Keeping kids interested in trout fishing

[deerman]

My little girl is 6 and is really getting into fishing. We went to a creek and I didn't have any bobbers. She ended up getting the feel for it and caught 25 bream without a bobber. She was casting out and really lightly working the rod tip so I think she is past the bobber stage and almost ready for big bass lures.lol

We went trout fishing 2 times in the boat and I left my fly rod at home and we anchored and just tight lined with corn and marshmellows and powerbait. Usually, you can literally catch all you want this way. But both times, she only caught 1 fish each trip. Her rod and reel has 6lb test, so i might need to go down to 4lb test.

But I don't want her to get burned out sitting for a long time in a boat in the same spot or getting hung up alot dragging moss. Anyone have some more exciting ways for a kid to catch trout from a boat? Maybe something that involves the boat moving. I was thinking of maybe slowly drifting with those clear bobbers and corn or night crawlers? I'd appreciate any ideas, I haven't done much drift fishing.

Thanks

[Ham]

Rooster tail inline spinners in 1/16 oz or 1/8 oz. White, yellow, and Chartreuse.

Small crawfish lookin crankbaits or small Rapalas work as well, but might get pricey.

4 lb lets the lures fish better, but 6 lb gives you a little more breakoff insurance.

With baits I listed, the line size is not an issue other than how it affects lure action and casting distance.

[Wayne SW/MO]

I would stick with what makes her happy, patience, etc will follow later.

I think you are running the risk of acheiving the opposite, where she will be opposed to trout fishing because of bad memories.

[ToPwAt'R GuY]

I would suggest trout worms drifted under a cast-a-bubble.

[motroutbum]

trolling. if its a row boat, then just row around a lake with the line dragging about 50 -70 feet behind. or drift with the wind and troll with the lind behind. if you have a trolling motor, then just troll around the lake with that.

[trout fanatic]

I agree w/Ham. In line spinnerbaits are easy to fish and kids love to cast and cast and cast. It gives them something to do and can be an incredibly effective way to fish.

[Mikey]

I took my 6 yr old trout fishing last year. I also took his bobber off so he could fish nightcrawlers with just a splitter. He only caught one fish in 4 hours but all he's talked about since is going back to go trout fishing. I think what got him hooked was that he got to spend time with his dad. ALso it didn't hurt that he had his waders on and got to stand in the middle of the river while he was fishing, watching the trout swim all around him. Pretty exciting stuff.

Mikey

[Kayser]

Where are you fishing at- small river, large tailwater, or lake? For a small river, drift worms, eggs, etc along a rocky bottom, plain hook w/ just enough splitshot to keep it on bottom, but still move. For a large river, same approach, only drag it behind a boat as you drift with the current. Try a bell sinker on a 3-way rig instead of the in-line rig to keep it in the right depth. Also, troll small spoons or spinners, adjusting depth and speed until a working combo is found. For lakes, throw worms and minnows along cover under bobbers, and powerbait on the bottom of coves (if a stocked lake, go to the stocking points.) Casting spoons and spinners also works. 4lb or smaller line IS A MUST! 4lb recommended for kids so that it won't break on the hookset and fight as easily, even though it might mean less bites.

Thats about it,

Rob

[SilverMallard]

I'd make sure and take her back bream fishing again before trying trout again...or someplace else where she can catch a lot of fish with daddy.

Then...take her to Rainbow Run or a trout park. That's what they are good for. $5/day per person is cheaper than bait! Throw small spinners as mentioned above (and a few others) on ultralight spinning tackle. RR is 100% C&R I believe. And there are a LOT of 5 lb trout in there from what I am told by some wise grandparents who are teaching their grandkids to fly fish at about your daughter's age.

Bait fishing is S-L-O-W to a kid most of the time. I wouldn't do it. And drifting bait is just as slow as sitting still with bait. Another advantage of spinner fishing is that that the kids don't have to set the hook. The fish do that for them by striking a tight-lined spinner during the retrieve.

One last thing...ALWAYS finish up with an ice cream cone or something like that.

[Gavin]

Let your daughter be your guide. Its different with every child. Some of my little nieces and nephews will fish all day w/o complaint or sign of boredom. Some will fish for 30 minutes then want to go swimming, splash in the water, collect minnows & crayfish.

I encourage them to fish, but dont make it mandatory. I dont fish myself so I can devote my attention to them, and if they want to do something else, I listen up and let them. Keep it fun and let them direct the day. FWIW, inline spinners, beetle spins are fun, so are jigs..Maybe even get her some little polarized glasses so she can see fish chase her bait..Cheers.