Teaching a child to fish can be a very rewarding experience for both the teacher and the child. You don’t have to be a parent to teach a child to fish. As a relative, big brother/big sister, neighbor or just a friend, you may be starting the journey for the next generation of great professional anglers!
Start by setting up a target within both of your casting distance. Targets can be a bucket, a bull’s-eye laid flat on the ground, or a flat piece of cardboard.
(Fun Tip: disassemble and flatten a cardboard box and let the child draw a bulls-eye on it)
Start by simply trying to hit the target with a hook-less lure or practice plug. Attempting to hit a target can generate hours of fun and quickly develop casting skills.
Build a scoring system: 1 point for hitting the target, 2 points for hitting the center; maybe subtract a point for a complete miss. Scoring puts a competitive edge on casting and keeps their interest; it also teaches addition and subtraction.
Don’t forget to let them win once in a while. If you limit yourself to the same equipment, your casting abilities will be hampered and you might find it more difficult than you think!
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