Take A Kid Fishing... 6 Tips To Make Them Want To Go Again

Taking kids fishing can be frustrating for an outdoorsman.  The best thing you can do is put down your fishing rod and pay attention to them.  I must admit, I have struggled at this! I know first hand how frustrating it can be.  Here are 6 tips to keep them coming back.

 Invest some time in teaching. We have all heard the expressions that "kids are a sponge" when it comes to learning and picking up new skills.  Teach them to tie a simple fishing knot.  It's a great idea to bring several rods that are pre-rigged (we will discuss why later) Teach them to tie knots while you are pre-rigging these set ups at home.  Here is a great little tutorial on how to tie the Palomar Knot. There are plenty of basic things to teach them.  They want to learn, so teach.  The sooner they learn to do these basic things on their own, the sooner you will be able to pick up your fishing rod again.

Cast at targets.  To expand a little on the previous point, spend some time in the yard teaching them to cast at targets, not just throw it as hard as possible.  I used to sit in my boat organizing tackle or cleaning up after a trip while my 4 & 6 year olds were casting at buckets I placed in different areas around the yard.  They had a blast!  Soon it got to be a daily activity when I got home from work. When it was time to go fishing I could say "Throw it at that stump over there." and they would be able to get it close.

Do what they want to do, but leave the electronics at home. Whatever holds their interest, will keep them coming back.  If they have fun chasing the ducks, let them chase (or preferably feed) the ducks.  I've seen my kids have all sorts of fun harassing the minnows in the bait bucket or live well. Although, if you let this go on too long you will be fishing with dead bait.  Bring the remote control boat and let them play with it for a little while. Let them have their fun and then redirect them back to their fishing activities.

Don't make them watch a bobber.  While the old school bobber fishing is certainly effective, it can be boring, especially for kids.  How many times have you set your kids up with a hook, worm, and bobber and then gone and picked up a lure yourself?  Why? Because you don't want to sit there and watch a bobber either.  Boredom will certainly have them chasing the ducks or asking for the iPod.  Remember earlier we said to pre-rig several rods? Rig one with a bobber and another with a weedless swim bait of some kind.  Texas regulations allow you to be actively fishing 2 rods simultaneously. (Check the laws in your state.) Put out the worm under the bobber out and keep an eye on it while they cast and reel.  They will get more out of it if they are doing something and they might actually catch something on either rod.  I can remember my older brother just shaking his head because I caught the biggest fish of the trip just casting at nothing off the stern of the boat while he was picking out a backlash and not running the trolling motor to keep us in position.  You never know!

Take a break.  Let the kids go swimming.  Really! You can't take kids to the water in the summer and expect them not to swim!  We used to anchor up in a cove and let them swim for 20- 30 minutes.  After that, they were ready to fish again.  When I was in high school, we usually found some time to water ski in the middle of the day.

Don't stay too long.  I can't think of too many things worse than crying and whining kids.  However, I have learned that if they leave crying and whining because they want to stay; that's a good thing! If they are crying and whining because they want to go home, something went wrong.  Kids should want to be in nature... after all it's natural! But, if it's hot, they need a nap, the fish aren't biting, the ducks don't want to play, the batteries are out on the remote control boat, and everybody is cranky and/or hungry, you stayed too long. It's always a good idea for them to leave wanting more instead of wanting to go home.

Obviously, the key is to make it fun.  I saw and shared the meme above on our Facebook page.  It is  a great sentiment, but if you don't handle it right (especially these days), you could turn him or her off for good.  So, stop into Twisted Oak and pick up a few rods and reels, lures, minnows or night crawlers, and terminal tackle.  Get some great advice on how to rig them while your there.  If you don't know where to start, look for Angler Education classes at the store soon!