The Best Fishing Books I’ve Ever Read

I’ve been a student of the sport of fishing for as long as I could read. I’ve often discussed how some of my earliest memories are poring over a book about Northern Pike and being enchanted by tales of the water wolf. My thirst for knowledge led me to acquire more and more texts throughout my life as I searched far and wide for the best fishing books on everything from largemouth bass to fly fishing. So inspired, I eventually wrote a few fishing books of my own.

Unfortunately, some of the best fishing books ever are no longer in print and can only be found on eBay, but there are several other great works available on Amazon and other retailers. Here is a list of my favorite fishing books of all time. Where possible, I’ll give you a link for purchase. Where not, I’ll at least describe it as best as possible so you can find it second hand some day yourself.

Note that while most of the “best of” posts out there basically try and spam you with every book ever written in a hope of making a sale, I really want to keep this list authentic and talk about the books that have truly inspired me, or I found useful for some reason. I have no idea if this will make it next to impossible to find this article on search, but at least if you do, it’ll be useful.

A Disclosure Up Front

Just so you know (and it is posted all over the place) I am an Amazon affiliate, and any links to Amazon on his page will grant me a small commission at no cost to you if you make a purchase. However, as of writing (4/24/2021), I’m not an affiliate for anyone else. So if I send you to some other website because that’s the only place I could find the book, it’s because I really want you to have it – not because I’m making any commission on it. Take that for what you will. I’m hoping that we’re planting a little “Trust Tree” here, but we’ll see if you agree!

The Fishing Books That Inspired Me

First things first, let’s talk about those fishing books that really inspired me as a kid: In-Fisherman’s Handbook series. I believe at the time it was called “The In-Fisherman Masterpiece Series” and was a boxed set of five. First printed in 1983, Dad had this set up at the lake and I would spend evening after evening staring at the book on pike in particular. While there are also books on laregemouth bass, smallmouth bass, walleye, crappie, (and later catfish), it was their book on northern pike that truly fascinated me.

It was this series of books that first taught me concepts like the different types of lakes (eutrophic, mesotrophic, oligotrophic) and where to find fish in each. It also had several cut away illustrations showing where to find fish on points and at different times of the year. They teach the different times of year from a fish’s perspective (e.g. pre-spawn, post-spawn, the summer peak, etc.) as well as how to identify these using water temperature and other clues. They discuss the likely moods of fish and how to trigger them at these times.

I’ve seen it said that these books are too technical. I’ll grant they’re technical, but I don’t know that the “too” applies. Again, I was able to follow along well enough when I was 6-10. I will say this, these are basically textbooks. They have some illustrations (mostly helpful maps) and some black and white photos, but by and large, they’re simply filled with information.

I’m the kind of guy who enjoys a thoroughly-researched tome and who isn’t afraid to dig through scientific journals from the 1940s to get information, as seen from my article on fishing for chain pickerel. I appreciate how the In-Fisherman publications always strive to bring science into their works.

Where to Find These Books?

According to the copy I have in my office, these books have been reprinted at least 17 times. There are quite a few out there! If you’re interested in checking out the book that I credit with basically inspiring me to grow up and write about fishing, click the picture below to go to Amazon and check best price.

While I liked their book on pike the best (mostly because of my uncle’s trophy hanging on the wall), they did write a series of books on other fish. Here are some links to where you can find them. Note that these are older books, so while a few are new for a reasonable price, you might want to consider getting a gently used one on some of the others. In any event, check Amazon for the best price as it can fluctuate.

Other Advanced Fishing Books

We might as well roll right through with some other fishing books that I would consider “advanced.” What I mean by that is that these are highly technical books, not necessarily for the beginner, and probably not the best “bathroom reader” that you can pick up and digest a piece at a time. Nonetheless, if you are truly a student of this sport, these books are extremely helpful.

The Critical Concepts Fishing Book Series

Once again, we see In-Fisherman at the forefront. This time with their Critical Concepts series. These are much like the Fishing Masterpiece Series discussed above, but expanded considerably. I personally own their largemouth bass series but at some point will probably pick up their book series on walleye as well as crappie.

