The Simple Guide to Fishing with Kids
Keith Lusher 03.17.25
If you’ve ever experienced the excitement that comes from a child when they catch their first fish, you’re missing out on one of life’s most enjoyable moments. It’s been a while since I first introduced my daughters to fishing, but I can still remember those first bream-fishing trips to the neighborhood pond. I taught them everything I knew, and while I didn’t realize it at the time, I was actually planting the seeds that would turn them into passable fishermen, and that’s saying a lot for a girl growing up in southeast Louisiana. Now that I’m on the verge of repeating the process with my grandchildren, I am much wiser and can look back on the trials and errors of teaching my girls how to fish. Below is a list of things I recommend and things to avoid when introducing a child to fishing.
Go catching, not fishing
Nothing kills a child’s enthusiasm faster than hours without action. I learned this lesson the hard way when I took my girls fishing on the Tchefuncte River when they were first starting out. We spent nearly an hour without a single bite, and they quickly lost interest. Their eyes glazed over, they started complaining about the heat, and before long, they were asking when we could go home.
I knew I had to change my approach. So the next time, I did some scouting first. My buddy and I found a spot where the bass were biting like crazy – we caught 23 bass in about two hours. The fishing was on fire. That afternoon, I brought my girls back to the same spot and watched their excitement build as they reeled in fish after fish. They ended up catching 36 bass, three redfish, and one striped bass, and to this day, they still talk about that trip.
The lesson was clear: when introducing kids to fishing, focus on putting them on fish, not just taking them fishing. Children don’t have the patience that comes with years of experience. They need action, and lots of it.
For beginners, target abundant species like bluegill, sunfish, or small bass in ponds where the action is likely to be fast. Early morning and evening hours typically provide the best bite, though a cloudy day can produce all-day action. Shore fishing spots with easy access and plenty of room to move around are ideal for young anglers just starting out.
Remember, you’re building memories and creating future fishing partners. The number of fish caught will matter more than their size – at least until they get the bug. Then, you can gradually introduce them to the patience required for targeting bigger fish.
Don’t Get Frustrated
Frustration WILL come. It always does. It’s natural to feel a twinge of irritation when your child tangles their line for the fifth time in 20 minutes or doesn’t set the hook soon enough on what could have been the catch of the day. When it comes to fishing with kids, if it can go wrong, it will go wrong – and usually at the worst possible moment.
I’ve been there more times than I can count. I’ve watched my daughters throw brand new lures into trees, dump entire containers of worms into the water, and scare away fish by slapping the water with their rods. In those moments, it takes everything in me not to let my frustration show.
But I’ve learned to take a deep breath and remind myself that this trip isn’t about me – it’s about them. They’re not training for the Bassmaster Classic. They’re learning to love the outdoors, spending quality time with family, and hopefully developing a passion that will stay with them for life.
Be prepared to spend most of your time untangling lines, baiting hooks, and taking fish off the hook. Consider it part of the experience rather than an interruption to your fishing. Kids who feel relaxed around fishing – not pressured or scolded – are more likely to ask to go again. And that should be the main goal of every fishing trip with children.
Use live bait
When it comes to rigging for kids, simpler is always better. I’ve found that using artificial lures with children often leads to frustration – for both of us. They require too much action and attention, which most kids just aren’t ready for.
Live bait is the secret weapon for fishing with kids. A bucket of shiners or live shrimp is perfect for getting those first bites and building confidence. The live bait does all the work, so the child doesn’t have to worry about working the lure or keeping a specific retrieve speed. My go-to setup is about as basic as it gets: just an Aberdeen hook tied directly to a monofilament line – no weights, no bobbers, nothing to complicate things. This allows the bait to swim freely and naturally in the water, which is irresistible to fish. The Aberdeen hook’s long shank makes it easier to remove from a fish’s mouth and is more forgiving when a child sets the hook too hard.
I’ll cast the line out for them and then let them hold the pole. That live minnow or shrimp will do everything it needs to do to get a fish to bite. Another advantage is that when a fish strikes live bait, they tend to swallow it deeper, which means fewer missed hooksets – something that can quickly discourage young anglers.
This simple approach keeps the focus where it should be – on the excitement of feeling that tug on the line and the thrill of reeling in a fish, not on mastering complicated techniques that can come later when they’re hooked on the sport.
I still remember the looks on my daughters’ faces when they caught those bass on the Tchefuncte River all those years ago. Those memories are worth more than any trophy fish I’ve ever caught. And now, as I prepare to take my grandchildren fishing, I’m looking forward to creating those same memories with the next generation. I’ll surely be keeping these tips in mind, and hopefully, you can use them as well to make that first trip with your kid a memory that will last a lifetime!
