Over the years I’ve been on plenty of father and son fishing trips, both with my dad and with my son, Tristan. There’s nothing quite like spending quiet time out there on the water with your child, and at Fishingfather.com, that’s exactly what we’re here to help you do. Here’s some tips for how to plan a great father and son fishing trip, and a few ideas of where to go.
How Old Should Your Son Be Before You Take Him Fishing?
I’m at the point now where I joke with Tristan that I’ve really done him a disservice. See, I didn’t get him into baseball or hockey before he could walk, so now all the other kids have overtaken him. I did, however get him fishing since he was a wee little baby and now he’s absolutely crushing it at 8. We recently got back from a trip to Lake Champlain and I was super impressed with how well he could cast a baitcaster. That doesn’t happen over night!
You can take your son (or daughter) on a fishing trip regardless of their age. You’re just going to need to temper your expectations to match their age and ability. A two year old probably won’t be able to cast, but may be able to spin the reel if you hold the rod for them. A kid who is fifteen is going to look at you funny if you try to do that. In the same respect, if you’re taking your son out when he’s little, you should be focusing on panfish, not Blue Marlin.
I’ve written several posts that can help you get the hang of things regardless of what age your son is. Consider reading up on a few of these before setting out for your father son fishing trip.
- An article about what a good age is to take a kid fishing
- Fishing with a two-year-old
- Fishing with a four-year-old
- How to make fishing with kids stress free
Why You Should Plan a Father Son Fishing Trip
There’s no time like the present. I’m so glad that my dad took me on many fishing trips together when he was able to. While I still drag him out from time to time, he’s having a tough go of it lately as he gets older and slows down. You never know when this day will come for you. You’re just one accident away from not being able to spend as much time with your littles so go out of your way to take them on a fishing trip today.
In this day in age, fishing with your children is even more important. After all, it gets them away from the screens and their stupid Roblox account. It gives them confidence and something worth posing for a picture with. I can’t get my son or daughter to pose for a shot unless they’re holding a fish! Hey, whatever works.
Planning Your Father Son Fishing Trip
A father son fishing trip can be as simple as a trip to the local pond, or an extravagant excursion to the wilds of Alaska. Regardless of where you’re trying to go, you’re going to want to have fun with your son. Here are some tips to help you plan your trip.
Determine Your Goals
The first step in planning a successful father son fishing trip is to determine your goals. Are you trying to help your son catch his first fish? Are you on a monster quest looking for a true lunker? Is this a bucket list journey you’ve been saving up for the past few years? Are you after quantity, or quality? Is there a particular species you are after? You should have goals in mind to help you narrow down where to go.
Consider Your Options
Depending on what goals you have in mind, you need to narrow your options. The best way to do this is by online research including asking folks for help on internet forums. While anglers can be wary of giving out their specific spots, most are willing to at least help out a dad who is taking their kid out with some general advice. For example, if I wanted to catch some Florida strain largemouth bass, here’s what I would do.
- First, I’d figure out what states have them (generally southern ones).
- Then, I’d pick the state I’m interested in visiting (let’s say Florida).
- Once I knew the state, I’d start poking around for good place to catch them (Okeechobee, the Harris Chain).
- When I had it narrowed to the different waters, I’d see what accommodations are near, or what other things I could do with my son on the trip. Depending on your kid, you might not want to be in the boonies. On the other hand, that might be perfect.
Research the Water
Once you have it narrowed down to what water you’re going to fish on your father son fishing trip, you’re going to need to figure out how you will fish it! Can you launch your boat there? It not, can you rent one? If not, can you go out with a guide? Is there a depth chart somewhere for this lake? Are there any internet forums with anglers who post fishing reports for this lake? All of these questions are useful.
I once wrote a post called “Why You Can’t Catch Fish and What to Do About It” where I talk at length about how to research new water. Give it a gander so you can learn this new place you’re taking your kid!
Pack Your Gear
There’s nothing that will ruin a father son fishing trip like leaving some important gear behind. After all, you’re not going to have a good start if you need to run out to the local Wal-Mart to replace everything you forgot! That eats into valuable fishing time!
