at what age can you start teaching a boy to fish? 2024

bluetreefingers reply :

i was just curious as to what time do you all think it is right to start teaching a boy how to be a man (how to fish) haha.

3 sounds like a pretty good age for me!

start him off on bluegill n stuff!

btcprince reply :

depends on the kid but 3 or 4 is good. just dont expect him to stay in tune long. i took mine out at 4 to a dock loaded with bluegill and stuff, and we had a blast. now i took my daughter out and she caught the big bluegill of the day. we used the tip of a cane pole and crickets, but corn or other stuff works too. have fun. at 7 i started him on a spinning outfit and he has good control of it, just hasnt landed his first bass yet, but summers comin'

fishinfiend reply :

As soon as he can stand on his own!

=Matt 5.0= reply :

Started my nephew at age 2 with a Spiderman setup. My son will be 2 this year so it's his turn.

bluetreefingers reply :

spiderman setups rock!

heck i would get one for myself if they had an adult sized one!

jemackinnon83 reply :

I take my 2 year old son fishing with me all the time. He's got a Spongebob squarepants setup:). Usually he gets a bobber and no hook. Every 15 minutes or so I have to untangle the line from around him, so he's not quite ready for a hook:)

Quinn reply :

I had my nice and nephew (twins) for a year, and i took them to a small lake, they both were casting an open face spinning reel about 25 yards and caught some small crappie. They were about 3.5 years old. Their attention span was something to deal with. I didn't get my fishing in, 'cause I was untangleing stuff from trees and stuff so take the kidds fishing to teach them how. When they get older, it is only technique from that point on. They had a blast..... That's what counts right????

SenkoBasser reply :

My daughter is 3 years old and I have her casting pretty darn good now. Last season, she was only 2, I brought her to a trout farm, casted in for her, hooked one, then handed the rod to her to reel in. And she did! Now that she can cast I want to see if she can catch some crappie for my frying pan. I'm stoked. Come winter this year Ima try her on some skis. Oughtta be fun.

-ebby- reply :

just a idea cut the barb or buy some barbless hooks incase they get hooked

bassmedic46 reply :

I have twin 3 year olds a boy and girl. I work as a paramedic and I work 2 days a week and take them fishing everyday for a short time. My son has a shreck pole and my daughter has a princess pole that they practice casting with, both are getting pretty good. Tight lines

bassmedic46 reply :

Kids love ice fishing

Daiwa reply :

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Kids love ice fishing

Im not sure thats the best thing. Its slow fishing and might lose interest.

GatorTom reply :

Both my boys started when they were 2. Just don't expect their attention span to be very long. I would take them to some different holes where the bream were thick or take them to my mom's stocked catfish pond and let them pull them in one after another. My dad started me out really young. In Michigan, we used to fish for walleye from the shore and I couldn't even reel when a fish was on. So, I would just start backing up. I was just under 2. Now my oldest son (he's now almost 7) is the best fishing partner I have. I bought him one og those AVS youth baitcaster setups and he's learned to throw it pretty well. His PB LMB is 7lbs 2oz. He caught it late last year.

brgbassmaster reply :

caught my first silver salmon in alaska at 3 so thats not a bad age at all.

CJ reply :

I caught my first one at four. My boy caught his first at three!

Only advice is to make sure they're having fun whether they are catching fish or not. I let mine bring along his Gameboy in case he gets bored (I don't think he has ever played it on the boat though). I'm always trying to entertain him by acting goofy or cutting up and ofcourse I always make him feel big by asking him if this lure will work or if this spot is a good one. And I try to never get on to him or get frustrated cause he just messed his rig up or is jumping around to much. The main thing is that when Gavin goes fishing with me, it's our day, not just mine.

burleytog reply :

Same age you teach them to shoot.

CL reply :

i started my son around 3 with trout up in branson. he did fine, but the attention span is short. he is almost 6 now and LOVES to fish, but he still has a short attention span for it. he runs around the pond and then casts a couple times, then goes off to something else. ponds are a good place for kids.

CL reply :

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I caught my first one at four. My boy caught his first at three!
Only advice is to make sure they're having fun whether they are catching fish or not. I let mine bring along his Gameboy in case he gets bored (I don't think he has ever played it on the boat though). I'm always trying to entertain him by acting goofy or cutting up and ofcourse I always make him feel big by asking him if this lure will work or if this spot is a good one. And I try to never get on to him or get frustrated cause he just messed his rig up or is jumping around to much. The main thing is that when Gavin goes fishing with me, it's our day, not just mine.

i need to take this advice for myself with my kid. i need to remember its our day, not mine.

