taking young children fishing 2024

TNbassmom reply :

hi,all. I am not an avid fisherman, it is a new hobby of mine. I have a question I am wondering if anybody here takes their child with them on fishings outtings. Its just me & my 5 yr old boy, I didnt take him out this past summer the few times I went. I have seen the child sized poles, and would like him to come along. He refuses to touch live bait, and all the other baits are either coated with chemicals or just not something I want him whipping through the air(lol). Does anyone have any tips? I have yet to go fishing on a boat, I just sit on the river or lakes egde.

islandbass reply :

Welcome!

First, let me say that I am in your boat as I fish exclusively from the shore with my kids. Your son is more than old enough for sure. A scooby doo or superman fishing rod is more that enough for him. So here are some tips:

1) Keep it simple. They don't know anything about the latest lucky craft. You mentioned that he doesn't like to touch live bait. Use soft plastic versions or better yet, inline spinners or spoons. If there is any baiting to do, it's all on you to do it.

2) Give them 100% of your attention. It will probably mean that you won't be doing any fishing, because it is likely you will be spending more time undoing tangles, retying knots and what not. This is okay.

3) Be patient and give them room to experiment and learn. If they want help they will usually ask for it. In addition, their attention span will most likely not be more than 15 minutes so be ready to accomodate that. I usually pick a lake/park that also has a play ground and restroom facility. When they're done, they can go to the playground with you and they just might get back into fishing.

4) Encourage and nurture them every step.

5) it is handy to also have snacks and drinks and even a little chair for them and don't skimp on this, a life vest. It only takes a second to slip into the drink even from a flat shore.

Good luck.

This is my 3 year old. His attention span for fishing is just under an hour even with a playground nearby.

This is my daughter when she was 4 or 5. She started with a barbie pole, then a spinning reel at 5 and a baitcast reel by 6. She outfishes me most of the time and that makes me even prouder! ;D

eastkybass reply :

I have 3 kids and all have been out with me. My oldest is 10 and he doesn't touch live bait either. I also have a 6 year old boy and a 5 year old daughter and they both have a great time. I started them out fishing for bluegill and other panfish just to get them started.

A couple of tips to help you out:

1.) Don't keep them out to long, a couple of hours at best.

Kids get tired quickly so short trips help to get them to want to go again.

2.) Bring them something else to do incase the fishing is slow.

We all know that a 5 year old gets easily distracted.

Let them bring a couple of toys to set and play with it will get them to want to stay a little longer and help if the fishing is tough.

flippincrazy reply :

I take my nephew and younger brothers fishing. The previous posts offer great advice. Just try to pick a spot and fish (panfish normally) that you know they will readily catch!

jomatty reply :

one other piece of advice is to not overdo it. i made that mistake with my son who is 5 now. i used to take him a few times a week and he started to get bored with it. im surprised that he doesnt like live bait as it seems most little boys like that stuff lol. i would try to encourage it because even though my son usually fishes soft plastics because he wants to be with dad, he really has a better time when he fishes a worm or minnow and catches lots of fish. when not fishing with live bait a senko on a circle hook is your best friend. that is the bait that got my son and my wife (before it was just me and my son) into fishing. great bait for beginners. he loves to fish crankbaits (little fishies as he calls them) but i try to stay away from trebles.

also, really do try to give the kids your focus. i wish i had spent more time helping my son and less time fishing as i think he would have enjoyed it more. nowadays i take him with me when i think the chances are very good that he will catch fish rather than just bringing him cause i feel like going.

we have had some very special times on the water and im sure your son and you will too,

matt

Jeff C. reply :

I always take my 2 boys with me..

they are a little older now..

11 & 16...They are my best fishing buds..

My wife will hold the door for me to fish & say do not hurry back

but, thats only if I have both boys with me..

I remember back when they were using a bobber & worms

while I was tring to cast rubber worms.. yes tring.. .The advice above is good. And correct when saying you will not be fishing much your self..

