That is great!

sound logic from someone who has been praised for being a good father on this forum from his own kids.

Might be the next KVD...

I don't see a single thing to be concerned about at all. He is going to make better choices in life as he is growing up, especially when it comes to the friends he chooses to hang out with. My oldest (now 21) was pretty much the same way. Now, he is about to start his senior year in college working on his Wildlife Management degree. Nothing but good times ahead Dad!

That is definitely awesome right there. I remeber myself at that age being completely addicted to fishing. I would spend hours at my Grandaddy's pond fishing, along with a few others that I may or may not have had permission to fish in. By 10 years old, I bought my 1st boat. A 10 ft flat bottom for $100 at a garage sale. That thing was dangerous, but I put a ton of fish in that boat. I had 2 more ponds that I had permission to fish within two miles of my house and dad let me put a 4-wheeler trailer behind his Massey Ferguson and tow my boat to these ponds. Then by 14 dad would let me take his boat to Lake Winnsboro because I could mostly stay on back roads the whole way. I entered and won my 1st tournament at 16. I always had dreams of being a pro, but my parents didn't really have the money to support me trying to get started.

On the same page, I was just as dedicated as Pake, but you have given him a head start that few others will ever dream of. To be fishing at the kind of level that he is, is truly amazing. My father loves to fish, just not bass fish the way I do. I had to learn a lot on my own about bass fishing with no technolgy.

I definitely think you on the right path. I remember my mom telling me that I spent way too much money on fishing. I asked her if she would rather me spend my money on what all the other kinds spent their money on, i.e. drugs, bars, video games etc. She smile and said your doing fine.

I will say this though, I will be proud one day to say that I am from the same community as ole Pake. I'll remember a proud father posting his huge Fork bass on TFF when he becomes a Pro.

Thanks to everyone for the advise. We still have a while to figure out any tournement stadegies but for the most part I have to agree most with AKA Jerry and FootAndAhalf

And Jiggy I grew up pretty much like you, fishing farm ponds and occasionally my uncle would carry me and my twin brother to Tawakoni, Texoma or Palestine. Once he carried us trout fishing on the White River in Arkansas. My dad did'nt care for hunting and fishing and pretty much frowned on it. Jiggy, we got to get together sometime. I need to pick up that cigar and meet that new little girl.

No problem. There was a thread on here yesterday about breaking in buzzbaits. I brought a couple new ones in last night and put them in front of a fan to get a little action going. She was watching them in amazement. I turned to my wife and said, I told you so.

sounds like a gifted kid, we could always use some new faces in the Ray Hubbard Bass Club!

+1

I've got a 4yr old who I believes loves fishing just as much as I do, if not more. He's still young and has a long way to go, but it is the greatest filling in the world, as a father, to take your kid fishing with you and watch the joy and excitement light up their faces when they catch a fish.

Diversify! which means encourage soccer or baseball. if you just encourage one thing he will get burnt out on it. it also helps to get him in team sports, but thats just my opinion.

Don't worry he will still be doing it later in life, taught my son how to fish at 7 and we did every minute we could, now he's a Marine and calls me to say when I get home we are hitting the lake, it never leaves them ever...

Make sure you change it up from time to time. If we only fished for crappie like my dad wants to, I would get bored really quick. Don't pressure him. I can only hope I have a son someday that loves fishing the way yours does sir. You are a very lucky man!

get him into tournament fishing. he will love the compatition.

I thought this would be important too. Problem is Hunter is ready to give up baseball because it cuts too much into his fishing time. Not sure if I will be able to talk him into playing next year. Seen him fish on his own for hours on end at a creek or pond without a bite and never get tired of it.

I look at it like this my daughter has just started her first season of t-ball, it has cost us around a 150-200$ to get her in. If your son loves to fish and has fun doing it then starting to tourney fish would be like starting a baseball season or something. Its great that he has already developed a passion for it as well, those are the ones who excel in what they do. I do agree to keep it fun and I think it will probly remain fun for him in the years to come.