More than four out of
five Americans fished as a child. Surveys show
most adults who fish today started before their
13th birthday. That means the best way to preserve
the future of the sport is to take kids fishing.
A
day on the water can improve the bond
between parent and kid or make you the hero
of the
neighborhood. Fishing builds self-esteem,
independence, responsibility
and decision-making.
All it takes is a little
patience. Be sensitive to how children will
judge the time they spent fishing. It's that
judgment that will determine if you have a
fishing pal for life.
Here's a few ideas to
help;
* Start the trip long before you hook up the boat. Include youngsters in on
planning. Show them where the lake or river is on the map. Show them hydro
maps of the targeted waters. Build anticipation.
* Let them help with
preparations by spending a night or two after
dark with flashlights and trowels digging in
the yard for nightcrawlers. Kids love to
get dirty. And, you might just remember why
you liked hanging out after dark long after
mom called you home for dinner.
Take them to the store
and let them pick out lots of goodies and things
to drink.
Let them help make and
wrap the sandwiches. Have them gather the sunscreen,
insect repellent and sunglasses. Take a bird-watching
guide along.
Spend some time in the
yard teaching them how to cast. Show them what
you mean by vertical jigging.
The point is the more
they feel a part of the trip, the more they
will work to make it a success.
* Check state regulations.
Some require children under certain ages to
wear safety jackets. If your state doesn't
require them, it's still a good idea they do.
Make certain theirs fits and is comfortable.
* Don't use Mickey Mouse
gear even for small children. Tackle foul-ups
are just as frustrating for them as they are
for you. Spincasting reels are OK for youngsters.
But, make certain they are good ones that won't
break down.
* It's not a good idea
to target muskies the first time out for a
lot of obvious reasons. Kids want ACTION. They
don't care if their fish are small. They just
want something to pull on the line over and
over and something to brag about at school
on Monday morning.
Target schooling fish.
Bluegills are good. Perch and crappies are
good, too. Walleyes can be good at certain
times. Do your homework to insure as much success
as you can. Go when the odds of catching fish
are highest.
* Use a simple slip-bobber
rig for panfish. Kids love to watch for the
bite. (And, so do we.)
Use a Thill float, a small hook and enough split shot to balance the rig to
detect even light bites. Show them how to tie a simple Palomar knot. It's quick,
good for many uses and it works.
Use wax worms and nightcrawler
pieces for bluegills. Use wax worms or minnows
for crappies. Your son or daughter might get
a surprise in the form of a big bonus catfish
or bass.
Don't get too fancy.
Older kids can be taught to jig for walleyes
and sauger in rivers. But, let them use heavier
jigs, like 3/8 and 5/8th Fuzz-E-Grub jigs to
keep them on the bottom in the strike zone.
It's probably easier to teach them to use three-way
rigs with heavier weights on the dropper. Same
is true for Lindy rigging. Make sure the weight
is a heavy one to teach them the importance
of bottom contact.
When the bite is on,
trolling for walleyes in lakes and reservoirs
is simple and fun. Use planer boards and teach
them how to spot strikes. Let them reel in
the fish.
* Here's an important
point: Kids don't care what kind of fish they
catch. Make a big deal out of whatever they
reel in.
Put away your prejudices,
and applaud even carp. They fight great, and
that's all children want. Nothing is more depressing
than to watch a kid fight a fish for five fun-filled
minutes only to hear the grown-ups in the boat
say, "Oh, it's just a carp." The
smile from the little fisherman disappears
very quickly.
* Take lots of pictures
or videotape. They let you relive the fun and
reinforce the experience over and over again.
*Stop often for snacks
and soda. As most parents know, hungry kids
are tough to handle.
* Even if you don't plan
to keep any fish, put the first one or two
in the livewell. Let the kids check on them
often. It gives them something to do. The same
goes for the minnows. You'll be surprised how
a trip to the livewell or bait bucket to check
on the fish will perk up bored kids.
* We happen to think
it's a good idea to take some fish home to
eat. It is good to show children the angling
process from water to table. It teaches kids
there's nothing wrong with harvesting a few
fish according to the state and local laws.
Kids should know that there is a food chain
and they are part of it.
* If you shore fish,
let them explore. Countless hours can be filled
with exciting discoveries, like crawdads hidden
under rocks.
* Never, ever make them
stay longer than they want. When fishing becomes
a chore for them, you've lost.
Nearly a quarter
of Americans who fish are under the age of
16. Someone has to show them how. Don't you
think you should? |
