Fishing is a great sport for the whole family to enjoy together. When fishing with kids, there are certain precautions that need to be taken for your family to have a safe and enjoyable sporting adventure. Here are a few safety tips to use when fishing with your kids, brought to you by the friendly folks at ASO Mammoth, your year-round one-stop shop for everything from fishing gear and licenses to mountain biking equipment and Mammoth ski rentals.
1. Wear Personal Flotation Devices
All children should wear personal flotation devices when fishing, whether they’re in a boat or not. Lakes can be very deep near the shore, so just because you’re not way out in the middle of the lake doesn’t exempt your children from wearing them, even if they’re good swimmers. Make sure the flotation devices you select for children are the right size and have been approved by the US Coast Guard. Testing them in shallow water before the outing is a good idea, and it also helps kids get used to them.
2. Establish Rules
Have a family meeting before the outing and lay down some rules. Make it clear the rules must be followed. Your children should know the danger of sharp fishing hooks and that adults should be the only ones handling them. Let the kids know you’ll supervise when they’re casting to make sure no one else is in the way. Also, make them aware of other anglers who may be casting near them and not to stand too close. Impress on them that with fishing, learning and experience are necessary before being completely independent.
3. Use Protective Eyewear
Polarized sunglasses are a must. The rays of the sun reflecting off the water are far too harsh for young eyes. Many of the better sunglasses have comfortable soft plastic frames and reduce the sun’s glare by 99 percent. When buying protective eyewear for kids, scratch and impact resistance are also important features to consider. Make sure the sunglasses have been approved by the American Optometry Association.
4. Have a First Aid Kit Prepared
Accidents can and do happen. Make sure you’re ready with a basic first aid kit equipped with the essentials:
- Adhesive bandages
- Antibiotic ointment and wipes
- Instant cold compress
- Roll of sterile gauze
- Pair of tweezers
- First aid tape
- Sting relief for bug bites
5. Use Sunburn Protection
Make sure your kids wear hats, and slather all exposed parts of their bodies every two hours with sunscreen that has an SPF of at least 30, whether it’s sunny or not. Just in case, bring along some aloe vera or other skin-soothing sunburn remedy in case anyone does get too much sun exposure.
Make sure to follow these safety guidelines so the whole family has a fantastic fishing trip. Whether they need fishing gear, mountain biking equipment, or high-quality snowboard rentals, Mammoth visitors can find everything they need at ASO Mammoth. Drop by our store on your way to the lake or give us a call at 760-965-3444.