The Packing List Taking the family out on the boat for a day of fishing is always a challenge. Besides the normal fishing gear required such as rods, reels, bait, hooks and sinkers there is a list of essentials you should be carrying with you. I like to think of the day as a camping trip where we will be in the middle of nowhere and if we don’t have something we need with us, we’re not going to be able to get it. What will we need to make the day as pleasant and enjoyable as possible? Make out a list of things you might require that you normally do not have to bring when you’re out by yourself. Most of the items are common sense, but in addition to the usual items I will often bring a few extra things to make the day great. I have brought coloring books, and blank sheets of paper as well as crayons or colored pencils. When the bite is slow, and the kids’ interest in fishing is fading fast, you can encourage them to color or draw pictures of the things they see around them. It sounds a bit crazy I know, but you might be pleasantly surprised by the distraction it creates. I also always bring a change of clothes for the kids as well as clothes for both warm and cool conditions. The sun may be shinning at home and the wind down, but on the water there is almost always a breeze and the temperatures can be anywhere from 5 to 15 degrees cooler. Whenever you and your family are in the sun for any period of time, sunscreen is an absolute must. You don’t want your child’s memory of a fishing trip to be the horrible sunburn she got out on Dad’s boat. Be sure to put it on and put it on well. Even on overcast days that do not seem very hot, the sun’s UV rays are reflecting off the water and can result in a painful burn. Lip balm is just as important. The constant ocean breezes can lead to dry, chapped lips. A hat and a pair of sunglasses also lessen the effects of the sun and can make your child’s day a lot more pleasant. I don’t know about you, but whenever I am on the water my appetite doubles and my kids seem to have the same problem. Be sure to pack a lunch that includes lots of easily held snacks and goodies. If the bite is on, they will be busy and not thinking about their stomachs. But on one of those slow days they will be looking for something to snack on until the next wave of strikes commences. Be sure to have plenty of their favorite beverages on hand to keep them properly hydrated. A child that begins to feel dehydrated is not going to have a good time on the water. I am lucky that my boys do not usually feel the effects seas sickness. For those of you who may not be so fortunate there are many over the counter medications available for children to help alleviate this terrible feeling. I have also broken ginger capsules and mixed a portion of the contents into their drink to settle their stomachs a bit. If push comes to shove though, be willing to bring them back into the bay or the dock if need be. Many kids grow out of this at some point and they will be thankful you did not keep them out while they were not feeling well. Under Way Your responsibility as Captain is the safety of your passengers. It is imperative that you consider this aspect of the trip when planning. A day with any injury on the water is not going to be a happy one, so plan accordingly. I like to start out on the ride to the dock by instructing the kids about the importance of safety on the water. You will be surprised how much information they will retain and be pleased knowing they have knowledge that will keep them safe as they grow to become the next generation of boaters. Life jackets are a must for all children under 12 years of age. They must be properly fitted and U.S. Coast Guard approved. The life jackets should be put on the kids before they step foot on the dock in case they slip off. The life vests should be worn until the kids are safely back in the parking lot at the end of the day. It is always a scary sight to me to see kids seated on or around the bow of the boat while under way. I know it can be fun for them to sit up front with their feet dangling over the bow feeling like Leonardo DeCaprio in “Titanic”, but this is a very unsafe place for anyone, especially children, to sit. I have my children sit in the cockpit, or if room allows, with me at the helm. There should be no moving about while the boat is under way. A sudden wake, or unexpected wave can shift the boat just enough to cause a painful fall or bang of a joint or head. |
Having said that, being the Captain doesn’t mean you have to make them walk the plank. You can teach your kids about how boats operate, especially how to start and stop the engines, how to steer, what the different buoys and channel markers are telling you, and especially how to use the radio in an emergency situation. You too could be hurt or unable to speak. In an emergency you will be happy when little Johnny is able switch to channel 16 and hail some assistance.
I also like to point out the natural things that many of us take for granted when we are on the water. The schools of bait, formation of sand bars, a flock of sea birds flying overhead and diving to pick up bait fish, different types of boats, etc. These are all things we see everyday on the water and don’t give much attention, but to a child who has not had these experiences they can evolve into fascinating learning events.
What to Fish For
I try to target certain fish depending on the skill level and age of the children I will be fishing with. This not only improves their chance of success, but also increases the odds the kids will have a great day and want to participate again. Having said that, there are seasonal regulations for different species and it is sometimes difficult to target one over another. If there are a few options available at the time of your trip it may be something to consider.
For kids under 5 years of age, both snappers and porgies make for a lot of fun. Both are very easy to catch when they are in season and require very little skill. I have caught lots of porgies and snappers with children out for their first day of fishing. Kids that size that stumble onto a porgy double-header will feel as if they are fighting a 40-pound striped bass.
Now that my boys are getting older and have mastered a few of the basics, we will fish for any inshore species that’s running. Some require more skill than others and some require more strength, but they have experienced slow days on the water and understand every day is not a blitz.
The Mental Side
I know when I take the family out fishing my time spent with a rod in hand and a line in the water is going to be very limited. Fortunately, I have many opportunities to fish with friends where I only have to take care of myself. That is when I do the majority of “my” fishing. When you take your family out, you have to tell yourself “I am going to be Captain, Mate, Cook and Bottle Washer. Angler will not be the title that best describes me today.”
You can really help yourself out by “rigging up” the rods before leaving the dock. Your kids will want to get the lines wet as soon as the boat stops so this can be a real time saver. Show the kids how to properly bait the hooks and then how to let their lines out. Be ready to undo a few “birds nests” as they are inevitable with younger anglers, especially when bottom fishing.
Explain to them what to expect when a fish bites and keep a close eye on their rod tips. They will constantly think their sinker bumping along the bottom is a bite. This is a great time to also explain the meaning of patience. With a little help from the fishing gods they might learn how patience and vigilance can be rewarding. If the bite is on you will be netting, un-hooking, releasing, re-baiting, and untying birds nests at a pretty torrid pace. It can get a little hairy I’ll admit, but if your children are excited by the action the look of joy on their faces is well worth the effort.
If the bite is slow, encourage them to continue fishing, but don’t insist. It can be a bit of a challenge because we all know lines out of the water do not catch fish. You also do not want them to feel as if fishing is a job. There have been many times I have been out with children when the bite was slow or they became disinterested for any number of reasons. I let them take a break and don’t push the issue. On many occasions I have been pleasantly surprised how quickly they come back after a short break and tell me “Dad, I think I’m ready to start fishing again.”
At the end of the day back at the dock, let them help you clean up the boat and especially discard the day’s garbage properly. It teaches them about the responsibility and importance of maintaining your boat as well as the responsibility we all share in maintaining the marine environment.
Memories
I have fished with my family many times over the years. There have been countless times in the dead of winter while watching a fishing show or when one of my many fishing magazines shows up that a flurry of conversation ensues. It always revolves around one of our family fishing excursions and is relived in vivid detail. The catches, the things we saw, and some of what we learned all comes rushing back to us. With a little planning and some patience, you too can give your family the treasured gifts of attention, education, and memories for a lifetime.
