What are some of your teaching methods?

[Fisherman_Wantabe]

Maybe they should word it differently. They pick the unlucky minners.Rofl

Rofl Maybe your right. I think they call them lucky because of what they get on the other end.
But it's the best fishing trips this old man has every been on.

[crappiedoc]

This is almost exactly how I teach kids:

More Bluegills

My brother and I were using this method today. Between the two of us, we had sixty bluegill and a few small catfish in about 2.5 hours. That's about sixty fish more than anybody else caught. We didn't have any maggots, so we used wax worms.

There was a family fishing nearby us (and catching nothing.) I felt bad for the little girl who was using a cheap spincast outfish and staring at a motionless bobber. I asked her if she wanted to try using a telescopic pole. She said, "Sure!" Ten minutes later, she had caught four bluegills.

As noted above, simplicity is key. This method is simple, and it works.

I read your post and I know I don't have to view the attachment because your right. I've seen to many beginners of all ages with that beach ball bobber and and a 3/0 bait hook trying to catch something. Beginners all just want to catch fish, funny how you have to hook them too huh. One thing and probably the most important, don't plan on doing any fishing and everything will be a better memory.

[Spawn]

If its spring take them jiggin for crappie or let them throw from the bank with minnows. (Zebco). if its summer go late in the afternoon so they arnt cranky from heat and take them panfishing with cane poles. Easy and they will have fun. Take live bait to increase odds while fishing.

Dont let the kids be bored or its not fun for anyone. Pulling cranks are fun for kids to

[TAV2]

Everybody has given some good ideas. One I use is to break it up some. Take a boat ride, swim on a sandbar, pick up dinosaur bones (driftwood) on the bank, etc. Even when we're catching fish my boys' attention span is only so long. Make the whole trip an adventure!

[Wet a Hook]

When my son was about 3 or 4 years old, my wife and I had to go out of town and so I left him with my parents. When we picked him up, my Dad had taught him how to tie a fish hook....don't know who was more proud my Dad or my son. The trick was that he took a coat hanger and shaped it into a huge fish hook with a big eye on the hook. Then, he used a piece of rope and taught him how to tie a cinch knot. Amazing and simple. He could tie a fish hook before he learned to tie his shoe. Now, he will be a Senior in high school and is a heckuva fisherman.

[LA CrappieMaster]

Thanks for sharing Wet a Hook, I am going to borrow that one.

[litewirehooker]

Before I would let my Grandson go with me in the boat, I pulled the boat in the yard and we cast from the boat........had to wear lifejacket. Once he got little confidence, I would get out of the boat and be the fish........he had a great time pulling me in......had the drag set kinda loose. He was ready when we got to the water.....

[Fatman]

Make sure to take only the pole THEY will be using. Leave your stuff at home it's all about them!!

[buffalo13]

Make it fun!!!! Thats what its all about.. The time together means everything. Let them play in the minnow bucket if things get slow. Minnows are cheap.. Like TAV2 said take a boat ride or do something different if they aren't biting real good just enjoy the time..

[crappiedoc]

I've been lucky to teach a group of kids from my church how to fish. Most of them never have fished before, it was quite a Blessing on my part. I had about 1-1/2hrs of book work, which was through their badge earning program. We learned various types of equipment and tackle first, then I had about 45min of casting instructions, which honestly scared me half to death. I had a couple long casters turn their poles into bullwhips, I literally had to hit the deck once. Then finally we got to go fishing on Sat for about 3hrs, which ended up running 1/2hr longer due to their success. There were 8 kids in the class with an additional 4 siblings. The 1st hour I spent most of the time untangling them from the bank. Then I reminded them that most of the time I don't even cast. Ah, the Blessing arrived allowing me to take some pics of them catching fish. Now, I'm being approached by their parents, which will be another Blessing in itself. Thanks LORD