MALTESE FALCON reply :

I started my kids fishing around three, they all loved it. Last Friday my three year old grandson caught his first LMB. I set up his Snoopy pole with a Senko and he tossed it out to the middle of the canal and within thirty seconds he was pulling in an 15" bass.

The best advice was make sure they are having fun.

Falcon

ba7ss3in reply :

My daughter turns 1 tomorrow and she will be getting her first combo.

Popeye reply :

My wife and I just bought our two grandsons and two granddaughters fishing combos last Sunday. I got the girls Dora setups and the boys Zebco 202s w/small tackle boxes. We are hoping to take all of them fishing on the fishing dock at Otay lake as soon as the weather warms a bit more. My wife suggested a Mother's Day outting/picknic for our whole family. The girls are 4 and 2 1/2 and the twin boys are going to be 6 in May. Hopefully the bluegills and crappie will be biting good by then. I find that if a young child doesn't catch something in the first 10 - 15 minutes they loose all interest and want to go play or go home. I want all our grandkid's first fishing experience to be a good one.

key chain bass guy reply :

I took my daughter on her second birthday. The advice about it being our day, not mine is good. I hope I can remember that next time we go.

guitarkid reply :

The first time I really remember fishing, I was about 7, by that age they could probably get some of the point. But that is my opinion. Now about the combo spincasters, I had a kermit the frog one with about a 2.5 foot pole.

-searoach

lookatmybass reply :

it's never too soon to start

MDbassinmike reply :

Here is my son Rhenn at 3. He caught this one and several more last year.

MDbassinmike reply :

One more of Rhenn, age 3.

JerseyBassin reply :

didn't start freshwater fishing until a couple years ago

but i started saltwater when i was very young...by the age of 3 i was out on my boat in the ocean..of course some of the fish were a little too big for me to reel in, but i got my fair share...i find that the exposure to it was more important than the actual fishing...so dont hesitate to bring your kid(s) out on the boat even if the fishing they'll do is limited

smallieking reply :

i dont have kids yet, but i dont even remember my father first taking me out on the boat. i have pics from when i was like 2 holding nice ones so i would say any age

pokey reply :

i started my daughter at 3.5 casting worms (no hooks) in the yard then moved to water. She caught on quickly

simplejoe reply :

I started my son at 3 years old with live minnows and he wanted to fish like me so I got him a topwater heddon torpedo and he just turned 5 so for his birthday last week I took him down to Cabelas and let him pick out his own tacklebox and baits and let me say the bait monkey got a hold of him too he wanted everything I have in my tacklebox but I got him a frog, buzzbait, spinnerbait and bunch of plastic worms, I showed and explained to him about the hooks and how to grab them, not to stab his little sister with them and he understood everything I said. I took him fishing yesterday and he caught a couple of small bass but I didn't fish at all :'( :'(

EastTexasBassin reply :

I'm getting anxious to take my boy fishing, but he's only 2 months old so I guess I'll have to wait a bit.

I got him his first rod&reel before he was born, I can't wait until he's old enough to hold it and cast with it. For now it waits for him on the wall of his room.

simplejoe reply :

you are anxious, buying him a rod before he was born lol

Rob Faddis reply :

I started my son fishing at 2 years old with unbreakable equipment (Ugly stick and Zebco 202). Mind you, their attention span is about 30 seconds so be patient as you won't get much fishing done in fear of a hook imbedded in one of you or that he'll fall in, but memories you'll both cherish.

One his first outing, I took my boy to a local pond. After rigging him up and trying to teach him the finer points of the proper cast, I realized defeat and left the child to invent his own tecnique with this new toy that I had entrusted him with. After better then an hour into this ordeal/adventure and having retrieved him soaking wet from the pond twice. I sat back and watched him guardedly while he dangling a night crawler in about 2 feet of water at the edge of a pond. With the fishing gods watching, bang the rod bends and the fight is on. I don't know to this day who was more startled him or me. Luckily there was only about 4 feet of line out ( NOTE: kids don't reel in line well). Anyway, he was able to drag his first fish to the bank without assistance. A nice 2 1/2 lb. large mouth lay there on the grass. The ensuing reality of his victory just about scared the kid to death. Fear faded with all the praise that I was giving him for his fishing prowess (luck) and the spot-light that ensued as we shared the story and the fish with neighbors, relatives and anyone else that would listen. (As you have gathered there was no catch and release story here.)

