Taking a Kid Fishing: One Fish Can Create a Lifetime of Memories
Captain Dave Duwe
How are your kids at Minecraft? Do they watch a lot of Spongebob? As adults it’s frustrating to watch our kids amuse themselves with electronics. We never had technology at our fingertips and had to go out and make our own fun. I don’t want to ponder about the good ole days for long, but I remember a time when kids went out and rode bikes, played at the playground and even went fishing. It’s not too late! We can get our kids outside, we just need to use our superpowers: a fishing pole, a little hook, maybe a worm.
John Larkin (5) with a Delavan Lake largemouth, caught while fishing with his Dad
Having been a fishing guide for over 25 years, I’ve taken anglers of all ages out. I’ve fished with kids as young as three all the way up to 93. One thing I’ve learned is that any age can have a great time fishing, but you need to plan smart when going with the youngest ones (and the oldest, but that’s an article for another day).
Here are some helpful Dos and Don’ts. Plan for safety first; if you are fishing from shore or a dock, explain to your kids where they can and can’t go. Avoid busy boat launch piers and steep slopes to the water. If you are fishing from a boat, make sure you have appropriately-sized life vests and kids are capable of sitting still, especially when the boat is moving. For the first couple of trips out fishing, it’s very important to catch fish. A youngster typically doesn’t care if they catch a three inch perch or a 12 inch bluegill. If there’s an opportunity to catch a lot of small fish, take it and make sure they have a good time letting the fish go.
First Lutheran School, Grades 3 & 4 Field Trip with Captain Dave Duwe in Elkhorn, WI
Keep it simple for young anglers. Bobbers, hooks and sinkers are all that is really required. When your children are ready, bring along a few lures to practice casting. Make sure your young angler is proficient with casting before the treble hooks start flying. The way I like to rig the poles is the standard bobber rig. A small hook with the bobber positioned 2-3 feet above the bait. A small split shot will aid in casting further. In deeper water, for more advanced anglers, I will use a split shot rig, a small hook and a round split shot positioned 12 - 18 inches above. By using a round split shot, the chances of getting hooked on weeds are reduced. The deeper the water, the bigger the split shot needs to be.
For bait, worms and nightcrawlers are a must. When my children were really young, I would bring along some minnows, even if the fish weren’t biting on them just for their entertainment value. When I can, digging my own worms always adds a little extra to the trip, and as a bonus it can save a few bucks.
The number one rule of taking a child fishing is patience. The adult needs to go into the trip with the proper attitude. Remember fishing is supposed to be fun, not stressful. Never set a plan for how long you are going to fish. I can’t ever expect to fish as long with a child as I do with adults. The worst is a very bored child; things tend to get broken in the boat and everyone gets a negative attitude. Plan to bring some snacks and drinks as they keep the energy level up and create a nice diversion when necessary. The occasional boat rides also seem to raise the spirits when fishing gets slow.
Taking a kid fishing can create a life time of memories.
Captain Dave Duwe is owner of Dave Duwe’s Guide Service and guides the lakes of southeastern Wisconsin, specializing in Delevan Lake and Lake Geneva. Find him at fishlakegeneva.com or fishdelavanlake.com or contact him at 262.728.8063.