If you want to get your kids into prepping, one of the best things you can do is take your kids fishing. Fishing is a great way to teach kids about survival skills and how to be self-sufficient. It’s also a fun and relaxing way to spend time together as a family.
11 Reasons Why You Should Take Your Kids Fishing
Kids love spending time outdoors, and there’s no better way to get them outside than by taking them fishing. Fishing is a great way to teach kids about nature and the environment, while also providing a fun family activity. Here are 11 amazing reasons why you should take your kids fishing:
Patience
Fishing with kids teaches patience, and that’s for both you and them. Keeping a child quiet and calm isn’t always easy, but fishing is a great way to teach this skill.
In today’s fast-paced world, it’s all about immediate gratification, but not everything in life can have immediate rewards. Taking your kids fishing will force them to slow down and wait for the positive results to come.
We all know that not all fishing trips result in lots of caught fish. There’s actually a term used for some trips when no fish are caught and that’s “being skunked,” as in a stinky result! You still benefited from the time together, and the lessons learned, including the one that we don’t always get what we want or expect from our efforts.
Preparedness
In order to be a successful fisherman, you need to be prepared. This means having the proper gear, knowing where to fish, and being aware of the conditions ahead of time.
Fishing is a great way to teach kids about preparedness. They will learn that if they want to achieve something, they need to put in the effort to plan ahead, do their research, and be prepared for something as simple as fixing a lunch to eat while away from home. This is a valuable lesson that they can apply to other areas of their life, such as school and work. Like I’ve mentioned dozens of times before, “if you fail to plan, you’re planning to fail.”
Observation
Fishing requires observation. You need to be able to read the water and look for signs of fish. This is a great opportunity to teach kids that it’s important to check out your surroundings, be aware of any risks, like high water, see what other fishermen are using as bait or lures to be successful, etc.
If done right, they will learn how to pay attention to their surroundings and look for clues that will help them succeed on a number of levels. Again, this is a valuable skill that they can use in other areas of their life, such as relationships, school, and work.
Problem Solving
Fishing also requires problem-solving. There will be times when you don’t catch anything, and you need to figure out why. This is a great opportunity to teach kids about problem-solving. They will learn how to troubleshoot and find solutions to problems.
This is a valuable skill that they can use in so many other areas of their life. Even as parents, we learn problem-solving skills along the way as we experience issues in our marriage, how to deal with challenging kids, how to manage a home and the related financial issues, and so much more.
Resourcefulness
Fishing with kids requires resourcefulness. You need to be able to find the right bait, the right lure, and the right spot. This is a great opportunity to teach kids about resourcefulness. They will learn how to be creative and use what they have to achieve their goals.
Some of the best fishing happens to be on private land. You can’t just ignore signs or fences. If you hear about a great place to catch fish, find out who owns the property and reach out to them. Be resourceful and check with your local sporting goods store or fish specialist retail outlet and see “who, what, and where” you need to go to gain access. You might have to pay a small access fee, but it could be worth it if you have a successful day on the water.
There are all kinds of fish out there to catch, and they may be located in different environments like lakes rather than streams or rivers. Being resourceful means learning what’s happening at the various venues and how to take advantage of times of the year, spawning species, times of the day that work best, and more.
Self-Reliance
Fishing is a great way to teach kids about self-reliance. They will learn how to be independent and take care of themselves. We may not always be able to head to the grocery store to get what we need to survive.
Teaching kids to fish gives them the tools they need to rely on themselves for food if they are ever in that situation. There is an old saying that goes: “give a man a fish, and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime.”
Confidence
Fishing with kids is a great way to build confidence. When kids catch a fish, they will feel a sense of accomplishment. This is a great opportunity to teach kids about setting goals, learning what’s necessary, working hard, and then going out to achieve them.
As with anything in life, intrinsic motivation is key. If kids are fishing because they enjoy it and they are proud of their accomplishments, they will have more confidence in other areas of their life.
Respect
Fishing is a great way to teach kids about respect. They will learn to respect the environment, the animals, and the people around them. They will also learn to respect the rules and regulations that are in place to protect the natural resources we often take for granted. These are valuable lessons they can apply to just about every facet of their life.
Having respect for others, even the value of human life, seems to be a challenge in today’s society. Teaching the kids that it may be prudent to “catch and release” on many of your fishing trips so the fish population can grow. That way there will be fish for you and others on another day of fishing. Hopefully, that attitude will carry over to how they treat friends, siblings, co-workers, the elderly, and so many others.
