Fishing Information


Teaching a Kid to Fish


Teaching a kid to fish does not have to be difficult, if you follow the right steps. There is an old Chinese proverb that states:

"Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime". How true that is, teach a kid to enjoy fishing and you will have a lifetime fishing partner! I taught my kids to fish, while pulling out my hair, and now they love it. I will show you how to take the pain out of this task so that they will come to love fishing and the outdoors.

First and foremost you must be patient with your kids as they learn to cast for the first time. They become aggravated when they can't cast as far as you can, then quickly want to move on to another task that they already have an interest in. Out comes the Game boy. I created a game for my kids that we played at home in the yard; you may find this fun and helpful.

Make three targets and set them out in the yard at ten, fifteen, and twenty feet away. Then assign a point value for each target, say ten, fifteen, and twenty points. We always played to a score of fifty. They may only play once or twice a week so let them win some too! Now you have a game they can play to learn the task of casting before you go to the lake.

Now that you have a cast master, it's off to the fishing hole!

Show them how to properly tie a fishing knot by tying on your hook on your line as they follow along, tying on their own hook. This can be done in conjunction with the casting game. In steps frustration, don't let them struggle with this task too long or they will lose interest. Out comes the Game boy. Ask them if they want you to do it, remember it has to be a fun experience.

Now for the prey, be sure to target fish that are easy to catch. Bluegills for example are abundant around most docks and marinas, and are very easy to catch. Use very small hooks and a small piece of worm for bait with a bobber.

Crappies are also easy to catch, and eat; they are located around boat docks with brush piles under them. Check with local marinas to see if they have a crappie house, if you don't have a boat. Using live minnows for bait and a bobber so they can see when they get a bite.

Catfish are also simple to catch. They are bottom feeders and eat minnows, stink bait, and a host of over the counter and home made baits as well. I recommend a sliding weight above the hook. Let the fish take the bait on a free line, if they feel the resistance they will drop the bait. Set the hook while the line is moving and you will catch the fish almost every time.

Don't try to make them a bass pro on the first trip, keep the action fast. I recommend a Zebco 33 spin cast reel. It's very dependable and near indestructible, it will last them for many years. Use a light rod not more than 5'6" long, any longer than that and their casting accuracy goes way down. Also with a light rod that one pound crappie seems to be as big as a whale. I would buy monofilament line not larger than 10 lb test in strength. Heavier line will make it more difficult to cast, and I believe lighter line catches more fish. A small tackle box is a must have for every junior angler!

Don't go out there and set junior up with a crappie rig and you tie on this pretty spinner bait, they will want to use the same bait as you do. Stay away from treble hooks! There are way too many points to stick into too many different places.

As I close be sure to teach them about conservation. Keep only what you will eat. Don't throw your excess bait into the lake, give them to another fisherman. Don't keep them out there all day, if the fish aren't biting try skipping some rocks. You may also consider hiring a fishing guide! They get paid to catch fish.

The Fishing Vacation Guide- All the very best fishing vacation destinations, fishing tips, fish recipes, and so much more!


MORE RESOURCES:

Agency says fishing still allowed at closed parks
Chicago Tribune, United States - 4 hours ago
AP That's the word from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources on whether anglers can still access lakes at several parks shut down recently to offset ...


Flick Fishing 1.2
Macworld, CA - Dec 3, 2008
Catch a Whopper: Virtual casting, baiting, and reeling in is all part of the fun of Flick Fishing. Flick Fishing aptly describes the gameplay. ...


Gasparilla Fishing Report: Search deeper as water cools
Gasparilla Gazette, Fl - 4 hours ago
Now the weather has stabilized a bit the fishing has been good, and the snook are still around. Fishing around points and edges with good tidal flow is a ...
In Florida, winter conditions ideal for shallow-water fishing with ... Tampabay.com
all 2 news articles


Flathead fishing access proposal debated
KPAX-TV, MT - 4 hours ago
Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks officials are holding another public hearing on an environmental assessment for a fishing site after the last was ...


Fishing Report
The News Journal, DE - 12 hours ago
By BOB JONES • Special to The News Journal • December 4, 2008 Anglers looking for late-season action on big game species have found good fishing for a mix ...
Fishermen use artificial bait on stripers Bethany Beach Wave
all 2 news articles


Fishing: Action is good despite cold fronts
Naples Daily News, FL - 12 hours ago
By JOHN PREEG (Contact) NAPLES — It has been a cool fall with numerous fronts and too much wind, yet the fishing has held up fairly well. ...
Gals in bikinis and giant goliath grouper Marconews
all 2 news articles


Fishing Line
Sacramento Bee,  USA - 3 hours ago
Fly fishing folks getting their share of the action, too. JENKINSON LAKE (Sly Park)--Plenty of rainbow action here, mostly catchables from the recent plant. ...
Fishing the North Coast: This is Humboldt, where is the rain? Times-Standard
all 3 news articles


Fishing report: Dec. 4
The Tennessean, TN - 12 hours ago
Center Hill: Fishing is still fair. Bass are being caught on spinner and crank baits along with jigging spoons. Anglers are nabbing crappie on jigs and ...


Fishing report
Inside Bay Area, CA - 19 hours ago
Trout fishing is good from the shorelines of the north and south day use areas, where plants are made. (209) 763-5914 (209) 763-5166 CHABOT: Trolling and ...
Fish Report Modesto Bee
all 4 news articles


DNR: Ice begins freezing, but snowfall not helping
MLive.com, MI - 6 hours ago
Now would be a good time to get the ice fishing gear ready to go because there could be ice suitable for fishing by the end of the month. ...

Fishing - Google News

home | site map
© 2007