Teach Your Kids How to Fish

Nothing beats a day on the water, floating amongst the gentle fish and other lake-dwelling creatures. What could make this day better is including your child in with your fun. But don’t bring the youngster out so quickly; there are steps that should be taken to teach your child about the joys of fishing.
– Patience:First and foremost, fishing is all about waiting. Explain to your child that you could be out fishing all day and never catch a thing. This may feel counter-intuitive, as it could discourage your child from going. In actuality, this is a reality check. Your child should be old enough to weigh the cost of possible boredom against the benefit of time with his or her parent, and it’s likely he or she will choose the latter.
– Safety: This may seem trivial, but basic fishing safety should be explained before you ever leave your home. Show your child how to handle the pole as well as how to secure and free the hook. Head out to the back yard and demonstrate the proper techniques of casting and reeling. Just keep the dog inside.

– Equipment: When I was a kid, I remember two distinctly different types of fishing rods: ones for adults and ones for kids. Children’s rods were often cheap, throw-away plastic and metal. Now, there are varying sizes and makes of rod for children. Take a trip to your local sports equipment store and see which rod fits your kid. However, if your child handles one of your old rods with ease, let him or her at it!

– The Shore: Fishing begins from the shore. Find a nearby body of water, and find a spot in the early morning. This can usually be helped by the workers at a local bait shop, who can help you find the right place and the right bait for a successful day of fishing. After finding an isolated spot along the shore, teach your child how to correctly bait the hook, and how to attach sinking weights and bobbers (leave lures for later). Then it’s finally time to cast out! Let your child put into motion the practice they’ve had with the rod. If things start to go sour, being at the shore makes packing up and leaving a breeze.

– The Boat: After a few separate and successful trips fishing on the shore, it may be time to get in a boat and head to the middle of the lake. Take some provisions, bait, and a positive attitude. Being on the water makes leaving difficult, as it ruins fishing for more than yourself when an outboard motor rumbles to life. Remember to have fun and enjoy this one-on-one time with your child.

Fishing is a calm, patient, and rewarding sport. Whether you’ve been fishing since your childhood, or you’re just getting to know the ropes yourself, including your children on this venture can be a rewarding experience for the entire family.

About the author
This is a guest post from Cypress Cay Pontoons, a pontoon boat  manufacturer distributing boats nationwide.