Young fisherman

[outdoorsman_33]

Had a question posed to me today by a coworker who knows I fish a lot. She has a friend who's son (7years old) is really into fishing. She asked me what the best place to take him or website the parents can check out to get them started. I really didn't know the best answer for such a youngster. The father isn't interested at all but the boy is all about it.
Any help would be appreciated. I'll be giving him some tackle (plastics, sinker and hooks) if the parents are cool with it plus some ideas on getting some floats and small hooks for panfish but bass fishing is what he likes.

I appreciate this question, as i started fishing when I was 7 and also had a dad that wanted nothing to do with fishing. For me I read every fishing magazine and book that I could get my hands on. This actually encouraged me to read and my parents supported that. So my parents bought me any magazine or book that related to fishing. This may be a place to start. Second was that I found one adult that was willing to take me (my mom). My mom is the most patient person that I know. She knew nothing about fishing but was willing to sit with me. I taught myself after walking and talking to others on the bank. A year after fishing I got into Bass fishing. I bought myself a baitcaster and started practicing in my yard. I then went and fished with top water and plastic worms all day- often times getting skunked. I made the commitment one day that no matter what I was going to fish with a rubber worm. That day I caught my largest fish at the time- a 1lb largemouth . I was so excited. The lake size limit was 15 inches, but I didn't care-that fish was coming home to show off. When I was 12 my parents allowed me to enter a bass fishing club. The club allowed me to fish with them. They were great. They taught me so much including morals and ethics concerning the outdoors. The first time fishing with them I beat my personal best by catching two, 2.5lb largemouth. I actually qualified for state my first year but was too young to fish it.

DJD-IF you are willing, you could be this mentor that the club offered me when I was a little older. We need more people to take kids outdoors. Can you post where the kid lives. Maybe somepeople can offer good starting spots to fish from the bank for the kid.

[Drew1233]

I started fishing with my grandpa when I was probably 3 years old. Not saying I was fishing at that age but I sure was excited to be out there watching him catch them and getting to touch them. Some of my earliest memories actually are of fishing at an old nursery and catching a giant snapping turtle! Just from the countless times my grandpa took me fishing, and showing me how to catch different species gave am a great starting point. From there I branched off on my own to start bass fishing, probably when I was about 8. I would say the best thing to do is not only spend time on the water but don't be afraid to ask questions to people fishing around you. And I have to say YouTube is my best friend on a rainy day, or at night. I'll sit there for hours watching short videos on tips and tricks, and those are really what got me to where I am today. I'm not sure if his parents want him on there alone, but it's a great way to learn. Also magazines as well. I think understanding the way a bass thinks and lives is a big part of learning bass fishing. But good luck to him! Drew

[GeoFisher]

I appreciate this question, as i started fishing when I was 7 and also had a dad that wanted nothing to do with fishing. For me I read every fishing magazine and book that I could get my hands on. This actually encouraged me to read and my parents supported that. So my parents bought me any magazine or book that related to fishing. This may be a place to start. Second was that I found one adult that was willing to take me (my mom). My mom is the most patient person that I know. She knew nothing about fishing but was willing to sit with me. I taught myself after walking and talking to others on the bank. A year after fishing I got into Bass fishing. I bought myself a baitcaster and started practicing in my yard. I then went and fished with top water and plastic worms all day- often times getting skunked. I made the commitment one day that no matter what I was going to fish with a rubber worm. That day I caught my largest fish at the time- a 1lb largemouth . I was so excited. The lake size limit was 15 inches, but I didn't care-that fish was coming home to show off. When I was 12 my parents allowed me to enter a bass fishing club. The club allowed me to fish with them. They were great. They taught me so much including morals and ethics concerning the outdoors. The first time fishing with them I beat my personal best by catching two, 2.5lb largemouth. I actually qualified for state my first year but was too young to fish it.

DJD-IF you are willing, you could be this mentor that the club offered me when I was a little older. We need more people to take kids outdoors. Can you post where the kid lives. Maybe somepeople can offer good starting spots to fish from the bank for the kid.

AWESOME..........