But as said .. thats ok,,

after I help them out for a couple years now they both have there own tackle and even my 11 year old has been rigging his own pole with

Texas rig with the hook tip still in the bait for weedless style..The youngest is still catching less bass then myself or my older boy.But each summer he gets better at his presintation with artificial bass baits.I am sure that this summer he will be setting the hook on a lot of bass...

good vice,,

snacks,,

drinks

safty vest.!!!!

towells to keep hand clean

sun glasses

even some thing else to keep them buisy

like toys or books.. so maybe you can fish a little after they lose intrest.

good luck & have fun...

8-)

Sam reply :

I take a 7 and 10 year old fishing and everything said is right on target.

The major thing I do is NOT take them fishing all the time so when we do go fishing it is a major and important event and they get all excited about it.

The only problem is that when I am at my local pond and the kids drive by with their mother and see my car they pitch a fit in the car to have her stop and let them join me.

So it is never a surprise of one or both show up, out of the blue, to fish with me so I always take two extra rigs for them to use.

Arn't kids fun?

Low_Budget_Hooker reply :

TNmom, Hang tight, I'm building you a short tutorial video today.

Daniel My Brother reply :

All good advice. Here's what I'll add:

1. Cane poles catch more sunfish. Small children have a hard time with setting a hook when the bobber goes under. Usually they just start reeling and end up missing the fish. With a cane pole the hook set is automatic. Plus, sunfish hang out near shore and under docks, while the older the kids are trying to see how far they can cast, the cane pole is always where the fish are.

2. The Right Rod. If you're going to use a rod and reel, find a rod that's about the same height as the kid fishing it. I like any push button reel.

3. Don't try to do to much. This means you don't get to fish if you're taking more than 1 child, you just get to help. Your job is to take fish off the hooks, and bait hooks for the younger ones. You're also there to teach the older ones to do this for themselves.

4. Pick your spot carefully. My kids get bored easily. A pond at a neighborhood park is perfect. The little ones can play on the playground when they get anxious, while the older ones get to fish a bit longer.

5. Bring snacks. A hungry kid is a crabby kid, and crabby is contagious.

6. Bring a bucket. You don't have to keep the fish you catch, but your kid will be thrilled to watch it swim in a bucket for a short time before you release it.

7. Don't stay too long. It's better that they leave wanting more.

8. Take lots of pictures. Someday you'll want to remind them that they used to like you.

9. Gold Aberdeen hooks with a small bend and a long shank are perfect. The short bend will help you hook more sunfish. The long shank will keep the fish from swallowing the hook. Plus, aberdeen hooks bend easily when you get hung up.

roadwarrior reply :

Man, the responses on this thread are SO good, I only popped in to emphasize:

Short trips!

When the kids are done, you're DONE!

Move on to something else.

8-)

warmer reply :

great thread:

the easiest fishing trips w/ the kids are catfish/panfish fishing off of the dock in the pond behind my dads house, but...

most of the time i fish with my kids (i have 4) in my boat i am pre-fishing a tournament, so i have to try to make it fun for them and productive for me

my top three most important things...

1) keep them comfortable... i use a patio umbrella rigged in the seat post for the hot/sunny days.

and on the colder days i bring a flashlight, camera, books, and crayons and clear out the rod locker for them. bring plenty of food and water/juice.

2) keep them entertained. i save all my torn soft plastics in a bag, and when they are bored of fishing i let them pull them out and play w/ them...

about a year ago she was losing interest, so i graduated her to a spinning rod, and spray-painted it pink... that won her over

and most importantly.

3) finish with a bang... that means a slurpy at 7-11, because the one thing they will remember is the last thing we did, and a well timed slurpy at the end can salvage a dismal day.

most recently i fished a team tournament w/ my six year old daughter, and she insisted that i retie her after she broke off so that she could be responsible to "fill our limit" (her words).

Low_Budget_Hooker reply :

Now there's a guy who is doing it right!!

roadwarrior reply :

warmer,

DUDE!

You bring tears to my eyes... ;D

8-)

warmer reply :

thanks roadwarrior.

she would have definately brought tears to my eyes if she had filled that limit.

funniest days with her, are when we are on schoolies. she loves to throw a toad, and if they are really eating, she will actually real it in rooting for the toad not to get bit. "cmon toad, you can make it!"

