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Kids and fishing
For what it is worth, I have three boys.....now grown or mostly so. None are serious fishermen. Two go on occasion and enjoy it, but none live for it. The guy across the street is a superb boat fisherman (Tuna, Cod, Bass, Fluke). He has 3 children, one would rather fish than breathe, and approaches it with energy, enthusiasm, and skill that leaves me astonished....the other two have no interest.
I see lots of posts by new or young dads who obviously dream their children will become their fishing partners. For some it will happen, but for most their kids will move on to their own interests. I'm not sure you can teach your kid to love fishing.....though my own experience suggests you can teach them to dislike it. I tend to think real fishermen are born, not made. I also tend to think that exposing kids to fishing by taking them with you and putting them on big fish using advanced techniques they don't really understand (which is what I tried to do with my kids) may not be the best way to try and build a fisherman.
Better, I think in retrospect, to keep it simple, easy, and fun. Make it more about spending time with them, than trying to get them a special fish that will "hook" them on the sport. Such a fish does not exist and, anyways, watching you catch large while they struggle is frustrating for both (I've released many 20-30lb bass in the company of my kids I wished had never hit my plug). If they find they love it and pester you to tag along on difficult stuff.....great for you and them. If they find it is fun, but so are lots of other things, OK too.
Parenting is the most complex thing we do in our lives and it seems to me that it involves a delicate balance between leading and following your children. Anything you can do to spend time with them is what they need.........even if it doesn't involve a fish. Good Luck.
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