Fishing with children

[taterbaby]

Ok-I now have a question about fishing. My husband and I are considering taking our children-8, 10, and 12 fishing. What is the most economical-fishing on our own or getting a guide? Any suggestions on either of these would be of great help!! Thanks

[aquaticbiology]

surf fishing or lake fishing from a dock is the safest and best for kids, and you can catch some nice fish that way, especially if you're going to grayton or somewhere without a handy bay or a sound (water behind the island) like santa rosa

wherever you fish, the little ones will have more fun using a tiny hook and casting combo for catching pinfish, which you will then use as live bait, and when they get tired or bored you can just pack up and leave, something you can't do on a boat

licenses are an absolute must this year ('the man' is out in big numbers!) and also a copy of the latest rules and regs, with the new permitted sizes

guides are cool (and expensive), but nothing beats a nice big redfish - even the 12 year old will be jumping up and down!

[taterbaby]

That sounds great-we will be staying in Santa Rosa-where do we go to buy a license when we get there. Also, if we decide to go the "guide" way-where do we find one? Thanks for your help!!!!!!

[RiverOtter]

That sounds great-we will be staying in Santa Rosa-where do we go to buy a license when we get there. Also, if we decide to go the "guide" way-where do we find one? Thanks for your help!!!!!!

I used a guide out of PCB. I'm in Seacrest Beach so at 6am it was only a 15 minute drive to PCB Harbor. This guy was great and great with the kids. He stays on the Bay and uses a small Bay Boat. 2 adults and 2 kids would be his max. Great experience for my boys then 6 and 8.

http://sowal.com/bb/gallery/files/1/7/7/P6020178.JPG



http://sowal.com/bb/gallery/files/1/7/7/P6020171.JPG



http://sowal.com/bb/gallery/files/1/7/7/P6020170.JPG

[taterbaby]

Hey RiverOtter-that sounds wonderful-does he have a business or do we just look for him on the dock. I guess what I am saying is where do we find him once we get there. Also-when you use a guide, do you have to have a license? Thanks so much-My guys-dad and two sons-will love this-heheheh while daughter and I do the SPA!!! heheh

[taterbaby]

BY the way-the pictures are GREAT!

[RiverOtter]

Hey RiverOtter-that sounds wonderful-does he have a business or do we just look for him on the dock. I guess what I am saying is where do we find him once we get there. Also-when you use a guide, do you have to have a license? Thanks so much-My guys-dad and two sons-will love this-heheheh while daughter and I do the SPA!!! heheh

He has a business, if you are interested I will PM you the info. BTW, you'll need to book before you get in advance. He's popular.

I don't know about the license questions.

[BeachSteelers]

If you pay a guide they should carry the permits for you so you don't need a license. Fishing from land requires no license(Legal!! U.S. residents, that is). In a friends boat you better have one. But check FWC.com for regulations/restrictions. I recommend the surf especially early but remember little fish bring bigger fish which brings some sharks around also. So careful when wading. Throw some shrimp out there and something will hit it!

[Mossy1]

Riverotter, I am also interested in contacting the guide you have used. Will you send me a PM with his contact info.

Thanks

[luvthebeach]

Whichever way you decide, please make sure those sweet little folks wear their life jackets at all times while on the water. It only takes a second for them to fall overboard and that life jacket may just be their only hope for rescue. In my business I've known of far too many tragic drownings that didn't have to happen. There are some great light-weight auto-inflatable life jackets now on the market, although I'm not sure if they make them in children's sizes. Nonetheless, please make sure those little folks (and the big ones too!) are protected!

[RiverOtter]

Riverotter, I am also interested in contacting the guide you have used. Will you send me a PM with his contact info.

Thanks

Done :cool:

[taterbaby]

Thanks so much for all the help-as I posted in an earlier thread-we had to postpone our trip until November-Thanksgiving week to be exact-how is the fishing then-anything biting? My boys are so excited!

[Beach Runner]

Photo taken last week at Grayton. I am godparent to one of those boys. They caught me some great Spanish mackerel.

[RiverOtter]

Photo taken last week at Grayton. I am godparent to one of those boys. They caught me some great Spanish mackerel.

That ain't no Mackerel Snapper :blink:

[Beach Runner]

That ain't no Mackerel Snapper :blink:
Oh, I know. LOL. The boys caught a shark, too.

[30A Skunkape]

Oh, I know. LOL. The boys caught a shark, too.

That's a memory that will last a lifetime :cool:

[Smiling JOe]

BR, that looks like a bigger version of some of the ones which have been spotted in Grayton the last two weeks. :eek:

[Beach Runner]

Yikes!

The boys thought it was so cool.

[pattiw]

Thinking about renting a pontoon in PCB and cruising over to Shell Island. Just have a couple of basic rods & reels - nothing fancy. What can be caught in the bay with this type of setup and how should we rig it?