Advice on taking 2 yr. old on 1st fishing trip

[Jusanglin]

I took my 2 year old and 4 year old fishing first when they were 1 and 3 and we went sunny fishing in at cape may county park. That got the hang of it pretty quick. Last June I took them and their kiddie rods out behind Sea Isle City and they had a blast catching fluke and sand sharks. My 2 year old caught several throwbacks and a couple of little sharks (she still talks about catching sharks) and my 4 year old caught two keeper fluke on that went 3 pounds on her Barbie rod. My two year used a Tigger rod. They both had fun, but the key was that we brought plenty of snacks and some coloring books for when they got board and we also only fished a few hours. Good luck and teach that girl to fish!

[no gravity]

go catch a sunny at a local pond--NG

[aquasport190]

I'm taking my boy for the first time on April 23. We'll be fishing off the dock in the Florida Keys. He's been working with a Sponge Bob Zebco and can cast it already. I'll put out a chum bag and bring in the snappers, grunts, pinfish, etc.....He'll catch a bunch of little crap and I'll have bait. In the summer we have a cabin on a lake that is overloaded with perch. I'll post a report in the beginning of May.

[master baiter]

My youngest son caught his first fish when he was 18 months old. He caught the 18" pickerel at the Sand Plant in Warren Grove on minnow on his Mickey Mouse pole.
I have to be honest I did have to help land the fish. We have a picture to remember the catch.

[jbones11]

Dont forget the camera so you can catch her with her first fish ever

[clamchucker]

Many good replys. 2 yr old, comfort being #1 IMHO. Keep a close eye out for boredom & charm it away. Be certain to have alternitive options at hand (attention span). No getting hooked or finned via fish ("you" hold while she touches)but holding a worm could keep her bussy for quite some time (just tactfully coax a try). Keep her drag set on the light side & praise the dickens out of her for catching [img]smile.gif[/img] . Other than that be aware when "she" thinks it's time to go & grant her request without hesitation, upon doing so you have just created the "beginings" of a fishing buddy for life [img]smile.gif[/img]

[Fin-Advisor]

I started my kids at 2 as well.Life jacket is a must. Get them used to it as soon as they get out of the car.My son is 11 now and thats the first thing he does before he approaches the boat.Alot of good advice has been given so far that I agree with but action is the key at that age. You cant beat bauers pond at any age so I give a try,Now that Im thinking about it I may go to bauers for a few hours myself this w/e

[capt.alc111]

Joe said your not allowed.

[Capt. Jake]

keep it short and sweet. Bring other things to do. Bread to feed the fish and ducks and a few snacks. Let her fish the way she wants and don't fish yourself. Its all about her right now. My small boys go fishing with me and spend more time doing everything but fishing. They have a blast and always want to go again.

[Fishenough]

I don't plan to fish myself, and I will be taking her to Bauers Pond. I haven't been there, but the word is that its a great place to take a fledgling fisherman/woman. I am worried about her reaction when she sees a worm. She isn't a bug person, but there is plenty of other bait she could use. Thanks for all the advise.

[tautog]

Get her some bright colored powerbait for the trout. It looks like playdo.

[TheAdamBomb]

Good luck and have a great time!

[VDAWG]

i started my 3 boys out the same way,They guy's have it right,take her to baures !!get her a life vest to be on the safe side,ya never know if she desides on takin a swim instead of fishing,I started all of um out at the age of 2 but closer to 3,I still have 1 in the wings waiting,He still has a little time ta go yet befre he's fishing.He will be 2 in June,But has already been to baurs and had a ball watching his brothers fish and playing about,Baures is a very clean and kid friendly place,But if fishing off the docks,Please get her a life vest !!!Vinny

[litlbit]

the cape may county park might be a good spot to try,she will be able to catch plenty of fish and if she gets bored there is always some thing else to do and from there to the tuckahoe river for perch good luck

[rubrbsct]

I like to remember to keep it simple with the kids . I took my daughter when she was about 2 to a local lake. We would find a nice stick then find some line and hooks in any of the trees close to the edge she would run around finding worms and
bugs hook'em and catch them ...She loved it!!