iOutdoors Blog, Kids Fishing, Surfing, Water Sports
Everyone loves spending time with their loved ones, and if you can go outside to spend quality time with family, even better. There are tons of things you can do outside to help make the most of your time together and to make sure that everyone is having a blast.
1. Plan a Picnic
For those who are spending time outside, a picnic is a great way to get their favorite food and to get some fresh air while you are at it. Choose a spot that is special to you and your family and pack everyone’s favorite items. Let the kids help set up the tents, make food or snacks. Take along some games that everyone can play like football or Jenga or water bucket relay if you are on the beachside and have a great time.
2. Plan a Treasure Hunt
Treasure hunts are much more than just looking for hidden objects. You can weave little games into the process that take up a few hours outside with your family while you play, and encourage teamwork and problem-solving. A great treasure hunt is engaging for the entire family and can make a huge difference in the overall way you see your surroundings.
3. Go Bowling
You might not consider it, but bowling is an excellent, fun game. But who says you have to head to a gaming zone or a mall for that! Yard bowling is a great idea to get outside and to get active. You can use items you have laying around the yard or invest in a lawn bowling set complete with bowling pins and a ball. It helps to hone hand-eye coordination and to build up throwing strength in younger kids. It is also an all-ages game, so perfect for everyone.
4. Grilling Fish
This activity is going to bring the perfect dinner to your table and spend some quality time with your family. You can grill fish over an open flame on the grill, or in an outdoor oven. Fish is something that kids may be hesitant to eat, but taking the time to involve them in the process can make a big difference in how willing they are to try new things. In the process of grilling fish your whole family is involved in cooking and eating a meal together, no matter what time of day it is.
5. Outdoor Games
There are so many games to play outside that won’t only give you quality time, but keep the family fit. You can play tag, hide and seek, Frisbee, and more. These are all games in which you can involve your pets as well. With outdoor games, the sky is the limit. They are a great way to get everyone moving and to let your family members have a bit of freedom depending on what they have chosen to play. If your family is competitive and athletic, you can plan a volleyball or hurdle race, or three-legged race. If family members simply want to have some fun time outdoors, twister, tug of war, Pictionary, etc. can be your go-to option.
6. Fishing with the Kids
Everyone loves fishing, especially kids. Fishing is a great way to spend quality time together. The downtime between catching fish is great to reflect and to talk to each other or just be together. Fishing with kids might become the go-to activity that both of you enjoy to the core. Later, you can grill your catch together, which we have discussed earlier. To catch exotic fish, you may need to hire fishing charters as you may not be able to catch them at the shore.
7. Camping
Camping is an opportunity to go out of your comfort zone and learn to live with bare essentials. Be it camping in the wilderness or just in your backyard, it will teach you new skills, appreciate and enjoy nature, and unhook from technology for a while, so that you can truly be yourselves and spend time together with your family. Kids love camping and setting a campfire. Complete the trip with s’mores, it’s a great way to wrap up the night before you sleep under the stars.
8. Surfing
Surfing is another great outdoor sport if you live near the sea. It provides a full-body workout and is perfect if you want some pace and adventure in your life. Surfers glide across the surface of the water until the wave breaks and lose its energy. It is also a great way to get some sun and to learn a new skill that you did not have before.
No matter what you choose, spending time outside with the family is always a win-win. These are just a few suggestions about what you can do outside with the family. Have fun, be courageous, and just do what makes you and the family happy.
Don’t forget to follow us on Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, and Instagram.
Kids Fishing, Fly Fishing, iOutdoors Blog, Nature Adventures
Kids love to be outside and do activities, why not engage them in activities that not only get them up and move but also use their mind. Fishing is one of those activities which help in developing skills in kids and love for nature at the same time. Many parents complain that their kids think of fishing a bit boring. Making up games can turn fishing into an engaging activity for kids.