That bass lived in our freezer for 5 years waiting to be paraded out on special occasions like school show and tell, family gatherings and the like. Time and decay wore on the poor old guy and one day he escaped the freezer. We never did figure out what happened to that fish after those 5 odd years and I guarantee that my wife isn't talking!

The point is, the boy is now 25 years old and a fine man that I am very proud of. This experience is the earliest memory he has and he occasionally tells of it. When the story of that first fish passes his lips, I see that little boy with such pride telling the story just as he did so many years ago to his kindergarten class. I believe that this experience and the other outdoor adventures we shared helped make my son the honest and loving person he is. What those times did for me is priceless.

Quinn reply :

Rob,

Man, thats what it is all about. Watching the KC news about a 13 year old kid that murdered someone, that kid needed to go FISHING with someone, an uncle, a dad, or anyone who could take him to learn about what life is about.

Rob Faddis reply :

Amen Quinn! We all need to support Casting Kids, or any "take a kid fishing program". There are many great kids out there that just need a helping hand and our prisons are overcrowded already.

MichBassMan reply :

Great question. I guess I started taking my son fishing when he was about a year and a half old. He's 28 now and still my fishing partner. His daughter is 17 months old and he had her out ice fishing a month ago. If they are old enough to play with a minnow or a rubber worm(without eating it) they are ready to start fishing and learning to love the outdoors. But it's never too late regardless of age.

Bass Thumb reply :

Well said, great story!

nickb reply :

Nice post Rob! I hope to raise a great kid someday.

I think that 3 years old would be ideal.

CatBassin reply :

I was taught when i was 3 by my dad and broke my first rod reeling one in at age 5 or 6. But my little boy is 2 and i bought him his first combo, an Ugly Stik Junior with Shakespeare reel, and I'm thinking bout trying him out this year. I gave him the bottom half of a broken rod, an old busted reel, and a fluke and taught him how to reel one in, give it a kiss, and trow it back.

CatBassin reply :

Almost forgot but my son did reel his first one in last summer at the beach off the pier, just a little pin fish or as me and my pop call them king bait.

SirSnookalot reply :

I started at about age 5, back in 1950 there were no kids outfits so my dad bought me the same b/c as he was using, spinning the next year. He taught me 1 hand overhead cast right from the gitgo.

done reply :

I get my girls out when they hit 3 or 4 depending on their attention span. I add a little bit of competition in it for them. They start with the floating Dora/Barbie pole.

The first time get get a fish 100% on their own (they cast, hook it, and land it, they win a trip to BPS to pick out the big girl rod/reel combo. My first chose the pink Shakespear rod/reel combo. My second is going for her combo this year and says she wants the same thing (she is 5). You want pressure try having a 5 yr old with e pink rod/reel combo start catching more than you. LOL.

After that they have to get a 3+lb fish and they can pick out a tackle box. My oldest (7 yrs) has told me, she WILL have her tackle box this year. At 10 they graduate to hit the trout streams with me in the spring and fall.

The competition has really helped them focus more, as they have a goal, and of course the one on one experience with them is awesome. I would not trade it for anything.

Dave D reply :

I started my little guy right away. 1.5. This year he was able to reel in a couple on the ice at 2 years old. I think this summer is going to be fun.

It's never to early to start, just remember short increments.

DINK WHISPERER reply :

My 3 1/2 yr old daughter will fish for about 3 hours before she loses interest. Her favorite is the zoom horny toad or any top water. She likes seeing the lure i guess. My wife is expecting our second child and we just found out yesterday that it is a BOY!!!!! We will see how he does.

Pond Hopper reply :

My dad supposedly started me at 2. He would go fishing Sylvan's Slough on the Mississippi river with his co-worker's(fireman) and he would strap me to his chest. When he caught a fish I would apparently reel them in. He said it was a huge pain in the rear but I thank him for sparking my interest in fishing and keeping me out of trouble. I have many pictures of when I was young with stringers full of white bass, crappies, and walleyes.

clipper reply :

It is great to see so many of you guys taking your kids fishing at an early age. My son had to beg me when he was 6 or 7 and that's only because he watched fishing shows on TV every Saturday morning. I quit working so much, bought a boat and took him fishing. He won his first tournament fishing the back of the boat today. He has turned out to be a good, hard working, honest man and I attribute the time we spent fishing for a good part of that.

Thank you Bill Dance and Roland Martin .

