10 Reasons to Take the Kids Fishing

Why should you take kids fishing? Well, we have narrowed our list to ten reasons; but if we left any out, feel free to share them with us.

• Give your spouse the day off. "Happy wife, happy life."
• Make it a game. You can quiz the kids on different lures, bait, and fish.
• Spend quality time together. Taking the kids on fishing trips creates lasting memories that will last a lifetime.
• Kids love being on the boat. Need we say more. Kid + Boat = Fun.
• Enhances creativity. Take the kids to the bait shop and have them pick a fishing lure. You’ll be surprised at what uses they can come up with besides using it for catching fish.
• Helps build character. Fishing is about patience. Untangling lines, losing your lures, or losing your catch. But it’s all worth it when you see your child smile and thank you for taking them fishing.
• Test your pain tolerance. Remember to take a boater safety class and always carry a marine first aid kit. You never know when you’ll have to get a hook out of your finger or hand.
• Become one with nature. Kids enjoy being in the elements. They are willing to endure the heat, rain, and wind as long as they’re having a great time fishing.
• Great fishing tales. After a day of fishing, they’ll want to tell everyone about their day.
• Keeps you humble. Keep the fishing trip all about them. As long as they’re catching or trying to catch fish, that’s all that really matters. Big or small, they’re just happy to be spending time with you.

6 Winter Fishing Tips

Have a case of cabin fever? Winter fishing not only gets you out of the house but it's just as fun as a day on the water on your boat. Well not really. Who are we kidding?!

Winter fishing does offer interesting challenges and opportunities for a great catch and a great time. So before you head out, here are some helpful winter fishing tips to help keep you safe.

• Never fish alone! If you happen to fall in the water or encounter symptoms of hypothermia, it’s best to have help around.
• Carry spare clothing. In case you fall in the water, you can change into dry clothes.
• Carry extra gloves. Your hands are going to get wet, so in order to prevent frostbite, put your hands in warm, dry gloves often. And if your gloves do get wet, you’ll have an extra pair to put on.
• Carry a thermos with warm liquid, decaffeinated tea or soup. Caffeine can exaggerate the feelings of cold so it’s best to avoid drinking it. Also, you don’t want to shock your system if you’re already suffering from exposure, so don’t drink anything that’s beyond warm. Maintain a steady flow of warm hydration.
• Keep blankets or sleeping bags in your backpack or car.
• Carry a cell phone or radio in case you need to call for help.

What other tips can you recommend?

Fish With Jolly Old Saint Nick

Have you ever thought about fishing with Jolly Old Saint Nick? It’s possible. Make plans to visit the Go Fish Education Center in Perry on Saturday, December 14 from 10am to 1pm or Sunday, December 15 from 2pm to 5pm. You must RSVP to attend. Simply call (478) 988-8000 by 5pm on December 10.

The Go Fish Education center will also be open for special holiday hours on December 23, December 30 and January 2 from 9am to 5pm in addition to their regular hours.

Plus, the center is offering another holiday fishing treat. Trout from the Go Fish hatchery have been stocked in their fishing pond - hybrid bass, catfish and bluegill are also available.

All fishing is catch and release, and anglers 16 and older must have a fishing license. Licenses can be purchased online by clicking here or by phone at (800) 266-3661 or at the Go Fish Education Center. Best of all, rods, tackle and bait are provided.

Regular admission applies for all special events. Admission is $5 for adults, $4 for seniors 65 and older, $3 for children and FREE for ages 2 and younger.

For more information on the Go Fish Education Center, visit www.gofisheducationcenter.com.

Fall Fishing and Boating Tips

With Autumn weather comes cooler water temperatures. You may want to take the boat out one last time before putting it away until next boating season. Our friends at BoatUS Foundation has some great fall fishing and boating tips to keep you safe while out on the water.

Sunshine isn’t your friend: Don’t let the sunny day deceive you - while it may be T-shirt weather in the morning at the launch ramp or dock, the weather can change quickly during this time of year. Bring extra clothing to dress in layers and always bring foul weather gear.

Float your plan: The fishing hole of raft-up spot crowds may be gone, but that also means your closest potential rescuers are long gone too. A simple sharing of your float plan with family or friends letting them know where you’re going and when you’ll be back could save valuable time in locating you if something happens.

Murphy likes you: Does your boat have any lingering maintenance issues? This isn’t the time of year to find out. Ensure any problems - engine, fuel, charging systems, or safety issues such as navigation lights - are fixed before you go.

I’ve fallen and I can’t get up: A simple fall overboard can kill this time of year. Hypothermia is a real threat. By wearing your life jacket, if you do find yourself accidentally over the side you will float and have time to get back aboard, preferably with a knotted or looped rope attached to the gunnel or ladder that be reached from the water. If you’d like to see just how hard it is to get back in a boat, go to www.BoatUS.com/foundation/boardingladders.