Sportsmanship
Fishing is a great way to teach kids about sportsmanship. They should learn how to be gracious winners and losers. They will also learn how to compete fairly. This is a valuable lesson that they can apply to other areas of their life.
Learning to be a “good sport” applies to more than actual sports activities. It carries over to how we treat others in many environments and situations. It also allows us to apply some humor as we become the recipient of some tricks.
So much is being said these days about the rampant bullying going on in our schools. We need to teach our kids to never be the ones dishing out the harsh treatment of others, whether they are smaller, younger, less fortunate, appear weaker, or the elderly.
Imagination
Fishing with kids is a great way to exercise your imagination and inspire theirs. You need to be able to imagine what the fish are doing and where they are hiding. This is a great opportunity to teach kids about using their imagination. They will learn how to think creatively and come up with new ideas and approaches.
A Love For the Outdoors
Fishing is a great way to instill a love for the outdoors in kids. They will learn to appreciate nature and all that it has to offer.
By teaching your children to see and appreciate the world around them, you are helping create a more sustainable future. Point out how beautiful it is outside and that we live in such an amazing universe full of so much life!
There is nothing quite like a day or a weekend spent out in the wild. The sights and sounds can’t be taken for granted. Imagine, there are thousands of kids, many living in urban areas, who never get the chance to hike, camp, bike, or fish in the open spaces of America. Let your children experience this wonderful blessing.
Tips For Fishing With Kids
Now that you know all of the amazing benefits of taking your kids fishing, here are a few tips to help you get started:
- Choose the right location. Look for a spot that is safe and easy to access.
- Bring the right gear. Make sure you have all of the gear you need before heading out.
- Be prepared. Have a plan and be prepared for anything.
- Make it fun. Take breaks, tell jokes, and have fun.
Fishing Gear for Kids
Here is a list of the best gear for kids to use when fishing:
- Fishing rod: Get a fishing rod that is the right size for them. You can find kid-sized fishing rods at most sporting goods stores.
- Fishing line: Get a fishing line that is the right size for their fishing rod and reel, and for the fish you hope to catch. Of course, spinning reels take different rods, reels, and line than if you are advanced enough to try fly fishing. You can find this at most sporting goods stores as well.
- Fishing reel: A fishing reel that is the right kind for their fishing rod. You can find this at most sporting goods stores as well.
- Bait: You need bait that is appropriate for the type of fish you are trying to catch. You can find this information online or at your local bait shop.
- The Right Clothing: Make sure that the clothing is comfortable, appropriate for the weather, and loose-fitting.
- A fishing vest: these are very handy to hold all sorts of things like hooks, sinkers, leader, line, lures, etc.
- Fishing hats: You need fishing hats to protect them from the sun.
- Sunscreen: Sunscreen protects their skin from the sun. Bug spray to keep the bugs away.
- First Aid Kit: You never know when you might need it. Always have a first aid kit with you for minor injuries.
- Cooler: You need a cooler to store the fish in after you catch them.
- Fishing net: A fishing net will make it easier to “land” the fish you catch as you try getting them out of the water.
- Camera: You want a camera to take pictures of the big catch. Your cell phone camera will do as well.
- Fishing license: Fishing licenses for everyone in your party. You can usually get these at your local bait shop or online. Some states allow kids to fish under the license of an adult who is with them. Check your local regulations.
Now that you have all of the gear you need, it’s time to head out and enjoy some quality time with your kids. Take your time, relax, and enjoy the teaching and personal learning as your adventure unfolds.
What Are Some of the Fish Species You May Catch?
When we lived in southern Utah, Mark and his friends often went fishing at Sand Hollow Reservoir. It is considered one of the best large-mouth bass fisheries west of the Mississippi. There were other lakes nearby that had various types of trout. Mark told me he’s fished for bluegill and sun perch, catfish, small-mouth bass, northern pike, white bass, crappie, walleye, and others.
He had a chance to fish in Florida with a friend and they caught redfish, tarpon, snook, speckled trout, sheepshead, flounder, and others. He had a great time!
Final Word
Taking your kids fishing is a great way to teach them valuable life lessons. It is also a great way to bond with them and create memories that will last a lifetime. So, what are you waiting for? Get out there and take your kids fishing!
Have you taken your kids or grandkids fishing yet? Let me know about your experience in the comments below! May God Bless this world, Linda
Copyright Images: Fishing Tackle AdobeStock_319022903 by vizafoto, Father and Toddler Fishing AdobeStock_254428811 by Halfpoint