Kids in Boat?

[Peanut]

So, I am a newbie. Almost a year now. My boyfriend just bought a brand new boat, so I don't have any excuses to not go in the ocean when I have them on the weekends. The bf is not a newbie. He's been fishing in the ocean forever. I am extremely comfortable out there with him. I do not know how I would handle small kids.

How old were your kids the first time they went out? Is there anything I need to know (besides life jackets of course!)?

They are boys - ages 5 and 7.

I am not that thrilled to take them out just yet.

Any advice, suggestions or experience would be helpful.

[Phil Layer]

I took my kids out at that age.

Aside from the safety issues (captain experience, life jackets, etc.), I believe the ticket is to be prepared to head back in when the little guys get tired of fishing. You will be doing everyone a disservice if you stay out when the boys have had enough.

And....darn good question!

[northriver1]

Originally Posted by Phil Layer

I took my kids out at that age.

Aside from the safety issues (captain experience, life jackets, etc.), I believe the ticket is to be prepared to head back in when the little guys get tired of fishing. You will be doing everyone a disservice if you stay out when the boys have had enough.

And....darn good question!

The trip should be about them the first couple times out. A sick child is not fun to watch so one needs to be prepared to cut the fishing trip short and come home. Do not make them suffer or you will lose a future fihing buddy..

[team simper]

Both of my daughters ages 6 and 14 have been going out with me ever since they could walk. They love it. To bad the wife doesn't . It's quite the site to have my 6 year old telling mama that she'll be ok. Take them on a nice day and keep them interested in the numerous things there is to see.

[salmonfisher77]

I have a 10 year old and has fished all over and has a blast because I keep it REAL! I never take her when the bite is poor and never more than 4 hour trips! I have a friend that i
hi 12 and 14 year old boys want NOTHING to do with the boat or fishing because "dad is nuts and fishes for 12 hour stretches with out a break and half the time when i do catch fish dad looses them when hes tring to net it." Make it fun!!! I hate sea lions but everytime we have to motor over to the fat lion and get a closer look and talk cute to it!!! see my pics and see the smile on her face!!!!

[greenbuttskunk]

I had my son in a porta-crib with us trolling for kokanee when he was 9 months. The hardest age was at 2 years. He was all over the boat and hard to keep safe, even watching him like a hawk. Now he's almost 5 and does great in the boat. I just make sure he has snacks and some toys if he gets bored. But when I take him shad fishing, he's too busy having fun!
The important thing to remember is if you plan to take a child in a boat
MAKE SURE THEY CAN SWIM. get them some swim lessons, whatever it takes.
So important!!!!

[Chromaflage]

Put the kids on whale watch. Point out things - like jelly fish, mola-mola, kelp, etc. - that they wouldn't normally see on land. Keep them occupied and interested. And, yes, be prepared to head back in when they start to get overly restless. Make it fun and convince them that this is something extra special that not all kids get to enjoy.

[ICHTHYDEMON]

Lots of snacks and things to do,and most importantly,come in when THE BOYS want to.

My kids were in the boat with me as soon as they fit a PFD properly. IIRC both kids were around 6 months their first time.

[lostbackpacker]

I would take them out on a lake for the first couple of times. Let them sit on someones lap and operate the boat(help steer, look at for debris). some people get afraid if they can't see land or if it is very far away. if you do it in the lake for maybe 20mins each time, you will get a good sense if they will like it or not.

[zipper]

How big is the boat? Dependable motor? Experienced Captain? Life Jackets? Books, games, color books, toys, family dog, snacks, binoculars, snacks, did I say snacks? Maybe your first couple trips should be short pleasure cruises with little to no fishing to get them used to the boat and determine if sea sickness is an issue - laying green in the bottom of the boat is no fun for a anyone, especially a child. If all works well, lengthen your trips and go and catch some feeesheees! zip

[Peanut]

Originally Posted by zipper

How big is the boat? Dependable motor? Experienced Captain? Life Jackets? Books, games, color books, toys, family dog, snacks, binoculars, snacks, did I say snacks? Maybe your first couple trips should be short pleasure cruises with little to no fishing to get them used to the boat and determine if sea sickness is an issue - laying green in the bottom of the boat is no fun for a anyone, especially a child. If all works well, lengthen your trips and go and catch some feeesheees! zip

It is a 20 foot Thunder Jet. Brand new, so the motor is dependable. Captain is very experienced. Thank god. They have been on a lake, a river and the bay. They are used to a boat, but haven't experienced the ocean environment. Last year we followed two whales. It was really cool! Hopefully we can see that again with the boys.