Don’t leave without me: If you are alone and fall out, will the boat keep going? It won’t run away if you had your engine cutoff lanyard attached to you or use another type of shutdown device.

Taking Kids Fishing

Do you love fishing? Well, why don't you share that passion with kids? Fishing can give you the opportunity to bond, teach them a new sport, and best of all, create lasting memories that they will remember forever.

It all starts by getting the kids involved. Kids love to feel included and teaching them a sense of responsibility can go a long way. Give them simple tasks they can be responsible for. Make a list of supplies you will need for your fishing trip; sunblock, insect repellent, hats, sunglasses, extra clothes, water shoes, personal flotation devices, first aid kit, simple tackle and bait. Also, bring along a cooler filled with snacks and plenty of liquids. Go down the checklist and have the kids make sure you have everything. Bring along your fishing license too.

Choose a location that you know will result in fishing success. Nothing is more disappointing than not catching or seeing any fish. Also teach kids that fishing is not only about catching fish but trying to catch fish. Be patient with them and give them lots of encouragement. Give them frequent breaks so that they do not get bored or discouraged.

Teaching kids how to fish is also important. Keep it simple by teaching them the three basic techniques:

Tying a Fisherman’s Knot

Insert the fishing line through the “eye” of the hook.  Pull out about 10 inches of line. Use those extra inches of line and wrap it around the primary fishing line about five times.  Gather the end of the 10 inch line and loop through the eye of the hook once again.

Baiting Your Hook

Instead of threading the worm through the center, it is best to thread the worm lengthwise on to your hook. This will help your worm stay on your hook and prevent a fish from coming and stealing worms off your hook.

Casting

It’s easier for kids to cast over their shoulders. Have them hold down the reel button with their thumb. Get ready to cast the line. As they cast the line have them let go of the button. Reel in the slack line. You want the line tight so you can feel when a fish is tugging on it.

Take time to practice these techniques before heading out for a day of fishing. Also, make sure to talk to kids about the importance of safety skills while fishing. Emphasize not playing with the hook and being safe in and around water. Keep the kids involved and make this experience as fun as possible.

Fishing Tackle Loaner Program

Photo Credit: TakeMeFishing.org

Do you want to try your hand at fishing but don't have the necessary equipment to do so? Maybe you'd like to take the kids fishing too but that would require additional gear. Well, fortunately for us, the Georgia Department of Natural Resources has a Fishing Tackle Loaner Program which lets you borrow fishing equipment for free. The program provides fishing poles and stocked tackle boxes. Did we mention it's FREE!?

Children under 16 do not need a fishing license but older anglers will need to purchase a license. There are over 25 State Parks and Historic Sites that are active in the program. We're pretty sure you'll find a great fishing spot close to home. You can find participating parks by clicking here.

Are you ready to go fishing? What type of fish would you like to catch?

Do You Know Matt?

Meet your guide - Matt Henry. He's been bass fishing competitively since 1999, when he was just 11 years old.  Fishing has been a part of his life since he was a young boy learning techniques used by his father.  Matt joined the Junior Bass Busters, the first youth bass club established in Georgia, based out of Conyers in 1999.  He fished with the youth club until he graduated high school in 2006.  In that time frame he won (3) Georgia Junior State Championships, and fished in (3) Junior World Championships where he represented the State of Georgia.  

After high school, Matt went on to college at Georgia College & State University where he founded the Georgia College Bass Fishing Team.  He served as team president for multiple years and had many great tournament finishes throughout his college career.  Matt’s childhood dream was to become a full time pro fisherman one day and he is currently making those dreams come true.  He is now fishing the pro side of the FLW Outdoors BFL (Bass Fishing League) and many other local and regional tournaments.   When Matt is not fishing a tournament or out on the lake guiding, he likes to volunteer his time by giving back to youth fishing programs.

Tournament Highlights:
1st Place HD Marine Trail March 2009 Lake Sinclair, GA
1st Place Georgia Southern Collegiate Trail March 2010 Lake Sinclair, GA
8th Place Boat U. S. Collegiate Nationals May 2010 Lake Lewisville, TX
1st Place BFL Bulldog Super Tournament August 2010 Lake Oconee, GA
1st Place BFL Bulldog Division May 2011 Lake Eufaula, AL
1st Place Berry’s Trail December 2011 Lake Sinclair, GA
1st Place Georgia Southern Collegiate Trail April 2012 West Point Lake, GA
1st Place Berry’s Trail May 2012 Lake Oconee, GA
1st Place Berry’s Trail Angler of the Year (2011-2012 Season) Points Champion

Are you ready to go out on the lake?