Fish Chris reply :

I've been checking in on this thread every now and again, and didn't think I'd reply, as I don't / won't have any kids. {I think kids are great, as long as I don't have to raise them}

But anyway, first off, to whoever suggested barbless hooks, thats a GREAT idea. Heck, if they lose a fish or two, that will be a good lesson right from the start ! You will lose a few. And if they get stuck with the barbless hook, that will be "enough" for the second lesson... Be careful, getting stuck with hooks is all bad.

Oh, but hey.... I don't think a single person here mentioned the use of cane pole ? IMPO for a really young angler, why make things so complicated ? {you have to turn this... and that pulls in your line... and you have to do this when the fish pulls.... and careful the line doesn't get tangled, yada... yada}

Why not just the basics ? > When the fish pulls down (the bobber) you pull up !

Spiderman is all fine when they are at home watching TV..... But when they are fishing {IMPO} it should be all about catching fish !

And finally, I'm not sure if anybody mentioned this, but I think the age at which a kid starts fishing..... or whether or not he "EVER" starts fishing, should be completely up to him.

I think if I had a kid, I'd take him and the wife on a fishing trip. I'd fish. If the kid wanted to do the same, so he/she could be like dad, "cool" ! {I'd be like, "I think we got a keeper here honey" ;-)

But the best you can do is to make sure they catch fish quickly, and easily. Let them fish "if" they want to. Don't try to make them fish because you want them to. Always remembering that some kids are just not born with it.

Oh, I started at 2 1/2..... with a cane pole, for Bluegills :-) Been hooked ever since :-)

Peace,

Fish

PS, I think the kids who believe they have to have that fancy Spiderman rod to catch fish, are the same kids who grow up to believe they have to have a 21ft bass boat, to catch bass ;-) LOL

done reply :

"I think the kids who believe they have to have that fancy Spiderman rod to catch fish, are the same kids who grow up to believe they have to have a 21ft bass boat, to catch bass Wink LOL "

THATS the idea. Someday when i am old and gray, they can take me out on their 21 ft boat. LOL. I actually, push my girls a little bit but not to far. At the age of my oldest 2 (5 and 7), I am working on slowly extending the concentration level. When we go out on the boat, my 7 yr old will fish about 60% of the time. She will spend some time just soaking in the time on the boat too. My 7 yr old is totally stoked that there are professional female fishermen who can catch more than boys.

My 5 yr old, fishes on and off. At this age I do sign them up for a lot of things, Dance, Tee-Ball, Soccer, fishing, etc to get them a wide range of experiences so they can see what they like.

My oldest, did 2 seasons of T-Ball and soccer, decided Dancing was what she wanted to do, so she does that now. My 5 yr old is all about soccer. She just loves more aggressive sports. Fishing I would continue to bring them, unless they really loathed it. It is about fishing, getting them outdoors, but more importantly to get that critical one on one time with them. I imagine as they move to the teen years it will just grow in importance.

kms399 reply :

Quote

Quote
Kids love ice fishing

Im not sure thats the best thing. Its slow fishing and might lose interest.

if you do it right it is great. I took my son icefishing this winter and had a blast. he is 2 1/2 we brought his magnadoodle and some hot chocolate, cookies and caught a bunch of sunnies. I let him decide which ones to keep or throw back and he was so happy to show mom when we got home. I would set the hook and he would crank them in.

keep the trips short is the key and dont try to fish for yourself. make it all about the kid.

done reply :

Quote

Quote

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Kids love ice fishing

GREAT point kms. You try to fish for yourself you are doing to be really frustrated. Last time I went with my daughter I spent 2/3 of the time helping her bait her line, cast out in the right areas, DUCK, LOL.

Which is still why after a long run of going with the girls, i really appreciate a solo run or heading out with one of my buds.

Im not sure thats the best thing. Its slow fishing and might lose interest.

if you do it right it is great. I took my son icefishing this winter and had a blast. he is 2 1/2 we brought his magnadoodle and some hot chocolate, cookies and caught a bunch of sunnies. I let him decide which ones to keep or throw back and he was so happy to show mom when we got home. I would set the hook and he would crank them in.

keep the trips short is the key and dont try to fish for yourself. make it all about the kid.

zaraspook_dylan2 reply :

Quote
just a idea cut the barb or buy some barbless hooks incase they get hooked

i love how almost everyone on this forum has a picture of a big bass they've caught. so i seen your picture and laughed.. lol ;D

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