Build Skills by Turning Fishing into Games for Kids
Kids learn everything quickly if you turn it into a game. The same goes for fishing. Today when kids are more interested in mobile games, the best way to induce interest in fishing is if we can make it seem like a game. You can do a ton of different things to get your kids engaged and to make sure they stay involved in fishing.
Keep it Simple
Do not over complicate things. Means, do not put too much pressure on them to do well, encourage them, don’t make it a be all end all situation. Pressure takes the fun out of the activity. Keeping your child engaged and helping them to learn the basics of fishing without too much stress lets them enjoy themselves.
Cast Appropriately
Casting is the most crucial part of fishing. Take time to teach how casting appropriately can make a big difference in the number of fishes we catch. Make them practice a bit before they get on a fishing charter. Practicing on land is a safe way to get the hang of casting and to build the confidence they need to be able to be successful when you do go offshore fishing.
Safety First
Safety should always be the foremost concern. Teach all the safety steps you need to take while fishing. Discuss everything like hook safety, life jackets, casting, and what to do if the fish is too large or if kids get scared. Preparing them mentally before fishing can make a big difference.
Teach Your Kid Fishing with Games
Once you get the basics down, present the fishing trip as a game to the kids. Kids do better with games than they do with straightforward, cut and dry information. Taking the time to make a game of it will also help to enrich the time you have together. It will make fishing more exciting for you too, after all “we all have a kid inside us”.
In this game, all the fishes you catch should be of different species. Whoever catches more different species wins. You can keep a log of what you catch perhaps even take pictures of the fish you catch so that you can look them up and learn about them later. This is a great game for kids to learn about different species and well suited for fishing charters as you can see some really out there fishes.
You can also rate or apply a point system to the fishes you catch. Try not to put too much emphasis on catching the most number of fishes but make a game of whatever you catch. Focus more on just catching fish and having a good time than making it a quantity game.
Yet another great activity is fly fishing. Once the kids are little used to fishing, teach them the fly fishing technique. In this, they need to catch the fish with artificial bait. The fun part is making bait, like bugs or small fish. They will be excited during the whole process, from making bait to catching fish with that bait. This game introduces a creative aspect in kids and moves them towards advanced techniques of fishing.
Like any sport, if you take the time to make it fun and not put too much pressure, kids are going to have a great time and learn it more quickly. Fishing is a life skill that can double as a great way to spend time with kids and have fun while doing it. Make your next fishing trip truly memorable with iOutdoors, contact us to know, How?.
Don’t forget to follow us on Facebook, YouTube, Twitter and Instagram.
iOutdoors Blog, Kids Fishing
FISHING WITH THE KIDS
Fishing with the kids or other children, even somebody else’s can be the most rewarding thing you can do for yourself, your family, and the kids you take fishing! You can start someone off on a lifelong journey of fun and enjoyment that they can then pass on to children of their own. You can consider fishing off the dock, off of a pier, from the beach, on a pond, wadding shallow water, or from a boat. There are so many fishing options and even more in Florida. Making it one of the easiest and most fun things to do. What equipment do you need? You will need Patience, patience, and more patience. It’s the most important thing you can bring on a fishing trip.
After all, it is the first few fishing experiences that will either hook kids for life or send them running back to their Playstations and Gameboys. Show them a good time, and kids will put the outdoors on top of their list of preferred activities. If you or your kids are inexperienced fishermen pick an outing that you and they can handle – something not too challenging the first time. Remember the trip is about having fun- if it turns into a swimming outing, a rock-throwing contest or just exploring the shoreline it should be considered mission accomplished if all have a good time!
HAVE A FAMILY DISCUSSION
Before considering your next family kids fishing trip, you should sit down and talk to your kids about fishing. Explain the safety and the do’s and don’t while on the activity. Get on Youtube, show them fishing, and watch fishing videos together. Educate them on how to know the different fish species you can catch in the places where you plan to go fishing. It’s commonly known, and a proven track record that you should not start the kids fishing for Marlin or Shark. Experiences shows take them to places with a lot of activity of small fish to peak and keep their interest. don’t start with Billfish or Sharks!
