the $2 shop. These outfits only cause trouble and stress, from the reel falling off, the lack of a drag system for when a better than average fish grabs the bait, to the tangle after tangle as the reel has no anti reverse system. Quality tackle these days is not expensive and it will last a lot longer. Rods around the 6ft length are a great all-rounder to start with as they can be used anywhere from your local estuary or at a pinch on the beach with that gutter running right at your feet.
Quality fishing equipment is important to ensure that everyone has a positive, frustration-free experience. Stay away from the $20 kids combo that you can buy anywhere from your local service station or the $2 shop. These outfits only cause trouble and stress, from the reel falling off, the lack of a drag system for when a better than average fish grabs the bait, to the tangle after tangle as the reel has no anti reverse system. Quality tackle these days is not expensive and it will last a lot longer. Rods around the 6ft length are a great all-rounder to start with as they can be used anywhere from your local estuary or at a pinch on the beach with that gutter running right at your feet.
HANDLING FISH!
If a child catches a fish, don't force them to take it off the hook or to touch the fish. Do it for them as they will learn from you and copy your actions. It may take a few trips before they feel comfortable enough to touch or hold a fish. Place the fish in a live well if on a boat or a large esky, this way they can watch it swim around and learn about the different parts of the species.
If a child catches a fish, don't force them to take it off the hook or to touch the fish. Do it for them as they will learn from you and copy your actions. It may take a few trips before they feel comfortable enough to touch or hold a fish. Place the fish in a live well if on a boat or a large esky, this way they can watch it swim around and learn about the different parts of the species.
CAPTURE THE MEMORIES!
Whether your child sticks with fishing or not only time will tell. But for now, what matters is capturing the memories so they have something to share with their friends, family members, and ultimately, with their own children. So take plenty of photos (you’ll need to to get a half descent one). With the new age of digital photography it doesn’t cost to take a heap of photos. You may only get one or two good pictures out of 20 but at least they’ll have them for life.
Whether your child sticks with fishing or not only time will tell. But for now, what matters is capturing the memories so they have something to share with their friends, family members, and ultimately, with their own children. So take plenty of photos (you’ll need to to get a half descent one). With the new age of digital photography it doesn’t cost to take a heap of photos. You may only get one or two good pictures out of 20 but at least they’ll have them for life.
As a Dad myself I would much rather see my children fishing on a wharf or a beach than hanging out in a group around the streets with nothing to do. Who knows in five years time you may be fishing every weekend with your son or daughter and not getting harassed by your partner for doing so. Get out there and start them early. Teach them to respect nature and enjoy it for life.
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