Teaching Kids To Fish

  The title of this article may to some folks, seem a little weird or misleading. The truth be told is that if you want to teach your children the joys of fishing you’ll need to understand teaching a kid to fish, is somewhat like watching paint drying. Not a lot of fun for kids if the fish are not biting. Let’s face it .Kids today are into video games and other activities that offer more entertainment value. Sure, there’s plenty of excitement when there’s a fish on the line but that doesn’t happen enough to keep child’s attention. We are the stewards of outdoor recreation and teaching our children to enjoy the outdoors and sharing activities within the great outdoors is the future for our sport of fishing.  I have been to many kid fishing events as an outdoor writer and volunteer. I have noticed parents who attend these events rarely know the basics of fishing. 

 There are several volunteer groups available to adults and children alike, who will offer seminars on fishing basics. The Irvine Lake Pro Team is one of these volunteer groups that offer’s seminars to adults and volunteers for kid fishing events throughout the year. Their prime purpose is to teach people how to fish and over the years they have taught thousands of folks how to fish. Their seminars cover the basics of tackle, lures and bait selection, as well as several methods to catch fish and more. People have a fairly good introduction to catching fish after attending these seminars. If you are an adult who has a love for fishing and young children then you probably know just how hard it is to take a child to a local lake or a city park lake and have them sit patiently for a fish to bite. Things like sticks and rocks become items that will end up in the water and not help much in the fish catching department. Kids tend to want to hang out with other kids and you’ll find them making friends with other kids in the immediate area and not paying attention to their fishing rods.

The trick to teaching kid’s to fish is to occupy their time with activities that you as a parent or mentor can control in the immediate area where you are fishing, always stressing to the child the purpose of the  outing is to catch fish. So how do you accomplish this major feat? It’s not as hard as you might expect and in the process may find the time interfacing with your young angler to be, very rewarding as a parent/mentor. Kids instinctively will want to cast and reel in their lines. Why? Because it’s physically something for them to do and not be bored. But if they are casting lines over the people next to you or getting tangles, then your frustration level will skyrocket and yelling at your child doesn’t help in making good relations between the two of you. The longer the line stays in the water the better your chances of catching fish. Young anglers should be taught how to cast and retrieve before handling a fishing rod but using an adult size rod and complicated reel will cause you nothing but frustration. The time to put a fishing rod in a very young angler’s hands is when there is a fish on the end of the line.

Before going fishing try going to the local fishing tackle store, and ask for some assistance from the people who work in the business and get your little angler a rod and reel combo that they can handle. The Barbie fishing outfit maybe pink and funny looking to you but your little princess will think the world of her new fishing rod that you bought just for her and guess what? It will do the job catching a fish if you’re lucky enough to get hooked up. Why not throw in a small tackle box with the basics like hooks, leader material (2-4 lb.test leader material with hook already tied on), split shots of various weight sizes, power bait, marsh mellows, etc. If it’s a Spiderman tackle box then its way cool to a kid. Let them know this is their fishing rod and tackle box. These little things can generate some excitement BEFORE going fishing. Maybe playing a fishing video on the TV so your little angler knows what’s in store for them will help get them ready to battle their 1st fish. Keep it simple! Remember, kids know one knot and that’s the one you taught them to tie their shoelaces so teach knot tying using a small piece of rope. A good beginner’s knot is the clinch knot. Not fancy but will get the job done. Move onto better knots as they get older and finger dexterity improves with your child.

When putting together a basic young angler’s tackle box it’s important to cover the basics like treble hooks in the sizes 14-18, a splitshot assortment pack, assorted sliding sinkers, bobbers, and a strike indicator setup.  Other hooks may be needed for using nightcrawlers. Basic baits might include Berkley Power Bait nuggets in various favors such as Chunky Cheese, Rainbow Glitter, and Chartreuse green. Have light 2-4 lb.test fluorocarbon leader material for trout and small gamefish on hand. A small assortment of swivels can be handy as well when tying leaders onto the mainline if heavier than 4 lb. test. Casting lures should be discouraged until anglers have good casting skills then add to their tackle box accordingly for what’s working the local waters being fished. Make sure you have several good quality rod holders as this is part of the game plan to keep young anglers from casting and reeling. Remember, the more time your bait is in the water means more opportunity for fish bites.

 There are ways to keep your little anglers rooted to the general area. It requires some patience and a little creativeness on your part. Before setting out to the local lake you will need to do a little planning. Have snacks and drinks for your outing is step one in the planning process but you also need to have some activity that your child can do while waiting for the fish to bite. If you think in terms of activities like board games, or toys that can be kept in a general area then you’re going to have an easier time reminding them to always be looking at the fishing rod you have placed in the rod holder at the edge of the water. Have your child facing the water rather than their backs to the water. Try sitting next to the child’s side when possible. Use games that do not have playing cards or something that will easily blow away with the wind. Read them their favorite book but make sure they are facing the water. Every now and then, ask them if they are checking the fishing pole for movement to maintain that the purpose of this outing is to catch a fish. Play word games or use flash cards. Even a crayon set, heavy Cray paper and a clipboard can be used to have them draw the lake, birds, trees and you! Whatever activity you choose it’s important to stress they must face the water and acknowledge they are fishing as the prime purpose of your outing. 

If you are lucky enough to see the fishing rod move from a possible bite then see if the fish is hooked up by setting the hook before you hand off the rod to your little angler. Then coach them to reel in slowly and hold the rod high. Set the drag to a light setting so fish won’t break off too easily. Have a net with a pole handle so your child’s first fish doesn’t get away. Remove the hook and hold the fish so the child can touch it. If you are keeping the fish then put it on a stringer. If releasing the fish then do not mishandle the fish to the point it will float on the surface and die before the child’s eyes. Remember to be the good steward of the land and water, release fish when you do not intend to eat them. Teach catch and release whenever possible. Children will fondly remember their 1st fish caught. Making the experience fun and memorable will get them hooked on fishing. A good memory starts with having a camera available to snap a photo of your child holding their prized catch whether it’s a bluegill, catfish, or trout. They will have something for show and tell in school. Perhaps other children will be just as excited to hear your child bragging about the big catch and want to go fishing too.