Family Fishing: How to Get Your Kids Hooked

Most anglers caught their first fish next to a parent or grandparent, and they remember that day for the rest of their lives. A well-planned family fishing trip gives a child an adventure, time together and respect for nature. A badly organised one, on the other hand, can easily teach them that fishing means long, boring waiting – and luckily that is easy to avoid.

Choose the venue wisely

For the first few trips, a wild water full of "big fish" is not ideal; a smaller, well-kept fishing lake is. A few things worth looking for:

• A safe bank: a gentle, stable bank or a fishing platform with a railing, with no steep, slippery slopes.
• Comfort: shade, a toilet, and no long haul from the car park.
• Lots of smaller fish: frequent bites from bream, crucian carp and small carp are worth far more than the hope of one or two big fish.
• A calm setting: children are louder, so it is better to pick a spot where you won't disturb anglers who want peace and quiet.

Many lakes have a dedicated family-friendly area or bookable pegs. If you book the platform in advance, there is no need to race for a spot at dawn.

Permits: children need a ticket too

In Hungary, children also need fishing documents: a state fishing ticket, a catch log and the area ticket for the water in question. The children's state ticket is free, and the catch log and area ticket are discounted. Depending on the age group, the number of rods and hooks they may use can differ, as can whether an adult has to be present. The fishing exam is only compulsory above a certain age. As the details change from time to time, check the current guidance from MOHOSZ (the Hungarian national angling federation) and the lake's own rules before you go. In other countries, look up the national and local rules for young anglers.

Simple, child-sized tackle

A child doesn't need the most expensive rod, just one they can handle. The best start is a shorter, light float rod with a simple reel, a highly visible float and a small hook. Make the float a bright colour so they can spot bites easily, and set up the rig for them in advance.

Maggots, worms, sweetcorn or a small piece of bread make perfect bait. If your child is squeamish about maggots, don't push it – corn works just as well. A barbless or crushed-barb hook is kinder to the fish and easier to remove if it ends up in a finger – but check the rules of the water on this too.

Safety on the bank

• Small children should wear a life jacket, especially on platforms and in boats.
• An adult should always be within arm's reach and not watching their own rod.
• Everyone stands back when casting; sunglasses also protect eyes from hooks.
• Pack sun cream, a hat, water and insect repellent.
• Pack up before a thunderstorm: on an open bank, a carbon rod can act as a lightning conductor.

Keeping them interested

Children have short attention spans, and that is perfectly fine. Keep the first trip to an hour or two, and head home while they are still enjoying it rather than once they are grumpy. Give them jobs: they can throw in the groundbait, hold the landing net and release the fish. Celebrate every fish, whatever its size.

If the bites slow down, turn to nature: dragonflies, frogs, waterbirds and life under the surface. A good snack works wonders. And one important tip: this is not your day to fish. Your success is when they catch a fish.

Teach fish care too

A family trip is the perfect chance for a child to learn good habits from the start. Show them that we only touch fish with wet hands, never squeeze them and never drop them on the ground. Remove the hook with a disgorger and put fish that are going back into the water quickly. Explain why certain fish must be kept – for example, some invasive species may not be returned – and why others must be handled with care. And take your rubbish home, including any you didn't leave there.

Packing list for a family session

1. Fishing documents for everyone, plus the lake rules.
2. A light float rod, spare hooks, floats and weights.
3. Bait (maggots, corn, worms) and a little groundbait.
4. Landing net, disgorger, wet wipes.
5. Life jacket, sun cream, hat, insect repellent.
6. Snacks, drinks and a rubbish bag.

Summary

Kids don't fall in love with fishing because they catch a big fish, but because they have fun, enjoy some success and get to spend a lovely day with you. Pick a safe lake with plenty of fish, keep the first trips short and teach them to respect the fish. The filters on horgaszvizek.eu make it easy to find a family-friendly lake near you – and where possible, book your peg in advance.