fishing with kids

How to Make Homemade Fishing Lures

August 31, 2021 By DeDee

There are many creative ways to make fishing lures. This blog post will focus on the three most common ways to make them and what you need to succeed. This can be a great family project, especially if your kids are getting into fishing as a hobby.

Wooden Fishing Lures

Here is your step-by-step guide.

First, obtain a nice piece of softwood (i.e., balsa or pine). The wood needs to be larger than 7″ long and 6″ wide.

Second, measure your wood to be 5″ long by 4″ wide—Mark where you will cut the wood with a pencil.

Third, find some lure images from the internet and mark your design on the wood into the shape you want.

Fourth, using a sharp knife, follow the pencil markings. It doesn’t have to be perfect but follow the lines as closely as you can.

Fifth, purchase three different types of sandpaper to smooth out your carving. Grit sandpaper is under #100, the medium is between #120-150, and the fine is around #220. Please start with the grit and work your way down until the lure is how you want it.

Sixth, mark with the pencil where the eyelet screws, ballast weight, and rattle will go. Use a micro drill to put the holes into it.

Seventh now is the time to add your creative touches. Start by using a colorless sealer on the wood. Then, paint the wood with colors like green, red, blue, gold, or yellow. Lastly, add a clear waterproof coat to keep your color or colors vibrant.

In the eighth and final step, drill two eyelets, one for attaching your lure to the fishing rod and the other for attaching the hooks to the lure. The eyelets should be 2-3 cm apart. Use stainless steel for the eyelets to prevent rusting. Once the eyelets are in, attach your hooks. Now you are ready to go fishing!

Spoon Fishing Lures

First, use a hacksaw to cut off the spoon bowl.

Second, use a metal file to smooth off the edges of the bowl.

Third, drill one hole on each end of the long side of the spoon.

Fourth, use needle-nose pliers to attach split rings to these holes.

Fifth, use the same pliers to attach a hook to the larger side of the spoon and a swivel to the smaller side.

Cork Fishing Lures

First, take a piece of cork from a bottle of wine—screw eyes into the horizontal ends of the cork and one screw on its underbelly.

Second, use needle-nose pliers to attach hooks to the underbelly eye screw and one end screw.

Third, attach a swivel to the other eye screw.

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Looking for a Fun Summer Activity? Teach Your Kids to Fish!

May 28, 2021 By DeDee

If you are a regular angler, you know all about the benefits of fishing. But do your children? If not, this summer is the perfect time to teach them to fish. It will keep them busy and encourage good stewardship of our waterways.

Here are the basics to get started.

Equipment, Baits, and Licenses for Kids to Fish

They only need four pieces of equipment – a rod, reel, line, and hook. Depending on the age of your children, you may want to add bobbers and a sinker or two for the line. Many department stores and online retailers sell a complete kit for a reasonable price.

You will need nail clippers for line cutting, needle-nosed pliers for removing hooks from the fish, and sun safety equipment for both you and your children.

If you are on a boat, it’s essential to have the appropriate PFD for every person.

Live bait is popular. You can take the time to dig up worms or catch minnows or buy what you need at a bait shop.

Fishing license requirements vary from state to state. In Ohio, people 16+ years need a license.

Where to Fish

Ponds are a great place to get started for several reasons: 1) You and your kids can fish from the shoreline, 2) the waters are usually calm, and 3) Ponds have various species, including bluegill, bass, and perch.

Small lakes and shallow rivers are also fine choices.

They Caught One…Now What?

Nothing is quite as exciting as reeling a fish in! Once it is onshore or near the boat, you have two options: Release the catch or keep it. If you are planning on releasing it, be sure to hold the fish in the net or with your wet hands while removing the hook. Then, gently place the fish back into the water.

If you keep your catch, you need either keep it alive in a basket next to the boat or put the fish on ice if you are onshore. Once you are through fishing and everything is put away, clean your fish right away.

Be sure you know the limit on species, size, and how many fish you may keep before starting your adventure! You don’t want to overfish an area or keep fish that are too small.

Create a Fun Fishing Challenge

If you have multiple children or want to get friends and family involved in a contest, it could be a great way to introduce many kids to fishing.

Here’s a contest from Go Fish BC that’s particularly interesting.

Everyone has to fish on five different waterways over the summer.
This can be fun on many levels – the kids can choose ponds, rivers, and lakes they want to fish. Some can be near while others farther away. The excitement of trying different places can keep them interested in fishing!
When out fishing, they have to catch at least one fish and take a picture of them with their catch.
Have a grand prize or many prizes. For those that complete the contest, offer a reasonably priced but valuable gift. If everyone agrees to only one winner, pull a random name among those that are eligible.

The point is that every child experiences different places for fishing and hopefully learns to love fishing as much as you do!

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Boating and Fishing with Kids Are Great Activities

January 29, 2021 By DeDee

No matter where you live, boating and fishing are activities the whole family can enjoy! They are also perfect for social distancing as you can easily share the shoreline or stay comfortably away from other fishing boats.

Water is so calming. It’s a great stress reliever, even when the fish aren’t biting,” shared Kelly Kingery, Outdoor Recreation Specialist with the Five Rivers MetroParks.
I remember as a kid, my dad, who was a big fisherman, was so patient with my siblings and me. We didn’t like to handle the nightcrawlers, and he would bait the hook for us. He’d watch out for us when the bobber went under and helped us reel in our catch. Some 50+ years later, I still smile thinking about those memories.”

If you own a bass boat, you can teach your children the importance of teamwork (i.e., getting the boat in and out of the water, bringing in the big catch), communication, and trust.

Fishing with kids helps them learn about ethics and patience. You can take them with you as you buy your fishing license and show the value of waiting several hours to catch a fish!

Before you start on your adventure, here is a checklist of things you will want to do beforehand and on your fishing day to make it a pleasurable experience for everyone!

Before You Head Out Fishing with Kids

Check to see if the waters you plan to fish in require a license.
Not every fishing hole is equal – some rivers and ponds are free game. Also, every state is different in the minimum ages and the fee. If a license is required, take your kids with you to show them you follow the rules.
For younger children, buy basic tackle.
Buy a beginner’s kit that includes a sinker and a bobber. Use small hooks and an 8–10-pound test line. Make sure the reel has a simple push-button.
Decide, as a family, whether you are using live or artificial bait.
You might even want to use brightly colored bait dough balls as they are effortless to apply on the hook.
Practice at home.
With no hooks on the line, have your children practice casting in the backyard. You can help them with their technique and release to be frustrated the day you go out.
If you’re going out on a boat, make sure you have the right-sized life preserver for each person.
There is a good chance that last year’s life preserver will not fit your child this year. Have each person put one on and fit it precisely.

On The Big Day

Have everyone put on their life jacket before stepping onto the boat.
Again, this shows you know how to follow the rules.
Choose the right location.
It’s best to go somewhere close to home for your first expedition. Try to find somewhere you can count on catching at least one fish.
Bring snacks, drinks, sunscreen, hats, sunglasses, bug spray, and outdoor toys.
Take breaks.
Your kids will get bored – so take breaks when you see this happening. Go back onshore for lunch, go swimming, or try different fishing locations.
Lock up your boat with The Key Captain if you stop at a fast-food restaurant on the way back home.
At the end of a long day, the family may want to stop somewhere for a quick meal. Don’t worry about things in your compartments, as everything can be remotely locked up with a touch of a button.

These Fishing with Kids Tips Brought to You by Sarasota Quality Products

We help bass boaters keep their boats secure with a complete line of marine and boat hardware, including The Key Captain boat locking system! Give one of our account representatives a call at 440-899-9820 for more information!