To ensure your trip goes as smoothly as possible, I suggest having everything you can packed days in advance. This gives you time so you can remember something once your memory jars. It also lets you realize if you’re missing something so you can do something about it at home instead of on the road. Packing for your tip early makes the packing somewhat enjoyable too. Far better than rushing at the end!
Set Your Son’s Expectations
When I’m taking my son on a fishing trip to a new destination, I am very careful to set his expectations. I find it is helpful to pitch the trip as an adventure where we are going to explore new water. I don’t promise fish ever, but especially not if we’re headed to a place I’ve never visited! Instead, talk about the experience. Talk about what you’ve read during your research. Don’t forget to mention the other things like arcades or museums or aquariums or such that you can do if the fishing doesn’t pan out!
When we make our fishing trips about the fishing, it had better be good. When we make these about bonding and experiencing life together, catching fish is just a bonus.
Great Father and Son Fishing Trip Destinations
While I’m sure there’s a million great father and son fishing trip destinations out there, my top 3, by far, would be Lake Champlain in New York and Vermont, the Harris Chain of Lakes in Florida, and salmon fishing in Ketchikan, Alaska. Each of these has some very strong things going for it that makes it a great fishing destination to take your kids on a special adventure. Let’s explore why.
Lake Champlain
My home waters, Lake Champlain is not only a tremendous fishery but there is a ton of stuff to do with kids if it rains or they just get bored. The Echo Aquarium in Burlington, Ausable Chasm, Fort Ticonderoga, and Lake George Village are all nearby. I always like to have a plan B when I’m fishing with kids and if I was planning a father son fishing trip it would be no different.
As to the fishing itself, Lake Champlain has pretty much every northern freshwater species you could think of. It is routinely a top bass water cited by Bassmaster, has extremely good smallmouth action, and has a healthy array of northern pike, chain pickerel, channel catfish, lake trout, Atlantic salmon, and more. There’s also a huge amount of panfish such as white perch, yellow perch, bluegill, pumpkinseed, black and white crappie, so regardless of how old your kids are, there are fish for them to catch.
Our place is near the southern end of the Lake near Crown Point and Ticonderoga, but I’ve fished many times with Captain Mick Maynard of lakechamplainangler.com. He’s an incredible guide and does a great job helping kids catch giant fish. He fills up quick though so make sure you book early!
The Harris Chain of Lakes in Florida
I’ve fished in a number of locations in Florida, but my best advice to anyone planning a father son fishing trip in Florida is to stick to the Harris Chain of lakes. This is especially true if your kids are little. This chain is full of fish which is important, but you also take really cool canals to move from one lake to the other, which is an experience in and of itself.
However, the main reason I would recommend these lakes is their proximity to Orlando and Disney. This means you can take your kids out fishing and also to amusement parks for the typical Disney experience. While there are fishing guides on actual Disney waters, you’d likely do much better fishing this chain. Luckily, my dear friend Mick also fishes down in Florida during the winter! He has quite the life! Check him out at largemouthcentral.com to book your next charter!
Ketchikan, Alaska
If you’re seeking a more exotic location for your father son fishing trip, Ketchikan Alaska is a great place to go. My dad took me there a few times back in my 20’s and it was a blast. Specifically, we went to Sportsman’s Cove Lodge. Now, dad is a frequent traveler to Alaska, and he will tell you that there may be bigger fish elsewhere, but there is plenty of action at this lodge, and you’re doing it in refinement. The entire experience at Sportsman’s Cove makes you feel like a king and leaves you in total comfort. If you’re taking your family with you, this is the lodge they’ll want to go back to again and again.
I wrote a detailed review of my time at the lodge that you can find here. I definitely recommend reading it when you have a chance. If I was planning a father son fishing trip to Alaska, this would be the only option I’d consider.
Conclusions: Father Son Fishing Trips Are Worth Planning!
Some of my best memories in life are the fishing trips my dad took me out on, as well as the father son trips I’m experiencing right now with Tristan. Yes, they can sometimes be stressful and yes they can cost money, but the memories are priceless. I hope you get to experience a few of these trips yourself while your kids are still young enough to look up to you 🙂
Thanks all,
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