Took my 4 year old daughter out for some fishing at EM in a friend's party barge with his family today. We looked around for some humps with fish and found a few near the dam. I rigged up her Sponge Bob pole (with what I believe to be the world's only .5:1 gear ratio ) with a slab, cast it out for her, and handed it off. I told her to jig it by lifting her rod (all 2-1/2 feet of it!) and reeling it in slowly. I cast my own bait out, planning to hand it off to her when I hooked one, when I got a surprise. On her first try with an artificial, she said excitedly, "I've got one!" I was skeptical, so I said, "Let me see." I felt her line, and, sure enough, a fish was on. After a brief but exciting fight, she had her first fish on an artificial, a scrappy little drum. She was so proud (me, too), and she planted a kiss on the fish (yes, I've brainwashed her via Jimmy Houston television shows) before putting it in the livewell herself. I wouldn't eat a drum, but she really wanted to keep it. As the day went on, we found some nice schools of sandies, and the scene repeated itself several times. Although I caught more than she did, she put a hurtin' on me as far as keeper fish, catching several nice keeper sandies. An awesome time, and one I will cherish always! I'll post some pics of her drum and a nice sandie tomorrow, but I just had to brag.

BTW, when we finally got ready to leave at 4 o'clock, she was the only person in the boat who wanted to keep fishing. The rest of us were worn out. I believe we have the makings of a magnificent obsession!



One more thing--she proudly showed me her roughed-up thumb at the end of the day. She's a fishergirl for sure!

Very cool!! You will not be able to repeat the first, but you can defiantly make more great memories. Hope you will have more to share with us.

Excellent!!

What a great feeling! I cant wait to experience that for myself. Mine is a little to young right now. Congrats!

That is so cool. I wish we could find some fish biting good for my 9 year old. We went last night and it was pretty slow so she got bored fast.

Now thats what i call qaulity time well spent well done!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Praise God Almighty, Dad, you have a right to be proud, you did a wonderful thing, most any man can be a father, it takes REAL man to be a DADDY!!!Congrats to the both of you!!!

Great story. Gotta love the novelty kid poles

fishbrain, Looks like the best fathers day gift came a little early for you this year. That is awesome. I can only imagine the excitement. Next time get us some pics, we love to see those kiddos catching fish. Sharon

Fishbrain -
That is so cool ! Something about little kids and fishin' huh......?
Hope your still tubin ! I have not been for a while :-(

It's always exciting to see a youngster catch their first fish. I had the chance to take my 8 year old stepson to Lake Austin on a Friday. The day before, I found some fish stacked on a grass bed (one of the only remaining grass beds in the lake) and I was catching them on a split shot rig. So, on Friday, I rigged up his Zebco with a split shot and told him where to cast and to just drag it. About 10 minutes into the trip, I just happened to look back and see his rod bowed over. He did not say a word, he was just cranking away. I let him handle it the entire time. This 4.01 was his first catch all by himself. It was the only fish he caught that day, but he didn't care. Of course I let him haul in every fish I caught.

That's cool!!!!!!!!

Here ya go, Shar!

It's great to see all those kids with lifejackets attached!!!

Great pics Randy. It's only a few years till she gets her own tube!

KD