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| I have found many ways to entertain my daughter in the boat so I can fish longer. Here are some of the ways I suggest that can help you this next season.
1)When trolling have your child hold the rod and get involved. | |
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| 2) Toys are really great for the attention span. Live well toys are the best. | |
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| 3) Show them what muskie fishing is all about, have fun with the lures and get them involved in the process. | |
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| 4) Teach them how the release fish. This leaves them with a great memory of fishing. My daughter still talks about this release. | |
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| Having 4 boys ages 5 to 12 I hope that these couple of things might be helpful.
Start them out right.
I agree 100% with above, NO rod holders allowed.
You want them engaged as much as possible. When they catch there 1st fish by "THEMSELVES" they feel 1,000 times better about what "THEY" did,,, over dad hooking a fish and handing it over to them,,, welfare in any form has never worked,, and never will! Don't do it!
Of course catching fish is at the top of my list, going to a numbers lake with pike is a great way to get them started at an early age, say 3.
Take them out at prime time.
Taking there picture (with a Polaroid) no matter what the size fish. This is a great way for the kids to remember the day and have them soon asking for more.
When you have more that one kid,,, (if you don't then get another,, take the nephew or his,,, or her,,, friend)
I only fish (troll) one kid at a time, and for only 1 hour at a time, or until they catch a fish.
Competition,,, it's a kids nature so feed it! On the way to the lake the competition begins with a simple question "Who's going to fish first?" Then we play I'm thinking of a number game,,,, So right off the bat the kids are wanting to fish. Who's going to catch the biggest? Who's going to catch the most,, kinds of question also get the competitive juices flowing.
With the older ones,, Even if we are hitting fish pretty good I still remind them that fishing is hard work and 100% concentration is a must. (in a fun way,,, of course)
They bring there game boys with,, we bring snacks,,, we go swimming, this year they're all psyched up about going to Kinkaid and jumping off the cliffs,,, hey what ever it takes. Good luck Dads! It's the best!!! [:praise:] | |
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| Here are a couple of kids with fish. | |
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| What's up with this? What am I doing wrong? | |
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| Your not attaching first...before you write. Or you have quotes in your jpg name, or just keep trying. Sometimes when someone posts when you are trying to upload it does not work. Happens to me too. | |
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| Definitley give them a rod and reel that works well and is comfortable for them to use. If they are frustrated with the equiptment, they won't fish long. I let them release their fish also. When I am fishing, I fish around them, they don't fish around me. I am trying to put fish on their line and many times I am not fishing at all. Keep your focus on them and make sure their experience is fun. | |
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| Start with Sunfish. Then hope a Northern, or Bass get mixed in. My nephew entered a fishing contest, and his grand parents took him out. They had to release the 13", and 14" walleyes, but he won the tournament with a half pound sunfish.
Also get them talking about fishing. My son (6) last year was so-so on fishing. I have been talking to him about fishing this winter, and he wants to go out as much as I do.
This year I want to take him Muskie fishing. I am going to try a 200 acre lake that has tiger muskie's. I am going to cast out some surface plugs to start, and let him reel them in. I hope he gets a strike. Also remember to take about 12 feet of strong line, and tie it around the rod/reel area with the other end tied to the boat.
Lance | |
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| If you fish waters with trophy fish in them you may not want to put the rod in your 4 yr old kids hands. My son who will turn 5 in mid april has caught a fish in the last 2 years one was 47 inches and this fall the fish was 48.5 x 24.5 and caught trolling a plow. First off he could not hold onto a trolled plow but once a 35+ pounder nails the bait the rod is history.
I try to amuse my kids while in the boat by singning songs and making sure they have lots of toys and food. I also tell them that when we head home I will let them drive the boat back to the launch now that keeps them interested for sure. I also ask them to check the lines and see if they are ok, no real need to hold the rods as long as your making sure they are part of the team, have them reel their lure in when you want to clean or change them.
I once tried to catch my 18 month old daughter a perch and it took me well over an hour and that same night my wife gave me an hour to fish with them 30 was spend driving to spot and back and I caught and released a 54 incher. Never fished for bait since then and my kids love going out with me but I try to keep the trips short and not to often. I will wait till they get 10 or so before they can spend an entire day on the water with me.
Kids are so much fun out there. [:p] | |
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| 1.Happy meals go a long way.....
2.Blugills in the 60 inch livewell and arm the kids with minnow nets. Hours of entertainment trying to scoop up the gills.
3. Most important...don't press your luck! If they want to go in, then go in. No sense burning them out.
Cory | |
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| Let them Drive the Boat ( No Wake speed )every now and then, as they get older let them kick up the speed a bit
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| Start them out slow. Only a few hours a day ( or what ever they are willing to spend) fishing for muskie's then try for panfish. Keep there intrest in fishing and spending time on the water. When my son was smaller lots of toy's came in the boat for him to play with.
Don't force feed them fishing, If they want to go take them, If they don't want to go find somthing else to do with them! | |
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| My 12 year old had a ball with me last year. I took her fishing for 3 days straight. She had to go along because we were the only ones up at the house so no one to stay home with. Anyway, she took books with. When she got tired of casting she read or fell asleep for a while. We went out for dinner at night, had picnics in the boat, laughed and joked with each other and she caught a couple of northerns. She still talks about it and is looking forward to this year. Me too.
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| Depending on the size of the child, I usually dress them up in a firetiger or perch colored outfit and let them swim 50 to 100 feet behind the boat.........[:devil:] [:bigsmile:] [;)] | |
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Tips on how to take your kids fishing.