| Did you ever go fishing with your parent(s) or | | | | Tip 2: Choose a good spot |
| grandparent(s)? If you did, you likely have fond | | | | Don't go fishing for musky the first time you take your |
| memories of it - even if you didn't catch any fish! If you | | | | kids fishing. Try to find a good place you can take |
| didn't get the chance to go fishing as a kid, you might | | | | them to catch panfish. Panfish, such as Bluegills (Brim) |
| still want to give your kids that opportunity. Here are a | | | | are often plentiful and easy to catch, even if none of |
| few tips for making the most of fishing with your kids: | | | | them are lunkers. |
| Tip 1: Get the right gear | | | | A good place to start is a stocked farm pond. Some |
| When you take your child (or grandchild) fishing for the | | | | of the best panfish fishing in the world is in farm ponds. |
| first time, take the time and money to be sure that | | | | Depending on the pond, you might find some other |
| they have at least the basic tackle they need. | | | | larger fish, too. |
| First of all, they will need a rod and reel. You can pick | | | | Ask at your local sporting goods store for a good |
| a decent one up at Walmart or your local sporting | | | | spot. You can ask other fishermen, your local |
| goods store for under $30. Try to get a decent quality | | | | newspaper outdoors columnist, and other people, too. |
| one - it's a real pain if your reel keeps jamming up or | | | | Most will be happy to tell you if they know of a good |
| even breaks! I would suggest a spincasting reel, as | | | | panfish spot, since you won't be intruding on their |
| they are easiest to use. Some people would say that | | | | secret spots. |
| spinning reels are easier to use, though, and they are | | | | Tip 3: Make it fun |
| often more reliable and longer lasting. | | | | Don't just plan on going and fishing all day - kids get |
| Next you'll need some tackle - get a few bobbers | | | | bored too quickly. Take some good food, snacks, |
| (floats), a variety pack of split shot sinkers, and some | | | | drinks, etc, to add a little variety to the day. If you're not |
| hooks. Try to get a variety pack of hooks, too, so you'll | | | | catching anything, you may want to try another day. |
| have the appropriate size for the fish you are after. | | | | You don't want your kids to decide that fishing is |
| That should be all you need if you're going to fish with | | | | boring. |
| worms from your backyard. | | | | You might also try going with friends, family, etc to add |
| If you're going to fish with artificial lures, I'd suggest that | | | | excitement to the trip. |
| you start with: | | | | Taking your kids is not expensive, hard, or time |
| Curly tail grubs, three inch size, white or yellow | | | | consuming, but it can give you some great hours of |
| Jig heads for the grubs | | | | fun together. Use these tips to help you plan to your |
| Small to medium spinners, brass and silver | | | | next fishing trip! |
| Other lures, depending on where you are fishing | | | | |