With over 220 million anglers across the globe, you realize how popular fishing is. Every day someone new tries the art of fishing and falls in love with it. If you’re one of those people who are about to introduce the sport of fishing to a first-timer or a child, then you’re a great person.
It’s always great to have more people involved in this activity. However, to be sure that they will stay, you need to make the activity interesting for them. This may be a challenging task, but you’ll have a lifetime friend to accompany you on your outdoor adventures if you do it right.
We’re sharing a couple of tips to help you handle the situation perfectly. We’re talking more about making the fishing day with first-timers and kids bearable, interesting, and safe. If you manage to do these things, you’ll surely get the job done right and help them have a great day by the water.
1. Do the hook tying for them
One of the toughest things to do when you’re a first-time angler is to tie the right knot and secure the hook. If the knot is too loose, it will fall off, and if you leave a little more line on the side, the fish will get scared and swim off, never even touching the prey.
It’s even more complicated with the lures. The lures are made to mimic real fish and other animals, but they may be dangerous if you’re not experienced in handling them. However, these are simpler to tie.
For example, lures for whiting are simple to tie, but they have hooks in the middle of the lure, making them tough to hold if you’re inexperienced. Handle this for the newbies because their motivation will drop instantly if they get hurt.
2. Accept that they don’t like touching fish
It’s a common problem with all people who are first-time anglers - they simply don’t like touching fish, while experienced fishermen don’t understand this obsession. Accept that they’ll catch the fish, take it out of the water, but will be afraid to get their hands on them and take them off the hook.
Kids especially will be afraid to touch them. Prepare some gloves, and take the hook off by yourself. Only when the fish is tired and isn’t moving too much, let them pick it up and take some pictures with it.
3. Explain what may be dangerous, and mind the safety
Handling the rod is essential for everyone to stay safe. Although this is a highly safe sport, there are always dangers that everyone involved needs to mind. First and foremost is the danger of the lures and the hooks, which may cause serious injuries if they are not careful.
Another thing especially valuable for kids’ safety is the awareness that there’s water just a foot away. Falling into the water may cause panic and frighten kids. Explain that they need to be careful and always watch their step, so they don’t trip and fall inside.
4. Don’t raise their expectations, making them think you’re going home with a full trunk
The image of catching a lot of fish is not real. Most people will not catch anything during their first try. Fishing is all about patience, and you should make the illusion that you’re going home with a full trunk of fish or taking a shark out of the ocean.
Some fishermen love to brag about how many fish they caught that one time seven years ago, convincing everyone that this is common practice for them. Explain that it’s not and that you’ll need to wait for the right time to draw the rod and catch the fish. Remember - it’s all about patience.
5. Make it interesting by doing fun things aside from fishing
To keep them entertained and make time more interesting, you should do other stuff aside from fishing. Talk to them, play games while you’re waiting for the float to move, make some BBQ, have some drinks, and enjoy yourself.
Consider this a picnic, with the possibility of catching some fish. If you make BBQ, you can instantly clean and cook the fish. If you’re more into the sport, you can release the fish back into the water. It’s all a personal choice. The only thing to mind here is the law. Make sure you’re free to take the catch with you.
Conclusion
These are five essential things to know and practice when going fishing for the first time with kids and newbies. It is crucial to understand their vision of what fishing is, help them with the equipment, and explain everything about safety.
If you manage to include some fun while doing it, then be sure that you’re getting new fishing lovers who will be there with you anytime you decide to go fishing again.
Also, you can read this post to know 10 Tips for a Successful First Time Fishing Trip. Happy fishing!