A casual angler’s guide to taking kids fishing for the first time Keep it fun, safe, and simple. By Jean Levasseur | Published May 12, 2022 8:00 AM

 https://www.popsci.com/diy/prepare-kids-first-fishing-trip/ 

 

 A casual angler’s guide to taking kids fishing for the first time  Keep it fun, safe, and simple.

  By Jean Levasseur 

 Published May 12, 2022 8:00 AM  - Popular Science

 

If you’re not an avid angler yourself, but want to get the family involved in the sport, you’ll need to make sure it’s fun for them. That means catching fish—lots of fish. Kids just starting out would much rather catch 40 little sunfish than the biggest bass in the lake like you or I would. Fishing with children is all about quantity over quality, and there are several ways to increase your chances of having a big day.

Do your research in advance

The odds of just showing up to a lake, casting out from shore, and catching fish are not very good. Before taking your kids out for their first trip, spend some time together learning about fishing in your area. “Studying fishing is a huge learning opportunity,” says Brian Kearning, former fishing boat mate, fishing guide, and founder of BoatEasy, a website that serves recreational boaters. Even if your kids ultimately gravitate away from the sport, fishing-related research touches so many areas of science. Learning about the feeding habits and behaviors of specific fish teaches lessons in biology and the food chain. Knowing where fish might be hiding helps to understand how ecosystems work. And every angler always keeps a close eye on weather patterns, both to understand how they will affect the fish and to stay safe and dry.