Fishing with a six year old

[M Van Alstine]

Hello,

My wife, our grandson and I will be visiting the second week of March. This will be our first trip to this area. Amongst other things we would like to try fishing. Our grandson really enjoys fishing - typically favoring action over size. He understands catch and release and size limits. We do however enjoy catching some fish for a fish fry. Up here in Wisconsin that has mostly meant yellow perch, blue gills and crappies. We have generally fished with live bait - night crawlers, leeches, minnows, wax worms, etc.

We'll be staying in SeaGrove Beach area. From what I've read it seems that there is fishing in the coastal lakes as well as in the gulf. We're looking into renting a canoe. If appropriate for a child, we would consider going out on a charter.

Any recommendations/directions we should be considering?

Thanks

 

[DuneLaker]

I give history / environmental tours. Many of my clients in this area have been quite pleased with Yellowfin Ocean Sports located in Seagrove Beach and Grayton Beach. The phone number I have for them is 850-231-9024. Try www.YellowfinOceanSports.com They have rentals and sales. Convenient location on 30A just east of 395 intersection. They may also be able to set you up with a charter. You might want to try both a chartered deep sea fishing trip say out of Panama City Beach (just 20 minutes from SoWal in Bay County), fishing from a kayak in a coastal dune lake, to surf fishing right off the beach or shore of coastal dune lake in SoWal. To get a Florida fishing license call 1-888-FISH FLORIDA. Have fun.

 

[M Van Alstine]

Thanks for the recommendations. I'll admit that I'm not sure about fishing from a kayak with my grandson. We have taken him out in a canoe a few times but he isn't so good about sitting still in the middle of the canoe. We have generally fished with him in our 14 ft aluminum v hull or off the dock.

What kind of environmental tours do you give? While my grandson isn't interested particularly in history; he is quite interested in insects, reptiles and amphibians.

 

[Matt J]

A charter may be your best option, I believe your grandson is exempt from a fishing license under Florida law, but you are not. They can be obtained fairly easily for short periods of time. IIRC you can get one at the Court House Annex on 331.

 

[Enzo]

I do not know the name of the charter that goes out of Destin but there is charter that is geared just for children and there escort. When you come into town check out the charters in Destin and just ask about the Charter for Children some one I am sure will direct you.

Lots of luck and have a great day fishing.

 

[John]

Hello,

My wife, our grandson and I will be visiting the second week of March. This will be our first trip to this area. Amongst other things we would like to try fishing. Our grandson really enjoys fishing - typically favoring action over size. He understands catch and release and size limits. We do however enjoy catching some fish for a fish fry. Up here in Wisconsin that has mostly meant yellow perch, blue gills and crappies. We have generally fished with live bait - night crawlers, leeches, minnows, wax worms, etc.

We'll be staying in SeaGrove Beach area. From what I've read it seems that there is fishing in the coastal lakes as well as in the gulf. We're looking into renting a canoe. If appropriate for a child, we would consider going out on a charter.

Any recommendations/directions we should be considering?

Thanks

If you come by our store in Seagrove we will show you some good spots nearby that are appropriate for young anglers. We can also set you up with a charter if you'd like.

 

[John]

A charter may be your best option, I believe your grandson is exempt from a fishing license under Florida law, but you are not. They can be obtained fairly easily for short periods of time. IIRC you can get one at the Court House Annex on 331.

Please note that licenses are also available here at our Seagrove store.

 

[Matt J]

Please note that licenses are also available here at our Seagrove store.

Mental note made.

 

[organicmama]

We fish on the shore with a 7 year old, 5 year old & 2 year old. The 2 older ones are girls and the little one is a boy. They each love it and will stay for hours. The 2 year old gets nuts about wanting to "catch something" by reeling one of the rods in each time, but we also bring his own little rod.

The older ones also explore what they can find as treasures and are pretty imaginative with their discoveries. They love exploring around the lakes.

Yellowfin is incredible. They are helpful, kind & funny. We highly recommend them.

 

[Mark Partington]

ditto yellowfin.
Beach fishing IS the best-my (then)7 year old little girl caught a 23"drum & ran up & down the beach-50 tard windsprinys-falling;etc-finally got it to shallow surf where I bulldogged it-(shed never SEEN anything so big)-we got one of those 'economic' styrofoam coolers(sorry ogm) on the ffly that moning & after watching him for about 20 min I tossed hin in.
That fished cracked that non-economical,unearthfreindly pcb laiden chem-box like a bad joke---which added to her enthusiasm!

The picture was tail at her head & mouth at her knee-I thought she hooked a body or some deal.
There are many wonderful charters which are all familiar with working with all ages & temperaments-
dont forget the magic of surf casting-its gotten sporty in the last 5 years.
m