Dock Fishing w/ Kids - in Belize

We used the suggestions made in an earlier post (in this blog series), about choosing fishing gear for kids and went to Captain Sharks here in San Pedro.  Romen got himself fitted with his first pole July 28, 2021, and today will be his first day fishing. 

Fishing Equipment

Fishing can be an extremely simple and inexpensive activity to do with kids.  It can be really enjoyable and provides lots of quality time together.  The basic things you'll need are:  a simple pole, fishing line, hooks and some bait. 

• Rod - The simplest fishing rod is a cane pole.  It can be homemade or bought for a few dollars.  For saltwater fishing, a utilitarian rod is medium-weight, 6 to 6.5 feet long.  Mid-range rods are often sold as sets with reels attached and for the novice fisherman, this is a good way to ensure the rod, reel and line are properly matched.  An inexpensive spin casting rod and reel combo can be purchased for about $35.-$40. USD at Captain Sharks (here in San Pedro).
• Reel - Closed-faced spin casting reels are button-operated and mount on top of the rod.  The enclosed fishing line is less likely to get tangled, making them an excellent choice for a child's first reel.  Make sure the handle is reversible, especially if your child is left-handed.  Bait-casting reels are the ones that have fishing line rolled on them more like a spool of thread and the spool spins to release the line.  This is the next step up in most circumstances and requires a little more practice to become proficient.
  
• Fishing Line - Various types exist, from basic monofilament to new super polymers.  You will want to match the weight of the line to your rod & reel.  If you purchase a beginner's rod & reel set, this matching has been done for you. 
• Hooks - Hooks need to match the fish that you are seeking based on the size of the fish's mouth.  Sizes are a bit confusing  they run from about 30 (the tinest) to 1 and then start climbing from 1/0 to 12/0 (which is a big shark hook).  A small beam hook is typically 10-6 (10 being smaller) and should have a relatively short shank.  For small saltwater snapper, 2/0 or 3/0 would be good starting points.
• Bait - Bait is whatever you use to attract a fish to bite. Your bait can be alive, dead or man-made.  How you handle the bait is important to keeping them alive, so they will be active on the hook.  Most dock fishing is done with dead bait, typically cigar minnows (descaled & cut into bite size pieces).  
  
• Lures - Are man-made baits that come in an infinite variety of sizes, colors and shapes.  
  • Jig - A basic jig is good for most species, if properly sized.  A jig is a hook with a heavy weight attached directly to it. 
    
  • Spoons - Spoons are flat, metal lures shapes somewhat like the bowl of a spoon with a single embedded hook or trailing treble hook and are quite versatile. 
    
  • Plugs - Plugs are typically wood or plastic with a cupped front face and lip that makes them dive to different depths. 
    
  • Spinners - Spinners have a metal blade that twists as it goes through the water creating flashing noise. 
    
  • Poppers - Poppers & flies are typically smaller and often used with fly fishing or ultra light tackle. 
    
• Floats or Bobbers - Are typically used with baits rather than lures.  The float should be big enough to suspend the bait and sinkers without going more than halfway under water.
• Sinkers - Sinkers come in various shapes as well.  In saltwater, large pyramid-shaped weights are useful in choppy surf.  For dock fishing, a bullet or cone-shaped weight is typically threaded over the line in front of soft plastic lures. 

We're Going Dock Fishing!

Consider Bringing

• Sunscreen - In Belize sunscreen is essential.  A 30 SPF waterproof sunscreen is a good choice.  On the water, 45 SPF or more is probably safer.  Get kids to start the habit of applying sunscreen early.
  
• Sunglasses - Another very important item to bring and use to protect your eyes and enhance your vision through the water is a pair of sunglasses.  Polarized lenses will significantly increase your ability to see fish and your bait through the glare of the surface of the water.
  
• Hats - As with sunscreen and sunglasses, hats are important for safety and comfort on a hot or rainy day.
• Insect Repellent - You don't want to ruin a great family outing because you need to leave early to avoid the bugs.
  
• Water - Carry plenty of fresh drinking water for everyone in your party.  It is easy to get dehydrated in the Belize sun.
• Pliers - Pliers or special hook removers are useful for extracting hooks from a fish's mouth.
• First Aid Kit - When you're with kids, it's always good to have a few antiseptic wipes and Band-Aids along.  There will always be a pinched finger or a hook that gets lodged into a finger tip.
• Snacks - Watching fish eat up all your bait, can make you hungry.
• Camera - A kid's first fish is a big deal, so make sure you have a camera on you to capture the event.
• Tape Measure - Having a tape measure is important to complying with the law, since there are size limits on many species of fish.
• Towels - It's also useful to bring a few old towels, paper towels or baby wet ones with you.  Fish have a "slime" layer that is very sensitive and helps protect them from infection but can be messy when it touches your hands.  With cutting bait and handling fish, you'll find yourself needing to wash your hands multiple times.  Towels and wet ones help to keep your hands and the area your working in clean.
• Rain Gear - Summer afternoons in Belize (during rainy season) have a tendency to turn unexpectedly to rain.  So do yourself a favor and bring a rain poncho.  It will help save your afternoon.

