Tips Needed On Teaching My Son To Fish.

[BillDance]

I need some direction on teaching my son to fish and to keep him interested in the sport. Maybe I am over thinking this but I just wanted to here some advice from others. I did not have a Dad that taught me how to fish... Not trying to make excuses just the card life handed to me. Everything I have learned fishing and hunting has been on my own and something I did not start until after High School. So it's hard for me sometimes to pass on to my son because at his age I was not learning. The hunting part no problems.. but the fishing part can be tough and I don't want to make it boring when the fish are not biting.

I fish Table Rock and he goes with me and I try to make it fun and teach him something each time we go. I also take him creek fishing and it seems to be paying off. He is ate up with fishing right now and I don't want to lose this chance.

I currently have him fishing with a spinning reel/rod setup but his birthday is coming up and he will be 13. He wants to start using a bait caster. What setup should I get him... 6'6 with a Lew's is what I was thinking but whats the best technique to start a youngster out with? I have put him on the top water bite and he is throwing a popper and casting wise he is very good... but nothing with a baitcaster setup yet.

I know how to fish but still learning everyday but it really has hit me hard on wanting to be able to teach my son and give him something I never had. I am not too proud to ask for advice...

[rps]

Unless he is tall, think shorter on the rod. 6' MF, M power will fit better. Your reel choice is good.

Set him up with a clear or bone Spook Jr., a T-rig set of soft plastics, and old school wiggle warts. Throw in a spinner bait or two. Practice throwing before you go.Then show him how you read the water and choose what to fish based on the season, time, temperature, and your instincts. Laugh at yourself when all fails, and laugh when he prevails.

Enjoy.

[jdmidwest]

Sounds like you are on the right track, taking him is the main thing. Watch him and keep track of his strengths and weaknessess. If he gets bored, make it more interesting by changing the way you are fishing to make it easy for him,.

Even the odds and both of you try to take up fly fishing. Then you will both learn something new at the same time. Creeks are a great place to learn that sport.

No matter what, you are spending time with him and you are enjoying each others company. There will be a time soon when cars and girls will cut into that.

[Old plug]

You know you know him . Nome of us do. I would be reluctant to tell you how to parent. Just take him and let him fish. make it a pleasant experience o matter if you catch something or not. Being with you is what it is really all about.

[Feathers and Fins]

1st thing I would do is find him perch to catch, nothing will keep a kids attention better and I will say till the day I die God created them to get kids in fishing.

2nd is use bobbers it is a visual stimulus to keep a kid interested.

3rd when he has had enough its time to go home or ask him what he would like to do. Biggest mistake I have seen with parents was keeping a kid out to long.

Sounds like you have him started off good. What RPS said for rigs is perfect for a youth starting out. Take lots of pictures they grow up way to fast. The last suggestion is take him to Taney for trout he will be able to see them and many times see the take and that will really get a kid hooked and its a beautiful place for the entire family.

[Bird Watcher]

Agree with all the above. You are spending time with him. That's something that half the parents in the world are missing the point on these days. As for a rod, I agree with RPS. Maybe even a 5 1/2' rod. Also would suggest taking him white bass fishing in the evenings somewhere. Maybe Cape Fair or Grand lake. Nothing will boost a newbies confidence and enjoyment like chasing a school of whites around on the jumps some evening.

ETA: Definitely #3 from F&F. Don't burn him out. If he's bored, find something else to do. Walk the bank, swim, whatever. Don't make him grind it out unless he wants to.

[willyfish]

One of the best topics I have ever seen on this forum. great suggestions. I agree the most important thing is to let him call the shots. Give him direction but let him dictate where the day goes. The equipment choices are dead on and from going to hundreds of little league games I've seen some pretty big 13 year olds, the 6'6 might be perfect. Take him to the store and let him hold a few different lengths of rods, making sure the reel is attached for a true balance. Let him get a feel for it.

[fishinwrench]

Be sure to cuss at him alot and keep reminding him that if he hooks you that you'll kick his @$$ up between his shoulder blades.

Then when you get the slightest bit frustrated with the way he isn't understanding your barks of instruction, snatch the rod out of his hands and make him paddle and fetch beers while YOU fish.

Hey, it worked for Me. Thanks Dad, love ya

[bluebasser86]

Make it fun. If a kid isn't having fun anymore they won't want to keep doing whatever it is they're doing. Like others said, ask what he wants to do and when he wants to leave, leave. If he sticks with it, the patience to stay out when they aren't biting great will come with time. Right now it's about getting his interest and keeping it.

I agree with the suggestions about chasing gills or trout at Taney. Another option would be fishing live bait for bass. You'll catch bass and everything else to help keep his interest.

Lastly, don't force it. If he sticks with fishing you'll have a lifelong fishing buddy and that's great, but if he doesn't then don't keep trying to force him to go in hopes that he'll see the light.

[Grumpy53]

My Dad used to take me fishing all the time when I was your sons age, Bull Shoals, Beaver Lake, Taneycomo, to name a few of the places around Kansas City. We used to go to Canada for vacations. Went fishing there catching fish. I don't know when Mom & Dad started talking about building a house on Table Rock Lake, but we built a house. Dad & Mom got a away from the rat race of Kansas City. They lived there, had a lake front home that the lived in for 35 years. I digress,

Take him fishing every chance youcan andhe wants to go. I enjoyed the time I had with my Dad. I would like to have had more time with him because I enjoyed the time I had with him. We would catch LMB, White Bass, Small Mouth, Crappie, Walleye, Rainbow Trout, Northern Pike and probably more. I would go vist Mom and Dad, he say going fishing in the morning? What time are we going? We could talk about anything under the sun.

Take your Son fishing every chance you can but don't ignore the girls in the house. You both will be having a good and memorable time of your lives.