Fishing with kids is a great way to spend quality time with them. Every time I have a charter with kids I have a blast. My favorite kid, of course is my son Dylan. 
He has had a rod in his hand since he was 2-1/2 years old. Dylan is now eight years old and has already landed a redfish that was 35 pounds and a trout that went over five pounds. It really is not just about catching the fish; it is about the quality time you can have with kids.
I have had many kids on the boat and I have learned as much from them as they have from me. For example, the patience a kid can have on the boat is amazing. Most of the young people have showed great patience even when the fishing is slow. The reason is they will find other things to do. One thing I see them do is have bait wars. Dylan likes to break out the Rip Tide Mullet and the Rip Tide Crab and have an all out war. It seems the crabs usually prevail.
One of the most popular things kids like to do is play with the live shrimp. Sometimes they just like to watch them swim around the live well and other times they will dip out a few and watch them hop around on the boat. I always buy a few extra when I know I have small children.
Using a popping cork is a good way to keep the kids occupied. They like the fact they can see where the bait is and they will get real excited when the cork goes under the water. I will rig the popping cork with a smaller hook. The small hook will allow them to catch that blowfish or pinfish. Kids really don’t care what they catch as long as some type of fish pulls on the line.
I have been surprised at how well most kids listen. They are really quick learners. Most are very receptive to what you say or show them. One charter that really sticks in my mind was last summer. I had a seven year old boy and his dad on the boat. We had one of those killer days where every cast produced a trout. While catching the trout I showed the little guy the front teeth of the trout. I told him that trout used those teeth to hold there prey. When we returned to the dock I was cleaning the fish when an older gentleman approached us. He was curious about our catch. He told the boy “Watch out for those teeth, don’t let them bite you.” The young fellow looked t him and said, “Those teeth are for holding on the bait.” This was three hours after I had told him on the water. That made my day.
I also enjoy the opportunity to teach kids as much as I can. Being a former teacher it comes natural. There are so many things to learn on a fishing adventure. You can teach them casting technique, what baits are in the area, point out different birds, show them dolphin and of course tailing redfish. Kids get really pumped up 
when they see a dolphin crash mullet or an osprey grab a fish. They notice the different wading birds and they will really go nuts over a gator. There is just a ton of things for kids to see and learn.
Make sure you bring plenty of snacks and cold drinks. Juice boxes, cheese sticks, fruit roll ups and chips are some of the favorites. You have to let them be kids. My son Dylan loves to eat, so I have learned what to bring. Sometimes I pack the night before and other times I let him pick stuff out at the store.
Another popular item is driving the boat. Usually I will let them help me steer the boat. They get a real charge out navigating the water. Dylan has learned how to drive pretty darn well. I figure with the next year or two he will be able to load the boat on the trailer. I like to teach them the
importance of courtesy and safety.
Kids can catch big fish too. I have had several kids catch redfish over 30 pounds. Sometimes you have to hold on to their shirt or hold the rod tip up. Most kids can catch big fish all by themselves. It is pretty cool to see a 51 pound kid land a 35 pound redfish. That is something my son did recently.
The most important thing is that quality time you can share. Teaching kids to respect nature and enjoy the beautiful things God created will go a long way in shaping their character. They will never forget those fishing trips with dad or mom. I know I remember every time my mom and dad took me fishing. I am so thankful for those memories. I just want to pass them along to my son. I hope you can share them with your kids. Take a kid fishin’. Tight lines and good fishing.
