How to take your kid fishing
Photo by Jeffrey Hamilton courtesy of Unsplash.com
If you want to take your child fishing, then here are my top tips.
Choose a pleasant day. Unless you know what fun it is catching fish then a cold and/or wet day is likely to be miserable. If it’s sunny take hats and water.
Plan for 1 to 3 hours depending on age. All kids are different but if you want a general guide then 1 hour for 6-7 year olds, 2 hours for 8-9 year olds, 3 hours for 10+.
Try to find a fishery that has plenty of fish. Commercial fisheries are stocked to keep the fish numbers unnaturally high making it easier to catch. They also often have facilities such as toilets, sometimes even a shop or cafe. If it’s local venue go and talk to fishermen before you go fishing yourself to understand what works and where to fish. If it’s a commercial fishery but further away then try calling the fishery and pick their brains. Ask what weight of line, size of hook and bait they’d recommend for a beginner.
Buy the kit you need. If in doubt keep it simple (I’ve provided a basic check list here). Don’t go chasing pike if you don’t have experience unhooking them.
Watch some videos - learn how to set the depth of the float, how to hook on a maggot and sweetcorn. Make sure you know how to attach the line to the rod. Watch how to land, unhook and release fish safely. Particularly important is watching a video on how to use a disgorger to unhook a fish.
Set expectations - it’s called ‘fishing’ not ‘catching’ for a reason.
Get a fishing licence for anyone 13 or over. They’re free for 13-16 year olds and can be bought here: https://www.gov.uk/fishing-licences
Get your bait… A pint of maggots should be plenty, plus a tin of sweetcorn so you can try something different if the maggots don’t work.
Take snacks and water wipes / hand sanitiser - lots and include treats.
When you get to the fishery try to find somewhere out of the wind. It will make fishing easier.
Bring lots of energy and make it fun - practice throwing maggots close to the float. See who can spot the most species of birds. Celebrate every movement on the float even if you don’t hook the fish. Stick your hand in the tub of maggots. Etc.
Look after any fish you catch - if you’re taking a photo, keep them in the landing net while you get the camera ready.
Tidy up after yourself - take any packets and bits of line with you. It makes such a different.
Use the photos to identify what types of fish you caught. Why not print and frame one as a souvenir.
If you have any questions or suggestions to improve this blog please email me: richard@anglingcompanion.co.uk.