“Oh my goodness,” my husband, Brett, yelled. “Look at the size of that fish!”
Neither of us could believe our eyes. Our son, Ethan, who was six-years-old at the time, had just reeled in an eight-pound bass. Ethan was all smiles. The large bass was by far the biggest fish he’d ever caught, and he did it all by himself.
We’d taken Ethan fishing at Brett’s uncle’s farm pond many times since he was a toddler. He’d never caught more than small bass and bream until the day of the big fish. Although catching the huge bass that day added to the enjoyment, his good time has never been defined by the size fish he caught. Like most children, Ethan just loves the experience. He loves being outside and spending time with his friends and family around the water. No school work, no chores, no sports to get in the way of a day outdoors with Mom and Dad.
Now we have four children, and we enjoy taking all four of them fishing at Uncle Jimmy’s pond. We also enjoy fishing at my parents’ lake house on Smith Lake.
As we’ve discovered, fishing is the perfect way to enjoy the wild outdoors with our children. It doesn’t require a ton of gear or getting up super early in the morning. Kids don’t necessarily have to remain quiet or still the entire time. They can take breaks when they want and enjoy snacks and drinks when they get hungry or thirsty.
Over the years, we’ve learned a few tips for making our family fishing trips fun for everyone. Fun is key here. If your children don’t have a good time the first time they go fishing with you, most likely they won’t want to go again. The pressure is on, but luckily a successful trip is possible if you keep a few things in mind.
When teaching children to fish, simple is best. Start off fishing for panfish because they’re easier to catch. When they’re young, children don’t care as much about the size of the fish as they do about the number of fish they catch. The more fish they catch, the less likely they’ll become bored, and the more fun they’ll have.
Here are a few additional tips for fishing with your children:
Remember these tips for a fun day of fishing with your children. Also keep in mind that Alabama’s Department of Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries holds Community (Kids’) Fishing Programs throughout the state. The Community Fishing Program provides fishing opportunities for many who do not have such opportunities. Look here for more information.