"I never really went fishing with my parents that much growing up, finances were a bit tight and they had little time to spare. So this is somewhat new territory for me."
I can relate, D. I started out at five up in Montana with a bent, telescoping metal pole and a baitcasting reel that wouldn't spin. Fished that way for several years before I started mowing lawns and shoveling snow at 25 cents per pop. Saved my money until I could get a Mitchell 300 and a cheap rod.
I have taken my kids, nephews, nieces, other kids, in-laws, grandkids and great grandkids fishing, sometimes from the bank, sometimes from a row boat, sometimes from a dock, and sometimes from a float tube. Quite often, we follow up with a campfire and hot dogs and s'mores. It's always more fun when kids are along, even if they eat the bait, get stuck in the mud, or whatever.
We currently go out with the great granddaughter at the Yukon park. There is a nice railed dock with plenty of small crappie and perch. She giggles like crazy when she gets a fish. She uses a small pole with a small bobber, and she likes a small piece of hot dog for bait. You might see if there is that type of dock in your area. An extra adult might be a good idea with three kids that young.
Here is a picture of the granddaughter right after fishing the docck, as well as some other pictures from over the years.
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The large cat was caught by my 8(?)-year-old grandson. The picture is of my son, who started fishing with me at 3.
