Keeping Kids Interested In Fishing

Fishing with kids is a hot topic throughout the fishing world, and has been for some time. Kids are the future of the sport and the emphasis on taking them fishing is always present. We should definitely do our part to take them out there and show them how much fun fishing can be. The joy of seeing a child catch her first fish is priceless.

I'm sure that you have heard people say that you should take kids fishing for fish that are easy to target to keep the action steady so they don't lose interest. This is absolutely true, but there is more to the story and that is what I want to emphasize now.

It's not all about fishing. What? Yep.

I have been blessed with the best job in the history of the universe. I get to take people from all walks of life to my favorite fishing holes and catch fish and teach them new techniques. Each person is different, and each child is different.

Some kids are content to chase fish all day, but some get bored after just a couple of fish. This is where some people will try to coax them into fishing a little longer and teaching them the time honored fishing value of patience. Not me.

When a kid gets bored on the boat, or on the edge of the water, he will typically find something else that he wants to do. It might be chasing crickets on the bank, playing with the bait in the livewell, or trying to catch passing jelly fish with the dip net.

Let them do it! If they want to spray down the boat with the wash down hose, let them! They are HAVING FUN!!!

When they get home and they have had a full day of driving the boat while sitting on your knees, spraying their siblings with the washdown hose, catching minnows with the bait net, and tossing left over sandwich parts to the seagulls, they will be chomping at the bit to go FISHING again.

Does it matter how much time they actually spent fishing? If you ask them what they did all day they will still say "I was fishing!".

Keep those kids on the water and as they get older, they will want to spend more and more time chasing fish, and less time playing with the stuff in the boat. You'll cherish the moments that you spent just playing around on the water and your kids will remember how much fun fishing was.

Tight lines!

Capt. TJ Cheek - Professional Fishing Guide - St. Simons Island

Bad Weather

Well the weather is keeping us off of the water today. The fishing should be decent around Jekyll Island but between the wind, rain, and big tides, I figured it was best to wait for better weather so that we could really whack the fish.

Yesterday we did pretty good despite the big tides and we got some nice Trout in the cooler for my young anglers.

The upcoming week should bring some excellent conditions for fishing at Jekyll Island and the surrounding area. Sharpen your hooks and oil your reels, this season is going to be outstanding!

For information about fishing at Jekyll Island, shore fishing, or fishing charters, give me a call at 912-617-5577 or email tj@gahoozle.com

Tight lines!

Capt. TJ Cheek
http://www.stsimonsfishing.com/

Jekyll Island Fishing Report

Fishing at Jekyll Island in October and November is simply excellent. Whether you are fishing for Bull Redfish from the beach, slot Redfish at Clam Creek, catching Trout from the Jekyll Pier, or taking a boat out for charter, you are sure to find something that will bend a rod for you.

The Bull Redfish are biting in the surf and these are easy targets for those that want to fish on their own from shore. Use cut mullet or crabs on the bottom with a short leader roughly 8 to 12 inches long. 9/0 to 12/0 circle hooks are best as they will increase your hook ups as well as improve the survival rate of the fish after they are released. Please be sure to handle these fish with care. Many of them are 20 years old or better and are responsible for a considerable percentage of the breeding pool. This picture is from a recent fishing charter. My clients came all the way from Long Island, New York to catch some giant Georgia Redfish.

Trout fishing has been incredible as well. We have had our best luck fishing with live shrimp under a popping cork but we have also done just fine with Gulp Shrimp, DOA Shrimp, and top water hard baits. Popping corks work great in water that is shallower than 7 feet. Use a leader that is between 18 and 24 inches with a 2/0 khale hook. I prefer the Bomber Paradise Popper cork by far. You can see the proof below in this picture from a recent fishing charter. Both of my clients were able to catch their limits of Trout and Redfish as well as getting some nice Bull Redfish.

The fishing will continue to be outstanding as long as the water temperature stays in the sixties. If you want to really go load a cooler, give me a call and we'll go get it done.

Tight lines!

Capt. TJ Cheek
Costa Del Mar Pro Guide
http://www.charterfish.com/