JUNIORS
By Jonathan Booysen
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NE of the biggest wishes with that we fishermen have is that our children grow up to have the same love for the sport as what we do. Family bonds and lifelong friendships are forged through sharing the allure of the blue water and all the treasures that it holds within. it’s wonderful being out on the water, seeing nature at its best, away from TVs, computers, traffic jams and busy malls… the only distraction being a tug on the other end of the line. Over the past few years I have been very involved with junior development in competitive angling. I have had the privilege of seeing young novice anglers, some who had never been to sea before, become excellent accomplished anglers. Many parents have chatted to me about getting their children interested in fishing from a young age and asked if I had any suggestions on how to go about it. What I have learnt from my experience is that the younger the kids, the more ground work is needed before you even think of taking youngsters deepsea fishing. BABY STEPS It might sound obvious, but you need to start with the basics. Before putting together a serious fishing expedition, take your youngsters out on the boat for a ride to get them used to the feel of it. The idea is to get them to get them comfortable with the motion so that they are not nervous of their “first real fishing trip”. SEASICKNESS IS NOT A BIG DEAL There is always that fear of seasickness, but I find it’s best not to mention it at all. If it comes up in conversation, play it
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down so that there is no unnecessary apprehension which could possibly make things worse. If you suspect there might be an issue with motion sickness there are prophylactics that kids can use. Again, don’t make a big deal of it. You will get a very good idea if this will be an issue on that first boat cruise, hence its importance. If you see that there is a bout of seasickness coming on while moving slowly or drifting, increase the speed of the boat as this often helps. BE PREPARED FOR BREAKAGES After the first relaxed trip out to sea it’s time to go fishing for the first time. This might not seem that important, but to somebody that has never done it, it can be a daunting thought. Let them help pack the tackle and rods so that they can build up that anticipation and feel part of the crew. I would stay away from using your most expensive custom-built rods and reels for this first trip; use tackle that you won’t mind being bumped, broken or dropped into the sea. These things will happen as the juniors try to find their sea legs for the first time, so be patient. Remember to use tackle that is comfortable and easy for them to use. Spinning reels are the answer as there will be no overwinds or pyramids to deal with. Holding a spinning rod is also much easier on the wrists. KEEP IT SHORT Choosing the day to go fishing is also very important because you want it to be enjoyable and memorable. Bad weather is not conducive to fun, so make sure the forecast is good. Try to keep the sessions short at first. Youngster’s attention span is pretty short and they are easily distracted by other things happening around them, especially if they aren’t catching, so don’t plan that all-day fishing trip just yet. A few hours will be