What I enjoy about these books is they break things down book by book so they can explore it in more detail than they did in the Fishing Masterpiece Series. Also some (though not all) of the books have color illustrations which is helpful especially when you’re discussing fishing lures, where variations in color can make a difference.

I wore the spine on these books out very quickly and learned a ton reading them. Once again, science is put to the forefront. For example, there’s an entire chapter in the largemouth bass series about tracking the species. Several graphs and considerable data is produced citing legitimate scientific studies. The insight from these is incredible and will help you be a better fisherman.

If you click the links in the first paragraph, you’ll be taken to the first book in each of these series. Note that there are several books in each series (I believe 3 for bass, 4 for walleye, and 2 for crappie). Make sure you check them all out. The second book in each series is about location, and this alone could save your fishing days or even pay for itself in terms of tournament wins or meals brought home.

In-Fisherman Critical Concepts Largemouth Bass - a series of some of the best fishing books I've ever read.
This series is worth every penny to any bass angler.

High Percentage Fishing

Josh Alwine spent considerable time and effort bringing a true masterpiece into this world with High Percentage Fishing: A Statistical Approach to Improving Catch Rates. What he basically did is look at several prior works of big bass theory, specifically works by Doug Hannon, John Hope, and Bill Murphy (huge names in the industry). Alwine noticed that they disagreed with each other significantly, and tried to explain why.

To do so, he compiled a data set of 40,000 individual catches and started to piece together what it all meant. He cross referenced this data with historic weather data showing where these fish were caught – a truly monumental undertaking. By doing all of this work (he calls it “Piscemetrics”) he was able to draw some important conclusions about how, when, and where you can catch more and bigger fish.

You just don’t get this approach in most books and I appreciate the few that go to these levels. If Mr. Alwine had a blog, you can bet that this would be “epic shareable content” for sure. This amount of effort is incredible and we’re all very fortunate that this was written. As you can see from the photo below, mine is a well-used copy! Really, if science doesn’t scare you and you have an appreciation for what data can do, go pick this book up in the link above.

high percentage fishing is one of the more important books about fishing written recently.
This is one of the more important books on fishing written in a long time. All the more interesting, it is self-published. A true gem!

Easier Reading Fishing Books for Beginners

Not all fishing books are hard to read. Here’s a list of books that are much more digestible for the novice. They read much more like a conversation than a scientific journal, and the advice is excellent. There are plenty of books that fit this bill but a few that I think are important that you should start with are written by two of the masters: Kevin Van Dam and the late Homer Circle.

Kevin Van Dam’s Bass Strategies

It’s hard not to have a title written by the best bass fisherman of all time on this list. This book was first published when I was eleven years old and I found it a few years later. It was easy to read and conversational but importantly it broke down the basic concepts of fishing that you need to know. Cover vs. structure, forage, and the whole mystique of lures. My copy is the 1995 edition, but Kevin Van Dam’s Bass Strategies was updated in 2010 with more techniques and tips.

You’re not going to find (at least in the ’95 version) tons of data or graphs or scientific discussion. Instead you’re going to find practical advice about what works, and–importantly–little tweaks that you can make in your presentation that are going to go a long way. The book is structured almost like a blog post – lots of headings and subheadings to break up the text. This means you can pick it up and explore it in bits and pieces.

Kevin Van Dam's Bass Strategies.
You can’t argue with perfection. KVD might as well be the Wayne Gretzky of bass fishing. This book is gold.

Bass Wisdom by Homer Circle

The late Homer Circle was a legend in the bass fishing community. Active for decades and a partner in crime with Glen Lau and the Bigmouth production, Homer Circle also was a routine contributor to Bassmaster Magazine. To say that he knew how to fish would be the greatest understatement on this blog. Bass Wisdom is another great fishing book that everyone should read. Luckily, it’s an easy enough read that everyone can.