[greenbuttskunk]

my little man, takin' the helm, 1 year old

[retaliate]

Pick a nice day, don't go far, start with shallow water bottom fishing on light gear, throw out a few Crab Traps in the mix, & hope they don't get sea sick, My daughter started very young, unfortunately she get's sea sick, & has no desire to fish the Ocean anymore.

[Tilla]

My younger brother went on a rough (choppy) day when he was young, that was it for him and any watercraft still to this day 40 + years later.

[Peanut]

Originally Posted by Peanut

So, I am a newbie. Almost a year now. My boyfriend just bought a brand new boat, so I don't have any excuses to not go in the ocean when I have them on the weekends. The bf is not a newbie. He's been fishing in the ocean forever. I am extremely comfortable out there with him. I do not know how I would handle small kids.

How old were your kids the first time they went out? Is there anything I need to know (besides life jackets of course!)?

They are boys - ages 5 and 7.

I am not that thrilled to take them out just yet.

Any advice, suggestions or experience would be helpful.

So, we finally took the boys out of Newport yesterday for some bottom fishing. The day started out with a cool inspection by the Coast Guard. I was relieved to hear that the life vests they were wearing were a perfect fit. The water wasn't choppy, the sun was out and the oldest (7) reeled in the first fish for the new boat. The younger one (5) wasn't too much into it, but liked watching the jellyfish and helping me drive. I am also glad to see we do not have any pukers on our hands. That was a big plus. At the end of the trip we ended up with 3 lings and 5 rocks. The oldest wanted to go back and do it all again today!

[Trick]

Sounds like a fantastic time out. Best part was the no puking. My kid got sick last year out in the ocean and it does make them miserable. I still remember the first time I chummed in the ocean. I was so addicted to fishing that I told my dad "no way" when he asked if I wanted to go in.

[Cat n Tat's Dusky]

Originally Posted by retaliate

Pick a nice day, don't go far, start with shallow water bottom fishing on light gear, throw out a few Crab Traps in the mix, & hope they don't get sea sick, My daughter started very young, unfortunately she get's sea sick, & has no desire to fish the Ocean anymore.

Had the same problem with my nephew. Got so sick he was green....but he loves to fish. Bought him some Queaze-away bands, and they seem to work.

I am also careful about how rough it is before I take him out. His sister is fearless. she'll fish with me when it's 3'-5' offshore.....

[dre5063]

I would take them someplace with lots of action. Let them jig for Kokanee at Odell or something simple that gets them involved. Salmon fishing is about patience and that is a short commodity in children as we all know. Short trips with lots of action. A stop along a hidden pirates cove helps every once in a while too. I also took them crabbing the first couple times in the boat- more action and I love hearing them scream when the crabs are loose in the boat.

I told my kids stories of osprey hunting for fish, river otters, sea lions (one good use is to entertain kids), etc etc. It became more of a nature hike on the water when we would go out. Now they all beg to go.

[Maddie'sDaddy]

Originally Posted by greenbuttskunk

my little man, takin' the helm, 1 year old

Thats a great pic, He looks at home on that Tiller


MD

[soulrider]

I have been on the water since I was born I think. (coast guard,navy,marine family) alot of what others have said is true, SAFETY #1, how you feel about them being there and yes start out easy in the bay, or even a day on the lake if it is a big enough boat (cuddy) have them go below and play point out stuff............everyone has said all this I am just taking up space I will add that I am taking my boys out on their first boat trip soon....4 and 6 hopefully they will like it like I do.

[soulrider]

Originally Posted by greenbuttskunk

my little man, takin' the helm, 1 year old

thats just to darn cute....I like the playpen idea as well

[bassettmama]

Very true, seasickness will make young fishing buddies, be never fishing buddies, so take it easy at first. Don't go out very far, maybe just in a bay and not out to sea at first(easier to come back in then.) work your way out farther each time.

Have fun

Originally Posted by northriver1

The trip should be about them the first couple times out. A sick child is not fun to watch so one needs to be prepared to cut the fishing trip short and come home. Do not make them suffer or you will lose a future fihing buddy..

[joemomma]

toys, toys and more toys, ipods, video crap whatever works!