In my world, camping and fishing go hand in hand. I’d have a very hard time setting up camp near a lake or stream without throwing in a line, just to see if there’s any fish biting. I think it’s in my genes — my dad was an avid fisherman. A few years ago we took a houseboat vacation and brought some fishing gear along. Our teenagers hadn’t fished for years and I wasn’t sure they’d have any interest. To my delight, they were positively giddy each time they caught and released a fish, no matter how small. It was one of the highlights of our vacation, and hopefully helped foster our kids’ love and appreciation for the outdoors (and one another)!
If you want to introduce your kids to fishing, the key ingredient is to make it fun. The object isn’t so much about catching fish as it is about having some quality family time together. Ask at a local tackle shop or marina where to find a prime fishing hole. For added fun for kids, bring along a book so they can identify the fish, as well as a measuring tape and notebook to record their catch. If your kids are younger, it’s probably best to begin fishing from shore. If they lose interest, they can skip stones or go wading in search of minnows or tadpoles. One of the nice things about fishing is that the weather isn’t really a factor. If the water’s too rough or cold for water sports, you can still get out the fishing gear.
Assembling a beginner tackle box is simple and the cost minimal. Look for a light or medium/light spinning or spin casting rod. The easiest type of reel is a closed-face reel with a button that releases the line when they cast. A 2- to 6-pound test monofilament line should work well under most circumstances. Some additional necessities include small J hooks (no larger than size 10), weights, swivels, bobbers, needle-nose pliers and nail clippers for cutting the line. Don’t forget a net, sunscreen, first-aid kit, bug spray, a camera, life vests (for younger kids), and fishing licenses. Hunting for earthworms is an activity that is almost fun as fishing for most kids. Use the earthworms for bait (don’t use an entire worm but cut them to fit your hook), or let the junior anglers make bread balls from white bread. Both are surprisingly effective. If you’d like to incorporate some angling into your next RV vacation, give us a call at (800) 247-0970.
In my world, camping and fishing go hand in hand. I’d have a very hard time setting up camp near a lake or stream without throwing in a line, just to see if there’s any fish biting. I think it’s in my genes — my dad was an avid fisherman. A few years ago we took a houseboat vacation and brought some fishing gear along. Our teenagers hadn’t fished for years and I wasn’t sure they’d have any interest. To my delight, they were positively giddy each time they caught and released a fish, no matter how small. It was one of the highlights of our vacation, and hopefully helped foster our kids’ love and appreciation for the outdoors (and one another)!
