Overview

Congratulations! By taking kids fishing you will have an opportunity to make a positive impact on their life. You may think that is a bold statement, but by making sure you hit these 7 checkpoints before taking kids fishing, you will create a very meaningful experience.

• Proper Equipment
• Location
• Regulations
• Technique
• Items To Bring
• Make It Memorable & Fun
• Reflect On The Trip

Proper Equipment

A walk through the fishing section in any sporting goods store can be overwhelming, so what do you actually need!? The good news is that you do not need all the fancy gadgets and expensive setups. Children are not impressed by high tech electronics or a super sensitive Bill Dance carbon fiber pole. However, there are a few essential things you will need to pick up that should cost you no more than $30 in total.

Choosing The Right Pole

The first thing you will need is a Fishing Pole. For ages 0-5, I recommend a small 2.5 ft. youth pole that often comes in the child’s favorite Disney character. These types of poles come in countless varieties such as Paw Patrol, Frozen, Toy Story, etc. This is more than just a marketing trick, it actually serves a really good purpose because every time kids look at the pole, they immediately associate it to good things. They will start connecting their fishing pole to their favorite character, which will make them happy. It’s an awesome way to get them excited before they even hit the lake!

For ages 6-9, I recommend purchasing a bigger rod that is approximately 5.5 ft. in length. Typically these larger poles do not come in a Disney character theme, but they are offered in a variety of colors.

If you’re taking kids fishing that are 10 or older, I recommend equipping them with a standard 7 ft. pole, but the 5.5 ft. poles will also work well. At this age they should be able to easily handle the weight of the rod and maneuver it properly.

These fishing poles can be found at your local Wal-Mart for as low as $10. As with most things, the cheaper it is the lower the quality, but remember, this trip is about introducing the child to fishing. These lower end poles will definitely serve their purpose, and if they really take to fishing, you can always purchase a higher quality pole later on.

Choosing The Right Tackle

After you have purchased the perfect fishing pole, you will need to gather the right Tackle. To start off, you want to keep it very simple and I recommend going with a standard bobber and worm setup. The three main things you will need to buy are hooks, bobbers, and weights. There are a million different hooks and weights but conveniently, stores have assembled packages that come with varying sizes as a bundled deal. Elect to go with these, as they will make it much more convenient and are definitely worth the money. These assortment packages usually come in a circular plastic container that can spin to each compartment for your desired hook or weight size.

You will want to find a hook size that is fit for panfish. A great panfish sized hook would fit perfectly around a #2 pencil. Often, it is best to choose a hook with a larger shaft, as it will make it easier for removal after you catch the fish.

The weight you should choose should be rather small, and it’s only job is to pull down the line just enough to keep your bobber upright. I recommend a split shot weight that is about the size of a pea or smaller.

Next, you need a couple of good stick bobbers. These are very easy to use, just pull down the spring and slide your fishing line in the groove, then release the spring. It will stay put where you want it and allows you to easily adjust it if need be. These types of bobbers are more expensive than some other ones, but in this case, it’s worth it. They are usually better quality so they can take a few slams against the rocks and still be usable. They’re also easy to see and are more streamline, so the fish feel less resistance – meaning you will catch more fish!

Choosing The Right Bait

Once you’ve gotten your proper tackle together, don’t forget to grab some bait! For this first trip I’d say keep it simple and just opt to buy some live night crawlers (worms). Pretty much every fish will bite on worm, so it’s a solid choice. If you cannot find any worms or live bait available near you, try checking your cabinet or refrigerator. Whole kernel canned corn or even using bits of hotdogs have proven to be successful on the lake.

Location

The next checkpoint for your successful fishing trip is choosing a good location. Check your local DNR or Game and Parks Commission to view a list of local fishing areas with public access. Sometimes, just using satellite maps can also bring attention to some nearby lakes. If you find a spot you’d like to try, get more specific in your research about the terrain. Handicapped docks, rock piers, or gentle slopes are ideal for taking kids fishing. Try avoiding areas with tall grass, thick brush, or large rocks.

The expected weather conditions are always something to keep in mind when you’re choosing a good location. If it is a clear sunny day, try looking for a covered dock or a shaded area. If it is expected to be rather windy, study the terrain to find a calmer location on the lake.

Regulations

The last thing you want to do is unknowingly break the law when you’re taking kids fishing. Unfortunately, it can be easy to do if you’re not brushed up on all the current fishing regulations. Before you head out take time to read all the rules within your state. Each lake can also have it’s own special regulations that you must abide by. Most states require a person over the age of 16 to purchase a fishing license and to abide by certain length and possession limits. Click on your state to research these details.

Alabama / Alaska / Arizona / Arkansas / California / Colorado / Connecticut / Delaware / Florida / Georgia / Hawaii / Idaho / Illinois / Indiana / Iowa / Kansas / Kentucky / Louisiana / Maine / Maryland / Massachusetts / Michigan / Minnesota / Mississippi / Missouri / Montana / Nebraska / Nevada / New Hampshire / New Jersey / New Mexico / New York / North Carolina / North Dakota / Ohio / Oklahoma / Oregon / Pennsylvania / Rhode Island / South Carolina / South Dakota / Tennessee / Texas / Utah / Vermont / Virginia / Washington / West Virginia / Wisconsin / Wyoming

Technique

Just fishing seems straight forward but there’s actually an unlimited amount of techniques to use! Depending on where you’re fishing and what you’re trying to catch, each technique is different. When you’re taking kids fishing, I highly suggest going for a large quantity of fish rather than targeting a certain size or species.

