Kids and headboat fluking - NJFishing.com Your Best Online Source for Fishing Information in New Jersey

Walleyed · #1 09-03-2014, 04:19 PM

My youngest is 3....I take her to a nearby pond that's infested with 4" bluegills....she loves it. I won't even consider taking her out on my boat for at least another 2 years.

LotsobitesBB · #2 09-03-2014, 04:27 PM

I took my 8 year old for the first time on a headboat this summer. My tips. Never longer then a 1/2 day boat. Try to fish from AH when they stay in the bay. If the drift is fast kids will lose interest so try to get a non windy day (and don't take the PM trip when the light south breeze starts in the afternoon).
Misty Morn does a nice magic hours trip.
Until at least 5, I would avoid the headboats. Try a rental in Shark River. Lots of short action and you can keep the trip short.
Good luck.
PS don't rush it, once they get hooked then it costs you a lot more to go.

maxifsc · #3 09-03-2014, 04:47 PM

Is the dorothy B right next to the Fishermen in AH??
im taking my stepson fishing and wife fishing this friday just wanted to make sure. Thanks

tropics · #4 09-03-2014, 05:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by maxifsc

Is the dorothy B right next to the Fishermen in AH??
im taking my stepson fishing and wife fishing this friday just wanted to make sure. Thanks

Right next to the Angler Dorothy B is a half day boat.

maxifsc · #5 09-03-2014, 05:19 PM

Thanks Tropics wasnt really sure about it

Striper80 · #6 09-03-2014, 05:44 PM

My friend, my wife, and I took my daughter,2, and his son, 3, out this past Saturday on my boat. We went crabbing near the oceanic bridge. It was both kid's first trip out. They weren't bad and enjoyed it but I wouldn't have tried a party boat yet. It would be too hard to keep them interested for even a half day trip.
I picked up a cheap Barbie fishing pole for her. I'm trying to teach her to use it but she's more interested in chasing the lure than using the rod.

shrimpman steve · #7 09-03-2014, 09:53 PM

I think two is a little young myself. Just my opinion. Too much to go wrong. Pond fishing or crabbing are a great alternative

Harpoon · #8 09-04-2014, 01:55 PM

Took my daughter on the following trips to work her way up:

WW back bays in a dinghy at 5 and 6 years old so we could crab
Floated the Shark River Inlet with a guide for a 1/2 day when she was 7
Took her on the Cock Robin blue fishing for pee-wees when she was 8..and on this we picked the perfect weather day to go out front for the first time.

Safety and stamina was a concern of mine so I worked my way up with her. I remember my dad took me out a few times when I was 7 and I got sick both times. I didn't start fishing again until I was in my mid-20's. No need to rush it as it could have the opposite effect of what you were intending. You would be surprised the gratification you get when you watch your kid pull in some pan fish, and not get hurt in the process!

You can even try those big pontoon boats for fluking in Brig/AC...there is one more I think its in OC area but could be wrong. No waves, 4 hour trips, and usually good action.

SNAPS · #9 09-04-2014, 03:08 PM

seen it too many times kids on a head boat with their parent, the kids are sleeping of running around or just plain board.you need to wait till they are a lot older and do it from land when and where you KNOW they will catch something like fishing for snappers from a pier or like steve said pond or crabbing, and only for a short time then go and gets some ice cream , what I am trying to say is you have to make it interesting for them, some kids will eat it up.

as kids 8-9 yo my cousin taught me patience we used to sit on the dock at SHB Bklyn with a bamboo pole a length of leader and treble hook and a can of cat food chum the water and snag snappers and mackeral all morning

If they dont catch anything immediately they are bored forever, in many kids patience has to be learned

I cant wait , Soon me and my buddy are gonna take his grandson to the PP for tog we got a plan to teach him patience and wait for the bite, and what it feels like, he is eager to learn so the learning curve will not be bad, i think he is gonna make an awesome toger, hell stay at the raill all day he will fall asleep there.His grandfather (my buddy) cant get out of the house alone to go fishing without the kid wailing he wants to go.

Mako333 · #10 09-04-2014, 03:35 PM

I am like cuz my son was born in jan and was on the boat in June could not even walk. He was on the boat with us every weekend till high school sold my boat and will not go on a head boat he is spoiled now all he wants to do is work and make money.enjoy them while they are young just do not over do it they grow up to fast