There’s 32 chapters in the book which seems like a lot, but many are just a few pages long. They concentrate on different topics such as what sounds and colors make bass bite, and how to land them. Most of the questions that beginners would have about fishing are answered in this book. Again, it’s one of those books that you can pick up, quickly find what you need, and read a few pages before your fishing trip.

homer circle's bass wisdom is a great fishing book for beginners.
This is an good beginner’s fishing book yet written by a true master.

Various Fishing Book Series

There’s a whole world of great fishing books that you might not be aware of. Several different fishing clubs have printed a series of books over the years only available to their members. Three that I’ve found while scouring e-Bay for “fishing book lot” were published by B.A.S.S., The Hunting & Fishing Library, and North American Fishing Club.

If you search for any of these names, you’ll be taken to various websites that have some. I hesitate to provide a link because who knows if it will still be valid when you go to it (it’s hard to say with used books).

All I will tell you is that if you can find a bundle of these offered on eBay, you should buy them. They’re full color, very high detail, and for the most part easy reads. While there are plenty of concepts offered, pains are taken to make them accessible to all. You can pick them up and read a section here and there just fine.

Unfortunately, most of these must be found on eBay or in used book stores. Some I was fortunate enough to find at GoodWill!

My Fishing Book

I suppose I’ll leave it to others to say whether or not this is a “best” fishing book or not, but I did write one of my own. Fishing With Kids: A Parent’s Guide is designed to help parents take their kids out fishing. If you’ve never gone fishing on your own, this will walk you through how to do it. I talk about the gear you need, what techniques to use, and what fish to target. If you’re a fan of this blog and the way it’s written, I think you’ll enjoy it.

The Best Fishing Books for Kids

I’m more or less of the opinion that kids can handle any of the books I’ve already described. I know I had no issues reading any of them when I was little. I will admit, however, that kids tend to like books with a lot of pictures. Not all of the above have those.

One book that I’ve caught my five-year-old looking at frequently is out of print. It’s The Complete Freshwater Fisherman by Ten Pound Books. Published in 2006, it is filled to the top with interesting photographs and tips. It absolutely walks a child or other beginning angler through everything they’d need to know about fishing. You’ll learn to cast, hook, fight, and land fish.

It may interest you to hear that I’ve been working with a publisher to write a book on fishing for kids of my own. It’s due out towards the end of the summer and I’ll update this post when it arrives. If you’re interested in a free advanced copy, send me an email!

Note the above are just instructional fishing books for kids. If you’re interested in bedtime fishing stories for children, I did write another post about fishing books for kids where I went into some of my son and daughter’s favorites.

Conclusions

This was a fun post to write. It was great looking back and thumbing through all these books. It made me remember how fascinating it was the first time I read them. Whether you’re just getting into the sport or want to improve, I truly believe these books will help you. I know I didn’t list every book known to man, but these are the ones I think are actually worth reading. I hope you found it helpful.

Can I let my guard down and be open for a minute? I have to tell you, I don’t know if this article is going to gain traction. There’s this whole concept of “SEO” or “Search Engine Optimization” where people try to load up their posts with as many keywords and products as they can. This is why you see so many of these “best of” lists that basically have 30 things to choose from. I’m of the mind that you come to a “best of” post because you want to know just that! 17 of 30 seems rather ordinary to me!

Anyway, I decided to try and give you what you really wanted in this post. Did I succeed? Please let me know in the comments, or send me an email. I’m curious if you’d appreciate more posts with this structure in the future and feel they add value. You can also sound off on fishingfather’s Facebook page and tell me there. I’d appreciate the feedback!

Thanks,

John Paxton

Fishing Gifts for Kids: Accelerate Their Love for the Great Outdoors

If you’re looking for the perfect gift for a kid who loves fishing, look no further. Here are some great gift ideas that they’ll appreciate and which will help accelerate their love for the sport and the outdoors. Whether you’re buying for your child, grandchild, niece, nephew, or just a friend, you can rest assured that these recommendations are going to be a hit.

This is a bit of a long post so here are some helpful links to take you were you want on the page:

Stuffed Animals

Younger children love stuffed animals, and a plush northern pike like the one below makes for a much more unique toy than your standard teddy bear!