Fishing lessons, courtesy of Elmer Jose Rivera

Hot To Get Started

Few memories stick out in our minds as clearly as catching our first fish.  Ambergris Caye sits parallel to the Belize Barrier Reef (190 miles long), which is part of the Meso-American Barrier Reef (over 650 miles long). So there's plenty of opportunities to do some fishing.   

Here are some tips to make those fishing memories with your kids.....
The biggest thing to remember about fishing with kids, is to acknowledge it's about spending quality time together, not about the number of fish you catch.  Avoid putting undo pressure on your child to catch a fish or even a "BIG FISH".  Remember they call it fishing, not catching for a reason.  

Here are some helpful suggestions to get the most out of your time fishing together.

• Be Patient - With kids, you need to be very, very patient.  Of all these suggestions listed, this is the most important one.  The goal of fishing, is to have an enjoyable time, not a miserable time.  If you're fishing for the first time, don't be surprised if you get tangles, snags, and lose an occasional fish.  These events are likely to occur, they happen to everyone, so take them in stride.
• Avoid Negative Criticism - Concentrate on the basic, and try not to raise your voice over a few minor things.  Focus on having a good time and hopefully you'll catch a fish in the process.
• Keep it Simple - Don't turn the trip into a list of "Do's & Don'ts".  Focus on the basic principles of fishing and let the rest go. Once you have covered the basics, focus on having a good time.  Unless it's something that will prevent them from catching a fish, don't mention it. The simplicity concept also applies to equipment and methods.  Remember, if you focus on having a good time, there will be future trips to refine your child's fishing techniques.
• Keep Kids Comfy - Any outdoor event often involves some minor hardships, after all that's part of the fun.  Remember to bring the raincoats (in case it begins to rain), as well as a comfortable lawn chair.  Lots & lots of snacks and drinks will also make it enjoyable.
• Coming Home w/ Fish - While it's true everyone goes fishing with the goal of coming home with fish.  Although sometimes even with a glorious day fishing, you can come home empty handed.  Help children understand its not only about coming home with fish, its about enjoying the sport, the fresh air, the great outdoors, interesting wildlife and good company.
• Preparing Bait & Hooks - There's no getting around it, cutting up bait and putting it on the hook might be an unpleasant experience to get use to.  For most first time fishermen, you may want to do this for them (at least until they get use to the idea of doing it themselves).  If a child's willing to bait their own hooks (after a proper demonstration or two), allow them to do so.  Most dock fishing is done by using dead bait, typically cigar minnows.  This means descaling and cutting the minnow into bite size pieces.  Similarly, using barbless hooks makes unhooking fish much easier when the time comes, and wetting your hands prior to handling any fish (will not only protect the fish), but will keep the beginner's hands from getting slimy as well.
• Angler Ethics - Younger beginners (in particular), are very impressionable, and fishing provides an ideal opportunity to teach responsibility and to reinforce the importance of good choices.  Don't start out by focusing on too many rules all at once.  As the day progresses, they will learn to measure their fish, address size and bag limits (later you can discuss the reasons behind them).  The first fishing trip is also the time to begin instilling in your young fisherman a respect for the environment.  Children learn by example, so don't allow your child to see you throwing away garbage on the beach or in the ocean.  Teach your children to throw away their garbage in a proper recepticle.  If your children see you destroying the environment, your children will learn it's okay to do the same.  Teach them to respect "Mother Earth" in all aspect of their daily activities.

6 Tips for Dock Fishing w/ Kids

TIP #1 - Start with Simple Equipment
If this is your child's first time fishing, don't buy the expensive rod & reel, keep it simple.  They aren't going to know the different between a $50. dollar rod and a $300. rod.  This is about teaching them to fish and the joy that comes from fishing not how much money you spent.  Skip the suspending plugs and stick to these basic items: 

• Five-Six foot Rod
• Eight to 10-pound line
• A Bobber
• A few split shots

Make sure all the gear is small enough for your young fisherman partner to handle.  You want them to be involved in the process, so get gear that fits their small hands.  Always use the bobber, because it makes it easier for the child to see when they have a bite.

TIP #2 - CHOOSE A DOCK WITHOUT ALOT OF ACTIVITY
While we all love the rush and excitement of an active dock, it can be a bit distracting when it comes to learning how to fish for the first time.  Try to find a dock, where you will be the only ones on the dock for 3-4 hours.  A dock free of distractions, will help your child focus on the art of fishing, rather than whats happening around them.

TIP #3 - USE FRESH BAIT
The best way to catch alot of fish, is to go at the right time of day and use fresh bait.  

TIP #4 - LIMIT YOUR TIME (we recommend 3-4 hours)
Even the most enthusiastic first-time fishermen, should only stay out 3-4 hours max.  If you attempt to make an all-day of it, your child is going to get bored.  Kids have limited attention spans, and you'll want them to enjoy it.  Set a time limit before you set out, so they'll want to do it again.

