How to Teach Kids to Fish

Fishing is one of the best activities that you can share with a child, even as a novice. Few others provide valuable experience in patience, discipline and a respect for nature along with offering such fun, excitement and a sense of accomplishment. The key is to teach kids to fish in way that will not take the fun out of the sport and these tips can help.

Things You'll Need

  • Fishing rod and reel
  • <br>Spiderwire or good fishing line
  • <br>First-aid kit
  • <br>Good fishing spot

Instructions

    • 1

      Pick a rod and reel that is age appropriate and compatible with your fishing goals. An inexpensive closed reel is suitable for younger kids and an ultra-light fishing rod is a good starting point for the first serious purchase. Flexible ultra-lights provide great action with small fish, bites are easier to detect and sizes are more compatible. Optimally, bring more than one rod per child even if the backups are pre-owned garage sale fare. This will help maintain fishing momentum when mishaps occur.

    • 2

      Buy fishing line that is less prone to breakage and tangling such as Spiderwire, which is a joy to work with for both kids and adults. While kids will need to learn how to improve their fishing technique, to avoid breaking and tangling the fishing line, there is plenty of time for that.

    • 3

      Practice casting with your child for 10 to 15 minutes before your outing, if possible. It will be difficult to tame a kid's excitement long enough to focus once he or she is near the water. This is also a good time to introduce fishing safety and how to bait and tie a hook.

    • 4

      Teach kids to fish by optimizing their chances of catching fish. Start with fishing spots known to be well stocked and fish during the prime seasons. Boredom can turn kids' interest against fishing prematurely. Once they experience the thrill, their patience usually increases with time.

    • 5

      Avoid fishing spots that are overcrowded and ensure that you have plenty of room for casting. If there are nearby trees and shrubs pick another spot. It's best to fish on land and away from boating equipment for first timers and younger kids.

    • 6

      Help kids catch fish through encouragement and by explaining why they need to watch the rod tip closely. Often this is the most difficult part of teaching younger kids to fish, as something else may catch their eye. Let them reel in one of your catches now and then if they become frustrated so that they can experience the rewards of perseverance.

    • 7

      Bring as much patience as is humanly possible when you aim to teach kids to fish. When you expect to catch fish yourself or just want to relax is not a good time. Expect lures to be lost, reels to be knotted beyond repair and plenty of mistakes to be made. Kids can easily pick up on frustration and become discouraged in themselves and fishing. Fishing, even when unproductive, should be about fun.

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