8 Fun Ways to Hook Kids on Fishing

If you want to instill in them a love for the outdoors, casting your lines together may be just the thing. Here are some easy tips to get started!

Taking kids fishing is great family fun and a rite of passage. If you want to instill in them a love for the outdoors, here are some easy tips to get started.

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Tips For Taking The Kids Fishing

Happy Father and Son together fishing from a boat at sunset time in summer day under beautiful sky on the lake.

Start small: Find a small lake or stream known for its ample fish, no matter what the size. Remember the fun for beginners is to catch any fish, not necessarily the “biggest.”

Keep it short: Select a fishing spot close to home so the excursion can be brief. Before the teenage years, two hours of fishing is more than enough.

Make it simple: A push-button spin-cast reel is the ideal starter reel for a child. The rod should be a short medium action rod no longer than the height of the child, usually less than five feet. The line should be 8-pound monofilament, which will cast lures well yet be strong enough to hold many species of fish suitable for a child. Artificial lures, rather than worms, provide some advantages as they stay on the line without having to constantly rebait a hook. But if it takes live bait to catch fish on a given day, use it.

little girl with a fishing rod fishing from the boat
Select a spot nearby and keep the trip short to make it more fun.

Wait for good weather: Adults don’t enjoy fishing when it’s rainy and cold, or sweltering hot. Neither do children. You may want to bring a change of clothes and dry socks even if the weather looks good, just in case. Be ready for an alternative activity on that day if the weather is bad.

Smiling Grandfather and Grandson Fishing

Take pictures: Bring a camera along to capture the moment. Kids like to be part of the action, so let them take some of the pictures of the outing as well.

Think safety first: A life jacket, mosquito repellent, and sunscreen should be at the top of the list, along with a first-aid kit. De-barb the hooks. It only takes a few seconds to take a pair of pliers and squeeze down the barb on the hook. The child will catch just as many fish (although a few may slip off), and it is much safer than a trip to the emergency room. Don’t forget that fish have sharp spines and/or fins that children need to watch out for. Be sure to discuss safe water issues as well. Water can be very inviting to children, so make certain they know this spot is for fishing not swimming.

Listen: Pay attention to what is on your child’s mind. You may be surprised by what this young person has to say. Whenever possible, do try to ground your discussions on nature and its many wonders.

Celebrate the outing. Enjoy the time spent outdoors with your kids!

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Larry Searls

If you are a grandpa taking a grandchild fishing for the first time make sure to take their dad to make it a family thing.

Vernon Bocock

I like the 8 ways to get children into fishing, it’s plan and simple ways to get them started into fun out doors.
Thanks for the insight.

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