TIP #5 - HAVE A BACK-UP PLAN IN CASE YOU DON'T CATCH ANY FISH
First time fisherman go out with the idea that they will come home with fish.  They simply do not understand how difficult it can really be, to even catch a fish.  If your 3-4 hours is up and you haven't caught a fish, have a backup plan.  We suggest taking your child to Caramba's (for dinner), and let them pick out the fish they want to eat - from the assorted ice-containers out front.

---

Caramba's - Pick your Seafood!

If you're child didn't catch a fish, a great back up plan can be to take them to Caramba's and let them pick out a fish they want to eat.  Another great option, is to bring the fish you've caught into Caramba's and let them cook it up for you.  Nothing can bring a young fisherman more satisfaction, than eating what he's just caught.

Caramba's Has An Assortment of Fresh Fish

TIP #6 - FOCUS ON THE FUN
A first time fishing trip should be more about fun than anything else.  This is your opportunity to spend quality time with your child, so sit back relax and enjoy yourself. Lower your expectations and help your child understand, it's not about what you catch, its about the fun you're having trying to do it.  Remember it's called fishing, not catching for a reason.  

Supply Checklists for Fishing

We got caught in an unexpected torrential downpour, when we went.  If going dock fishing during the rainy season, always take along a rain poncho with you.

FISHING EQUIPMENT

• Rod & Reel
• Lures, hooks, sinkers, bobbers
• Line
• Fishing Net
• Fresh Bait
• Fishing fillet knife
• Scissors (for cutting line)
  
• Pliers (for removing hooks)
  
• Tape Measure (for measuring fish)
  

PERSONAL ITEMS

• Hand Sanitizer
• Facial Masks
• Lip Balm
  
• Toilet Paper
• Baby Wet Ones
• Phone
• Camera
  
• Foldable Lawn chairs
  
• Trash bags
  

Note:  Do not throw your trash on the beach or in the ocean.  Teach your children to throw their trash away properly.

CLOTHING-PROTECTION WEATHER

• Life Vest (for kids) or anyone who does not know how to swim
• Rain gear (poncho or rain jacket)
  
• Change of Dry Clothing
• Hat
• Sunglasses
• Sunscreen
• Insect Repellent
• Beach Towel

EMERGENCY

• First Aid Kit
• Emergency Phone Numbers
  

FOOD & SNACKS

• Plenty of Drinking Water
  
• Soda Pops/Fruit Juices
  
• Beer/Wine
  
• Ice
  
• Reusable Plastic Cups
  
• Granola Bars
  
• Chips
  

Best Time to Dock Fish?

WHEN TO GO - Anytime that you can get away with your kids safely is a good time.  However, as you gain experience you will see that some times are more likely to be productive than others.  The following bullet points provide some basic fishing tips.

• Time of Day - For saltwater fishing, dawn and dusk generally tend to be the best time, if the weather and tidal movements are favorable. However, anytime of day you can expect to catch fish, if you know where to find them and you are patient.  Remember to reference a salt water tidal chart to see which range of hours during the day will be the best fishing tide times.
  • Early Morning 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m.
  • Early Afternoon to Dusk 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
• Tide Considerations - An incoming tide or rising tide, is considered one of the best fishing times.  Water that enters an estuary from the ocean can have a lower temperature and carry more oxygen, and have better clarity than water that exists in an estuary during low tide or slack water periods.
• Best Bait - Shrimp is the best salt water bait out there.  Different size fish will hit on different pieces (or sizes) of shrimp.  Shrimp bait can be a little pricey, especially when you're trying to keep your fishing costs down.  Keep in mind, dock fishing typically attracts smaller fish, so you really don't need that expensive bait.  With squid, poggies or cigar minnows, you can expect to easily catch (5-20) pound (black or red) snappers.
  
• Weather Patterns - Many species of fish tend to be active just before a front passes through and then shut down somewhat during the sudden barometric changes associated with the storm front itself.  If the front lasts for a prolonged period, after it passes can again bring enhanced fishing conditions.  One good source of weather information is Wunderground.
• Spawning Cycles - Each fish species is prone to spawn at a different time(s) of year.  Part of this is programmed into their genes, but much of it is triggered by water temperature, lunar phases and their own nutritional needs.

Enjoy the Experience

They call it our golden years for a reason.  Fishing can be a rewarding experience for both grandparents and grandchildren a like.  It's an activity that doesn't require alot of physical exertion, it allows grandparents quality time to bond and get to know their grandchildren better.  Fishing experiences, will be memories you'll look back upon for years to come.

Preparing Your Fish for Dinner

Towards the end of the day, a barracuda got Romen's hook, we also got to see some spotted rays surfacing ontop the water.  Overall it was a great day, despite the torrential downpour, which only added to our excitement.  Romen's extra special treat came (at day's end), when "Grandma Diana" cooked his fish for dinner.

Enjoy the Experience

Dock fishing is something Marcy & I have wanted to do for some time.  From the moment we bought Romen his first fishing pole, to the time he caught his first fish was about six (6) hours.  Most of this time was spent getting gas, stocking the cooler, and driving him to his fishing location.  Will this young fisherman be fishing again? Without a doubt! Only next time, Mami is coming with us.

---

This ends yet another adventure for (2) Boys in Belize.