Ummm… is it really 2025? Are my kids all out there adulting on their own? Do my knees and elbows ache more than they used to, is that bald spot really visible when my back’s to the camera, and is that “new” project called FishTalk really in its eighth year of publication?
Yes to all of the above—wow, time flies. And while my own children have aged out of needing my assistance on a daily basis, my son David will become a father any day now, so soon I’ll be bringing grandkids aboard the boat. Some of you have already reached this stage, while others are struggling to find the best ways to bring your own young children out on the water. Since I’ll soon need to use them once again, I have dug deep into my somewhat foggy memory banks to remind myself of the critical tips and tricks I employed to get through a day of fishing when my kids were mere tykes. I now pass those tips on to you angling parental units everywhere. You can thank me later.
- Be very, very careful to completely slather the child in sunscreen. Fail to do so, and mom will be very, very angry. If you left the dock without any sunscreen aboard protect the child from sunburn by gently placing him or her in the fishbox for the duration of the trip.
- If the child refuses to stand still, runs around the boat, or presents a casting hazard, gently place him or her in the fishbox for the duration of the trip.
- If the child interferes with fishing in any way, shape, or form, you know where to (gently) put them.
- When choosing a life jacket for kids under the age of three, be sure to get one with a grab-strap on the head support. This will make it easier to lift them back out of the fishbox at the end of the day.
- Snacks are a critical component of any fishing trip with kids aboard, regardless of their age. Stock up with plenty of Slim Jims, candy bars, and pickled eggs.
- Toddlers get bored quickly and you’ll need to keep them entertained—loud crying must be avoided at all cost, lest the child spook the fish. Come up with a list of onboard activities that will keep them busy, like spinney radar-rides and livewell swims with those cute bluefish.
- Upgrade your raw water washdown with a high-pressure pump and outfit it with a quality spray nozzle. You can’t be expected to dig out wipes and fresh diapers when there’s an epic bite going off, but a few blasts with sufficient water pressure will resolve soiled diaper issues in seconds.
- If the pacifier falls overboard, Spike-It markers make an excellent substitute. As I recall my kids were partial to shrimp flavor in chartreuse.
- Kayak anglers should add seatbelts to crate stowage systems.
- Repeat after me: “Honey, we’re going to need a bigger boat.”
Just in case any of my kids happen to be reading this: don’t worry, I’m just kidding around. I promise to treat your children with the same love, care, and respect I treated you guys with when you were little and we went fishing. Wait, scratch that…
