Kids love fishing too! Surprise surprise. Sometimes as an adult, we like sharing our hobbies and passions with our children. But, it can be difficult to decide which hobby or passion is appropriate to share. The reason is, obviously, childern aren't little adults. They are after all - children. Children tend to have shorter attention spans for the most part. That makes it difficult to figure out when they're ready to learn something new. Unless, you're like me because I sometimes am like the kids in that I too have the attemtion span of a gnat....... or so I'm told! I don't think so though. Ooops, I digress.
Fishing is a wonderful hobby of many people around the world not just in your small niche of time and space. Lots of people get excited to introduce their kids to fishing the minute they can hold a fishing rod. The problem is, if you're a fisherman/woman you know this -- fishing is a lesson in patience. Let's face it, sometimes even us adults seem to fail that lesson miserably at times when fishing. Fishing is a way to teach them all about how to be patient and how important it is to learn about pecision and safety.
When you take your son/daughter fishing, the most important thing to keep in mind is their safety. What kind of fishing are you trying to introduce? Are you thinking about a day of bottom fishing? Does pier fishing suit your needs? Are you going to go all out and take your child for a deep-sea fishing excursion? How old is your child that you're taking and teaching about fishing? How big is he/she? What kind of fishing gear does he/she need?
Regardless of what you decide is best, you should have the basic safety essentials with you at all times. A first aid kit is mandatory because whenever a kid is involved accidents will happen. Children tend to get poked, scratched, and barbed, so you need to be prepared. If you're going to go deep sea fishing (or freshwater fishing) and are going to be far away from the shore, make sure that you have life jackets and make sure that your child is wearing one even he or she has no intention of getting into the water. Keep in mind your child's abilities when it comes to swimming. If you do not think that they are a strong swimmer, you may want to keep your boat docked. Actually, even if you consider them to be a strong swimmer, you'd be surprised at how quickly your body gets tired when you're even just treading water. If you've never done it before, you might want to do a little water treading just to see how exhausting it can be. You'll be a lot quicker to make sure your pride and joy is safe with a life vest.
Not only is it important that they wear a life vest when fishing off shore - but make sure their vest is the right size for them. If they are wearing a life vest that's too small or too big it won't help them for very long. The cost of a life vest is very small compared to the cost of the life of your loved one. Don't take a chance, it's not worth it!
Make sure to buy and stock your child's tackle box. A youngster's first tackle box should be small and lightweight. There is nothing complex about the contents of a beginner's tackle box. All your son/daughter needs are some pre-tied hooks, some bobbers, a couple of weights, swivels, and small scissors or fingernail clippers to cut their line. A tackle box is a fingerprint for many who view it as a personal expression. Let your child see the basics so that they can build their own to represent themselves one-day. I've taken my kids to the local dollar store and let them pick out a couple of lures each which is always something they look forward to. Or maybe it's the gum and chocolate that I let them get "as long as they don't tell their mom".......... haha.
Make sure to lead by example when you take your kids fishing. Teach them how to keep the line taut so that they will be able to react if a fish bites their line. As soon as your child feels the bite, teach them how to set the hook. Tug back on the rod in order to firmly set the hook in the fish's lip. Take time with your kid to let them learn techniques like "playing the fish". Part of the fun of fishing is the struggle between the man and the fish, so let your child have the entire experience and not just a partial one.
When you start thinking about taking your child fishing, you have certain advantages to teaching them when they're younger rather than older. Younger kids have a greater absorption rate with a desire to soak up as much information as they can. Take that time that you and your child are sharing & educate them about catch and release regulations and fishing for food as opposed to pleasure. If your child decides that they want to let the fish that you catch go, make sure you know the right way to release. Cleaning the fish can either make a child vomit (hey - some adults can't handle it either!!) or ask when the next trip is going to be, so use discretion in regards to age when preparing your catch for dinner.
Obvuiously as a fisherman you're well aware that there are good days and bad days when fishing with your kids. Kids have a tendency to not listen, become disinterested fast or fall asleep at inopportune times. Patience is the key to taking children out for a day of fishing. Yes, even though you learned about patience when you became a fisherman, now you've got to learn about patience all over again. This time at a different level.
Repetition will also make your child more comfortable with the whole process. Regardless of whether a fish is caught or not, take the time to bond with your child while using fishing as an excuse. Sometimes it's not the actual act of catching a fish as it's more the time making memories with your kids. Did I actually say it "not all about actually catching a fish" --- hahaha..... that's lame. Go out and do your best to catch the biggest fish you can and take it home to mama! Oh yeah -- bring the camera unless your phone takes good pics. The first fish your youngster catches will be the thrill of a lifetime! Probably your's too.