Use the discussion to tell your kids what you expect from them. Explain the basic techniques, such as ‘rod’, ‘reel’, and ‘lure’, but keep it simple, fun, and interesting. Show them on the videos how fishing works, that you don’t always catch every fish that bites the line. You can consider drawing on a piece of paper or letting them show you what they think they know. Let them know you can bring some toys to play with. Not all kids are going to spend hours just fishing, so just think ahead and don’t get discouraged if their interest is not at the same level as yours.
CONSIDER A PROFESSIONAL
This can also be one of the best uses of a fishing captain and a reason to hire a fishing charter. Searching and fishing the right captain, that loves fishing with kids can be worth its weight in gold. A good captain is good storytellers, he will call your kids by there name, share information about the boat and the fish in the area. The reasoning is to add a third-party validation to experience to make your kids comfortable with the captain, in fact, they will enjoy fishing more in the long run.
WHAT TO BRING
Make sure you and the kids wear proper clothing and bring a change of clothing for everybody is important. Light jackets, flip flops or shoes they can get wet, plenty of sunscreen and hats all around. A small medical kit with band-aids and hand sanitizer is a good idea as well. Make sure you pack a lunch, bring plenty of drinks including lots of water and plenty of snacks. Fishing can make a young angler very hungry. If the area has bugs, don’t forget to bring bug spray, equally important is sunscreen.
An hour or two out on the water is generally enough for most younger anglers and as kids get older and if they have a liking for the water and fishing then you can plan longer trips. In these days of video games and indoor electronics getting kids started outside can be a real challenge but it is important to introduce your kids to all that the outdoor has to offer now.
TACKLE
Keep it simple, light tackle rods and reels are the best things for the beginners. Consider buying reasonably under $25, stay away from the real kid’s stuff like toy rods and reels. These products will only cause you more aggravation. Consistently trying to get them to work properly, you end up spending more time with your lines out of the water. Do your research before you go, have the proper bait and gear, and know what to use for bait. Make sure you take the kids to the tackle store with you. An old fashioned tackle store can be a wondrous place for a youngun.
Find some kind of seats to bring with you. This is a must, even if it is just five-gallon buckets turned upside down standing all day in the hot sun gets old quick. A pair of needle-nose pliers and a hand towel are basically all you need along with extra hooks, sinkers, snap swivels, and a bobber or two. Practice casting in the back yard before you go, this will raise the anticipation and also get everyone use to handling the equipment.
SAFETY
Always, always have all young children wear life preservers. They are going to kick and scream, they are going to tell you how hot they are and how uncomfortable but never give that one up! And if you are out in a boat, make sure you wear one as well. The kids can do nothing to help save you and if you get into trouble helping them you are no help at all. You are out there to catch fish not each other – hooks are sharp and eyes and skin are tenders make sure you supervise the casting of bait and hook now is the time to teach your child proper casting etiquette, always look behind you before you cast!
WHATS THE RIGHT LENGTH OF THE FIRST TRIP?
This heavily depends on how much the kids have been exposed to fishing up to this point. There are some kids who grew up in families where the moms and dads may be outdoors people. Other family kids haven’t had the chance to spend that much time outside or near the water. If this is the first fishing experience or the first time the kids are on the water that’s completely different.
If the latter is true, we would suggest starting with shorter trips that are closer to home. Keep it to a few hours, especially if your kids are under 9. This short window of time will provide a solid exposure to fishing. Maybe even, without the kids getting bored by the time the trip is completed. Start slow, no reason to overwhelm them, or push them to the breaking point at the beginning.
This can be handled differently with all ages of kids. Teenagers will have more patience however, you can go to long and push them away also. It about managing the time of your trip around the kids and not you!
