Best time to teach...

[OzGirl1985]

We try to make it to the Lake of the Ozarks once a year, at least, for a few weeks. Now that my children are a little bit older (old enough to understand what fishing is about), I really want to teach them about the importance of nature, the fun of fishing, etc. I'm wondering when the best time in a child's life is to introduce those things? I feel like there's a very narrow window of opportunity with them between when they're interested and old enough to grasp it and when they no longer care about stuff like that. Any thoughts?

[Coke]

Any time is a good time, just be patient with them. Take them fishing and when they get bored and want to throw rocks, let them. Don't try to make them into a tournament fisherman. If that is something they want to do, they will let you know. Get them outside, let them have fun and enjoy the outdoors, everything else will fall into place.

[berger1b]

Great idea. Here is a link to another BBC member's video of his 10 year old son. Not all kids will have the same level of interest but might serve as an inspiration. This boy is not only a great fisherman but entertaining as well. He has a couple of great videos. Enjoy.

http://www.youtube.com/user/fishon421

[Bass Junkie]

My dad started me fishing when I was old enough to hold the pole and watch a bobber go under. In those days we fished off the bank. As I got older he started taking me in the boat. By the time I was 9 I was using a baitcaster and actually understood what the heck I was doing and how to properly retrieve different types of lures. It's all history now. Just remember kids just want to "catch" fish. They don't have to be the biggest fish, just as long as they are fish and they pull on the end of the line. I spent many a day catching bream on worms and crickets and had a blast. You didn't mention how old your kids are but just remember it's supposed to be fun. The younger they are the shorter their attention span will be. Once I started going with dad in the boat he had one rule "we ain't coming home if you get bored". If I did get bored I could entertain myself in the boat but we were staying out on the water. When I got bored and started fooling around that was usually cured as soon as I saw dad catch one, then I was back to fishing.

[Ron S]

Just dont over do it. I burnt my first two daughters out by staying out to long and making fishing to serious. My youngest is taking to it much better. she gets to drive the boat and swims when she wants.

It kills me to stop fishing when we are just getting them figured out but I have learned it has to be that way.

[Greg58]

Best advice is to keep the trip shorter the younger they are, you always want to leave before they get bored. Keeps them wanting to go back! Lots of food worked for my daughter! Her and I fished a take a kid fishing tournament every year from her being about six till she got 18. When she was younger her mom and I would fix up snacks and treats to keep her busy. I'll never forget the time when she looked at me and asked if she could eat a piece of candy BEFORE she had her sandwich, I looked at her and said there are no rules today! You can eat when and whatever you want, her eyes lit up and she just smiled. Now that memory is priceless to me. She would look forward to the tournament every year and we both miss it now that she is grown, married and has 2 kids! However we do get to fish together some now, she is pretty good but does not have the interest to stay out more than about half a day, that is great with me, better than nothing and if I want to make it a 12 hour day I lots of friends to spend it with.

[monkeyboi]

Best advice I've ever read was to take only 1 pole. First time I tried it, I was very skeptical about having fun. My son and I had a blast. I pretty much let him play until we would get a bite. I'd set the hook and let him reel it in. He always wanted to touch the fish then throw it back. That was 2 years ago and he loves to fish now, maybe just my luck.

[BILL LO]

Kids are grown now but when younger went fishing all the time on weekends during summer now that there older
3 love to fish and 1 hates it , make sure you bring some of there favorite toys for when they get bored and plenty of snacks have fun

[Megabass]

My biggest mistake was releasing the fish without it being a big deal , just oversight on my part but a big deal when he cried .

[veryspeedy]

I start my kids when they are 4-5 yrs old .here is how i do it Get them a real rod with a zebco 33 5.6 graphite why give them something that you would not use ? those kids rods are crap. cant catch nothing with a lot of effort so get them a sensitive cheep graphite so thy catch on right away . teach then to take care of their rod its theirs !
Mighty Mite Jigs and Wax worms Are your best weapon Period >
KID will catch Blue gills all day long so they can't get board . just walk ponds and have the young ones dabble the bait next to the shore with the mighty mite jigs 1/16 ounce or smaller.
YOU don't fish until they get the hang of it which wont be long when they are honing their skills on those blue gills pretty soon thy will compete with you on how many fish they catch and when you get tired of dis hooking blue gills teach the how to remove the hooks them self in a year or two you will have a good fishing buddy.

[willieb]

My midlle son started fishing tournements with me when he was ten and was very serious, I think mostly to be like dad. My youngest will go but fishes a minute or two and occupies himself, straightning my tackle, swimming, netting fish. He enjoys it but its the whole experience that interest him. My oldest (22) never cared much for hunting and fishing, he would go but only when there was no baseball, motorcycle racing, basketball etc... He is now in college and he cannot wait to go fish or hunt. Last summer it was like a switch flipped. he came home from work, said I want a bow. he started hunting last year, killed his first deer(6 point). Yesterday we went to the local takle shop and he spent three hundred dollars on what he calls " more serious fishing gear" They always come back home! sorry to go on, I just feel extremely blessed with four wonderful children.

[dkibat]

from what i have heard about Lake of the Ozarks the teaching of Nature in some area's are only fit for ADULTS. in fact it might be a place for adults to learn about nature

[FlipIt2119]

like these guys have said when they get bored and want to throw rocks/play in the sand let them. I took my daughter fishing for the first time last year when she was 2. We had practiced in the yard how to cast and reel. She didn't quite get the casting part but she loved watching the bobber go under and reeling in bluegill after bluegill. We went a quite a few times last year. So far this year we have only been a couple since the weather won't cooperate when I am off work. Last week we were at my grandpas lake and she was catching bass on a square bill tied to her 5'6 pole with shakespere spin cast which she did pretty well using as it was her first time with a "big girl pole" as she calls it. You just have to remember they aren't going to do everything perfect and thats ok just let them fish however is fun for them. Last year she would fish for 30-45 minutes before she was bored and wanted to throw rocks which was fine. So far this year its been about 60-90 minutes on her own and then she will reel in anything that gets hooked up. Also like was said anytime I've taken her fishing the only pole we have taken is hers.

Side note always be careful and watch them with hooks. When I was 4 I got a hook in my eye lid. My dad turned his back for a minute and thats all it took. Luckily it didnt go into my eye ball nor did it go past the barb but either way I can remember it like it was yesterday.

[NCLifetimer]

Easy, make it fun for THEM. My definition of fun/enjoyable fishing, is just being in nature and being very happy just catching a few fish over the span of a full day. That bores the heck out of some of my friends, and would have bored the heck out of me until i was about 15-16 and started finding enjoyment in the outdoors.

Appreciate for the outdoors has to be self taught and realized. Make it fun and enjoyable for them, and they will make their own appreciate of the outdoors. You can however lead by example. The rest will fall into place...