Some of the best days out fishing are with kids – especially if it’s their first time fishing on the deep sea. There’s nothing quite so rewarding as seeing the expression of surprise and delight when they feel the first tug of a big fish on the hook. Both my mate and I know how important it is to make sure their first impression is fun! Otherwise for the rest of their life they associate fishing with a long boring day. You have to get them catching fish right away to catch their interest.
Hooking this barracuda was a good fight for this young man!
Fishing off Key West is great for beginners of all ages – the water is usually calm, and it’s easy to find a spot where the kids can hook fish that are large enough to be exciting but not overwhelming to someone new to the sport. It’s also a great idea to let them catch something they can have for dinner. Catching dinner is a good idea, but it’s also important for kids to have the excitement of a barracuda or a shark on the line! A lot of captains will tell you this is the time to double up on the chum, though, frankly, in Key West, something is always biting and we know what bait and tackle to use depending on what sort of fish we want to catch.
This young girl was clearly thrilled with her shark!
Teaching kids to fish has got to be about fun – but it’s also about teaching them to understand why we catch and release- why conservation is important.
These kids took home some dolphin for dinner and they caught and released a sailfish.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission runs some fishing clinics for kids. There haven’t been any down in the Keys this year, but if you live in Florida you might want to check and see what clinics are available in your area: http://myfwc.com/education/outdoor-skills/fishing-clinics/dates-and-locations/
Kids are taught the basic rules – how to be a good angler – and have a chance to get familiar with tackle and do some casting. There’s also some knot-tying instruction. And of course, there’s some fishing and lots of fun!
Another very happy pair with a shark!
Kids are always ready to try new things – but it can’t be only about fishing. I kept my cousins’ kids entertained with some time on the bridge at the helm of the Southbound.
Guest captains on the bridge!