Taking Kids Fishing And What You Will Need to Know:

   Here are some kid fishing tips for adults. Make it a general outdoor adventure. Based on the kids ages you should take some time to talk to them about the outdoors, identify different plants,animals,insects,birds,flowers. Always express safety first. Make it fun and adventurous so they will want to go again and again. If you are an angler and plan to take kids fishing. Make sure to check your tackle. Bring alone extra hooks, fishing line, hook remover tool, long nose pliers and always remember to include a first aid kit. For your new buddies you should also bring along extra hats and caps,clothing,sunscreen,sunglasses,snacks,drinks, and a PFD (personal floatation device) for everyone attending. When fishing make sure you have the proper license and that you are fishing legally. The fish you are catching are in season and abide by the size and number limits for the species you catch.

   Before your adventure with kids. Limit practice with tackle. Kids don't have to be experts or experienced fishermen. Spend a little time practicing a few days before your trip. Don't use hooks during practice. Use a small piece of wood or a practice lure. Be prepare to tie knots, rig gear, bait hooks, untangle lines, make a cast and even take fish off the hook. Be sure to let the kids reel in the catch that's the fun part. It's a good learning experience and confidence builder for them.

   Kids who have never fish before will have the most fun and less problems with spincast style rod and reels. Spincast reels allow casting by releasing a thumb button on the reel. Be careful with hooks. For safety buy barbless hooks or use needle nose pliers to bend down the barbs on all hooks being used. This will make it easier to remove hooks snag in clothing and people. Try using simple baits (worms,grass hoppers,crickets or bread) along with a bobber (float) and sinker to fish on the bottom. This lets the fish find the bait instead of the repeated casting required to fish with lures. Also this allows kids to do other things while waiting for a bite. Fish for easily caught fish such as pan fish,sunfish,crappie,brim or catfish. Often these are a nice size fish and catch limits are plentiful for this type of fish. Only keep fish that are legal and you plan to eat.Introducing kids to the catch and release concept of allowing fish to live for future fishing adventures.

   Make it a picnic. Bring drinks,snacks and other foods to enjoy. Talking during breaks and meal times is a great time to instill responsibility by pointing out to them the importance of safety and picking up trash, and how discarded hooks and lines harm wildlife. Take all your trash with you and discard in a appropriate trash container. Having fun with kids is part of being a parent, guardian, or friend and to enjoy each adventure on their level. It's important for kids to enjoy the outdoors and fishing. Make fishing fun with kids. Make your trip short your younger kids. It is better to leave early or when younger kids want to leave. So they remember how much fun they had and will want to go again. It is better for kids to leave a little early and wishing they could stay longer.

   If kids are allow to wade or swim in the water require a life preserver or a PFD (personal floatation device) for each one. When fishing from a boat you must have a PFD for each person on the boat. In some states all kids under a certain age are required to be wearing a PFD. Check with your States Dept. of Natural Resources for current laws and regulations in your state.

   You can introduce kids to nature,the value of the environment, the importance of fish and game laws and the biology and habitat of fish. The fun part is the most important, so that they will want to go again. Such adventures help kids learn about the outdoors and the sport of fishing that they can enjoy their entire lives.