COLUMN: Take a kid fishing

School is out for summer. And nothing goes better together than summertime and fishing. Now is the perfect time to load up the kids, head to the lake, and introduce the kids to some great, old fashion fishing fun.

If you need some convincing then takemefishing.org offers these five benefits to fishing: 1. Boost Vitamin D through sunlight. 2. Relaxation and family bonding. 3. Encourages patience. 4. Improves cardiovascular health. 5. Healthy meals.

For me, throw out all of those and just know Fishing Is Fun!

I learned a few things over the years when conducting kids fishing clinics and that knowledge paid off when it came to my kid. Here are a few pointers for getting a kid started in fishing.

Keep it simple – My very first fishing class was a disaster. My expectations were too high. I wanted the kids to learn about different kinds of fish, different kinds of tackle and lures and different methods of angling – way too much to expect of kids. I forgot the reason that kids (myself included) like fishing, it’s FUN!

Remember back to your first fishing trip. If you are like me it was a cane pole, or stick, with some line, a bobber and a hook. We caught grasshoppers or dug a few worms or grubs from the ground and away to the creek we ran. That is what beginning fishing is all about. Not $40,000 bass boats and $200 dollar rods and reels.

The equipment — I recommend purchasing a simple rod and reel for your child, don’t spend a lot of money. In my opinion, the Zebco 33 is the best reel for beginners, in fact some anglers are still using the same old 33 that they started with 20 years ago. It is a great, dependable reel, all metal casing and very little plastic, which makes it hold up to a multitude of fishing trips.

I’m not a big fan of the small “Frozen” or “Paw Patrol” or whatever the character of the year is, rod and reel combos. They are small and cheap, and while cheap is good, they don’t hold up like the 33. There are other good reels on the market, all for around $30. Just make sure the housing is metal and the rod is about five feet long.

Getting started — Stress safety, accuracy and the correct way to make a cast. More practice at home will make the time at the lake much more enjoyable. Make a game out of it. Place a target (a hoola hoop works great) out on the ground and have them practice casting to the target. Short casts are best, most fish live close to the shore, so being able to cast 50 yards does little good.

When they get a little better, shrink the target, say a coffee can or then a coffee cup sized target, and practice trying to drop the bait in the can or cup without knocking it over. These skills will come in handy when trying to place a bait in the best place to catch fish at the lake.

Baits — When it comes to baits, simple is better here too. Almost every fish likes worms, so they are the perfect bait. Cartons can be purchased at the sporting goods counter of most stores, or if you prefer to go old school, did them yourself.

Better yet, grasshoppers and crickets are everywhere and your kid will have a great time catching them. Buy and inexpensive butterfly net and take it along with you, they are great for helping to catch grasshoppers, but also provide another activity if the fish are not biting.

Now all it takes is finding a good spot and baiting a hook. Using a bobber will help the kids know when they are getting a bite. Which lead me to the next tip.

Kids love action — We live in a fast paced world, so it is important that when you take a kid fishing you need to go to a spot where that can catch fish, quickly. Size does not matter to a kid, so find a spot where the bobber will “dance.” Most lakes that have docks or boat ramps will also have sunfish under or around those structures. You are not looking for a wall hanger, just action, so think small.

If you are not catching anything in the first spot, then move, don’t give them a chance to get bored. Later on they can develop the patience that fishing does bring, but when they first start they need success.

When they get better at casting and catching fish, then teaching them to throw a small spinnerbait or grub bait that they can cast and retrieve will be a natural progression.

Kids will be kids– Remember fishing should be fun, so think like a kid, you know short attention span, taking in the sights and sounds, the whole experience. Don’t get upset if all the kid wants to do is play with the worms or throw rocks in the water. That’s part of being a kid. If they don’t have fun they won’t want to come back.

Keep it short – This kind of goes with keeping it fun, but set a time limit and keep them wanting more. I’ve always felt it was better to stop while the action was still going and they will yearn to come back with you. An hour is plenty for the first couple of times out. Don’t plan on staying at the lake all day, they will stop having fun, and you will be sorry you brought them.

Celebrate successes – It goes without saying that reliving memories is what fishing is all about. Telling fish stories or better yet looking at pictures that you took of your trip is a great way to get your kid wanting to go back out. Take lots of pictures!

Warning – Remember to take sunscreen, mosquito spray, snacks and drinks. Sunburn and bug bites can take the fun out of a family trip.

Have fun – I know we have already covered this, but it is the most important thing. Make it a fun experience to go fishing and your kid will be begging you to go again. The time you spend fishing together can never be taken away, so get away from the phones and the video games and have a good time together. You’ll be glad you did.