Tin reply :

As long as it is comfortable and fun, they will become addicted.

Daniel My Brother reply :

Quote
loves to throw a toad, and if they are really eating, she will actually real it in rooting for the toad not to get bit. "cmon toad, you can make it!"

That's the sweetest / funniest thing I've read all day!

Fisher of Men reply :

Quote

Quote
loves to throw a toad, and if they are really eating, she will actually real it in rooting for the toad not to get bit. "cmon toad, you can make it!"

That's the sweetest / funniest thing I've read all day!

Warmer, I have a 9 year old who's been fishing with me since she was 2 or 3. I still have her first sunfish in the freezer (I don't know what I'm going to do with it, but I keep it). I have to agree with RW that your posts have lightened up my day as well. Everyone's advice is dead on.

BTW- Welcome TNbassmom!!

Here's a pic of me and my daughter from '05. This is her biggest bass yet.

TNbassmom reply :

thanks for the advice guys, I feel a bit more confident about taking my little one this summer.

hammer84 reply :

Everyone had great advice on htis thread !!! My kids will last about an hour unless the fish are really biting.

My son just turned 6 this week my daughter is 3. They are both fishing nuts.

Neither has any issues with live bait, they both like minnows and worms. Also neither of them want anything to do with a bobber. My son is all about the bass. He uses cranks and paddle tail swimbaits and does a great job.

My daughter loves her worms. Bubble gum colored worms with a small pegged bullet weight and she is all set. Sometime I can get her to use real worms or bread and catch some bluegill but most of the time she wants to cast and crank with boys.

Low_Budget_Hooker reply :

Here you go TNmom. Nothing special, just some basics to get you rolling.

http://hawgz2.com/video/lbh/TNmom.wmv

TNbassmom reply :

Thanks alot, I am getting so much from this website's forum members. So are there any members out there from the volunteer state? Perhaps one of you guys can help me pick a place for my little guys first outting, down near Normandy Lake area? 8-)

islandbass reply :

Quote
great thread:
the easiest fishing trips w/ the kids are catfish/panfish fishing off of the dock in the pond behind my dads house, but...

most of the time i fish with my kids (i have 4) in my boat i am pre-fishing a tournament, so i have to try to make it fun for them and productive for me

my top three most important things...

1) keep them comfortable... i use a patio umbrella rigged in the seat post for the hot/sunny days.

and on the colder days i bring a flashlight, camera, books, and crayons and clear out the rod locker for them. bring plenty of food and water/juice.

2) keep them entertained. i save all my torn soft plastics in a bag, and when they are bored of fishing i let them pull them out and play w/ them...

about a year ago she was losing interest, so i graduated her to a spinning rod, and spray-painted it pink... that won her over

and most importantly.

3) finish with a bang... that means a slurpy at 7-11, because the one thing they will remember is the last thing we did, and a well timed slurpy at the end can salvage a dismal day.

most recently i fished a team tournament w/ my six year old daughter, and she insisted that i retie her after she broke off so that she could be responsible to "fill our limit" (her words).

Warmer,

You are the man!! Excellent tips too! I am willing to bet your daughter's ready for a bc reel. My daughter was 6 when I handed her my curado bsf and after the first cast she said the reel was hers and so it was. ;D

Oh yeah. The Cold Stone Creamery is near the lake so that is the reward my kids like to have. 8-)

Tokyo Tony reply :

Great thread guys, seeing those pictures and reading your stories has me looking forward to having kids, although I'm not in any rush ;D

I remember the good old days going fishing with my dad or with my grandmother. You fathers and mothers out there taking your kids fishing are really doing it right and giving them some life-long memories. Great stuff.

garry77 reply :

I take my son with me every trip.He just turned 5 in july.He's been fishing with me since he could reel a pole.Like everyone says start out with sunfish.You may have to help the first few hooksets then talk them through it as they gain experience.

I remember his first bass like it was yesterday.Caught it on a nightcrawler and bobber.

