when do you start them fishing?

[al_neibling]

Dug,

My youngest went on her first boat when she was 3 months old, she spent a week on the broadwater in a house boat and did a brief couple of hours fishing in the pin, her next big trip we put a rod in her hand and this was the result she was 2.

if thay can hold a rod give them one (even if it only has a sinker attached) just my opinon.


Al

[sf17fisherman]

like many other on here i had my pride and joy holding fishing rods before he was walking and has been out on the boats also from about 8 mouths old
me and him play in the tinny in the garage ever since he came home so now he is in love with fishing and boating and best of all non of the noise scare him and does't mind holding and touching the fish or the bait (however some times those bream can catch you off gaurd when they kick)

he knows where thing in the boats go and also so how to start and stop them and even helps poor old dad with the driveing when it is ok to do so

Today was one of them rare proud moment a dad can have after him catching fish with the help of mum and dad for a coupld of years now he fainaly caught a fish ALL by hime self
casted the line out on his own 3'6 shakesheare uglystick and matching reel
waited and wound in when gettting bites on the #2 running sinker size 4 longshank and sandworm combo
struck and wound in under constain pressure
and landed a silghty under size (24cm) sand whitting
ALL BY HIMSELF
made this daddy one very proud one

only regret about starting him this young is that like me he may not remember his first fish or the time he first went fishing but like me he has fishing in his blood and i know his life will be great aslong as he is fishing or playing on our great waterways
p.s. one day this old dad may post the pics he has of the pride and joy holding a fishing rod while in a walker or holding onto one of the game rods in a harness and gimble belt and sure as hell one of the ones of his very first fish he caught all by him self

[Grand_Marlin]

My kids have been around the boats and fishing since they were born... actually I dont think they had any choice!

My son who is now 8, loved the boat even as a baby. We had an 18ft Sharkcat Sportsman, and we used to sit his baby capsule between the bunks when he was just 3 months old. The only time he used to cry was when you stopped the boat - he loved the motion and the sound.
He was fishing the banks with us at age 4 (his job was to distribute the bait and no one else was allowed to touch it)
has now started into game fishing and is keen to catch a marlin. so far he has caught a 6kg cobia.
I had a 4-6kg game rod made for him. it is short with an extra short butt and a levelwind reel. - he is hooked for life.

Our baby daughter has just turned 9 months old and she loves the boat too. She crawls around the carpeted floor and looks at everything. She especially loves watching the fish kicking when we catch them and loves to touch the fish too, but only when dad holds them!
She also loves playing with the stainless ring on the u/f esky hatch!

I think, as stated above, dont scare them. - rivers first then work up to bay / sea.
When it gets a bit choppy, reassure them and try to make the bouncing around fun. My son liked to sit on my drivers seat, with his lifejaket on and hold on to me while I drove. That way he wasnt getting tossed around the boat.
They also love the live bait tank, or even an esky filled with water to watch the fish swim around.. especially the little ones. We would let each fish swim around for 5 minutes, then put it back. This really kept their interest going as they always looked forward to seeing what the next fish would be.

I dont think there is a better feeling than teaching your kids how to fish.

cheers
Pete

[GARFISH]

Mine are now two and four, The youngest megan got her first rod for her 2nd birthday like her sbrother did. Ryan can now fish pretty much by hisself except for baiting but that is more me not letting him play with the hooks. We used to practice casting in the backyard before we moved with just a sinker on his line. I get in trouble if I try to go without him

[2DKnBJ]

Had my young fella out in the boat when he was 6 months old now we do avernighters to Mud with him and he loves it .as soon as he knows how to use a rod i will let him loose. Only 18 months old now but it won't be long.
Cheers dazza