Taking Kids Fishing

[Gerry Zagorski]

This is the perfect time of year to take a kid fishing. Winds are usually light, Fluke fishing is in full swing now and weather permitting, boats are sailing every day.

Nothing beats fishing to create shared memories and if your youngster takes to it you’ll have a life long fishing partner and they will get many years of future enjoyment out of it.

If your youngster is new to fishing and you are too, not to worry all the charter and party boats have everything you’ll need so just pack a cooler and jump on board. Be sure to pack some drinks, food, snacks and sunscreen everything else will be taken care of.

Some tips for you…

- As soon as you get on board let the Captain and or mate know if you don’t have any experience. They will take extra good care of you and slipping the mate $20 before you even leave the dock is a great idea to assure even better service. If you didn’t bring your own gear let them know you need a set up and they’ll take care of that too.

- If you are not sure if the youngster or you get sea sick you might want to watch the weather first time out and look for forecasted winds of 15 mph or less, 10 would be better, south or west winds will be best.

- If you start feeling sea sick stay out of the cabin and get out into the open where you can see the horizon… Might be a good idea to grow up to the bow where there will be less diesel fumes since this can get to people too.

- Let the mate show you how to rig your baits and if you happen to loose a rig they will tie another one for you, just let them know and be patient.

- When Fluke fishing you always want to feel your sinker skipping across the bottom. If it’s not you want to let more line out or ask for a heavier weight. Conditions can vary during the day if the current is swift in an area or the wind picks up so you might not be fishing with the same weight all day.

- Sometimes the best part of fishing trip is the anticipation and planning it. Make sure and get your youngster involved in the planning process. Check the weather, read reports, pick a boat, watch some YouTube videos etc. This gets them into it and they can learn some things ahead of time to peak their interests further.

- Kids can and will get bored if it’s a slow day so make sure you have a plan to keep them interested and level set their expectations that you don’t catch every time you got out. If there is a fish caught somewhere else on the boat take them to see it.. Kids don’t care if they catch Sea Robins, Skates or Dogfish, it’s action so make sure not to downplay anything they or others catch.

- Take a look at the NJ Marine Fish Digest https://dep.nj.gov/wp-content/upload...3-complete.pdf and print out the fish identification chart in it and the regulations so they have an idea and can guess what’s being caught.

Best last piece of advice I can give you is take the proper steps to make sure they have a good first experience and let them decide if they like it or not. Some will and despite your best efforts, some wont. The worst thing you can do is force them or they might be turned off of fishing all together.

If you have some youngsters in your life there is no better way to spend a day and create some lifelong memories.

If you have any questions feel free to write me at NJfishing@aol.com and I’d be happy to help. I know how much joy fishing has brought me over the years and the people I've introduced to it young and old. I’d like everyone to have the same opportunity so jump in, the waters warm and no experience needed!

[frugalfisherman]

You forgot seasick pills. All it takes is a little roll to put a kid in the cabin.

[Gerry Zagorski]

Originally Posted by frugalfisherman

You forgot seasick pills. All it takes is a little roll to put a kid in the cabin.

Good call!

[CODCHALY]

Ginger flavor cookies, NO PILLS for sea sick.

Hard boiled eggs and garlic pickles will end sea sick, but BEST advice watch Horizon. It's all in Your ears.

[CODCHALY]

I'd rather take, teach a Kid to FISH, then catch a Personal Best !!!

[CODCHALY]

Some of my Students from 30+ years ago, now take Me, and out fish the Olde Teacher.

[Gerry Zagorski]

Originally Posted by CODCHALY

Some of my Students from 30+ years ago, now take Me, and out fish the Olde Teacher.

And there you have it. The gift that keeps on giving….

[Duffman]

X2 on the ginger. Used to have ginger hard candy for the kids that worked well.

Like mentioned before, if you’re on a head boat, walk em around and let ‘em see everything. Fish some then stop to look around.

I can’t speak for all Captains but Bobby on the Gambler always welcomed the kids in the wheelhouse and let them look around. They were amazed!!!

If on your own ride, bring food for the seagulls. Fish half hour then feed the seagulls some stale popcorn,bread ,cheeze its etc then back to fishing.

Keep ‘em engaged and you’ll get a lifelong fishing partner.

[dales529]

Originally Posted by CODCHALY

Ginger flavor cookies, NO PILLS for sea sick.

Hard boiled eggs and garlic pickles will end sea sick, but BEST advice watch Horizon. It's all in Your ears.

I assume all suggestions are BEFORE you get on the boat!
Totally onboard with the ginger snaps or any other Ginger cookies before and during the trip. How the heck do you get the young ones especially females to eat garlic pickles and even a hard boiled egg before the trip or during?
If they do get seasick all eating even for experienced anglers is OVER LOL

[dales529]

Great post Gerry!
Good advise from all that replied, now just need some Kids willing. Mine didnt take to it!
Now waiting on grandchildren!

Maybe in the meanwhile reach out to the groups that take kids fishing. Since you brought it up I am going to do some research and reach out. Thanks for posting.

Duff agreed on the Gambler! Very stable platform and Capt Bob is very good with the Kids. The 1/2 day trip is a great place to start.