Advice

How to Get Your Kid Started with Fishing

Fishing is one of those hobbies that don’t seem to get that many young people hooked. Here are some tips to help you get your little guppy started.

Whether you’re a novice yourself or a fishing master, when introducing your child to the sport it’s a good idea to keep things as simple as possible. Even if your child is excited to learn everything that you know, it can overwhelm them to have too many facts provided to them at once. Keep with the very basics.
Simplicity should also be applied to your gear. A straightforward child’s rod should do, leave off the bells and whistles till they get a bit older and more adept.
Find a good tackle shop. This is important especially if you aren’t sure of the type of equipment you need. Plus it gives your child the full experience for when they may want to shop for gear themselves.

For beginners, a rod that comes with a reel can be great to avoid putting them together yourself. As far as bait goes, it will depend on what type of fish you plan to go after, but you really can’t go wrong with live worms as a catch-all.

Find a suitable spot before taking the kids out. Your local tackle shop may be able to recommend a nearby place with lots of activity (relevant so that your children can get that feeling of accomplishment) and can tell you what type of fish can be caught there. This is also an excellent way to find out what kind of fishing license you may need. You may choose to fish from a dock or waterside. Just consider what’s around so you can avoid your child’s rod getting stuck on things when they cast off. Also, it’s a good idea to have your little one wear a life jacket any time they are near water.

Pack properly. Besides your fishing gear, consider bringing food, water, sunglasses, sunscreen, bug spray, and anything else that might make the experience more comfortable.

Have fun. Don’t take this first excursion to seriously. Teach your child the basics and enjoy the time together. You can teach them the finer points, the more you go out.

 

You may also like