Bait, hooks and a fishing pole – take them out as soon as they can stroll. There are fewer finer things in life than taking your little one out on their first fishing trip. It’s a memory that you will both cherish for the rest of your life, and will be the start of a long family tradition. Lake Texoma is a great place to share this memory and here are some tips to make it the best day ever.
Rule Number 1: Have fun!
The most important thing to remember is that you’re there to have fun. You don’t have to do anything fancy to introduce your child to the sport, and in fact simplicity is the key. Make your first trip short and sweet, and be sure to take breaks in between. A child might have an hour of fishing in them, but they might not be able to get through it all at once. A 15 minute break now and then to bird watch, eat, or tell fishing stories will recharge their energy and keep them focused. You might even want to explore other activities that the lake offers such as swimming and horseback riding to round out your trip.
Rule Number 2: Find the Right Gear
Once again, simplicity is important when picking the right fishing gear for kids. They don’t need overly complicated reels or lures. Instead, you might want to pick a rod that has a button for casting to make it easier. Many stores have fun Disney or superhero themed rods that are easy for children to use and makes their experience that much more fun. Also opt for a bobber so that your kid can easily see when they get a bite, and worms as bait since they work well for a variety of fish. You and your little one can even go hunting for the worms in your own backyard. They will have loads of fun finding these creepy crawlies and it’ll increase their interest in setting out on the trip.
Rule Number 3: Fish the Right Fish
The best way to keep children focused is by catching fish. They won’t be entertained for long if they’re just staring at the bobber on top of the water. Seeing that bobber dip will make them jump up and down with glee, and catching a fish will encourage them to keep fishing. Lake Texoma is a perfect place for children to fish because it is full of kid-friendly fish. The lake is particularly good for catching catfish, which will be a child’s best bet. Since they know a lot about catfish from TV shows, it is a fun fish for them to pull up. Catfish can also be reasonably large, creating a great reward for your child’s efforts. They may even be amused by the weird types of bait you can use to catch a catfish such as hotdogs and grapes.
Rule Number 4: Conservation Matters
It is important that your child learns everything about fishing, and that includes conservation. They should know that we fish only what we can eat, and should learn the importance of catch-and-release. In Lake Texoma, the daily limit for blue and channel catfish is 15 and the minimum length is 12 inches. For flathead catfish, the limit is 5 and they must be at least 20 inches. Make sure your child learns these limits and other conservation points such as litter prevention and habitat preservation.
Contributing Author Jackie Edwards – Jackie is a freelance editor and writer. Her husband is a keen angler and they wanted to try fishing holiday with the kids. Last year they were able to go for it and afterwards she wrote a series of articles geared towards helping parents and care givers plan their own first fishing trip with children. You can read more of Jackie’s work at https://outdoorempire.com/children-first-fishing-trip/