A variety of fish species are available. Here are some of my kids favorites (click any picture for more information on the product).

In addition to the realistic stuffed animals above, here are a few that might make you smile. Anyone reading their kids “The Pout Pout Fish” or “The Rainbow Fish” lately? Well here they are in all their fuzzy glory:

Toys

Little kids will always love toys, and if they’re into fishing, a toy bass boat is hard to beat. Here are a few options out there that they are likely to enjoy.

Fishing Action Figures

I never had one of these growing up, but wish I did. I bought one for my son when he was younger and I think I’m going to have to buy this one below for him again now that we have a pool to play in.

The bass boat above comes with great little details such as a trolling motor and even twin power poles. It pairs with the Big Country Toys’ Ford F250 and AMAZING fishing play mat (THIS is DEFINITELY making it under our tree this year)! Click on the link to check it out and try to tell me it isn’t awesome!

Playmobil Fisherman

Playmobil is a consistent winner in my house and this toy fisherman would make the perfect stocking stuffer.

A Quintessential Fishing Game

This game has been around for awhile and was a hit at my house. It’s a fun game you can play with your kids, but there are many small pieces, so wait until they’re a little older. You can pick up your copy at Amazon.

A Cool Fishing Bath Toy

Something like this could keep the kids engaged throughout their bath and even convince ones who aren’t so crazy about the tub to hop on in for some fun.

This one does run the risk of getting mom or dad soaked, but your kids will certainly enjoy it.

Books

One of the greatest thing about fishing is that it’s such a thinking person’s sport that one can’t help but want to read more about it. Some of the earliest books I ever read had to do with fishing, and it wouldn’t be a stretch to claim that the sport helped engender a love of reading within me.

You can find a detailed review for most of these books in an article I wrote about the best fishing books for kids, but suffice it to say, these are winners that I read my kids often. You can’t go wrong with any of them. Note that you can also read about more advanced fishing books in my article about the best fishing books I’ve ever read. Here are some of my favorites:

The American Boys Handy Book by Daniel Carter Beard

This book right here sparked more adventures in my mind than perhaps any other I read as a child. In it, you’ll find instructions on how to build everything from aquariums to rafts. It’s basically a field guide to the great outdoors. Click here to read more about it at Amazon.

Gone Fishing by Earlene Long

Of all the books I reviewed in this post, this one has stood the test of time with my son. He still routinely picks this one out and asks me to read it to him now and then. It’s not a bad read either. Sometimes when a kid gets stuck on a book it can be a little rough on the parent, but this is a quick one with fun pictures and you won’t stress about reading it 100 times. This makes it a great gift for any kid who likes fishing. You can purchase it at Amazon.

Outdoor IQ Ultimate Fishing Guide by Dave and Steve Shellhaas

This book is targeted towards children, though from the reviews it appears the type set is pretty small, so don’t necessarily expect it to be the best for younger kids. Even so, how many dinosaur books have you read with them that were a little beyond their scope? The key is in the pictures, and this book has plenty. You can find it at Amazon.

Freshwater Fishing for Kids by Melanie A. Howard

A book filled with great tips and directed at kids. I don’t own this one either, but judging from the reviews, it looks like this is a book more appropriate for kids who already know the basics, as some of the feedback is that not all terms are defined. Pick it up at Amazon.

The Three Little Bass and the Big Bad Gar by James Miller

I remain impressed by this book. Not so much for the story, which is basically just a spin off on the three little pigs, but the story behind how it was created. An eight-year-old and his mother teamed up to create this book and offer it for sale and enjoyment to the world. I think that’s a great story and one that perhaps you and your little one can draw some inspiration from. If you’re interested in showing your kids what is possible with a little imagination and dedication, pick this book up today.

Animals, Birds & Fish of North America, the Illustrated Encyclopedia of: A Natural History and Identification Guide to the Captivating Indigenous Wildlife of the United States of America and Canada  by Tom Jackson

I loved these kinds of books when I was a kid. Each of the more than 420 creatures featured comes with a map showing where in the country one might find them, and a little excerpt describing the species in some detail. This is sure to provide hours of entertainment and would be a great book to give your kids before a long road trip. You can buy it at Amazon.

