Have you ever taken your kids fishing? If you have you probably know how stressful it can be, especially if you have a lot of kids that are multiple ages. We’ve recently begun to take our kids fishing and each time is a different experience. I’ve created a random list of tips that we have gathered from our personal experience on the best practices on how to fish with your kids.
- Set Rules: Before you begin make sure to let the kids know what to expect while they are at the fishing spot, safety rules, the importance of being quiet and calm, and how the stations work. In addition, set consequences for when rules are broken more than once.
- Take Turns: If you have multiple and inexperienced kids that you plan to take fishing, if it is possible do not take them all at once. If you are not alone and have a friend or your spouse with you, I suggest taking half of the kids fishing and then once a certain amount of time has passed switch kids. Too many kids plus their inexperienced ways can cause quite a bit of frustration and tears.
- Have Stations: When we go fishing we use bait that consist of either worms or hot dogs. The bigger kids are able to put hot dog bites on their own hooks but need assistance with cutting the worms and baiting the hook with the worms. So while one adult is at the bait station the other adult is there to help the kids cast and real in.
- Have a Fish Catching Back Up Plan: When anyone goes fishing the goal is to catch a fish and if that goal is not met then there is a huge disappointment and sometimes tears that arise. My genius husband figured out the perfect solution for this and it has helped us tremendously during each of our fishing trips. If you have a child that is struggling to catch a fish, mainly if it is a younger child, here is a little trick to always keep up your sleeve. If you catch a fish or if one of the older kids catch a fish, you have one of two options. The first option is to hand the pole to the smaller child and after a second or two pretend that they themselves caught the fish. The second option is to real the fish up and then cast is back into the water, hand the pole to the smaller child and have them wait for the ‘tug’. Once they feel the tug, have them real it up and viola, they caught a fish! This may sound silly, but it actually works and prevents tears.
The thought of taking your kids and their friends fishing sounds fun, but without a fishing plan it can turn disastrous! I hope that these tips on ‘How to Fish With Your Kid’s’ help you. Feel free to post any additional tips that you might have and have fun.
Love you sharing your stories. I hope Michael and I get to experience a camping trip with y’all very soon!
Well, plan a time.. we may be going the weekend after the 4th (if I have my way)
What a lovely family time, my Dad used to take me when I was a kid and father – daughter time was always good 🙂 x
I haven’t taken my boys fishing, but one of these days I will get around to it. It’s on the bucket list.
It has been years since I was a little kid that I have done any fishing. I really wish I could do some fishing and get away to go to a lake and just spend the day there. Great memories are made that way.
I had never fished until I had my son. We began taking him fishing when he was just 18 months old. He’s four this summer and is casting better then I am and is usually the only one to catch a fish out of the 3 of us (he should use your ‘tricks’ on us! lol). We all look forward to the time we get to go fishing
Ha ha that is AWESOME!!!
We have just started taking the kids fishing more often this year, so thank you for the tips!
Perfect timing for these helpful fishing tips! My parents just bought some land and I think spending sometime camping and fishing will be on our agenda soon!
My son has been begging my hubby to take him fishing. I’ve bought a pole but they just haven’t made it out. Thanks for the tips.
Great post and pictures.My oldest son loves going fishing with his dad,My other kids not so much so i think they get that from me lol.
Love the tips…pinned!
These are great! Here in Florida, there is water everywhere – lots to have fun with, but safety first!
Fun! My brother and I used to go fishing when we were kids, but I haven’t done it in years.
My late husband would take our son fishing. He was too young to remember now, but back then he had a blast. That’s one way to get kids to open up and talk, and those moments create great memories
Love the tips. I’ve never been fishing and would love to take my little ones one day. Now I know exactly what to do. 🙂
Awesome advice – I know my hubby wants to take my son fishing this summer, he’s mentioned it several times! I would love a long getaway at a cabin somewhere!
Love the fishing tips.
I have never gone fishing before. I don’t think I have the stomach to do it, I’d feel so bad for hurting the fish, lol 😛
Your trick lets everyone feel a bit of the excitement. Great idea to make the outing fun for all!
I have never been fishing before! What a fun idea for an outing.
I love fishing with the kids. They always enjoy it, and so do I! Great tips!
Our son is barely two, and my husband is trying to get him out on the dock with a pole. He loves casting the line and reeling in!
I think my son wuld enjoy fishing. But ill wait till hes a bit older. The whole live fish thing will freak him out right now.