Fishing 101 for Kids:
A Parent’s Guide to the First Time
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For every parent, teaching their children something new that they really aren’t good at can be one of our biggest fears. Little Johnny and Sarah want to go fishing, but you have never been in your life. You want to take them, but where do you start? Forget asking anyone at Walmart, most of the employees in the Sporting Goods department don’t know the first thing about fishing. I know, I have heard them trying to help a customer too many times. But as daunting as it may seem, it is really simple to get started.
The first thing you will need is a fishing pole. There are way too many choices, but it can be simple. Johnny wants a Spiderman pole and Sarah wants a Cinderella. These poles are geared to children. They are fairly simple to use, but at the same time, affordable. The only downfall to these rods is that the drag on them really stinks. If you can’t reel in a bluegill, what would happen if it is a bigger fish, like a 2 pound bass. I picked up a Zebco Dock Demon for my grandson. It comes spooled with line and has a much better drag system, but yet, the closed face reel is so easy to use. When you push down on the button and release your thumb off it, the line comes out. To cast, you hold down on the button, and as you reach the apex of the cast, release the button to send the bait forward into the water.
The simplest type of fishing for beginners is to use live bait. Now that we have a fishing pole, we need to set it up to go fishing on the bank. For this, we need to get a hook, sinker, and bobber. For hooks, we can go simple, and buy the snelled hooks that come in a package. If we are fishing for bream, bluegill, and crappie, we don’t need an extremely large hook. I picked up a package of number 4 hooks that are prestrung onto line. This makes it very simple to use. You just tie the line from the pole directly to the hook line. I would use a cinch knot that is very easy to tie.
Now we need a weight to help keep the hook down in the water. For this, all you truly need are split shot weights. They are simple to use, and can be reused at the same time. All you need is your fingers or a pair of pliers to attach them. You slide the open end over the line about 2 inches above the hook and close it around the line. Depending on the size you buy, you may just need one to accomplish your goal of suspending the hook below the surface under your bobber.
A bobber, is a floating device you attach to your line to suspend the bait at a certain depth. You can slide it up and down the line to adjust this depth. You don’t want it 4 foot above the hook if you are fishing in 2 feet of water. Here, there are many choices of style for the bobber. I have found that a round bobber is easier for a child to watch, and you don’t need to have a huge one. One that the child can see and still just big enough to stay afloat is all you need.
Now we have everything we need to go fishing, except, what do we put on the hook. Nightcrawlers are inexpensive, you can get 18 of them for $3.00 at Walmart. Just pay attention to the bar code so that you aren’t getting the expensive one. Keep them cool, placing them in the cooler, but don’t let them get soaking wet, as this will kill the worms. In general, each worm should yield about 4 pieces of bait, so 18 should give you an afternoon of fun.
While these are the basics of what you need for a family adventure at the pond, there are a few things that will help. Remember that kids can get bored easily. Have something for them to do as they take a break. Have drinks and snacks, they will get thirsty and hungry. Bring wipes to clean your hands with after cutting the worm and handling the fish. Also, a pair of needlenose pliers are always handy for removing the hook from the fish, and for the split shots. A towel, just in case an accident happens and a change of clothes, are always a plus that we hope we never need.
The main thing is, make it fun for you and them. If they have fun, they will want to go again. Don’t force them to stay if they are overheated. Let them dictate the way the day goes. That is what I do with my grandson. If we go for a hour or for 4 hours, it is his choice. And in the words of Franc White, the Southern Sportsman, “Do yourself a favor, take a kid fishing!”
