So the general consensus on fishing is that it is boring. Let’s face it, putting an “icky” worm on a hook, tossing the bobber and line into some desolate part of the lake, staring at it for hours in the hot sun doesn’t sound like fun.
But fishing doesn’t have to be boring.
As a matter of fact it can be quite adventurous, stimulating, and educational. Find the right spot and you and your child will likely have a successful and fun day. Here's how.
Picking a Spot
Location is the key to any fishing adventure. Fish do not mystically decide to come find bait. The bait must be in a place where fish reside.
Public lakes offer plenty of fishing opportunities...but they also offer plenty of opportunities for a child to have a miserable day. If you are planning on going to a public lake consider pre-fishing without children.
Gaining local knowledge first is a plus, especially if the trip-plan involves a boat. The mistake to avoid here is to take children to the local lake and fish among the other anglers on the bank.
Having a worm on a hook in the water beside hundreds of other hooks on a bobber is a sure way to make a child say “gee wiz this is boring!” Creeks and streams offer a little better opportunity – depending on the age of the child you are taking.
Again, what is to be avoided here is sitting on the bank staring at a motionless bobber. Wading is a great way to access great fishing spots. Wading upstream will use the current and riffles to baffle the noise of a child splashing around in the water.
There is also some awesome scenery to be taken-in depending on the selection of the creek or steam – this should come into consideration during planning. If the selection of the creek or stream is stimulating enough for the child it may negate striking out in the fish department.
Maybe the most preferable for beginners is a stocked pond. This is like, well, “shooting fish in a barrel.” Most pond and private lake owners keep their bodies of water well stocked and can give plenty of information on what and where to fish.
Where to go once you're at the location
The “rule of thumb” here is that the less accessible the fish are the better the fishing will be. Public lake boat ramps, a lot of pressure, not a lot of fish.
Got a boat? The margin of people with access to structure out on the lake dwindles. The further away from creek or stream access points the better the fishing. Casual fishermen tend to be lazy, laid back, bank-anglers – so take advantage of it.
A child's first fishing trip should be stimulating and adventurous if the parent/grandparent has a serious interest in encouraging their child to become involved in angling and nature. There is a lot more involved in catching fish than location, but picking a stimulating spot for a child's trip is key to the success thereof.
How to Keep Kids Safe While They Fish
Wide open space, the sound of rushing water, and the beauty of nature all around – there’s no better way to spend the day connecting with one’s children than by sharing the joy of fishing with them.
And when parents go that extra mile to put fishing trip safety for children first, the end result is a fun-filled, disaster-free fishing experience for everyone.
Take a CPR Trained Adult Along
Ambulance arrival times differ depending on a number of variables such as location, weather conditions, and availability. Sometimes medical help will arrive on the scene almost immediately, while other times, it can take several minutes for medics to reach a victim.
The quicker one obtains medical attention for a child who has been submerged underwater, the greater the likelihood of survival. So an adult who knows cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) should accompany small children on fishing trips just in case of an emergency.
Provide Kids with Life Jacket
The lure of the water combined with the curious nature of a child can be dangerous if parents aren’t diligent about fishing trip safety. A child-sized life vest can potentially save a kid's life by helping him stay afloat if he accidentally tumbles into the water.
Not requiring a child to wear a life jacket during a fishing a trip is not worth the risk of him drowning, or suffering irreversible brain damage as a result of underwater submersion.
Pack a Basic First Aid Kit
Young children are accident prone. And one never knows when or how kids are going to get scrapes and cuts, so parents should be prepared for anything.
A basic first aid kit allows immediate treatment of minor injuries, and lessens the likelihood of wounds becoming infected. A basic first aid kit for a fishing trip should contain the following:
• various size bandages
• sanitizing gel
• small hand soap
• small bottle of water (for rinsing wounds)
• safety scissors
• adhesive tape
• gauge
• alcohol swabs
• antibiotic ointment
• artificial cold pack
• cell phone
Protect Children’s Skin and Eyes From the Sun
Overexposure to ultraviolet rays makes kids more vulnerable to skin cancer, and eye diseases such as glaucoma and cataracts when they become adults.
So to protect a child's delicate skin from the sun during fishing trips, apply sunscreen liberally to exposed areas, and provide a wide brimmed hat and a pair of wraparound sunglasses to protect a youngster's face and eyes.
Keep Kids Properly Hydrated
The human body is made up of more than 60% water, as it is an essential element for every organ in the body to function properly. So provide kids with plenty of water to help them stay hydrated.
Never use soft drinks and tea as a substitute for water, as these drinks contain caffeine and increase a child’s chances of becoming dehydrated. Providing life jackets, being CPR prepared, packing a basic first aid kit, protecting kids from the sun, and providing plenty of water can make a family fishing trip fun, and free from tragedy.
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