Northern Pike Secrets (An In-Fishermen Handbook of Strategies) by Al Lindner, et al

OK, so this book is definitely NOT marketed towards kids. So why would I include it? Because it has a special place in my heart. It is the first fishing book that I wore out cover to cover. Even though it’s extremely more technically oriented than most kids can stand, its first chapter discussing the history of northern pike is sure to put your children in wonder.

You might have some difficulty finding this book. As of writing, Amazon has a listing for several used copies, but you may need to go to e-Bay. On occasion, I’ve seen reprints of this series of books at various tackle shops, or for sale on the In-Fishermen website itself.

Fishing with Kids: A Parent’s Guide by John Paxton

I’d be remiss if I didn’t at least mention my book. While it’s targeted towards parents, it could be a good companion gift (buy the kid the fishing rod, buy the parents this book, and watch things fall in place). You can purchase it at Amazon.

Clothes

While few of us look back at our time as kids and remember loving to unwrap boxes full of clothes, at least these are for their interest. You’ll probably get more mileage out of these than you would for some dress clothes for picture day.

Lucky Fishing Shirt

No one can leave home home without a lucky fishing shirt! I found when getting my kid used to dressing himself, having a supply of clothes he thought looked cool really helped. Anything with fish or dinosaurs passes the sniff test at the Paxton house.

This Kid Loves to Fish

Here’s another good one that your kids might like to wear. It’ll also show less worm gut stains as it is mostly black. Always a plus!

UPF 50+ Kids Fishing Clothes

If you’re looking for something practical, UPF 50+ rated kids fishing clothes would make a great gift. The sun is a real enemy out there, especially when you’re distracted doing something fun. These shirts will minimize the amount of fuss you get over sunscreen and will protect your little ones from its harmful rays.

UPF 50+ Kids Fishing Shirts

This one above follows my concept of “buy kids shirts they think looks cool.” Given the jumping bass, it’s a winner on that front. Check it out in further detail here.

Safety yellow is a great color that gives a bit of piece of mind out there on the water should something happen. You can purchase this one at this link.

UPF 50+ Kids Fishing Hats

My kids wear fishing hats similar to these. I appreciate the 360-degrees of protection that they afford from the sun, as we’re constantly moving while on the boat and can be hit from any angle. As a plus, the tykes look adorable in them.

This kind of model offers even more protection for the back of the neck. Let’s face it: where do you usually get sunburned? Bearing that in mind, it would be a great idea to pick this up at Amazon today.

Fishing Gloves for Kids

The first time my son saw “bass thumb,” it scared him. Even though adults know it is a mark of honor, to see your thumb so scuffed up can be a little traumatic for the little ones. Some gloves like these will prevent that and afford them some protection. As these have an anti-skid design, it’s also less likely your kid will be dropping as many rods in the lake – always a plus!!!

Fishing Video Games

Ideally, you’re trying to get your kids into fishing so they can spend time away from screens, but on the other hand, not all of us live someplace where we can fish year round, at least in comfort. Video games can help scratch that itch during the off season. Further, not for nothing, but let’s be candid here: wouldn’t you rather your children be playing a fishing video game than some first person shooter? At least they’ll learn a thing or two about the sport.

Here are some fishing video games available on the major platforms. Any of these would make a great gift for a kid who likes fishing and gaming. I’m not sure I’m sold that many adults would like these, as most fishing games tend to be designed more for younger folks (I personally haven’t cared much for a fishing video games since the awesome Bassin’s Black Bass with Hank Parker).

Nintendo Switch

We don’t own a Nintendo Switch, so I’m going to have to go based on some reviews out there, but I will say that Nintendo has a reputation to catering their video games more towards children than the other platforms, so these games will likely be well-received by little ones. Here’s a few that caught my eye.

