Taking your kids fishing

Catching my first fish, well, I’ll never forget it. Separating fish from water soon became my passion and life. When I take kids fishing there are some definite ingredients in a recipe for success.

Safety is paramount. Watch them closely in land-based situations and ensure all proper regulations are followed if boat fishing. Planning and preparation is the key to a great day's fishing with the kids, with the essential ingredient being heaps of fun.

Remember kids love getting involved; help teach them all aspects of fishing by having them feel a part of what you are doing. Let them try putting on bait, setting up the rods and burleying. Avoid doing everything for them. This really keeps the interest levels up, especially for short attention spans.

KEEP THEM HOOKED
Kids find it difficult to sit still for long periods. A spin reel and cast lure is a great option to keep them moving. My boy Jet often fills the time by flicking lures. Not only is he busy enjoying himself, he is also refining his casting technique at the same time.

IPADS and observational games such as ‘I spy’ can break things up, are a great way to make kids aware of the environment they are fishing in. Here you can educate them on environmental indicators that may impact on their fishing, such as birds feeding, wind direction and current flow. A healthy supply of snacks, drinks and treats can keep energy levels high in the quiet times and are great incentives for good behaviour.

SMALL IS BEST
Don’t be concerned with catching Moby Dick on your initial outings. It’s rewarding and exciting for kids to pretty much catch anything, so working the prime time, where you can produce fish quickly, is the way to go.

Start with shorter fishing sessions of an hour or two, which prevents fatigue and loss of interest if things don’t go to plan. At worst this will leave them wanting more.

So remember, fishing with kids should be all about fun and creating memories and preparedness should counter most arising concerns. Sure there will be tangles, but at the end of the day if your being asked, “can we go again” you know you have been successful.

Yours in fishing,
Paul Worsteling.