Now when we fish in the boat he has a few matchbox cars and some books to play with.Also I bought him one of those grab bags of soft plastics.He fishes and plays with them.

Oh btw he's also the fastest net man in the business.If he sees the rod load up he can be from matchbox to net in half a second.

Plus the look on his face when I trade him my rod for the net is priceless.

Catt reply :

Tip to guarantee fish for kids to catch

Take a can of dog food; punch about 10 holes with an ice pick, chunk can into water, this will attract dozens of bream.

PS: do this about an hour before you plan on fish, use this time to get every thing else ready.

I have 4 sons that I taught how to fish, can't get a single one to go now so don't expect a new fishing buddy out of the deal enjoy it for what it is FUN.

TNbassmom reply :

thats a great idea with the dog food, I WAS wondering if there was a secret to making sure he may catch a fish. I know there's a chance he may not enjoy fishing, I just want to make sure it is something he gets to try & has fun. Have a feeling if he does catch one, he wanna make a new pet of it, like the slug he found on our walkway, the (dead) butterfly caught in the spider's web and so on.

fishinlunatic reply :

Great thread with some great advice! The only thing I would add or emphasize is dont force feed them. Go at their speed. Time spent fishing with my son is time we always remember.

LakeAnnaBasser reply :

Quote
great thread:
the easiest fishing trips w/ the kids are catfish/panfish fishing off of the dock in the pond behind my dads house, but...

most of the time i fish with my kids (i have 4) in my boat i am pre-fishing a tournament, so i have to try to make it fun for them and productive for me

my top three most important things...

1) keep them comfortable... i use a patio umbrella rigged in the seat post for the hot/sunny days.

and on the colder days i bring a flashlight, camera, books, and crayons and clear out the rod locker for them. bring plenty of food and water/juice.

2) keep them entertained. i save all my torn soft plastics in a bag, and when they are bored of fishing i let them pull them out and play w/ them...

about a year ago she was losing interest, so i graduated her to a spinning rod, and spray-painted it pink... that won her over

and most importantly.

3) finish with a bang... that means a slurpy at 7-11, because the one thing they will remember is the last thing we did, and a well timed slurpy at the end can salvage a dismal day.

most recently i fished a team tournament w/ my six year old daughter, and she insisted that i retie her after she broke off so that she could be responsible to "fill our limit" (her words).

Warmer, Is your daughter using a fuego in that picture? Thats awesome if you got her knowing ho to use a baitcaster like that. ;D

warmer reply :

she would have preferred a pink fuego, but her favorite real is indeed my red one...

Popeye reply :

GREAT thread/topic!! Makes me Thank the Lord (again) for my Dad and Grandfather taking me fishing so many, many years ago and getting me hooked on the sport (no pun intended:o)

Topics like this one show you how GREAT and helpful ALL the fine folks on this Fantastic Forum are!!

guest reply :

Really great stuff here.

Warmer........you win the "best fishing dad" award in my book.

One thing that I learned is that when you take a little kid fishing, you really need to remember that you are there for them. forget about fishing for yourself. this is ALL about quality time with the little critters.

p.S. catt.......good advice for bream....what about attracting shiners?

russ, cool stuff dude.....where DO you find the time?

Fisher of Men reply :

Quote
russ, cool stuff dude.....where DO you find the time?

He has no life! ;D Seriously Russ, that's very helpful. I'm sure it will be of use in the future when this topic pops up again. You know Glenn's going to love you for starting something. We'll all be embedding video into our posts before long. More bandwidth, please?

Low_Budget_Hooker reply :

pre-approved It's just a link, the actual file is hosted elsewhere

MFD_Firefighter661 reply :

Quote
Thanks alot, I am getting so much from this website's forum members. So are there any members out there from the volunteer state? Perhaps one of you guys can help me pick a place for my little guys first outting, down near Normandy Lake area? 8-)

sent you a pm

Alpster reply :

These are a few of my kid buddies that have fished with me. I love taking the kiddos out to fish.

Ronnie

warmer reply :

thanks avid! dadding is a great sport.

11529

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