I have two kids and they both started when they were two. The key for us was fishing tanks. Fish for a while then go exploring. Be flexible and let them do what they want. If they can take a friend it is even better. I rarely fished or if I did I just took a fly rod. Remove all barbs on the hooks. They have as much fun casting as just fishing with a bobber and hook. Mine did at least. They love to play with minnows. At two being in a boat can be confining and they get bored and cannot get out of the sun. On the bank they can catch grasshoppers, butterflys etc. We took a butterfly net and that was a big deal for them. Make sure you have enough for all the kids because they don't like to share one net!

took her last night for about 30 minutes at a community pond. got her a floating dora pole with a fake fish attached to the end of it. i casted it and she reeled it in for a few minutes and then we graduated to a real hook and a worm, perch went crazy on the worms. only caught 1 that was about 2" long but she was very excited. when the bobber would go under she would start laughing so i was very happy with the results, maybe another six months and I'll take her out on the boat and try to get into some sandbass.

and yes, i left all my fishing stuff at the boat storage, this was purely to get her interested.

she started to touch the fish that "we" caught and then decided it wasnt a good idea so we'll have to work on that part.

and thanks for all the advice everyone gave.

Stretch,
She is 2 dude. I dont know many 2 year olds that can concentrate many things longer than 5 min. At that age they are programed to do active things and tend to want to do things that are physically active and physically demanding. I dont want to get real technical but i studied some of this topic in college on young learning in children. At that age their periferial nervous system is working in overdrive to gain coordination through motor moverments. If they are sitting still, their body gets bored and wants to move on to something that will stimulate movement and learning that is active physically. Kids at this age are almost ADD in nature. They go from one thing to another as their brain analizes things they touch and see. Once this first motor stage is overwith they will gain the ability in a few years to consentrate more and "think outside the box" on what they are doing. Right now its all about movement and fishing for most kids that age is not as fasinating as climbing, running, throwing things, building structures with toys, etc.

Just be patient with her, she will grow into it. At least your doing the right thing in getting her involved with something outside instead of sitting infront of the tube or playing video games. Before you know it she will be outfishing you in a few years.

Just make sure you have other things for them to do. Most important part is make sure she has fun when you go.

We had my son on the boat before he was 2. He has gone with me a few times since then. He is 8 now, He's not ready to be a hard core bass fisherman yet, but I was not either at that age.

Stretch. Thanks for sharing your story of taking her to the pond last night. I almost felt like I was there seeing that twinkle in both your eyes!

Good stuff, man.

My son turns 3 next month and I started taking him fishing at the community ponds last summer At first we did the perch thing with corn and that worked great, then at some ponds we used lures for bass just so he could see some differet fish. As long as we were catching something, he was right there. He took to the fish immediately as far as wanting to hold them and throw them back. Just a few weeks ago we got him his first rod and reel and he loves it. I will throw it out and then just let him play with it. When we hook something, I let him reel it in to make him feel like he caught it.

Now whenever he sees a fish he asks to go fishing and he cant wait to go in the boat. Now if the wind would ever stop blowing on a day I can take him everything will be fine. One note, I would avoid going to ponds that also have a park. The park is still too much for my son to ignore.

Yep, that is the good thing about the corinth pond, it is off by itself so we stayed until she was done and then we came home to eat. It was awesome to say the least, I'm just glad the perch were hitting the hook and causing the bobber to dance and even more fun when we caught one. I think in a few months she will be into it.

I'm more into largemouth but if I could take her out and focus on sandbass when she is old enough I think she will be hooked, at least that is what I'm hoping.

after reading this, im going to take my 2yr old for the first time tommorrow. making it a family outing in the morning me, my 2yr old son, my 7yr old daughter, and the bullfighter (my wife). got a nice lil spot on city lake pond, and just tear up the bream and catfish in it. but only going to this for like an hour at the longest.

good luck to you. it was hot and close to supper time when we went so i think she might have made it a while longer under better conditions (full stomach) maybe I'll take her after breakfast one day and see what happens. let us know how it turns out.

Im a new dad just got my baby girl home tonight. cant wait to get her out there to teach her. it will be in couple years but i sure do want these days to go as slow as possible. everyone says they grow up to quick.

Lots of good input from the TFF!!!

There's an article and a Video pertaining to Kids and Fishing on our website at www.gonefishin.biz . You may enjoy it!

My opinion is that 2 years old is not too young to go fishing, but the Dad or Mom should not expect to do anything except "enjoy the moment" with the child. No real fishing for Dad with a 2 year old should be expected.

I began taking my Children and now Grandkids when they turned about 4 years old. Then they're old enough to know what's happening, enjoy the outing and even catch a fish or two.

"SPECIALIZING IN FAMILY FISHING FUN"
Royce Simmons
Gone Fishin' Guide Service
www.gonefishin.biz

That they do, that they do!! Seems just like yesterday we brought our lil one home from the hospital, and now he's 1 1/2 and running everywhere. Trust me, he was not lil by any means when he was born. About 9 1/2 lbs at birth, the boy was big. Not chunky but stout like his old man!! I cant wait to get him his first pole like I did his 6 yr old brother and hit the ponds. It will give big brother a sense of responsibility helping me to help him to learn how to fish.... and play with the bait as well. Come on now, we know we're all big kids and never truly grow up when we're around lil kids!!