Okay you Fishermen Here it is!

[Dr. Jeff]

Your very own place to discuss all things fishing at the lake.

Now can someone help me out? I'd love to take my son fishing off our dock while we're down at the lake, but as you can imagine a 6 year old has a very limited attention span. What's the best thing to fish for? I'm assuming crappie, I'm pretty deep off my dock (27 feet) and don't have much cover there (besides a lift that some ahole sunk instead of moving for me, but that's a different story)

So, lets hear it, what should I be using for bait, what time of year, what depth, and do I need to sink some trees? [smilie=042.gif]

[Average Joe]

For a 6 year old, fish for Bluegill. Kids don't like to fish. They like to catch! Go up to Cindy Lou's and grab some night crawlers. Use a cheap old Zebco with a hook and weight and have him fish right up by the bank from you dock ramp. He'll catch the crap out of them all summer long.

I'll get a couple of kids fishing off of my dock and I can't catch a breath between putting worms on, taking fish off, re-tying lines, getting lines untangled........

Luckily my 7 year old can do most of this stuff himself; so I'm busy with dock guest keeping their kids occupied. I love it!

If you don't find any Bluegill at your dock; bring him over. He can hang with my kids and we can drink some beer[smilie=trink39]

[TrimItUp]

For my 4 year old I keep a little rod and reel in the boat and I buy night crawlers and keep in the cooler over the weekend. Set your hook a few feet down fron the bobber brealk off about 3/4 inch of a worm and you can catch all types of small fish off the dock or even when your coved out. Keep a pair of needle nose pliers they like to swallow the night crawlers.

[dond]

I agree with the bluegill. They are under the cover of your dock. Drop in a little bread and they will be swimming around.
Pinch the barb of the hook with pliers. That way you can unhook the fish quickly without pulling that barb back through.
Also, This thing is great, it will turn your dock into an aquarium at night.
http://www.thegreenmonsterfishinglight.com/

[Dr. Jeff]

I agree with the bluegill. They are under the cover of your dock. Drop in a little bread and they will be swimming around.
Pinch the barb of the hook with pliers. That way you can unhook the fish quickly without pulling that barb back through.
Also, This thing is great, it will turn your dock into an aquarium at night.
http://www.thegreenmonsterfishinglight.com/

I've actually got one of those! Well almost one of those, same thing just different brand. Just fired it up this weekend. Water was a little deeper than I thought, we couldn't see the light when I let is sink to the bottom, so I tied it up to about 8 feet. I didn't wait around long enough to see if the fish came up to it.

[dond]

I've actually got one of those! Well almost one of those, same thing just different brand. Just fired it up this weekend. Water was a little deeper than I thought, we couldn't see the light when I let is sink to the bottom, so I tied it up to about 8 feet. I didn't wait around long enough to see if the fish came up to it.


I usually try to keep mine about 3' down. It's got a 175w bulb and turns on every night. When you first put them in for the year, it takes a couple of days for the fish to show up. After that, the fish just swarm around it at night.

[CrownLS]

I've actually got one of those! Well almost one of those, same thing just different brand.


Is the one you have any cheaper. It's hard to justify paying $350 for something I know I will break eventually.

[Dr. Jeff]

Is the one you have any cheaper. It's hard to justify paying $350 for something I know I will break eventually.

Unfortunately no, just a different brand, but basically the same exact thing. I got it a few years ago, I just never hooked it up. I'll look this weekend and see what brand it is, I can't remember off the top of my head, but it wasn't cheap either.

[ssamme]

Bring him over by us Jeff, he can fish with my kids in the fish-house or near the gas dock. There's plenty of blue gill and crappie around.

[36Tango]

Your very own place to discuss all things fishing at the lake.

Now can someone help me out? I'd love to take my son fishing off our dock while we're down at the lake, but as you can imagine a 6 year old has a very limited attention span. What's the best thing to fish for? I'm assuming crappie, I'm pretty deep off my dock (27 feet) and don't have much cover there (besides a lift that some ahole sunk instead of moving for me, but that's a different story)

So, lets here it, what should I be using for bait, what time of year, what depth, and do I need to sink some trees? [smilie=042.gif]

Thanks for the forum. I hope that we use it!

Actually, the ahole that dropped the lift gave some great structure for the fish. Finding fish is all about finding structure!

I concur with the bluegills. Be careful, though, as it can be a lifetime addiction! My son and I (17 years old) fish and hunt together every chance we get. Also make sure that you leave enough time to throw rocks, explore, and roll over rocks looking for "crawdads".

Good luck!

[jmartin]

DJ, I taught both of my daughters to fish and am working on the four grandkids now. As said before young kids don't have much patience so you have to catch'em fast. My father taught me the KISS Rule (Keep it simple stupid). At your son's age bluegill are the best and can be caught just about anywhere aroound the dock or along the bank. A simple rod, light line, a slip bobber (so you can adjust the depth), maybe a small weight, hook and worm, you are set to go! My grandson caught several bluegill, a few crappie and a small bass with this set up around the docks last year. The main thing is don't push the young man to stay with it, when he is done, he is done! Sometimes it takes longer to get everything set up then the time spent fishing. You make it fun and he will stick with it for years, I did.

[Dockman]

Not a fishermen but good forum DJ. [smilie=appl]

[K-9]

Your very own place to discuss all things fishing at the lake.

Now can someone help me out? I'd love to take my son fishing off our dock while we're down at the lake, but as you can imagine a 6 year old has a very limited attention span. What's the best thing to fish for? I'm assuming crappie, I'm pretty deep off my dock (27 feet) and don't have much cover there (besides a lift that some ahole sunk instead of moving for me, but that's a different story)

So, lets hear it, what should I be using for bait, what time of year, what depth, and do I need to sink some trees? [smilie=042.gif]
dozen worms, bobber, and a scooby do fishin pole and let the fish do the rest

[hughey]

my daughter who is 13 now has been "feeding' the bluegill for years.

she has quite a crop now. once a day she takes bread to the walkway and feeds them. We now have some catfish that have joined the feedings.

she has caught and released many a blue gill. it usually only keeps her attention for an hour, but it is great to watch. i would use a small number hook for the little guys. the blue gill tend to swallow the hooks.

if she isnt using a worm, the little light blue crappie body with white skirt also works.

[the bear]

great idea on the forum Jeff!

I dont fish but momma bear does.

[mosi]

great idea on the forum Jeff!

I dont fish but momma bear does.



VERY NICE PICTURE!!!!
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......Uhmmmmm? errrrrrr....ahhhhh.
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.......Does anyone else think that the little short kid in the middle is NOT exactly..... cute?????

[the bear]

VERY NICE PICTURE!!!!
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......Uhmmmmm? errrrrrr....ahhhhh.
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.......Does anyone else think that the little short kid in the middle is NOT exactly..... cute?????


Dont Knock junior, he is my youngest, only he smells something terrible. But one hell of a swimmer:mrgreen:

[DeSimulacra]

Dont Knock junior, he is my youngest, only he smells something terrible. But one hell of a swimmer:mrgreen:

Typical boy then:mrgreen:

[diverdwn]

Go to Basspro and get youself a coulpe of Bill Dance Porcupine Fish Habitat.
They work as good as trees and you don't get hung up as much
I have them under my dock at about 10ft. (my dock is in about 35ft of water)
Fish started to move in pretty quick, I now have some nice crappie (two years) A little fish food helps to get them started.