| Taking your child fishing is a time honored tradition | | | | Packing a picnic is a good idea. Kids also get a kick out |
| unparalleled by other childhood memories. Most fathers | | | | of using leftover bread or lunchmeat as tackle. Use |
| dream of fishing with their kids, relaxing and teaching | | | | imaginative language and say things like, "I wonder if |
| them the patience and skill that it takes to reel in the | | | | the fish will like to eat the same things we do." |
| big one. If you are considering taking your kid fishing for | | | | Self-casting rods are fun for kids and they don't tangle |
| the first time, here are a few tips to ensure that you | | | | very easily. You can teach your child to cast in the |
| have a memorable trip. The first rule of fishing with | | | | yard before you go fishing if you would like. |
| your child is to make it a fun experience. Do not make | | | | Remember to keep the mood light and don't put any |
| promises that you cannot keep. Make sure that they | | | | undue pressure on the child. Don't forget to bring a |
| are aware that it is possible to have a lot of fun, even | | | | camera with you on the trip! Be encouraging and give |
| if you do not catch anything. You can have a lot of fun | | | | lots of praise. This is your chance to spend some |
| out on the water, whether it is on a pier, in the grass or | | | | uninterrupted quality time together. You can instill a |
| on a mini pontoon boat. Canoes and pontoon boats | | | | lifelong love of fishing and the outdoors in your child |
| can be fun for a kid whether they actually fish or not. | | | | during trips like this. Point out the importance of keeping |
| Allow your child to explore the water. Aquarium nets | | | | the water clean for the fish. Talk about how beautiful |
| are great for catching tadpoles and minnows. Do not | | | | and precious nature is and encourage them to care |
| force your child to fish if they are too young to be | | | | about their environment. If the goal is to really catch |
| interested for very long. Let them try to skip rocks and | | | | some fish, then you might consider a stock pond for |
| see what floats and what sinks. Be prepared when | | | | your trip. Stock ponds are generally easy to fish and |
| you go. Kids' fishing poles are relatively inexpensive | | | | even an inexperienced child can actually catch a lot of |
| and often come with a small tackle box. Bring some | | | | fish. If you have the land, you might consider getting |
| different kinds of bait and let your child pick which ones | | | | your own stock pond in your yard. Also, getting a |
| they like. Using live bait is always a treat and usually an | | | | fishing pontoon boat or fishing pontoon boat can make |
| effective lure for just about any type of fish. Bring | | | | any fishing trip a real adventure no matter what your |
| enough snacks and drinks to keep your kid going. | | | | age! |