Fishing Star World Tour

This seems to have different fish species than “The Strike” as well as some salt water ones. It’s quite cartoony with big flashing letters when fish are on. Go check out a few of the photos of it at Amazon and see if it’s something your kid might enjoy.

Bass Pro Shops The Strike: Championship Edition

People indicate that their kids enjoy the game. Given that its a Bass Pro Shops game, one would think it would have a bit more thought into it than most. Check the best price at Amazon.

As an added plus, this game is compatible with a cool gadget that turns your switch controller into a fishing rod, which kids should get a big kick out of. Here’s a youtube video of a guy using it to play the game.

Playstation 4

Note that some of these titles may also be available on other game systems. After following the links, consider poking about if you’re interested in buying one of these for a different system.

The Fisherman: Fishing Planet

This game boasts of having artificial intelligence that follows the behaviors of real fish. It also has claims to being the most realistic game, though I’m not sure how good that is in a fishing simulator. Follow this link for more information.

Legendary Fishing

Legendary fishing’s “hook” is that it’s a multiplayer game where each player competes for certain challenges, such as catching 2 fish with a certain lure in a certain time. Being able to play with friends will make for a more interactive gaming experience. More information on Legendary Fishing can be found here.

X-Box 1

As above, please note that many of these games may also be available on PS4, though a few are likely X-Box exclusives. After following the links, consider searching a little deeper to see what you can find if you’d really prefer this for a different system.

Rapala Fishing: Pro Series

A video game designed by one of the most iconic lure company’s on planet earth, this one boasts hundreds of different lures to choose from and unlock, giving kids goals to work towards. You can find it available for purchase at Amazon.

Here’s a video of Rapala Pro Fishing in action if you’d like to see how it plays before you buy it.

Pro Fishing Simulator

This game features over 75 fish species and hundreds of real life lures to catch them with, as well as some decent graphics. It could be fun for your kids to try out lures that they have in their own tackle box to see how they work. You can find more photos and user reviews on Amazon.

Gear

It goes without saying that any kid who is into fishing is going to be into getting fishing gear as a present. With that said, a lot of the stuff marketed towards children out there really isn’t best for them. Indeed, you’re basically buying the daydream effect of their having something fun to look at and play with and call their own, but if you wanted to buy them stuff that lasts, you’re better off parting it out. Here’s a few things to get you started.

Kids Fishing Rods

You might be tempted to go out and buy the first youth combo that you see. I wrote an article to help you wade through the options that you can read here.

Ugly Stik Elite

I wrote an entire article about why I think it’s a great fishing pole for kids that you can read here. In that post, you’ll learn why I think it’s one of the best fishing rods for kids.

If you don’t have time to read an entire article, suffice it to say that it’s an inexpensive brand that has legendary durability which makes it great for little anglers who might not be the most careful yet with their gear.

I have many of these in my rod box and recommend it to all parents. You purchase this great fishing rod as a gift for your kid at at Amazon.

St. Croix Panfish Series

Anyone who has followed this blog for any length of time knows that I love St. Croix rods. While their panfish series is more expensive than the Ugly Stik, it would make any outstanding gift for any kid who is old enough to appreciate (and maintain) fine fishing gear.

Frankly, I think these make great gifts for adults too. Many parents spend the first few years of their children’s fishing career exclusively targeting panfish. A dedicated panfish rod makes this significantly more fun than reeling them in on bass tackle or the like. Consider purchasing one for the parent too!

Kids Fishing Reels

I’m not one for buying the usual “kids” reels with the superheroes on them. Instead, I buy stuff that I think will last so I don’t have to buy it twice. With children, that can be a bit challenging, but here’s a link to an article I wrote that talks about different spinning reels out there that you can purchase. Of them, I’d consider your best bets to be the Pflueger Trion or Pflueger President. Smaller kids will do well with a size 20, while older ones would be better off with a 30.

Tackle

When it comes to taking kids fishing, not all tackle is created equal. I wrote a lengthy article discussing what fishing lures work well with kids that you can read here, but if you’re pinched for time, here are some solid recommendations that are safe for kids to use, and effective.

