Hey everyone. My son just turned 1 a few weeks ago & I bought a bay boat back in March. I am anxious to get my boy on the water but do not want to rush it. I have a very small life jacket that came w/ the boat & does fit him and also a Bimini top to keep the sun off. I would also take into consideration the weather / wind to make it as non-stressfull as possible as this is my future fishing buddy & do not want to frighten him his first time out & ruin it for him. Just wondering if anybody thinks he is too young or has experience w/ taking a small child for the first time. Please share your thoughts! Thx.

There is no age. Just put a life jacket on him and take him out. I am sure he will enjoy it. My daughter went for boat rides before she was a year old.

I wouldn't think it would be a problem. We started to take our daughter out when she was 4-5 months old. Just make sure you have a life jacket that is made for him, and be a safe boater. We don't let her out of the life jacket if she is on the boat. Also, I would make sure you have another adult with you to keep him reigned in.

My daughter is 17 months old now, and she loves going on the boat.

I don't know how old I was when my grandparents started taking me with them in their boat. I know there are pictures of me when I was 2 or 3 playing with the steering wheel while they were fishing.

I agree with David Lee, I don't think there is a too young to do it. he'll probably fall asleep with the rocking of the boat on the water.

Not only a good idea, but it's also the law.

I don't have any experience w/ little kids in boats, but I'd say maybe just find a nice out of the way boat ramp with quick access to a quiet cove where you could put in hassle free and just cruise around slowly to let him get the hang of it. Maybe drop down and do some fishing for ANYTHING and let him see the fish and such.

They are never too young to start. You have the right plan. I started my kids when they were 1 and all 3 of them never pass up a trip to go fishing in the boat. My 2 year old little girl loves that thing and everyting we go outside she wants to get in and go fishing.

I have photos of me in a car seat on the boat floor while the parents were out skiing. I was probably 4-5 months old.

Sounds like you have the right idea. Go on a calm weather day, maybe even on a weekday evening when there isn't a crowd to worry about other idiots.

Its only required if you are under way. We don't let her out of it period if we are on the water.

my parents have stories of me playing in the livewell while they fished.. couldnt of been more than a year old. the old Skeeter Metro had a huge opening and wells- they said they would put a little water in there and some of my toys... Man I miss the easy life!!!

If you just plan to take them out on the lake to have fun, no age is too young. If you are going to take them fishing, wait until they are a little older. I took my son when he was 3 or so, and it was too early. Now he does not like to fish.

The kids have to wear the life jacket unless you are anchored or beached.

Excellent question. My son 15 months and my boat will be ready next week. I cannot wait to have a fishing buddy!

Never too young but be careful taking them out during the summer months. Be sure to use a good sunscreen specifically for babies because they do burn easy. Plus, I would try to keep it to times before noon due to the heat, especially since they will be wearing a life jacket the whole time, they can get very hot and you don't want them getting a heat stroke or dehydrated. Even my kids (5 and 8) complain a little on those hot days when there is little or no wind and the humidity is up. We usually have to go for a little boat ride to cool them off (of course, we let them swim too, with life jackets on and buckled at all times).

Thanks everyone for the feedback! I'm looking forward to it but definitely will not be out there this weekend. You guys be safe if you are & thanks again.

Just watch it though, in a few years he will be wanting to drive the boat. I made the mistake of letting my girl which was around 7 at the time steer my boat at idle. Had her sitting in my lap but I was looking at something else, probably my son messing with something and next thing I know the engine is revving. She had a wild grin on her face with the throttle all the way down trying to get on plane. Crazy dang kids lol. But they love fishing.

Take momma too and there won't be any question!

My son was under 1 year old when we first took him out. Strangest thing -- he would not stop crying when floating, but get up on pad and run and he would fall asleep. He's almost 2 now and I can't keep him out of the boat. Last fishing trip, he sat in the middle of the front deck and patiently watched me fish. Of course, I let him reel in the fish. We have an above ground pool and everyday when I get home, he grabs his rod in one hand, grabs my hand with the other and pulls me out to the pool to do some fishing. I guess I should stock the pool!!! I hope he stays this interested.

At first, make it fishing trips for HIM not you. Get some worms, minnows and make absolutely positive you catch something. Keep the trips short so they don't get tired/bored with it. At first, if they want to just run the boat, run the boat, make it fun.

Did that with my son when he was young, by the time he was 5 he could handle a baitcasting reel with the best of them. Also was a good platic worm fisherman at a young age. After they realize it is fun, they don't get bored when it is a little slow.

Problem now is my son is 38 and is in NJ and doesn't get to come fishing much. Did make it down last spring and we both caught our PB within 15 min of each other. Great day for Pops.

My dad had me out fishing the bay in Washington on his boat at about that age. Somewhere is a photo of me at almost 2 years old holding up a rockfish that was longer than I was tall ... my mom swears I caught it by myself.

Just keep the conditions - weather, other boaters, etc - in mind and you're probably best off with the traditional two foot long 'snoopy' zebco rod/reel fishing for perch, brim, sunfish, panfish ... anything that will keep biting in numbers!

Steve Irwin held his kid while feeding crocs...I am not thinking taking your kid fishing is going to be a problem. I started with mine when they were about two but I only had a jon boat at the time. I bet you two are going to have a great time and all will work out well. Just remember once he gets a little older fishing trips will not be about catching fish but goofing around adn trying to catch a fish...I hope that makes sense. Don't push it if the kid doesn't want to fish. He will but only for about 15 minutes.

I'd like to add, always in threes until your child knows how to swim.

Too many heart problems and other accidents waiting to happen on the water, there are drunks on some public water ways and what happened on Lewisville a few years back should explain it.

Good luck, I have a two year old grandson I have pondered that question as well.

By the way, this is what happens with a few minnows and some time on the water with my 3 & 5 year old grand sons. Young one still not sure he wants to hold the slimy thing. Oldest knew to get something to hold it by. Good luck and have fun.

The hardest part is getting them to release the undersized ones... you have to really pour it on about how the little fishie needs to find his mommy.

Get one of the life jackets that has the head rest on it to keep his head up. Also, with a nylon loop strap to pick him up by. Might have an extra one laying around. I'll check.

well im a 12 yr old boy, who has been fishin since ... well i cant remember. I always joke that ive beenn holdn a fishn pole before i could walk. My advice is to get your son on the lake as soon as possible. Just give him a cheap zebco or any kind of good beginner rod n reel and give him the chance to go fishn with his ol man. And i would go out when chances are right for catchn sum fish. Good luck to both of you!