Fishing is a wonderful hobby of many people around the world not just in your small niche of time and space. Lots of people get excited to introduce their kids to fishing the minute they can hold a fishing rod. The problem is, if you're a fisherman/woman you know this -- fishing is a lesson in patience. Let's face it, sometimes even us adults seem to fail that lesson miserably at times when fishing. Fishing is a way to teach them all about how to be patient and how important it is to learn about pecision and safety.
When you take your son/daughter fishing, the most important thing to keep in mind is their safety. What kind of fishing are you trying to introduce? Are you thinking about a day of bottom fishing? Does pier fishing suit your needs? Are you going to go all out and take your child for a deep-sea fishing excursion? How old is your child that you're taking and teaching about fishing? How big is he/she? What kind of fishing gear does he/she need?
Regardless of what you decide is best, you should have the basic safety essentials with you at all times. A first aid kit is mandatory because whenever a kid is involved accidents will happen. Children tend to get poked, scratched, and barbed, so you need to be prepared. If you're going to go deep sea fishing (or freshwater fishing) and are going to be far away from the shore, make sure that you have life jackets and make sure that your child is wearing one even he or she has no intention of getting into the water. Keep in mind your child's abilities when it comes to swimming. If you do not think that they are a strong swimmer, you may want to keep your boat docked. Actually, even if you consider them to be a strong swimmer, you'd be surprised at how quickly your body gets tired when you're even just treading water. If you've never done it before, you might want to do a little water treading just to see how exhausting it can be. You'll be a lot quicker to make sure your pride and joy is safe with a life vest.
Not only is it important that they wear a life vest when fishing off shore - but make sure their vest is the right size for them. If they are wearing a life vest that's too small or too big it won't help them for very long. The cost of a life vest is very small compared to the cost of the life of your loved one. Don't take a chance, it's not worth it!
Make sure to buy and stock your child's tackle box. A youngster's first tackle box should be small and lightweight. There is nothing complex about the contents of a beginner's tackle box. All your son/daughter needs are some pre-tied hooks, some bobbers, a couple of weights, swivels, and small scissors or fingernail clippers to cut their line. A tackle box is a fingerprint for many who view it as a personal expression. Let your child see the basics so that they can build their own to represent themselves one-day. I've taken my kids to the local dollar store and let them pick out a couple of lures each which is always something they look forward to. Or maybe it's the gum and chocolate that I let them get "as long as they don't tell their mom".......... haha.
Make sure to lead by example when you take your kids fishing. Teach them how to keep the line taut so that they will be able to react if a fish bites their line. As soon as your child feels the bite, teach them how to set the hook. Tug back on the rod in order to firmly set the hook in the fish's lip. Take time with your kid to let them learn techniques like "playing the fish". Part of the fun of fishing is the struggle between the man and the fish, so let your child have the entire experience and not just a partial one.
When you start thinking about taking your child fishing, you have certain advantages to teaching them when they're younger rather than older. Younger kids have a greater absorption rate with a desire to soak up as much information as they can. Take that time that you and your child are sharing & educate them about catch and release regulations and fishing for food as opposed to pleasure. If your child decides that they want to let the fish that you catch go, make sure you know the right way to release. Cleaning the fish can either make a child vomit (hey - some adults can't handle it either!!) or ask when the next trip is going to be, so use discretion in regards to age when preparing your catch for dinner.
Obvuiously as a fisherman you're well aware that there are good days and bad days when fishing with your kids. Kids have a tendency to not listen, become disinterested fast or fall asleep at inopportune times. Patience is the key to taking children out for a day of fishing. Yes, even though you learned about patience when you became a fisherman, now you've got to learn about patience all over again. This time at a different level.
Repetition will also make your child more comfortable with the whole process. Regardless of whether a fish is caught or not, take the time to bond with your child while using fishing as an excuse. Sometimes it's not the actual act of catching a fish as it's more the time making memories with your kids. Did I actually say it "not all about actually catching a fish" --- hahaha..... that's lame. Go out and do your best to catch the biggest fish you can and take it home to mama! Oh yeah -- bring the camera unless your phone takes good pics. The first fish your youngster catches will be the thrill of a lifetime! Probably your's too.
