By Dave Selleck
Do you have children or grand children you'd like to teach to fish? Do you wonder how old they should be and how you should approach the subject? I learned when I was young, and fishing, especially for pike, became a life-long hobby for me. Here's part of my story and a few things to keep in mind when you take the little ones out.
I was 10 years old, fishing with my dad at Drummond Island, Michigan, when I caught my first Pike. We were using old bait casting reels with Dacron line and I put on a bronze dardevel lure. A 30-inch pike attacked my lure. At first it felt like a big snag. Then I felt the (now) familiar tug of a Pike at the end of the line and the battle began. It was exciting to catch my first large fish and I was forever "hooked."
My son Zack and I went on a Canadian fly-in fishing trip when he was 8 years old. It was an adventure that he remembers to this day. We caught walleye and northern pike. He didn't get anything large, but he learned patience sitting in the boat and trolling. He would get bored and need to take a break, but I was impressed with his ability to hang in there and fish with the adults. Now he is an excellent fisherman in his own right and loves to compete with me whenever we go fishing.
I've learned a few more things about children and fishing since I became a grandfather with twin 5-year old boys. My grandchildren are slowly being introduced to fishing by catching blue gill and small bass. They've been on a lot of short fishing adventures and they're learning to release what they catch. They were given basic closed-face reels this summer and they learned about casting with a bobber. Yes, there was some ducking and weaving on the part of the adults, but they are great little casters now! We have also gone out in a boat and drifted with small hooks and bobbers.
Next summer, when they're 6, they'll be ready to get the feel of a big fish on their lines. I plan to teach them how to fish for Pike with a large minnow and big bobber. They will be able to do other activities in the boat, like eat a snack or share a cold drink while we wait for some action. It will be a time to share stories, talk about lures and have special time as grandfather and grandsons. I can't wait to watch their faces once they get a 20-inch Pike on the line!
Here are some things to think about when you take children fishing:
- Safety first! Always make sure the children have life preservers of the proper size and that they wear them. Take a first aid kit along just in case someone gets a cut or other injury. Include sunscreen and hats in your gear.
- Remember the principal of KISS (keep it simple silly). Keep the gear simple in the early ages such as 3 or 4. Cane poles are great. When upgrading, make sure the reel and pole can actually deal with a large pike or bass. How disappointing it would be to catch a larger fish and then watch the line break because it snagged in a cheap real or got bound up in the drag.
- Don't plan to fish much yourself! Helping the children have a great time is the priority.
- Because of their short attention span, think in terms of short periods of time, rather than marathon fishing. Some day they will be able to keep up with you!
- Try to fish in areas where there is a high potential to catch something.
- Bring snacks and things to keep them busy if fishing is slow. Try fishing from shore or a dock so children can do other things if they get bored.
- Help the children put on live baits and make sure their equipment is ready to go.
- Reward them with lots of interest and affirmation, no matter what size (or species) of fish they catch.
- Have a camera ready to take a proud picture of that minnow or pike, to keep and share.
- Enjoy the moment. Fishing for pike or other fish with children can be a huge bonding experience and provide a great way to build positive memories with those we love.
Dave Selleck has been fishing for pike in the great lakes area and Canada since he was a small child. He's been spending time with his grand children, teaching them basic techniques and getting them excited about fishing.
Fishing for Pike by yourself or with the family is great fun. To find out more about Pike come see us at our website Learn techniques and facts that will help you catch more Pike.
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