Fishing Vests for Kids

Purpose

• A child's fishing vest allows her to keep her gear organized. With a variety of pockets, she'll have a place for hooks, lures and bait. Wearing a fishing vest loaded with her necessities makes it simple to grab what she needs without having to hunt through a large tackle box. The ease of this might make fishing more appealing to your child. Many fly fishers report the need for a fishing vest, but you can also use one for other types of fishing. The one you choose for your child depends on your style of fishing and personal preference.

Fabrics and Styles

• A standard fishing vest is made from waterproof material and is lightweight enough that it won't weigh your child down while you fish. Mesh fishing vests are similar, but being made with mesh makes them cooler to wear in hot weather. Both types have fabric pockets sewn in various locations on the vest. If you take day-long fishing trips that necessitate carrying food, Rich Osthoff, author of "Fly-Fishing the Rocky Mountain Backcountry" suggests a fishing vest with a rear pouch. This allows your child to stash some trail mix or a granola bar that he can easily grab when hunger strikes.

Fit

• When buying your child a fishing vest, take her to the store with you. This allows you to ensure that the vest fits properly and is comfortable for extended wear. Have your child try on a variety of vests and lift her arms above her head, reach to the sides and front of her body and squat down and stand up. This helps ensure that the vest doesn't restrict her movement, which can make fishing uncomfortable. Look for a vest with pockets in several sizes so your child has adequate space to stash her fishing gear. Some pockets should have zippers to protect her gear and others should be easy to open and get into, according to The Fun Times Guide. A vest that has rings or fabric loops makes it handy for hooking larger items onto.

Tips

• A fishing vest can entice your child into trying out his hand with a rod and reel. When you fill it with gear, be sure you aren't putting in so many items that your child feels uncomfortable or overburdened. For young kids, a few lures and a bit of bait is likely enough. Reload as needed to keep his gear handy without overloading his vest. For older kids, you can put in a few more items to prevent having to refill as often. Use caution with hooks so they don't poke through the fabric of your child's vest and injure him or cause damage to his vest.