Looking for a plan about what to do this weekend? Here’s one for you: take your children on their first fishing adventure. There are so many benefits when going fishing with your family. Kids breathe fresh air, learn about nature, and spend quality time with their parents.
All aspects are positive, but there are also things to mind that may turn this event into a disaster if you’re unaware. There are safety precautions to take, and if you do everything right, your kids will be thrilled by the opportunity to fish.
If you want to know more about the main things to mind when fishing with your kids, you’re at the right place. We’re sharing six things to consider before driving off with your vehicle into nature. Follow up and see what these things are.
1. Take all possible safety precautions
To take safety precautions, you must first know what dangers you may face. One thing to mind is the hook at the end of the line that may cause severe injuries if your kids are not careful. Taking the hook out of the skin is difficult, and people often need to ask for medical assistance.
If you’re fishing in the summer when it is too hot, it will be best if you apply sunscreen on the parts of the body where the skin is visible. Another thing to take care of is the mosquitoes. Apply some repellent because, near the water, there are always a lot of mosquitoes.
2. Never leave your kids out of sight
Another thing to mind when safety is in question is the chance for your children to slip and fall into the water. It takes just a second for them to lose control and fall inside. Many lakes and rivers will pull them under the water, which may end fatally, so you need to never leave them out of sight.
Explain the consequences of them not being careful and try to be around them more than you’d actually fish yourself. This is not for you to catch fish, but for them to feel the adventure and enjoy some time in nature.
3. Expect nothing, and don’t put pressure on your kids
Understand that your children probably never did this, and even if they did, they are still inexperienced and need time to perfect the art of fishing. It’s important to explain this to them, so they don’t feel sad if they don’t catch anything.
When fishing with them, expect nothing and have a plan B if no one catches anything. Don’t put pressure on your children either. They don’t have to catch any fish, but they need to have fun, enjoy, and spend time with you in nature.
4. Get the right equipment for them
They are kids, and your rod will be too heavy for them. You need to get them kids’ equipment. There’s everything available online. You can even find a specialized tackle fishing shop with various hooks.
Look for the equipment that will be best for your children and opt for the right rod with the right size, weight, and length. Even all children are not the same. You’ll need a different rod for your 6-year-old and your 12-year-old child.
5. Opt for a less challenging task
Different kinds of fish live in your area. You must research and find the best options before going anywhere with your children. Don’t opt for a place where the pros go and compete among them. You don’t want to go into the big leagues on your first attempt. This will only leave your kids disappointed by the outcome.
You want to find a place with a lot of hungry fish instead. Search the map and find where it’s easy to catch fish. Go for a less challenging task. Your children will be impressed by any fish on their hooks, and even the smallest one will make them jump with joy. Find a place where it’s easy to fish, not where big fish live.
6. Make it fun
Finally, the last one on the list is fun. There’s no point in going anywhere with your children if you don’t spend quality time together. You want them to enjoy the time spent by the lake with you. If you’re going inside the boat, don’t ask them to be quiet because talking and laughter scare the fish. Make jokes and have fun because that’s the whole point of the trip.
If you amuse your children well enough, and when you’re going home, they are happy with how they’ve spent the day with you, your job is done there. True fishing days will come, but for now, just having fun when going fishing is enough to call this a successful family trip.