Taking a 6 yr old boy Bottom Fishing ? (long)

Ivana Fishalot · 08-07-2003, 12:35 AM

I want your guys' input on taking my 6 year old boy bottom fishing this coming Saturday. He has never been on the ocean but has never shown signs of motion sickness. Am I overly worried? I would really feel bad if the kid ends up chummin the entire trip.( a five hour bottom trip) I myself have never been motion sick in my entire life and the same goes for my dad. I used to work on a fishing boat in Alaska and have seen some gnarly seas in my day. His grandfather and great grandfather from his mothers side are all chummmers. They hardly make it out of the bay before they are yakin'. His mother on the other hand has been somewhat sick on 2 of the three times she has been out in the ocean. Do you think that motion sickness is hereditary?

So in conclusion, am I crazy for even thinking about taking this boy out fishing? I will make him wear a life jacket from the time he walks down the dock until he walks back up it. (I watched him almost drown when he was three and am REALLY paranoid about him and water) We are going to head out of Newport most likely but Depoe bay maybe. Only if they'll give me the half price rate that the charters in Newport charge for a 6 year old. (I like coming out of Depoe Bay but have never embarked on a trip from Newport)

By all means tell me if I'm just a paranoid parent but that kid and his younger brother are my life and the major reason I fish. (to spend time with them)

Thank you all in advance for your replies,

Scott

Oh yeah, he's pretty tough but do you think that he can yard in some good size bottom fish? I plan on helping him until he catches a few and then letting him go at it if he can handle it. I do worry that he'll hook a good size ling or possibly even a salmon and have the pole yanked out of his hand. :shocked: He does weigh 54 pounds and can do more pullups than I ever could.

Sea Jypzee · 08-07-2003, 05:20 AM

Certianly I think spending time with your son like this would be wonderful, but I am not so sure this saturday would be a good 'first time' try for him. The weather forcast is questionable at best. Perhaps go for sunday instead of Sat.

Forecast as of 3:30 am PDT on August 7, 2003
Coastal Waters From Cape Shoalwater Washington To Florence Oregon And Westward 60 Nm
Today
S wind 15 kt...rising to 20 kt in the afternoon. Wind waves 4 ft. SW swell 4 ft at 14 seconds.
Tonight
S wind 20 kt. Wind waves 4 ft. W swell 5 ft at 14 seconds. Chance of showers.
Fri
S wind 20 kt. Wind waves 4 ft. SW swell 6 ft at 8 seconds. Chance of showers.
Fri Night
S wind 20 kt. Wind waves 4 ft. SW swell 5 ft. Chance of showers.
Sat
S wind 20 kt...easing to 15 kt in the afternoon. Wind waves 5 ft...subsiding to 3 ft in the afternoon. W swell 5 ft. Chance of showers.
Sat Night
S wind 15 kt. Wind waves 3 ft. W swell 5 ft. Chance of showers.
Sun
S wind 20 kt. Wind waves 4 ft. W swell 4 ft.
Mon
SW wind 15 kt. Wind waves 3 ft. W swell 4 ft.

I think I'd be more inclined to look for a better day than winds of 20 to try him out.

Bait O' Eggs · 08-07-2003, 05:43 AM

I recently took my 6 year old bottom fishing on a fairly rough day. We went on my boat and not a charter so I could come in if needed.

He did fine, and had way more fun poking the fish's stomachs back in their mouth, :tongue: and poking at the bulging eyeballs :shocked: than he did fishing.

It didnt take many fish and he was done reeling and was playing with the catch.

Saturdays forecast doesnt look like a lot of fun.

Mr. Fisherman · 08-07-2003, 06:32 AM

To add to what has already been said, you need to check with the charter you intend to book. Some have age and/or hight limits limits(must be this tall to ride this ride). Know before you go.
If you are worried about the rod use a safety strap. Check to see if the charter has one. You may need to supply your own.

blubeast · 08-07-2003, 06:59 AM

As an option, you may want to take him herring fishing in Newport bay.... easy fishing, lots of action, safe environment. Especially if the forcasted seas become real. just a suggestion.

Doryfisher · 08-07-2003, 07:06 AM

My son was 5 when he first started fishing with me. I don't know if sea sickness is hereditary or not. My father gets sick, I don't and my son doesn't. In my experience, chocolate of any kind, hot chocolate, chocolate cereal, etc.... is not a good combo for a kid on the seas.

Gus Orviston · 08-07-2003, 09:12 AM

I was taken out in the ocean a lot between the ages of 5-7. I use to watch everybody else puke away and call out food pieces :whazzup: ...long since quite that juvenille behavior and replaced it with new things :grin:

Is the chocolate thing, really a caffiene issue?

Bernie,,,there goes your eggs and bacon...

Pitch Pocket · 08-07-2003, 10:57 AM

There is easier fishing than a forced march bottom fishing trip on a charter that won't come in if he upchucks, for a 6 year old. You don't want to ruin him. He couldn't handle the rod and reel anyway could he? So he's just along for the ride.

He should have a Snoopy rod in his hand fishing for bluegills or crappie on a sunny day at the pond. I like the herring jig idea too.

Ivana Fishalot · 08-07-2003, 12:52 PM

Thanks Old Coot. I thought about a whale watching trip and that is probably what'll happen. He wants to go sssoooo bad! I don't want to tell him he may get sick because if that is all he focuses on then he will ralph. It does look like the wind waves are supposed to calm in the afternoon during whale watching hours. They also offer a evening bottom trip that I thought about.

I also thought about asking a psalty dog to take him for a spin and see what he thinks, but I'm not good at asking for that stuff.

Is there a place you can rent a boat to take out in the bay? I like the idea of jigging for herring and maybe dropping some crab pots.

northriver1 · 08-07-2003, 01:05 PM

You sly dog, after only four posts you have figured out how to ask without asking. That should be worth 2 or 3 trips for your son but you get to stay on the beach and cry.

Old Coot · 08-07-2003, 01:25 PM

I know they have small boats for rent at the South Beach Marina in Newport, south side of the bay, under the bridge, behind the brewery. Someone used to rent boats at the Embarcadero dock way back when. One or two excursion boats operate on Yaquina Bay, too.

(If I'm not supposed to mention business names on this board, will somebody please e-mail me that info?)

Old Coot · 08-07-2003, 11:31 PM

I have been fortunate enough to introduce a lot of youngsters to the out-of-doors, and I have learned to take it slow. A new scout's first hike shouldn't be a 50-miler. Seems to me that if your son turns out to have a reversible stomach 5 hours of retching won't likely endear him to ocean fishing. Maybe it would be wise to try a short whale-watching trip first and see just how green he turns.

I lurk on Salty Dogs a lot, they're a pretty nice bunch - if maybe a little strange :grin: , and I'll bet if you troll with the right bait one of them will offer an opportunity for a shorter trip with a cut-short option. That might leave the boy with a better impression.

Whatever, I hope he turns out to have a cast iron stomach and catches the biggest fish!

Ivana Fishalot · 08-08-2003, 09:23 AM

With a forecast like this I'm gettin' excited.

SAT
S WIND 15 KT. WIND WAVES 2 FT. W SWELL 3 FT AT 7 SECONDS.

I wouldn't worry at all about taking him out if this becomes a reality.