Introducing Kids to Fishing

We all know the pressure facing parents these days when bringing up children. We all want our children to advance through there childhood and even adult life with little problems and the best that life can give. Not all the time this happens and kids go AWOL, especially during those teenage years.

For those who fish, you will know what I mean when I say it gives an undescribable release from day to day issues and dramas and gives you a fantastic appreciation of how good life is and the beauty of the world we live in. I believe that by introducing your children to fishing allows you to teach your children a good appreciation of life without saying anything. It pretty much will speak for itself.

My son started fishing with me just short of his third birthday. He is four now and in that time, with little effort, I have unleased an absolute monster passion from within him to go fishing. He is so in love with the concept, his teddy bear has been replaced with a box of soft plastics at bed time and he sits on the loo with a  Modern Fishing mag. However, I feel that there are a number of key issues, you as a parent, need to be aware of to make it an experience for a child to go fishing and not a total bore.

1.  Always take them to a place where you know they will catch a fish. Jettys, or bait grounds if you fish from a boat are the best. It is important that they experience very quickly the enjoyment of feeling a fish on that line. It does not have to be a big fish or even edible. It just has to be a fish. I have found the perfect opportunity is to take the kids bait fishing for yellowtail or slimies. Burley up, give them a rod with a bait jig attached and let them catch your bait. It is a sure catch for them and big or small, doesn't matter, it is a fish. Sometimes we fish in places that are not suitable for small children. Open ocean at times and places is one of them. However my trip most often always begins with a few hours of bait fishing and collecting. Use this time for the kids to come on board prior to heading out. Kill two birds with one stone as one might say.

 Jetties are just as good. They hold all sorts of fish us adults overlook, but to a child, they are the candy in the store. These include your bait species such as Garfish, Yellowtail, Slimies and Mullet through to Bream, Flathead and the odd trevally. But remember the rule, there is more chance of the child catching bait fish than anything else. This is because they tend to congregate in large schools and can be held easily with a berly mix of ground chicken pellets, bread crumbs or bread and tuna oil mix.  Once again, burley up and rig the kids line with a bait jig. The child will naturally jig. They can't help themselves as the only ones that remain still are those who are asleep. The fish will attached themselves. Watch the pleasure on his or her face when they catch two at once.

Most importantly, when using the jigs, they tend to come with six hooks. Cut them down to 3 hooks. Makes it easier for the child to handle. Take care that they do not get caught on them in the excitement of a catch because they are sharp and puncture quick and deep.

2.  When the kids fish in the early stages, you don't. Allow yourself be be there for them 100% as there guide and mentor. You are the decky always ready to activate enthusiasm and guard them from letting loose with an out of control bait jig. The earlier they catch a fish, the quicker they will learn important rod and reel handling traits. I find I get more enjoyment watching my son catch fish than if I caught them myself. Let them figure out their prefered handling of their rod and reel. Making them do it any other way will frustrate them. Give them a good insight into some of the dangers a tackle box can have with respect to sharp hooks/lures and knives. Try not to overload them with to much technical stuff such as knots and rigs. At the early stage, they just want to catch a fish and believing you know it all, will trust that what you give them will work.

3.  Involve them in every aspect of fishing right down to caring for the equipment and even involving them in choosing the equipment they will use. My son uses an abu 5501 lefty reel which he help choose and bid for on ebay. Select the gear for them that makes handling easy. We fish from a boat so I have found that overhead baitcasters work a treat. Press the button, line drops, bait/jig goes down. When it stops, the child will work out quickly one wind of the handle will put the gears in the up mode. There is little need for the child to master any casting. That will be something they will learn much later. If fishing from the shore, a spinning reel might be best but you may need to help them cast out alittle. It migt be a better option to find a jetty where you can deploy the up/down method and utilise berley alittle more effectively at your feet.

Another good option is to explore your area and find out what fishing comps are held. Most places will have a number of comps which have junior divisions. Most pubs or clubs have brilliant fishing clubs which allow your child to weight in or accumulate points for there catches over a yearly basis or in single events. It teaches them a great appreciation of competion. The best thing about it is that if they reach the weighin table, win or loose, they are a winner by just getting there with a fish and the thrill they get to weight in there catch is undescribable.

I am now at the stage where my son is catching fish by himself while I fish. He has caught some very impressive fish by himself. He has even had the pleasure of beating me in the last Sydney Open fishing comp. Joel 1, Dad 0.  Might have to start alittle sabotage.