Kids and fishing

[Headhunter]

I don't know if my boys will be avid fishermen or not, they are into it now and want more. They know their way aroung the equipment from the boat and the surf. My daughter likes fluking even more so after se hooked up a 30 + lb bass,lol, surprised the heck out of her. One day on the boat my middle one he was 8 I think looks up at me and says "Dad I have a big fish on", as I looked down he was bent against the gunnel with the rod doubled over and under the boat, I said u want me to take it? "Yes he says, I got it around the bow for him and it was running as I said you want it back, he says thats ok you take it,lol. It was so great to look down and see him under controll with like a 35lb fish on loking up. They all know its ok to let the rod go if nesc part of the deal if they want to fish, but they never do. They all know their way around it well, as to how much they will do it remains to be seen.

[Sea Dangles]

I was not "born" a fisherman and only got addicted at an older age. My oldest boy has already informed me that he will not grow up to be a fisherman like me. I think it was in spite to tell the truth. I have always reinforced our trips in a positive way regardless of the results. But most of the time I try to take him when I have a good idea we can catch. This is the end of May and the start of June usually , when the fish are ripe for topwater action. I just want him to be happy no matter what he does and try to support his decisions even if they are not my cup of tea.The memories I have of us fishing together are limited but are certainly imbedded in my mind for eternity. If he knew how much I enjoyed them he would probably fish more. However, football,baseball,basketball,lacrosse,and now girls seem to be stealing the spotlight.
My greatest memory was a Father's Day around 5 or 6 years ago down in front of the Coast Guard station at Race Point.It was mid-morning and we were hooking up doubles on a hi lo rig every cast with sand eels,fish up to 25 lbs. After about an hour he informs me he wants to go back to the campground in Truro.I tell him we are not leaving until the fish do or we run out of bait. He tells me he will walk back and I call his bluff......
When he was a speck the size of a pinhead on the horizon I pack up and give him a ride 6 miles back. I was a little angry and disappointed he hadn't shown the passion for fishing I was hoping for but when we got back to the camper he was bragging to his mom and sister about the morning we had. I smiled and still do at this memory of the greatest Father's Day I could ever imagine.

Keep things in perspective was my lesson that day.

[numbskull]

Originally Posted by Sea Dangles

My oldest boy has already informed me that he will not grow up to be a fisherman like me. I think it was in spite to tell the truth.

Probably not spite, Chris...........more likely teenage impulse. They all have to separate from their parents and they do it by resisting or crossing you. They do it by breaking rules and creating conflict to prove to themselves they are in control (even when they're not). Since they have lived with you all these years they know exactly what buttons to push to provoke conflict.

It is really hard with the first teenager, until you understand what is going on. For those going through this the first time, there is a book called "Get Out of My Life: But can you drive me and Cheryl to the mall first?" by Thomas Wolff that I found extremely helpful in keeping me from killing my first son (very easy, funny, but valuable read). The trick is to get through those years without destroying the relationship with your kids (which is not what they really want...even though it seems like it) or driving them into destructive behavior.

Pretty good chance in 5-6 years your son will look forward to fishing with you. Even if not, if the both are you are comfortable about it you will have done a good job as a parent.