“Bobber And Worm” Technique

For various reasons, I recommend going with what I call the “bobber and worm” technique. It’s easy to use, keeps you out of a lot of snags, and can catch all sorts of fish. Tie on your hook, place a split shot about 1 foot up from that, and then attach your stick bobber about 1.5 feet above the weight. Slip a worm over the entire hook so that it is nearly hidden and you’re all set!

Testing The Waters

Now, just cast your line out into the water and wait. When the bobber disappears under the water, jerk your line back and reel in your fish! If you’re having trouble getting any bites, test out different areas until you find “the zone.” Cast near structures like big rocks, sunken trees, or even around docks. You can also adjust how far your bobber is away from your hook-which changes how deep your worm will be in the water. Play around with these combinations and you will be sure to find the fish!

Items To Bring

Besides a pole, tackle, and bait, there are a few essentials you don’t want to head to the lake without. When you’re taking kids fishing, especially if they’re younger, be sure to pack these items:

• Towel or Glove – This will allow kids to touch or hold the fish without being afraid of the slime or sharp fins.
• Needle Nose Pliers – This is a great tool to remove the hook from a fish’s mouth easily and safely.
• Snacks and Drinks – Kids like the security of food and it breaks up the time to sit and have a picnic.
• Chair or Seat – Even though kids may be too excited to sit down, it’s good for them to have the option when they feel the need to. Sometimes just a cushion that they can set on a rock gets the job done perfectly!

Fruits, veggies, and meats are great snacks for a fishing trip!

Make It Memorable & Fun

Besides safety, the highest priority when taking kids fishing is to provide them with a very memorable and fun experience. Creating a fun environment for kids is a common theme that stretches across many scenarios. The reason for that is simply because kids learn through playing and having fun. The best goal to have is to help kids make the connection that fishing is fun. If it is fun, then it is guaranteed that they will be craving another fishing trip soon!

How Do You Make It Fun?

Truthfully, sometimes it’s one of those days where you can’t get one fish to bite, so how can you make the trip still fun? The following 3 things will help you with just that:

• Get Creative – Just because you’re fishing, doesn’t mean you have to only fish! Often times I will explore with my kids around the lake. We try to catch frogs, crawdads under rocks, and even search for bugs. Sometimes we’ll play catch with a ball or play a game like tag. Throwing rocks in the water (where you’re not fishing) can be a lot of fun too! The idea of course is to provide a fun experience in a fishing environment.
• Be Excited – Kids can be really good at picking up on your energy. If you show excitement in the things you’re doing, they will begin to match that and feel that they should be excited too. Find as many things as you can to show excitement for. When you catch a fish, see a crawdad or even spot a frog, try to be really animated and express a sense of wonderment.
• Explore – Kids will want to explore if they feel the permission that everything around them is cool and intriguing. Being silly can also help encourage kids to explore. Play a little prank on them like frantically calling them over to come see what you’ve found, “It’s Mr. Krabs from SpongeBob!” When they see it’s just a crawdad, they may laugh and/or roll their eyes, but you can bet that they’ll be trying to trick you back! Exploring their environment can then become a fun and intriguing game.

How Do You Make It Memorable?

Creating a lasting impression is essential when you are taking kids fishing. You want to make the experience special to them and really become a strong memory. Creating a fun environment really helps with this, but here are a couple of other ways to make the trip memorable.

• Do Something Out Of The Ordinary – Fishing in itself can be out of the ordinary but try to capitalize on any chance you get to make the day “different.” This can happen with really small things such as getting a beef stick at the gas station. Maybe it’s stopping to buy a new hat, sunglasses, or grabbing a treat at the end of the day. Anything you can think of that can help make the day special is extremely important!
• Listen To The Kids – It is very important that you always help kids feel that their emotions and experiences matter. If they are hungry, bored, or cold, make every effort to listen and hear them out. It is essential that they feel safe to tell you their feelings. This builds trust and security, which is the very foundation needed to become playful and joyful for the things around them. It’s okay to compromise and push them a little bit, but it can be a fine line between too much and not enough. For example, if they are cold, you can try to resolve it first by offering a jacket, warming up in the truck, running around or waiting a few more minutes. If those compromises don’t work and the kid is still cold, it is best to listen to them and end the trip early. A short day now can be what creates many more and longer trips in the future!

Reflect On The Trip

Taking time to look back on the day’s fishing experience can really do a lot of things. Most importantly, it helps you to feel gratitude for the time shared together and the memories created. It helps you to remember the details and makes it easier to relive the moment in the future. Reflecting on the trip also can help identify things that you can improve upon. Whether it’s a fishing technique, a teaching style, or even what supplies to bring next time, there’s always something to learn.

A really great way to reflect back on your fishing trip is to bring along your cell phone and capture a lot of videos and pictures. I try to do this as much as I can while still being present in the moment. When you look back at the photos and videos years later, you remember the smallest of things that are so heart warming. Things such as their voices, their first fish, or even what snacks they enjoyed that day. Looking at the pictures with kids also provides another bonding experience in the future. Reflecting back on your fishing trip together is just as important as the actual fishing trip!

What Fishing Can Offer

When you choose to take kids fishing you really could be making a huge impact on their life. Fishing can offer incredible opportunities to learn and grow. It’s a place where you can be free and open. Where you can really connect and be present. Fishing can reinforce morals, encourage things like gratitude, respectfullness and responsibility. To be completely honest, fishing can offer the world and more!

I encourage you to take kids fishing and join the community! Follow More Than The Hunt on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube. Fishing can be another drop in the pond of a healthy, meaningful, and fulfilled life.