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| I have a little one and am hoping to get him into fishing beginning next summer. We have a few neighborhood ponds stocked with crappie, bluegill, and bass and I figured we'd start there. He will be 3 years old next summer; one question is, is that to young to get them in the boat? I figured going to some lakes and trolling for crappie/bass/walleye might be a good idea, since the boat is moving and covering lots of water. So, additional questions are, what age is a good age to get the little ones in the boat? Is trolling the way to go? I'd like to hear peoples' opinions and experiences on what worked well and what doesn't. |
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Posts: 13688
Location: minocqua, wi. | teach em young, you'll lock in memories that will last their lifetime! ... the only limits kids have are given to them by their parents. have a blast and take em everywhere with you.
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Posts: 1529
| above all make it fun. we would fish for gills, whatever. when they get antsy go explore for frogs,turtles. give the young ones the whole outdoors package. bobbers are the greatest kids invention. |
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Posts: 20212
Location: oswego, il | Make sure their equipment is functional and comfortable to use. Snoopy poles won't cut it. An uncle bucks 4' 6" crappie rod is the perfect kids pole. Put a small disease on it and you have something he won't be frustrated with. |
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Posts: 81
| I started my twin boys around 18months and they will be three in a few months and are totally ADDICTED!!! They cry when we have to leave the lake and want to go all the time! Yea I started them out on the buzz lightyear rod and they had trouble reeling them(however they were young and manual dexterity wasn't quite their either) and the reels weren't very smooth. I got them spinning outfits and 5' ugly stick rods(very durable). They can reel them much easier due to the smoothness and handles on spin reels have a wider motion than a push button reel. We troll primarily since they can't cast yet and they have a blast. We mainly fish local ponds that have bass, bluegills, crappie, and chain pickerel. Go out and get them started because they are never too young to learn about nature!!! Lastly, get some small nets, a five gallon bucket(to put the fish in so the can play with the fish), life jackets, teach you kids to swim, and bring lots of PATIENCE!!!!! It will be worth it and I never get tired of hearing "I got one!" and seeing their face when they catch a fish!!!!
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Location: Sawyer County, WI |
Remember that it is all about the kids. When the kids decide they have had enough, then it's time to call it a day. If they are tied to an activity when it is no longer fun they may be less inclined to go out the next time.
Great photos of all the little fishermen - good job to all the dads ! |
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Posts: 16632
Location: The desert | Take my soon to be step daughter who just turned 6 to our local community trout ponds. She loves it. All cookie cutter stocked rainbows, but at 6 years old she doesn't really care. We are taking her to Cedar Lake in Ontario next August and she is already ridiculously excited.
Got another honey hole for 20 inch browns that I will take her to next year to get her into some bigger fish.
As stated in other posts, make it fun. Let them do what they want to do in the boat or on the shore. When they are done, so are you. Snacks and other distractions can help maximize your time on the water and keep them entertained also. |
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Posts: 1036
| Yep. Get them on some action. Any action. And don't make the trips last too long. It is better to leave early than to leave late with the little ones. |
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Posts: 20212
Location: oswego, il | Got to love smart phones. Don't put a disease on the uncle bucks crappie pole but a small diawa (saved it phone try and change it now) and you have a great functional piece for them to use. |
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Posts: 13688
Location: minocqua, wi. | i thought maybe you got caught by sworrall and tried to say bulldozer or something ... |
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Posts: 3240
Location: Racine, Wi | Like mentioned above, make sure they're having a good time. Mine both LOVE fishing and spent quite a bit of time on the water with me this year. We'd fish for a while, swim for a while, catch clams, snails, turtles, etc. Lots of snacks (blueberries are a crowd favorite on my boat) and let them call the shots.
Sit back and smile as they grow to love the sport. My youngest (just turned 4) is already making plans for us to go ice fishing. I can't wait! Having 2 girls, I thought it may be more difficult to get them to like fishing, but they've both been in the boat since birth almost, and love going out fishing. |
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Posts: 458
| Safety tips:
-always have them wear sunglasses to protect their eyes.
-if they are really young bend down the barbs on their hooks.
-make sure their pfd fits well and they are in good condition.
Fun tips:
-do not stay out too long.
-try fishing on an inland lake with a playground so you can get out.
-bring a digital camera for them to take pictures with during the day.
-realize the trip is about them and your not going to get alot of fishing in. |
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Posts: 177
| My 3 year old has now had 2 summers on the water and fishing is all he talks about.I recommend bobber fishing because at some point their rod is going in the water.Also keep a bucket on board for them to keep their catch in for a few minutes to admire .Always bend the barbs down until you feel safe.And show some patience and remember who taught you how to fish. |
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Posts: 3860
| Let them spend time checking out fish. |
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Posts: 3860
| here's the pic
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Posts: 3860
| Bad ass truck, eh? My 1966 Ford F-100 Custom Cab. |
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Posts: 3860
| And fishing for rock bass so big you can't get them thru the cracks in the pier.
(Fishin Thru Pier Cracks.jpg)
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Posts: 3860
| Kids grow up in a flash of time.
(Rachel's31Walleye 5.15.07.jpg)
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| Here's my oldest first musky. 41"er |
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| Thanks to all for the terrific posts; the pictures are all great and are memories that will last a lifetime - thank you for sharing. I hope to create some on the water memories next Spring with my little guy.
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| My boys first fish was a 20" Northern caught on a Hellhound and my curado. I'd cast and he'd reel in, hooking his first fish on his own. That was at the age of 2 and now he'll be 4 in April and he's caught gills, bass, cats etc.... I took him out fishing a lot this past summer. Got him all excited by buying his own tackle box, picked out rod/reel as well as baits. I take all the hooks off, store them in a safe spot until we go fishing. He absolutely loves it and wants to go all the time! This year I'll be trolling for Muskie to get him some fish as he's been asking to catch Muskie. He loves being on water and loves the boat but when he's had enough I leave making it a fun activity for him. If you make it fun then they'll love it! Trust me, it's much more exciting and rewarding to see your child catch any fish vs boating your PB Muskie. Any fish I hook gets handed off to him for him to reel in. It's not about me... It's about my son enjoying the resource and having a great time. It's best to bring someone like Grandparent, wife or friend to help out if your on the boat. Grandpa or the wife will go with us which makes it a bit easier to handle everything on the water.
Start them off with smaller fish that might be easier to catch and they'll have a fantastic time! |
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Posts: 8772
| Don't forget toilet paper and a bucket. |
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Posts: 3240
Location: Racine, Wi | esoxaddict - 12/5/2011 9:49 PM
Don't forget toilet paper and a bucket.
Or use the live well.  I may have to add a TB roll holder to the side of the boat. |
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Posts: 4053
Location: Land of the Musky | Kids just love all aspects of fishing. From fishing to making lures. 
James
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Posts: 323
Location: Waukee, IA | One word: SNACKS!
Ok...another word: PATIENCE!
I did this with triplets and a grandpa in the boat.....lots of excitement and only 1 fish hook lodged just under my eye....not bad everything considered! |
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Posts: 24
| My oldest son (7) caught his first musky this past summer. 41"er. Both have the fishing bug......
For some reason I can't get my picture to post. Sorry
Edited by Arno 12/8/2011 8:46 PM
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