Cast a big bait out, let the kids play games while we waited for a bit, and then let them reel in this hog.

Getting Kids Into Fishing

I’m still learning as I go with this, but I thought I would share some tips I have picked up thus far:

1. Kids are impatient, so try to take them to places where there is a high chance of fast action even if that means small fish.  Most kids will have a lot more fun in a wide open panfish bite than they will sitting for hours for the outside chance of getting a larger fish.  Small fish look a lot bigger when you are a kid.
   
   
2. Try to incorporate activities other than fishing.  You might have the stomach for 8-10 hours of solid fishing, but very few small children do.  I like to fish for a while, then let my kids swim or explore for a while, then do a little more fishing, and keep alternating.  When the bite shuts off, or it stops being fun for them, do something else for a while.
   
   
3. Kids are more prone to seasickness than adults, so ease them into fishing situations where the waters may be rough.  You don’t want to be stuck for 8-10 hours on a party boat with your kid throwing up the whole time.  Not too many kids will ever want to go fishing after an experience like that so don’t ruin it for them early on.  Ease them in with a shorter trip, take precautions, (see Seasickness page), and make sure they enjoy it.                                                    
4. Assume you are not going to do any fishing when you are first starting out with your kids.  All of your focus needs to be on making sure they are enjoying it and hopefully catching something.  If you are trying to fish as well they will probably not get the attention they need, especially if they are small.

         

Loading the boat up with panfish like these Crappie can be a good introduction to fishing for kids.

One of the author's daughters likes fishing more than the other one.