BEST TYPE FOR FISHING WITH THE KIDS
Some areas and styles of fishing are easier than others. Starting with, fishing for Speckled Trout in Miami Biscayne Bay and Redfish in New Smyrna on the east coast of Florida. Easy fish to catch and very rewarding to catch. In places like Orlando, the panfish and bass are easy to access. Other places like on Lake Erie kids can also try fishing for Perch or Smallmouth Bass. All across the United States, there are great places to go fishing with great access with little to no cost.
IN CONCLUSION
And finally, this is your opportunity to teach them about conservation, “catch and release.” Build a foundation early, that they should leave the area where the fish, in better condition than when arrived. A properly planned trip can be as rewarding for the adult as it is for the child. To see the children’s faces when they catch their first fish, may bring back childhood memories of your own. By helping to “pass on” the love for fishing. You are helping to ensure that there will be another generation of future anglers.
Good luck and have fun!
iOutdoors Blog, Bass Fishing, Inshore Fishing, Kids Fishing, Press Release
Teach Your Kid Fishing
Are you a passionate angler and love the outdoors? If this is you, and you love to get out on the water, walk a bank or beach, explore a river or park, cast a line in a pond or lake, don’t forget you started somewhere. Fishing, especially here in Florida, is a staple to the outdoor industry. Outdoor activities with a highlight in fishing must be passed down and taught to the younger generations. Why you should teach your kid fishing may be obvious but you really never know how fishing can impact the future of your kids life.
Florida is home to some of the BEST fishing in the world. It is widely known as the “Fishing Capital of the World” and for very good reasons. All year long, you have the ability to get a line wet and chase down some amazing species. Each month and season will bring about a new technique and method but that doesn’t change the thrill of the pursuit or catch. Every child and person whether visiting or local should feel the rush of a fish pulling on the other end of their line. Here are several of the many reasons why you should teach your kid fishing:
5 Reasons You Should Teach Your Kids Fishing
1. The Art of Patience
If you ask any angler what the most important skill in fishing is they will say patience. You have to have massive amounts of patience in order to partake in this sport. From a young age myself, patience was always something that my grandfather taught me through fishing. Fishing is the true art of patience. You have to have the ability to wait patiently for the next bite and not rush the moment.
This is a life skill that is so relevant in today’s world. Teaching your son or daughter to fish can help them in the long run. Society is fast-paced and it only getting quicker. Technology is rapidly taking over and taking a breath in the outdoors is a must for many. Let your kids hang out on the dock, riverside, or lakeside for a couple of hours with a rod in hand can alter everything for them.
2. Lack of Electronics
As we all know, Electronics and our mini-computers do not go anywhere without us. Fishing is a great way to avoid constant with all the electronic devices your child already has. Getting them in the outdoors can really transform the chemistry in their whole body. When they are out fishing, they are not consumed with their electronics.
One thing that can really help them be more present is fishing and the outdoors. It is now easier than ever to stay connected with smartphones, tablets, and gaming consoles. As a parent, making a valiant effort to keep them occupied in the outdoors can be productive in reducing the necessity of electronics in their lives 24/7.
3. Educational Opportunity
The saying goes “Give a man a fish and you feed him for one meal; teach a man to fish, and he will be fed for a lifetime.” Fishing is actually an important skill that can not only save money but provide the ultimate reward and experience. Teaching your kids where fish come from, how they end up on your plate, etc can really make their fishing experience much different.
Take a moment to practice patience as well as the educator showing your younger ones the right and wrong ways to catch fish. This allows you to not only feel amazing you are passing down your passion but also helping you bond with your kids. Here are some additional environmental educational resources!
4. Bonding & Unforgettable Memories
Teaching your kid to fish is one of the BEST ways to bond. When you live in Florida, it is almost a crime to not show your child the ways of fishing. If you do not know the ways or want to learn more about yourself, hop on board with a local expert on a fishing charter and they can educate you on some essential skills.
