Kids on the Water

By Jonathan Booysen

ONE 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

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

enough at first.

SAFETY FIRST Before heading out to sea it is vital that you have the correct size life jackets for the kids. I would suggest they wear them all the time. Another important factor is sun protection; sun block should be applied regularly to prevent any burns. This will also prevent you being in the dogbox with your partner if the kids do get sunburnt.

CATCH A LOT — OF ANYTHING So you have bought the gear and decided on the day, now for the most important thing… If you want to get your children really hooked on fishing, go fishing where the fish are. Give them the best chance to actually experience the excitement of catching a fish on a fairly regular basis that first time you go out. This success will make your kids excited to go fishing again.

I find that fishing on the bait spots is ideal for this. It’s amazing how kids can get excited about bringing up a string of mackerel or maasbanker. It is a real “Wow” moment for them, so take photos of their “first catch”. Remember to take a few extra sets of jigs because you’re guaranteed to have some tangles.

If you are up for it, take a friend and their kids with. Sharing a fishing experience helps strengthen relationships with family and friends. It will also help spark that competitive spirit that we all have.

As the kids get used to the fishing game the trips can be extended and different techniques can be taught. Whether you’re bottomfishing or gamefishing, get them involved in the process. Show them the different knots and traces that are used and rig a few baits so they can see how it’s done.

Use your judgement as to when it’s time to start focusing on bigger fish and being more technical. I would suggest starting slow and finally working your way up. Let the kids draw up a wish list of what they want to catch and focus on the most achievable ones.

Try to go out with as many different people as possible. Everyone has their own way of fishing; they probably learnt it from their parents. This is not to say that it is the best way of going about it, but nobody is too old to learn and by spending time on the water with others, and “stealing with your eyes”, you will learn so much more. The way I see it, I learn 100 times more fishing for one hour with someone else than what I do fishing 100 hours by myself.

When the fishing bug has really bitten and you are comfortable with the youngsters being on the boat, consider entering them into some of the junior fishing competitions. Dads and lads, junior interclubs etc are great places to get exposure to new techniques. Lifelong friends are made at these events so please support and encourage them.

LESSONS LEARNT Take the opportunity during a fishing trip to teach kids meaningful lessons about life and the world around them. Preparation, patience, team work during and after the trip, respect for the fish they catch, being humble in success and defeat — all these are vital life lessons that can be taught by taking kids fishing. Enjoy the experience and savour the time together. You will be surprised how quickly time flies and when you look again, you will be the one asking your “kids”to take you fishing.

And just remember that age old proverb:“Give a boy a fish and he’s fed for a day;º teach a boy to fish and he won’t have any money left to get into trouble.”