Richie and Richard Yancey with one of the many speckled trout they released on April 9 fishing the incoming tide of Nassau Sound with live shrimp floated deep.

Being a seasoned charter fishing guide, I can testify there are many down sides to the job. One of the upsides is being there when a child catches his or her first fish. This anticipation can’t be beat. On many occasions, this is not only their first fish, but the first time they have stepped foot on a boat and spent time on the water. For me, the feeling doesn’t get any better than watching the excitement and anticipation of a young fisherman with his very first fish at the end of the line. I hope this makes many of you who spend a lot of time on the water to stop and remember your first fish.

One way to start a child’s adventure into fishing is to begin on a pond with a cup of worms. A Zebco 33 reel with a 5-foot rod with 6-pound test will do the trick. A small bobber rigged with a split shot for weight approximately 12 inches above a No. 6 aberdeen hook is an excellent rig for pond fishing. Worms or crickets may be used for bait. Bream and small bass at the end of their hook will put a smile on any young child’s face.

John Aiken and his son Harrison, 8, show off a nice speckled trout catch.

A light tackle spinning outfit is perfect for most beginning anglers for around docks, under bridges and along the river bank for small puppy drum, croakers, redfish and trout. These kids don’t care what is on the end of their hook; it is just the excitement of a new experience for them. Dead or live shrimp will do the trick. Rigged to fish on the bottom is usually the easiest for beginners, but a live shrimp rigged on a hook with an adult’s help is another efficient method. The look on their face just waiting for the float to be pulled under is what makes my job fun.

One of my favorite places to take first time kids is to anchor behind the range markers of the St. Marys Sound. I rig with a sinker slide above a No. 7 barrel swivel tied to 18 inches of leader tied to a No. 4 widebend hook. Dead shrimp fished on the last two hours of the incoming tide is usually a sure bet the first timer will catch a fish. You can usually expect to catch small sharks, whiting, croaker, puffer fish, blues, trout and, occasionally, redfish and small cobia.

These are just a few pointers on taking your kids fishing. You can start your kids on a fun sport, and you can spend hours together enjoying fishing . Don’t expect too much, and by all means make it fun. Who cares if you catch a fish? Make it fun.

The next time you are on the water and you are frustrated and striking out, stop and remember your first fish. That is what started it all for you!

Until next time … Capt. Jim.