| Fishing with one or more of our 8 grandchildren | | | | grandchildren keep us busy baiting hooks, |
| has become a real joy for us since moving to our | | | | removing hooks from the fish they have caught |
| lake home. Using the appropriate rod and reel, | | | | and helping with other problems they encounter. |
| seems to be their key to success which brings | | | | Our older grandchildren-ages 11-18 years old-can |
| giggles, screams, and excitement from them as | | | | usually handle either a close faced spinning reel as |
| well great satisfaction to Grandpa and Grandma. | | | | well as an open faced spinning reel and a longer |
| A short rod (4'-5') seems to be best for the | | | | rod with a great deal of success. With a little help |
| younger children along with a close faced spinning | | | | at first, they seem to quickly pick up the knack |
| reel to help avoid a mess of the line on the reel. | | | | of using lures such as jigs, spinner baits, and |
| We use live bait-worms, minnows, wax-worms, a | | | | plastic worms. The older grandchildren also enjoy |
| small hook (#4-#6) and a bobber for the little | | | | fishing with live bait. They even learn quickly to |
| ones. These baits are quite productive for | | | | carefully remove the hooks from the fish and |
| catching a variety of species-bluegill, crappie, and | | | | have fewer problems with their rods and reels. |
| even an occasional nice bass or catfish. Bluegills | | | | This allows Grandpa and Grandma to get out their |
| seem to go crazy for the wax-worms, but | | | | rods and reels and do a little fishing too. |
| wax-worms are difficult to obtain during the | | | | In conclusion, we have found fishing to be a great |
| summer where we live. When fishing with those | | | | way to bond with and spend quality time with our |
| younger than 10 years of age, we have learned | | | | grandchildren. It's just plain fun! |
| to leave our rods and reels at home, because the | | | | |