Fishing is the ultimate time to bond with your kids. There is no better place to do it than being secluded on the water. When you embark on a fishing journey with your loved ones, they will remember the moments years later. They could even reminisce back on that trip or time as one of their best memories with you. It is super important to teach your kids to fish so that you can always have a fishing buddy too.
5. Lifelong Passion & Activity
The object of teaching your kid to fish is to give them something exciting and fun to adventure out with. Something that is natural and not artificial. You are providing them with the ultimate gift, the gift of fishing. Once you get them hooked, they will be hooked for life. The younger generation needs this as it can keep them occupied on a positive activity.
If your goal is to get your child into something that can be a lifelong activity for them, fishing is a great option. Living in Florida, you are surrounded by water making fishing one of the top activities. If you live on a pond, lake, or canal, get your son or daughter a rod and see where it takes them. You just never know!
Your Next Florida Family Vacation
Are you going to be traveling to Florida on your next family vacation? If so, you truly can’t go wrong with planning a fishing trip that is fun for everyone involved. Luckily, Florida has endless fishing destinations and fisheries. You can be traveling to any part of the sunshine state and have access to world-class fishing all year long.
Florida is a beautiful place and an even better place to vacation. Fishing is a powerful way to enhance your vacation and also help get your children addicted to fishing. Whether you want to toss a line at a local park, lake, beach, or canal or hop on board with a local expert, it is all available for you.
One of the amazing parts about Florida fishing is that you have so much you can do, especially with young kids. The best fishing would either be Freshwater bass fishing or Saltwater Fishing in the backwater, flats, or inshore waters. Deep sea fishing can be very overwhelming for a younger child. You want them on constant action with fish that have fight but not too much fight!
See You On The Water
We hope to have the chance to be part of a memory for your child. Here at iOutdoors, our local experts are specialists and love dealing with the youth. Many of our Captains and Guides have reflected back to us that their favorite part of the job is getting the opportunity to get the youth hooked on fishing. We hope to get the chance to see you on the water soon and are always here to help answer any questions that arise. Let’s get fishy and create a family memory you will never forget!!
Your Adventure Starts Today while Visiting Florida.
If you enjoyed this post about Florida Fishing, you might also enjoy our Fishing Blogs.
Don’t forget to follow us on Facebook, YouTube, Twitter and Instagram.
Inshore Fishing, Daytona Beach Fishing, Kids Fishing, Trout Fishing
inshore Fishing With Capt Steve
This is Capt Steve with the fishing report. I went fishing with Scott and his 2 sons and we were going to go bass fishing but the weather took a turn for the worse so we went saltwater fishing instead and we caught some redfish, ladyfish, trout and quite a few pin and pig fish. We all had alot of fun. thats it for now for all your fishing adventures go to iOutdoor, thank you.
North Florida Inshore Fishing:
Several Locations on the East Coast of North Florida hold excellent waters for catching a variety of inshore fishing. One of the keys to getting out and catching these species is our local experts. Captain Steve is great captain to go out and experience all that Florida has to offer. Whether inshore fishing or bass fishing, Captain Steve has you covered.
When you go inshore fishing in New Smyrna Beach, Florida the opportunities are endless. Travel out of the Ponce Inlet for a productive day on the water. One of the best parts about fishing this area is the natural beauty of the scenery. Whether you want to fish the inlet right there or fish the backwaters, we can get it done here at iOutdoor.
If the weather is calm, you can possibly get out to a shallow reef and get some tasty snacks. Another benefit of fishing this incredible destination is the abundance of species. If you are after a Big Bull Redfish, this is one of the most productive areas to get it done. Sea Trout, Snook, Snapper, Sheepshead, Jack Crevalle are also some great catches that put up a great fight.
Every fishing trip will provide a new perspective of New Smyrna Beach that you did not get to see. Don’t miss out on your Inshore Fishing with Capt Steve adventure next time you are visiting North Florida!