Strike King Bleeding Bait Spinnerbait

I really enjoyed throwing spinnerbaits with my dad when I was as young as six-years-old. They help kids learn how to cast for distance and accuracy, and catch fish to boot. It’s much more interesting to walk around casting something at likely targets than to sit around waiting for something to eat your worm. These spinnerbaits are durable and effective and make a good choice for children.

It’s also worth mentioning that these lures have a single large hook which is safer for children than smaller treble hooks, as it takes much more force to pierce the skin. Pick some up today!

Yamamoto Senko Kit

Yamamoto Senkos are some of the best baits for kids to use. All they need to do is “wacky rig” these lures, toss them out, let them sink, and usually before they hit the ground, a bass will smash them. If they don’t get a bite, they can retrieve them slowly with some “pops” allowing the bait to fall again on the retrieve repeatedly.

It’s a super effective and easy technique for kids to learn that will put them on fish. While you could buy the packs separately, this handy kit comes with several great colors and a tackle box to store them. It would also wrap much better as a present. I highly recommend purchasing one today.

Frog Nets

While not technically a “fishing” item, one thing I’ve learned this year is that kids absolutely love catching frogs, crayfish, minnows, and anything else that a throw net will capture. I’ve found that my son almost prefers this to actual fishing! Here are a few good options that will make for fun afternoons at your local pond.

I like the frog net below because it is squared at the top as opposed to rounded. This makes a difference because when reaching for a frog or crayfish, it will allow you to pin the net against the ground, reducing the chances your quarry escapes. You can find it, or something similar, at Amazon.

Just don’t forget to get the matching tee-shirt:

Baby Gifts

When my nephew was born I ran out searching for some good baby gifts for him. Here’s a link to an article filled with some ideas for what you could purchase if you’re in that same boat.

If you’re not interested in the full length article, this makes a pretty cute toy. It’s by VTech, so you know you can trust it around littles.

Here’s another one that would make any newborn smile:

Boats: the Ultimate Gift for Kids Who Love Fishing

OK, so it would be a bit crazy to get a child a boat, but here are some inexpensive rafts that you could buy for them that would spark a true sense of adventure. These would go great with a reading of Huckleberry Finn, in case anyone has some summer reading to get through. If you have a local pond, these can provide a neat little adventure for the two of you, especially if shore access is limited on one side (because “that’s where the good frogs are,” naturally).

Seahawk 3 by Intex

The Seahawk 3 by Intex is an inexpensive raft choice that would do fine for getting your kids across a small pond. I’m a little leery of fishing out of it or partaking in other activities that involve sharp objects, but it would be great for frogging. You can purchase it at Amazon.

Excursion 5 by Intex

The Excursion 5 is a step up from the Seahawk 3, as it’s rated for five people. While I wouldn’t recommend bringing five people out on it and expecting to do anything other than sit still, a larger raft can help if you have a few kids to bring along with you to that pond. More details are available at Amazon.

Gheenoe

Chances are if you’re not from Florida, it’s unlikely you’ve ever heard of a Gheenoe, but they’re amongst the best light water craft options for taking little kids out on the water. As such, they’d make a great gift for any family with kids who love fishing. I have an LT10 and love it, though I would caution you that it’s not much of a cartopper and you’ll really want a trailer unless you’re bringing two adults along.

You can find a local dealer by visiting their website here.

The Gheenoe LT10 makes for a great small watercraft to take little kids on, however don’t expect to cartop it by yourself! You’ll want to stick to areas near ramps when possible.

Conclusions

One of the best things about fishing with your kids is that it sparks a love of learning. Once hooked, kids will want to learn everything they can about fishing. It also can become a source of pride for them as they develop their skillset. These toys, games, books, and other gifts are great to keep a kid’s love of fishing going strong. If you know a little tyke who is enamored by the sport, you can’t go wrong with any of them.

I hope this post helped ease any stress you might have had about getting the perfect gift for your little angler. I’ll update it from time to time as I find other cool fishing gifts for kids.

Thanks,

John Paxton