I have so many memories of fishing with my father that one would think we set out every weekend, rod and tackle box in hand, to spend a day on the lake.

But that's not the way it was. My dad was a career Navy man and spent many months at sea. Somehow, though, he seemed to be there for me more than most fathers who are home every day. Perhaps he understood how sacred time was and that some day too soon his gabby ten year old would be a forty year old man raising his own family and tapping away at a laptop, talking to other dads about time with their own kids.

Our fishing trips, in reality, came once or twice a year, usually in some pond near our government issue home, catching crappie and bluegill. Here's a little secret: your son or daughter doesn't care about the size or quantity of fish, only the quality of time sitting alongside their hero. That would be you.

Your easiest route is to venture into any bait & tackle and engage the guy behind the counter in conversation. Most are eager to help a kid get into their favorite sport and will help you untangle the maze of lures and fishing rods lining every aisle in his shop.

The rod is probably the simplest item to choose. The standard 6-foot light to medium weight rod with a closed face reel are the classic choice. For those of you who remember the old thumb release Zebcos, you'll find that things have gotten a little easier. New reels have a release lever that runs along the rod, easily triggered with a forefinger. You'll love it and so will your kid!

If you start with a small tackle box, you'll be less likely to fill it with stuff that you really don't need. And it's easy to carry. A medium sized box will allow you to toss in a sandwich or two alongside your can of worms. A couple of storage trays is all you need. You can always upsize later and keep the smaller box for trips involving long walks.

Assortment packs of hooks, bobbers, and split shot sinkers should get you off to a good start. Throw in a stringer if you intend to keep your fish. Dig a pair of pliers out of your toolbox for hook removal when necessary. A knife for cleaning is helpful, too. Really, though, you won't need much more than that until you get started.

Lures are the most intimidating item for a new fisherman. If you gaze down an aisle, you'll probably be looking at no less than 10,000 different lures, spinners, spoons, and artificial worms (I mean, really, how many ways can there be to imitate a worm?).

You can get away with the standard hook and real worm, but it's fun to try the lures, too. Depending on what you're fishing for, your best bet is to ask that friendly sales guy. But I always carry a few standards. Yellow crappie jigs are always a killer for a very fun fish to both catch and eat. Those little worm spinners are great for both crappie and bass. And believe me, nothing will bring a smile to a kid's face faster than the first time a largemouth bass slams his lure.

There is probably a lure kit available in your bait & tackle shop. That's probably a good a place as any to start. Don't go overboard. The old live worm and hook will probably be your primary bait for most of your first outings. Learn as you go. If you're new to fishing, both you and your child will learn together. Don't miss the importance of that time together.

Here's a hint: before giving a five year-old a rod with line and a real hook, take him or her out in the backyard with a small sinker attached to that line. Casting takes practice. A few hours in the back yard will save you a trip to the emergency room later. And nothing will turn a kid off to fishing faster than a barb buried under his skin.

That's really all there is. Remember: it's about time with you. Don't fill those hours completely with silence. Talk to your child. You only get this opportunity for a few short years. Then they're on their own. Hopefully, if you've done your job, you'll be fishing with your grandchild one day.