Quality Time Take a Kid Fishing

Not spending enough time with your kids. Take them fishing. I have not met a kid yet who doesn't love or want to go fishing. It's a great time and nothing excites a kid more than to feel a tug on their line and land their first fish. With just a small investment you can outfit your kids with a fishing pole and a bit of bait and they are ready to go. Talk with some local fishermen or the local bait shop owner, they will have lots of advice as to where you can take your kid to ensure they catch some fish. Pack a picnic lunch and believe me your kid will talk about this fishing trip for years to come. Nothing is more pleasing to a parent then to see your kid happy and smiling. A fishing trip will do just that and you will be a hero to your kid. Fishing is a win win situation for both you and your kid.

The first thing you need to know is the regulations for fishing the area you live in. Most bait shops will have the current fishing regulations for your particular state. Such as who needs a license and how much that will cost. Most states only require the adult to be licensed and the child does not need a license until a certain age, usually 16 or 17 but do check in your state. 

Where to fish. Again your best information about the lakes and ponds in your area will be found at your local bait shop of if you know someone who fishes, is always the best place to start. And you can google anything and find what you need to know. Each lake usually has their own rules about where you can fish, how many poles you may have and the size and amount of fish you can keep. Always make sure you know the rules of a particular lake because you don't want to be in violation of the rules as the local conservation officer or local law may confiscate your equipment and possibly give you a ticket.

Once you have these things covered you are ready to get you kid some equipment and take them to the water.

Basically all you need to get started fishing is a fishing rod and reel equipped with a hook, sinker, and bobber. There are many different kid type fishing rod and reel combinations available in the local bait shop or your friendly neighborhood Walmart store. Many of these kid combos also come with a small tackle box type deal with bobbers and hooks and usually a plastic worm or two. The best combos I have seen also include a casting plug. This is a great tool for teaching a kid to cast the bait into the water without having a hook on the line. Tie this plug onto their fishing line and they can practice casting in the backyard. Once a kid gets the hang of casting the rest is pretty simple stuff. As your child progresses in the sport of fishing the equipment gets more advanced and that's a decision you and your child can make when the time comes to get better equipment.

In my opinion the best place to start a kid fishing is a good bluegill lake. Bluegill are easy to catch and are usually in good supply in most any lake. The idea is to get your kid to catch fish. A bluegill will pretty much bite anytime and will eat almost anything that is offered. A good bait for bluegill fishing is a bea moth, which is a small larva type bait or the ever popular worm. Most kids in my experience have little to no patience so bluegills are ideal for a new fisherman. Ask your kid does he or she want to go fishing, I am betting they don't say no.