Other than when you are in church, this may be a time when you have never prayed more.  "Please let Johnny catch a fish... Please Please Please!"  You wait, you detangle the line again, you explain patience quite patiently again, and then as you raise your eyes to heaven, it happens.  "I got one!  I got one!  Hey I got a fish!  I goottt oneeee!"  (Entrance of the Hallelujah chorus playing in your mind!)

Junior struggles.  He pulls!  He struggles some more!  He tells you he got one again.  You remind him that he needs to turn back around and reel in the fish.  Here it comes, here it coommmmeesss.... WOW!  A three inch long fish, in all it's glory!  You did it!!!  Never has a fish been so beautiful, and SO BIG!  After several pictures and lots of admiration of this beautiful fish, you take it off the hook and send it back to it's watery home.

But how do you do it?  How do you actually help your child to catch a fish?  The weather may be less than perfect.  The water may be too warm.  But your child is anxious and excited to go on the next fishing trip.  

One of the biggest obstacles you will find when fishing with children is actually finding a place where they have a chance of catching a fish. If you have a boat (see boating with children), you are halfway down the road to success.   If the fish aren't biting in one place, secure everything down and run to the next!  But for those without a boat, finding the right spot is half the battle.  Ideas?  Call boat ramps, public parks with water, go online and find a local fishing bulletin board, talk to fellow fishermen – even better, talk to the people who run your local bait shop.  You can gain a wealth of fishing knowledge from locals who are out there all the time.  

If you live near the ocean, you may consider temporarily switching from bass fishing to salt water fishing.  Pier fishing can be a wonderful way to provide successful fishing for your children.  It is not uncommon to drop a line in with a nice piece of squid dangling from it and within one minute – bam! – instant fish.  Our latest pier fishing trip provided immediate catches for the children – over 30 a child.  The fish were aplenty and smiles were non-stop. 

Once you have decided on a spot, it is time to pack up for your outing.  It is a good idea to always keep a first aid kit with you on all outings with your children.  The second most important item you should bring is food and drink.  Yes, this comes before tackle - because no matter how much fishing equipment you have, the minute your child decides he or she is hungry, the trip is over if you aren't prepared.

Tackle, bait and rods are next.  Spincaster reels work very well with young children.  These are the reels with the "buttons" on them.  Research where you are fishing first to see what bait generally works best.  Live worms and bobbers are always a good standard bait, but fish are fickle, so bring several options.  We have had fishing trips where the fish gobbled up flank steak, canned corn, worms, squid, rooster tails or plastic worms.  The next trip to the same spot, the fish don't like what we first used and will like something else.  When you arrive, take a moment to ask someone what they are biting on that day.

Speaking of tackle, another time saver is getting everything ready before you leave on your trip.  The minute your children exit the car, they are jumping up and down ready for their rod.  They might lose interest watching you carefully tie your palomar knot.  Have everything rigged and ready to go.  As a matter of fact, it is a good idea to have two additional fishing rods ready, because if it can be tangled, a child will tangle it.  As soon as your child tangles up one, you will be able to hand him or her another - something you will appreciate at that particular moment.

You may wish to bring some other items to entertain your children, for the moments they become bored with fishing.  Bubbles, frisbie, kites - anything to keep one entertained while the other is still engrossed in fishing. 

Click here for some general items you need when taking children fishing.  And don't forget your disposable camera for the wonderful moment your child catches a fish!  Finally, if he or she does NOT catch a fish, teach your child the universal after-fishing motto, "Well, we didn't catch any - but we had a great time!"