If you are a parent you know how exciting it can be to take your kids fishing for the first time. I still remember every detail about my first fishing trip. I remember every detail about my first bass (which I have mounted). At the time of writing this blog, we are in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic. This would be an excellent time if you are unemployed or home all the time to make lemonade out of lemons. If you have the time then make the most of it and take your kid fishing. This first time fishing with your child is their first impression of fishing. So this first time is crucial!! Here are 10 Tips to set your child up for success on their first bass fishing trip!! Hopefully using these 10 Tips they will be #HookdonBassin!! 🙂
1. Have Snacks and Drinks
The last thing you want when you are fishing is a hungry or thirsty child. It is important to have a lot of snacks and drinks. That can see them going when they have some downtime in between catches. But, here is how you can make this more fun!!
Go shopping with them and let them pick out their tackle box (which I will cover more of later). Let them pick out a tackle box online and get excited for when it arrives. Now your job is to not just fill it with some lures but mostly have it filled with some fun snacks. So when it is time to go fishing they open it up and see all their goodies (candy is a must).
These are a must when taking them fishing. Swedish fish are a good candy and it is fish related so they will get a kick out of it. Remember it may be hot out so you may want to stay clear of things like chocolate. Get them some cool drinks as well or have a water bottle that stays cold all day. Snacks are a crucial part of a good fishing day!!
2. Take them shopping for their Stuff
Everyone loves to shop for fishing stuff. With me and my son, we went shopping online for his fishing stuff. I feel like this was a little more fun. He gets to sit with me and pick it out online and then he gets to have the a=excitement of when it arrives.
So the essentials for your son or daughter are as follows:
I say start them off with a push-button reel. Set them up for success instead of forcing a spinning reel upon them or a bait caster. Let them have the training wheels on for a bit before they graduate.
A tackle box filled with some lures and snacks.
Get them some polarized sunglasses so they can see the same stuff in the water that you can. You may see turtles, sunfish or bass in the water. If they do not have polarized sunglasses they will not be able to see all that stuff. Also, make sure they have a strap so they can hang them around their neck when they don’t want them on their face.
A good hat so they can help keep the sun out of their eyes and also protect their heads from getting burned.
Maybe one of the most important is footwear. You want to protect their feet because you might be walking around thorns, poison ivy, snakes, water or bugs. Rain boots keep their feet safe and comfortable. They also won’t mess up their good shoes.
3. Take them somewhere you know they will have SUCCESS!!
It is not about fishing for kids. It is about catching. When taking a kid fishing on a warm day you better start catching fast. I know my home state of Georgia pretty well and I know the places where I can catch numbers. If you do not know that information then you need to do some scouting on your own. I would target neighborhood ponds or golf course ponds if you can get on them. Fish them by yourself and find the best lures and sweet spots. If you can catch 20 bass in a couple of hours that’s a good sign that you will be able to get your kid hooked up on something.
4. Target numbers NOT Big Fish
When taking kids fishing it is not about catching the bass of a lifetime. You want them in the beginning to have lots of action. Of course, you could take them fishing for bream but I prefer bass because it teaches them a little bit more about fishing. Bass jump out of the water more and are easy to catch on windy days also. You want to use some smaller baits also. When fishing a pond one of my absolute best ways to catch them is a small crankbait. You want something that will float on top of the water when you cast it out like this.
So you can avoid your child getting snagged. What I like to do is cast out for my little guy and let him reel it in. Check out this clip of him doing just that. One of the best days I have had in a long while with my best buddy!! When you do this they get to reel it in and feel the strike. So they did 75% of the work. It gives them a sense of accomplishment.
5. Hook the fish and hand the rod off without them knowing.
Guys this is an awesome way to make them feel like they caught a fish. Without them knowing set the hook on one and walk the rod over to them and ask them if they would reel the line in for you. I made up the excuse that I needed his help and had to tie my shoe.
So when he starts to reel he feels the fish and feels like he did it himself. You as the mom or dad have to act surprised and praise him or her and ask them how they did that. It is all about making them feel like they are great at fishing. Watch this tactic displayed right at the 2:50 mark of the video.
6. Make this a competition & Let them WIN!!
I like to make it a competition and see who can catch the most fish. It is also fun for both of you to have some fish counters and click every time you catch a fish. It is just a fun way to keep track. With my son the other day I kept on asking him to take it easy on me and stop beating me so bad.
He laughed and got a kick out of it. You can even make a bet and say the loser has to buy ice cream after. After you are done let him call loved ones like a grandpa or grandma and brag about he beat daddy or mommy fishing!!
7. Do not Fish for too long!!
I know for myself I can go out for 12 hours of fishing and at the end of the day, I feel like I have been fishing for 2 hours. It is not the same with kids. You have to realize they do not want to be out there all day. Get in and catch some bass and get out. You want to make sure you leave on a high note. There should always be a fish on the last cast. Leave with an exclamation point!!
8. Leave them wanting more!!
So it is good to leave on a high note as I said before. Even if they want to stay and keep fishing it is best to leave leave. That way they will be excited and dreaming about the next time they can get out and fish.
9. Take Pictures and Videos
You want to have these memories. If you cast out for them and have a good feeling they are going to catch one then record it and try to capture the moment. Take pictures of them holding their fish. If they are too afraid to hold the fish then don’t force it. Just take a selfie with them and hold the fish up. Maybe try and see if they will touch the fish while you hold it. That way they are one step closer to holding one by themselves.
10. BE PATIENT
This is by far the most important part of your fishing day with you. They are going to make mistakes and lose stuff. Be Patient and make sure you keep them engaged and excited by doing the stuff we talked about above. Give lots of high fives and hugs. It can be tough fishing with a child. Remember it is not about you. It is about them catching fish and having a great time. You are the guide and the child is the client. The memories that last a lifetime are your payment.
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