Family Fishing
Girls love fishing and boating just as much as boys. This article talks about a few tips for fathers to get their daughters into fishing. By LUKE HABER.
I AM fortunate to be blessed with two lovely daughters. While that can create a very girly household, it also tends to put a damper on things like family fishing, which is considered by many to be “boy fun”. So my mission has been to get my girls into fishing as much as possible so that I can spend more time on the water and more time with them. Parts of the fishing media need to move away from images of bikini clad models holding unrealistic dead fish and instead look towards positive female role models like Leanne Payne and Chloe Taylor (who’s featured on this issue’s cover) who can actually catch fish so it will inspire young girls can take up fishing.
Boating
No matter which way you look at it, kids love going boating. Whether you hire one for the day or plan to buy one, there is no doubt that girls are into boating as much as boys. My daughters spend hours jumping around and playing in my boat at home and love to help set-up up for a trip. At home in my garage the kids like me to play a shark or pirate and chase them while they are in the boat. They spend hours playing in the boat, giving me an excuse and time to tinker or get things ready for trips. They love going out on boating trips and being involved in the launching and running of the boat.
My eldest girl loves to drive the bow mount electric while I fish the flats and she also nets my fish for me, turning into a first rate deckhand at only eight years old. Getting your kids involved is the key to keeping the interest level up. Both my daughters were with me when I purchased my boat last year and I checked it over with both of them in mind. I wanted an estuary boat that was big enough for lure fishing /crabbing and comfortable for the family. I settled on 4.1m Polycraft Challenger. A visit to a boat show in Brisbane turned out to be a great idea. The show was very kid friendly and featured a kids fishing workshop with activities like casting practice, pumping yabbies and painting plaster shapes. My girls loved climbing all over the boats on display as well.
My youngest won the lucky prize draw of a fishing rod out of 40 kids there and was proud as punch. The eldest daughter loves to collect stickers and pamphlets and the boat show was a great place for that. While we were at the boat show they both got to choose a new fishing outfit as there was loads of tackle on sale. I opted for Shakespeare Amphibian combos, one in hot pink and the other in purple, both pre-spooled with 2kg mono; these are a basic but functional set-up for kids. You need functional fishing rods to get them interested and can upgrade when they get a bit older. While I was at the boat show I also fitted them both out in life jackets as new laws had come into effect requiring kids under the age of 12 in NSW to wear one at all times. The old style PDF2s would not be comfortable and were replaced with snug zip up ones. So all up the girls scored well at the boat show and are keen to go again next year. Climbing in and out of boats all day was also fun but tiring for poor old Dad!
Girl Gear
Tackle companies like Shimano, Shakespeare and Okuma manufacture quality gear in girl colours of pink and purple. Like all gear on a family budget, you buy what you can afford, but buy the best gear you can for them and it will last. Let them be involved in choosing their own rods and teach them the importance of looking after their gear . As a rule I don’t let them play with their fishing gear except when in the boat and their rods and reels is stored away with my tackle after each trip. I’ve given my girls a couple of old tackle boxes and old lures with no trebles to play with. Kids are real collectors, and little tackle rats at that. Any old tackle will be snapped up and hoarded. I am already missing a few of my favourite lures …
To get them involved every trip I buy them a new pack of soft plastics to use and play with. This helps maintain their interest in fishing. A cheap way giving them something fishing related rather than junk food. Expect an attraction to colours like Elton John and Nitro Chicken. Soft plastics make good fun for the kids to play with in the bath and round the house. I have to constantly check my supply of softies, as the girls are prone to raid them when I am not looking when out in the boat. If I catch a fish on one type of plastic my eldest daughter wants one in her collection the same and has to land a fish on the same colour. Another good tactic if the fishing is slow is to troll using some hard-bodied lures for common species like flathead, bream or whiting. The kids get to choose their own lures and are pumped when they nail a keeper. You get to cover some ground trolling and I like to get the eldest to steer the boat and thus teach her navigation and boating skills. Remember that you have to keep the interest level up and let them have a crack at anything. I also like to let them bring a few toys or colouring in books to play with in the boat. If you sense they’re getting bored you need to try something different like playing and exploring on the beach or moving locations.
Activities
Pumping yabbies is always fun and kids just seem to have a natural affinity to it. I give my girls a couple of small scoop nets to keep their hands away from sharp nippers. I put the kids in charge of looking after the yabbies and for changing the water. Stopping for a swim on a nice clean sandbank is always a great way to cool down and have some fun, so pack swimmers and a towel. While the kids are swimming is a good time to keep an eye one them and wet a line in the process.
Crabbing is easy way to introduce kids to boating and fishing and everyone can take turns in checking the pots. Keep the kids’ hands away from handling crabs as it can be dangerous.
While you’re fishing it’s important to teach your kids about the environment and sustainability. You need to discuss issues like taking only what you need and fishing for the future. Explain to them why there are bag limits and the importance of catch & release so there are fish for the next time. Also explain that it’s OK to kill and eat fish and that this is part of the circle of life. Teach them how to correctly handle and release fish so there is every chance they will survive. I like to get the kids to release their own fish – they get a real buzz when the fish swims away.
Fishing is great way for dads and daughters to spend time together. Girls often need a bit more encouragement than boys but take to fishing just as easily. Any activity that gets kids outside and off computer games or the TV is a good thing. Remember to make it fun and be extra patient with your girls and you will be rewarded.
Get Your Kids Into Fishing
– Take your girls (and boys) to fishing expos and boat shows. Boat shows usually have a kids club full of activities.
– Let your girls play in the boat and get them involved in launching, driving and cleaning of the boat. (Always remove sharp items and tackle to prevent injury.)
– Play some fun games when boating to keep the interest level up.
– Buy girls their own soft plastics to play with, let them choose the colours. Soft plastics are a clean, non-smelly way of fishing (it makes sense to buy non-scented lures!).
– Let girls choose their gear. There are plenty of pink and purple rods and reels available.
– There is no difference between boys and girls when it comes to fishing, it all depends on the parent taking them and the amount of patience you have.
– Let them take a friend, not only is it fun for them to have someone to play with, you introduce another girl to fishing. I have been taking my daughter’s friends and their Dads the last few trips, which also gives me some company.
Remember the day is about them not you, so adjust your expectations and make it fun.
