Tips Needed On Teaching My Son To Fish.

[holleybob]

I have a 14 year old and am in the same situation. We have a window of opportunity before girls and cars take over. We need to make the most of it. In March I became a boat owner for the first time since he was born. He is the sole reason I bought it and he does not even know it.

Rod choice: The rod should be about as tall as he is and the rell should simply be easy to cast.

Larry Nixon once told me he felt like a rod for a beginner should be about as tall as the person using it give or take a couple inches. They can get adequate distance out of it and more control which builds confidence. More control = accuracy and less lures in tree brances = less frustration on all parties involved. Being without the funds to have custom 5' 6" rods made I went to Bass Pro's outlet store where a 6' rod that has had it's tip broken off and repaired is often a 5' 6" rod. We bought 2 and 2 Browining baitcast reels for about $100.00.

Practice: I put a 5 gallon bucket in the yard and placed a five dollar bill in it. When he put the casting plug in the bucket he could have the money. This brought out the competitive side of him and made practicing fun and rewarding.

Make it fun: Learn to know when he's ready to quit. This was hard for me because I don't quit easily. I have to continually remind myself that it's not about me. It's all about him and having fun.

Bring a friend: Peer pressure is huge at this age. If his buddy's want to play football, he wants to play football. If you get one (or more) of his friends hooked on fishing and they think it's cool, they will all think its cool and before you know it they'll be telling you what the latest fishing trend is.

Lastly don't pressure him to love fishing the way you do. I have 2 older brothers. When we were young all vacations were fishing vacations. It's just what Dad liked to do. My two brothers grew out of fishing about 16 years old. I never did. The neat thing is though they both came back to it as adults. They both love fishing now. Dad planted the seed. 2 of the 3 seeds lay dormant for 20 years but all sprouted.

Sometimes it's hard to be patient.

Good luck to you.

[Bird Watcher]

Another thing that occurred to me as I was reading this again, I'd suggest a centrifugal braking baitcaster like what the curados use. It might be a little bit easier for a beginner to learn on. You only have one adjustment instead of two to concern yourself with in order to prevent backlashes. I've been buying the academy Mettles the last couple of years and for 50$, they are a great baitcasting reel with a lot of the same features as high end Shimanos. Centrifugal brakes, 10 bearing, etc.

[Quillback]

Bird Watcher has given you a couple of good recommendations. I also see that WalMart.com has the new Daiwa Tatulas for $103. I haven't fished one, but the guys who have, rave about them.

[*T*]

A lot comes to mind when responding to this. I'll start here.

You probably can't make someone love fishing. Some who were born in a family with deep background in the sport just would rather do other things, and some who have no early age tie-in become the most fanatical folks of all. I'm sure you do, but show your own excitement when planning your trips. It's contagious.

Big lakes, ponds, rivers, creeks, oceans all have their own magic. Personally, I spent many a morning wading/floating many of the creeks/smaller rivers in Missouri and have grand memories of those days. An ocassional change of scenery can be good.

Start with quality tackle, reasonably light line, and baits that can be cast easily with tackle that is used (and that will be productive in catching the target species). Your partner needs to have their own equipment/tackle box.

Discuss the when, where and why regarding your fishing decisions and encourage your partners suggestions. Discuss the particular waters you are on, the fish in those waters, the forage base, the seasonal movements and patterns.

Relish the successes and enjoy the more difficult trips. Take pictures and share them. Recall those special memories in other situations.

See the sun rise! Watch the weather change. Share the seasonal changes in the world around you. Observe wildlife (not talking about the human summer crowd here). And most of all, try to instill an awareness of any on water details (fish activity, bird feeding, weather conditions) that can put you on fish.

Lastly, follow the rules and teach respect for the land, water and others that you share it with.

All I got.

[Wayne SW/MO]

At that age they seem to get bored when things are slow, but I have started a son and daughter and some grand kids. I always went for something that was a sure bite to start with to build their hunger, TR is loaded with Goggle eye, and all the perch family from this area. If he gets bored try changing the quarry. The second, and probably the most important, when they get bored don't push them. Let them look at the water, fiddle their thumbs or what ever makes them happy. They may get bored with that and start fishing again, this is what usually happens, but if not that should be fine also. Patience, build only happy.

[Old plug]

WAYNE------ Any tips on how to get a 76. yr old to adjust his fishing approach????? That would be helpful at this time.

[*T*]

At that age they seem to get bored when things are slow, but I have started a son and daughter and some grand kids. I always went for something that was a sure bite to start with to build their hunger, TR is loaded with Goggle eye, and all the perch family from this area. If he gets bored try changing the quarry. The second, and probably the most important, when they get bored don't push them. Let them look at the water, fiddle their thumbs or what ever makes them happy. They may get bored with that and start fishing again, this is what usually happens, but if not that should be fine also. Patience, build only happy.

Wayne, you right. When my daughter was growing up we would fish with crickets and put every fish we caught in the livewell until a little later in the day. And darned if everyone of those fish didn't have a name within a minute. Oh, and the crickets had names also.

[dtrs5kprs]

The Lew's reels are pretty fast for a beginner. Size and weight are good, but I would not want to start out on one.

Don't short him on rod length (pun intended). My kids are 9 and 13, and they are fine up to 6'6". We tried a seven footer for fins and swimmers and it was a touch too much. He will appreciate the longer rod with frequency.

Nothing wrong with a 6'6" spinning rod, six pound line, and the varmint/Ned/little rig. It is a smile maker for kids.

[Wayne SW/MO]

WAYNE------ Any tips on how to get a 76. yr old to adjust his fishing approach????? That would be helpful at this time.

I wouldn't know, I'm only 75.

[Sac River Jim]

my dad bought me one combo when i was 13 it was a heddon worm rod and a zebco 33. i hauled hay. mowed yards and sold hounds to buy my own equipment. my dad had me on the water every opportunity he could. Dad started me out white bass fishing down at blunks at galena. if i got bored id sit on the bank and catch perch till the whites started back up. dont underestimate him he will pick it up at his own pace just give him every opportunity you can to do it.