If you have kids, you likely go fishing to clear your head and get away for a day (well some of us do anyways). Having kids can be a joy and a pain, but including them in your favorite activities can really get you all bonding. Kids, especially while they’re young, love to tag along and see what they’re parents do for fun (as long as it’s not heading to the bar). Fishing is a fun, easy-to-teach family activity. If you haven’t taken your kids, or a family member’s or friend’s, out fishing, here are some tips to get you started.
Get them real gear
This means staying away from the kid-centric fishing rod and reel combos. Just because they’re for kids doesn’t mean they should break after a few uses. If you really want to get your kids to go fishing often, buy them some durable fishing gear.
Avoid Bobbers
These little floats seem to be a favorite among kids’ fishing gear. But they’re not necessary. If you really want your kids to learn the proper way to fish, teach them how to cast and reel in different types of lures. Using a bobber is easy. Teaching them to fish properly will be a bit harder and likely result in some snags and lost lures. But it’s definitely worth it in the end when they finally catch something.
Cast in an open area
This is a must! Kids learning to cast can turn into a trip to the hospital. It’s easy for a child to misinterpret the trajectory of their cast and end up hooking you or themselves. It’s a good idea to teach them the proper form away from trees, and other people. Also try casting without a hook, use just a weight. This way they can practice without injuring anyone.
Bring your patience
This is a biggie. You’re used to getting out on the water and getting to the fishing right away. But for a kid just learning to cast, this can take a while. They’ll get frustrated, you will too. So bring your patience and know that every hour spent learning to cast, reel, tie a knot, attach a lure, untie a huge bird’s nest, means more time they will spend fishing with you in the future.
Whether you take your kids fishing on the cast, in a lake, or eventually offshore, you’ll need a Waterproof Chart. We carry fishing specific nautical charts for popular areas like Cape Cod and Massachusetts Bays, Lake Champlain North, and more.
