and herring catching with my 2 young ones 3(boy) and 6 (girl)yrs inside the 3 mile on good days. Great fun when you catch, but they only last about 2hrs before they want to go home again

And a 2 yo has none off that. But then they also like "odd" things that is out off routine, so a quick fish is worth trying. My little man came out LB whiting fishing when he was about 2-3yo, and loved it. Got him onto a fish and he did skulldrag it in, then flopped it all over the place (poor fish), lost interest and played with the fish in the bucket and sand after that. I dont know about the confines of a boat and he might get bored fast.

Hope it helps a little.

Sounds like some short squid sessions around Point Perron then. When I bring home fish, he doesn't mind poking and prodding the dead fish. He seems to be fascinated with the eye balls.

 Gday Fraser 5.25,

I have a 4yr and i land base fish mostly (beach) which he does enjoy more and more. My neighbour gets me out on his boat as much as he can (& as much as the Mrs allows me 2) out to 3 mile and a bit beyond and he is always asking me if the young fella wants to come out ! but i wont get him on that boat until i know he can swim confidently and un - assisted incase of any misfortune of us going in the drink.

Deffinately not trying to tell u how to do your job in any way just how i feel personaly.

Good Fishing.

No worries Reelax. I wouldn't let him out without a life jacket on and I'd get my wife out too in case any problems arose. He loves the neighbour's pool but you never now if shit was to hit the fan. I wouldn't take him out too far anyway as I wouldn't want to go too far to get back to the boat ramp if he decides he doesn't like it. He loves jumping in the boat when it's parked in the back yard but it's not exactly rocking about.

Can always build it up. Quick trip on the river, then ramp it up as he gets more confident and experienced. Not sure if it would make sense to do it occasionally to start out and make it a special event for him so he keeps wanting to do it and doesnt get burned out.

Whats the saying: "If you cant find a fishing buddy, then grow one" haha.

 In Issue 7 of the fishwrecked reeltime mag. Its the "Girls Just want to have fun too" and whilst it focusses on getting the girls out fishing it also touches on getting kids in general out fishing from a boat. Worth a read just for Pete D's tips on getting kids out there.

My 2 boys 9 & 11 are always with me when we go fishing off the beach, they love it as they can explore and fish at the same time (they usually outfish me everytime too)

As for taking them in the boat, I used to pack in some matchbox cars and pencils and colouring books if they got bored while we were bottom bashing. this used to keep them amused a couple of hours.

Cheers

Mitta79

I took my litle bro out fishing when he was 2.  Just inside the port geo marina.  The old girl was with us and he sat on her lap while we putted around.  Saw dolphins and I got out to the rockwalls and hooked a few of the rat trumpeter there and gave him the rod to wind in.  He loved it and is right into his fishing now, though he gets bored on the boat after a while.  Will be planning to expose my kids to fishing as early as possible.

My youngest who is 9 really started getting into it last year (boat). bUt have been taking bothy my boys to the beach fishing since they were about 4. They now go by themselves and catch fish in the bargain.

My Girls are 4 and 6 and have been going out in the boat since they could walk. They love crabbing in the river and when ever we go away eg to walpole they go out in the estery there. They both caught their first herring at the age of about 2. Dont know if I would want to take them out too far though, next step maybey the sound for some squid or the likes. They have always had well fitting life jackets which they know they have to wear.

Me young bloke is 2 and has been out on our tinny heaps since we got it, which is why I bought it, to incorporate something I love and spend time with the family. Its all inshore and river work, the Mrs has always been with us, so she sorts him out (food, sit on her lap etc) and I worry about skippering and findin the fish. He loves it, as long as hes catchin fish, hes keen. He has his own rod, which he requests to use once we're onto some fish and its easier for him to use (4ft Mojiko ice rod with daiwa crossfire and 4lb finns) We bring the portable DVD player sometimes and pleny of food to keep him satisfied. The trips are never more than 4 hours, I mean if I havent caught fish by then, Im over it, and when we do, Im satisfied and we can get him home for his arvo nap. Im looking to take him on our first duo boat fish, prob a crab/tailor bash on the swan this sat. Hes always in his lifejacket even at the ramp and hes been doin swim lessons since he was 10 months old. I love fishing but I get way more of a kick when he gets on and boats a keeper.

my 5 year old comes beach fishing with me

he cant stand it when i say its time to go home he doesnt understand why we dont just bring the swag and sleep there everytime

its handy having him there when im not catching anything i get him to hold the rod and he hooks up instantly nearly everytime cheeky sod

My young fella has been fishing out in the boat since he was two. I took him out to the shack on the islands when he was about 18 months but it didn't go so well as he wouldn't go to sleep. My daughter was different because we were in Darwin so I promised the missus I would only take her out when she was old enough to swim fast and get back in the boat by herself due to the crocs.. When she turned six is when I let her join me on a barra trip. The only problem I have now is my son (3) is so keen if I go with out him he gets the missus to call me and ask why I went without him.

I have four boys aged 7, 5, 3 & 2 and I always take at least one of the older three if not two of them, I have some second hand Nintendo DS's that are only allowed to be used on the boat and on long car trips which keeps the older two keen. They will come for trips of upto 10 hours without much hassle and don't really complain much. They are welcome to fish when ever they want but are happy most of the time sleeping or playing video games. They normally have a fish when the fish are on and my 5 year old has a habit of dropping once catching a reallly nice fish and calling it quits for the day with the best fish while my oldest boy will fish for longer but doesn't seem to have the same luck.

I like to fish everyweek end and sometime twice so taking the kids makes it much easier to get away without the wife complaining to much and then every thrid or forth trip I'll take the whole family out for a shorter trip

My little girl had her first fishing trip at 7 days old.

By the time this photo was taken she had probably been in the boat about 15 times.  You can buy infant size life jackets, for safety.  I find they quite enjoy laying in the cabin, the rocking motion is comforting for them

Took my mate and his young girl squidding, she loves it

I have 3 boys 4,5,and 9 they came out with me when they were 15 months and i always went 30miles out to sea with me, waking up at 4am and getting in at 6pm. as long as i had a stack of junk food and was catching fish there was no problem. the problem now i have with them is they want to go fishing every day so i have a good excuss to go fishing as much as i can. always good to get the kids out as young as possible to get them use to the boat and water so when they are older enough to hold a rod you dont have to worry about them.

Thanks rocky

Junk food and colouring in books, got it. Now for a nice day and I'll get the young fella out for a fish.