mistred64 Loc: Grayslake, illinois

I gotta sign off, my grandaughter just arrived. She'll be 3 next month. What is the proper age to start fishing? I need her to put the bait on my hook.

saw1 Loc: nor cal Windsor

As early as you feel like takin em. Just remember to put their PFD on and that you have to WATCH them and help them and NOT fish yourself when you take them out. If you're fishin yourself you can't devote enough attention to them and it just takes a second for accidents to happen and then it's too late. Especially the older we get.
Once they know how to swim and can bait their own hook they don't need quiet as much attention and you should be able to fish with them. Just my opinion.

Spiritof27 Loc: Lincoln, CA

She's old enough to do that. Just be careful with those hooks. Hopefully she'll get into it. I have twin granddaughters, 11 years old, one loves to fish and the other could not care less about it.

CRKfish Loc: Southern New Jersey

About 3. All kidding aside, any time fishing with a kid is time well spent. That said, their attention span is remarkably short so keep that in mind and have nothing but patience and then more patience. They generally want to throw stuff in the water, and move around a lot, and reel in the line constantly fidgeting. The younger they are the shorter each session is. As they get older sessions get longer but you’ll be untangling line constantly. Eventually you’ll have a good fishing buddy and a lot of great memories for both of you, and someday in the future you’ll be watching him or her untangle line while you’re great grandkids are throwing stuff in the water.

bknecht Loc: Northeast pa

I kinda think the most important thing (beyond safety) is to let them do what they like (within reason) and certainly not to emulate your intensity for catching fish. Play with the worms, minnows, find cool looking rocks whatever and make it a fun experience. Hopefully their pleasant outings will someday develop into a passion for our passion.

Danger25 Loc: Philly/ Cape may New Jersey

Yes sir...i have 3 daughters.... they all “ can’t wait “ to go fishin .....til its time to go fishin.

Spiritof27 Loc: Lincoln, CA

Did you lay traps for troubadours?

Danger25 Loc: Philly/ Cape may New Jersey

I did stick around St petersburg....

Ben Bragg Loc: Dayton Ohio

Patience. All kids deal with new things differently. My oldest granddaughter was all in. I think she just wants to hang out with papaw . Her brother did ok but got bored real quick. Unfortunately my depth finders aren’t equipped with play station.

Don’t plan to fish your self. You’ll have your hands full .
If she can grasp the mechanics of making a cast , great. I wouldn’t even put a hook on quite yet. Let her cast a bobber
When she gets bored with that , tie on a hook , let her hold a worm.
Let her watch you bait the hook
Set the hook on one and let her reel it in.
See if she will touch the fish. My grandkids all wanted to touch the fishes eye for some reason.

I have a grandson with autism. He’s kinda ... sheltered . I guess is the right word. Had to take it real slow with the kid first time out. Finally got him to reel in a fish. He wanted to do it again after the first one.
I held the fish and let him touch it. Creeped him out.
I think we both went home happy.

His dad look him out again. He did a lot better that time. He threw a fish back in and reeled in a few.
Good luck and have fun.

OJdidit Loc: Oak Creek Wisconsin

Lots of great tips given. Only you can tell if she is old enough. Don’t plan on fishing yourself, just be ready to answer a lot of questions. Let her take it all in. The rod, how the reel works, the hook, the bobber (let her choose one), the worm. Let her hold it or watch it wiggle. The first trip may last only 10 minutes, but make sure she has fun.
FYI, my oldest boy chose his first bobber, the Red Ranger from the Power Rangers. It is still in a cup holder on the boat from 25+ years ago and probably will be until it is his kid’s turn.

Huntm22 Loc: Northern Utah. - West Haven

I was just told that my 15 year old granddaughter wants to fish with me. Shocked to say the least! She is a little prim and proper gal. Guess we will see. Only thing up her way to fish for is gills, perch and MUSKIES!
Was told she is not like her mother that only wanted to ‘catch’.

mistred64 Loc: Grayslake, illinois

Ha, thanks all. I'll bait and take pictures till I drop my phone in the water.

Fredfish Loc: Prospect CT.

Good luck Ed and have a ball!

mbrillhart1957 Loc: Southeast Wyoming

I agree with what everyone has said. The one thing I did at first with the grand kids was no hooks the first few times.

Grizzly 17 Loc: South central Pa

Best thing ever is watching the excitement of a child catching fish. Yes they get bored but if you have a boat it's more fun for them. My wife n I took oldest grandson around 6. He'd catch a few gills than wants to take a ride. Of course he wanted to steer. He finally got his boaters saftey card. He wanted to run boat. He found stuff on my depth finder i didn't know it had. When we took both boys it was very little fishing but still another day I'll always remember with my grandsons. If you can't enjoy talking a kid fishing i wouldn't want to be you. Enjoy every day you can with your kids n grandkids. I lost my daughter at the age of 45 four yrs ago. What I'd give for more time.