dont be dicks!!!

[Lx545]

Very much so. Nice to learn from other peoples experiences. Im glad something positive has came out of this thread and not just a negative experience.

 

[davisjeremy1981]

Biggest thing is if you're gonna take the kids out fishing then let them be kids. They are only going to want to fish when they are catching, they're not going to want to grind out hrs between bites on those tuff days. So just let them be kids. Let them get into everything on the boat, let em play with the depth finder, keep a life jacket on them and let them find out what its like to fall in the water so they know how to stay in the boat the next time around.

 

[FishingwithRusty]

interesting read(short), since we're on the subject of kids and fishing:

http://5x3nation.com/blogs/blog/fishing-through-the-eyes-of-a-child

 

[ChooChooSnakeMan]

Having two grown daughters that spent quite a bit of time on the boat as they grew up this thread interested me. I want to compliment everyone on the civil tone that everyone has used. It could have been ugly. I don't know of an avid fisherman or woman for that matter that hasn't lost their patience with their kids on the boat while trying to spend "quality" time with them. So right off I want to say that I was far from perfect with my girls. I will say that some of their best memories of growing up center around the lake and our boat. They liked to fish for sure but I quickly had to realize that they didn't have the passion for it that I had. We parents often expect our kids to be just like us when in fact they are individuals with their own likes and dislikes. I believe firmly that our role as parents is to introduce them to experiences and then let them gravitate to the ones that appeal to them. I think when it comes to fishing with young kids some key things are: Let the focus be on them - after all they are the ones learning something new. It takes us having patience and denying self, so yes we may need to leave our equipment at home. Be flexible about the time -- if possible plan to stay kind of close to the dock and arrange with your spouse if they aren't going on the fishing trip to be available to come pick the kids up at the ramp when they get bored or tired or whatever. Forcing a child to stay out in a hot or cold boat when they are bored is not a good way to encourage them to pursue fishing as a hobby. Plan for other water activities besides fishing. When my wife and I used to go out with our girls I would plan on an hour or so of fishing depending on if the fish were biting and our girls attention span, then the rods would disappear and I'd blow up the tube and we would have rides and swim a while and even have a picnic on the boat. My girls loved it. Again 100% of the focus wasn't on fishing. It also sounds obvious but start them out with equipment sized for their hands and strength and yes even resort to bobber fishing with worms, crickets, minnows whatever will make sure they get some bites and catch some fish. Kids won't have an appreciation of the "hunt" and the subtle joys of working a finesse worm over structure for an hour to coax a fish to finally hit. They want action! Lastly I agree that kids, even very young kids often have more capability than we expect. My less than 3 year old grandsons prove that to me every week so be open minded and see what they can do. With that said it can also be easy for us as adults to forget that they are little kids so don't pressure them to do more than they can handle.

I love to see families together enjoying and doing life together. It is priceless. I can't tell you how many times I've smiled and just felt good inside when I see a Mom or Dad helping their kids with love and patience. I also have had my blood boil many time to witness at the lake or ball field verbal and yes even physical abuse of a child by a parent who is a loud obnoxious bully. Often it is obvious that their children are in the way of what they want to do and enjoy. That is so sad, they are missing the big picture. Fishing trips can be had, fish can be caught when their kids are grown and gone but those early years fly by so fast and what kids remember and treasure will not be what we bought for them but the time we spent with them and the things they learned from us. It is our choice - teach them patience, goodness, love or teach them harshness and impatience. I'll get down off my soap box but families and kids are important to me.

 

[JonboatJeremy]

When my oldest was 3, I took her fishing at Chester Frost park. I didn't know if she would like it or not, so I figured it would be best to take her somewhere she could play if she didn't like fishing yet, that way we could still make the best of our time together. On her first try, she caught a 3lb 1oz blue gill. I knew it was huge, and took a picture of her with it. ( i did not know 10 years ago that it broke the state record by 1oz.) However, she didn't care in the slightest about that fish, or any of the others caught that day. She just wanted to spend time with her daddy. After multiple trips between the lake and the playground, I admit, I was frustrated, I wanted to fish all day. I made sure, that no matter what, she had fun. It's a memory we'll carry with us the rest of our lives.
I've learned after three kids, (2 girls and 1 boy) taking them fishing at a young age is not about what you plan to do, but what they want to do. It's best not to confine them in a boat. I've had a lot more fun with them on the bank watching them fish, and explore, than I ever had taking them in the boat. If I do take my pole when we go, I make sure I use a bell or a bobber, that way my attention is on them and not what I'm doing. They'll test my nerves, and my patience, but they've never said they had a bad time, or they don't want to go again. And looking back on it now, those are, of all, my favorite fishing trips.

 

[Bought]

Hats off to Lx545 for admitting it could've been him because most people wouldn't have the courage to say anything but absolutely be so full of pride. It takes so much courage in todays world seemingly to admit being wrong openly. Hang in there 545.....being a parent be it young or old takes extreme patients and patients doesn't come overnight and for most don't come easy. Just remember your babies grow up once and once that time is gone its gone. So have fun and do a lot of loving you will be rewarded for it later for years to come.

 

[Lx545]

Thanks! I was honestly feeling guilty about it before anything was ever said. I read the post and I was like, yep that was probably me and I surely deserved it. Patience isn't my strong suit at all. I'm still trying to learn how to have it.

 

[camaro88z]

No doubt that age has to do with it. As you get older you grow more patance. My son was 7 when I got to know him (stepson but I love him as my own, he is awesome). But I was 23. It was hard for me at first. I would get angry easy but have never whipped him. He is 19 now. In college. He joined hs fishing team his last 3 years. Got me into bass fish just because I wanted to spend time with my son. I am hooked now. Lol. But honestly as you get older it will get easier I promise. But when she gets a mouth on her talking back constantly makes it hard. But says great things about you for owning this. You will be driving her around in hs bass tournaments before you know it.