I have 2 hours to teach 40 kids to fish.

[Overkiller]

My son's Cub Scout pack camp is this weekend and myself and another dad have been volunteered to teach the boys to fish. The camp is at Martin Dies State Park. There will be about 40 kids and likely less then 40 fishing poles. To cover the belt lop requirements we only have to explain fishing regulations, show them how to bait a hook, and let them try to catch a fish. But we have 2 hours so I hate to let them run wild for too long, and I figure we can go over a few more things to hopefully help them catch a fish. The longer they're fishing the more hooks end up in people. I figure we can talk for about 20-30 mins and still give them enough time to fish until they're bored.

Here's what I was thinking about covering

1) Talk about TPWD, fishing licenses, limits and slot sizes, how they count fish to make sure they're staying at a healthy level.

2) I was thinking I could hand out some big shark hooks to the parents and they could have the boys put marshmallows on them to cover the learn to bait a hook requirement.

3) Tell them a bit about the types of fish they could find in the lake, and what they eat and where they hang out.

4) Show them a couple of different lures, weights ect. tell them how a circle hook works.

5) Show them a couple types of fishing poles and show them how to cast them without catching another cub scout (I hope) I figure a Coke bottle with a line, stick with a line, standard button cast zebco, and spinner would run the gamete. My bait caster died but someone might have one there to show them. I was thinking of bringing my 13 ft surf rod just cause they'll like it.

6) Show them how to tie a knot. I was thinking of getting some para cord and show them a Uni knot, it's a simple knot and if you're going to know one fishing knot I think it's a good choice.

7) Let loose 40 kids swinging sharp hooks to scare off every fish within 2 miles.


Everything our Pack does has a tendency to become a cluster-youknowwhat and the other dad and I were really hoping to do a good job so the boys have fun, learn something and hopefully get to catch a fish. I never fish in freshwater what's the best way to get kids on fish from land or perhaps a pier? I was thinking some yellow corn on a cricket hook under a bobber and wait for a hungry blue gill to happen along. Any advice would really be appreciated.

Thanks a bunch,

Travis

[SCHU]

...you might pick up some dead shrimp as that's an almost sure bet to catch anything!

Letting that many kids loose with lures at one time is a recipe for disaster!!! Mayble for the newbie get some worms. Rig up hook at bottom, split shot above that and a red/white bobber that you push one end and the other end hasa a hook on it that you attach to the line. KISS as much as possible for the newbies. Cinch knot is as simple as you'll find to tie.
Spin cast reels to make things easier, otherwise anger/frustration sets in and they lose interest soon.
Lure - beetle spin or H&H spinnerbaits in white or chartruese. Good luck to ye and your boys.

[Overkiller]

Cub Scouts and siblings so ages would mostly be between 7-12. Shrimp is still the go to for fresh water? I have some frozen I can bring. Are there handling concerns for freshwater catfish like their hardheaded cousins? Sour corn? Just leave it out or there something more to it? I only have until Saturday morning to get ducks in a row. The other dad and I talked about running a trotline the night before but I've never cleaned a catfish and would rather not learn with an audience. Thanks for the help

[Gulfcoast13]

Wheat Chex and Big Red . Mix it together into a dough . Put it on small hooks for carp . Sour some corn before you go to attracked them a catfish.

You can also purchase some catfish chum from Walmart that works. Just put it out and the fish will usually show up in about an hr.


Good luck and let us know.

[Jhua]

I use hotdogs for sunfish.

[Torque]

This is a blast. Make sure everyone has a bobber, split and small hook. Bait it with whatever. Stand around make sure no one gets hooked. Have everyone save a bluegill. Show them how to gut it, stick it and cook it over an open fire. You will be remembered forever......

[Jerkyourcroaker]

I use meal worms on my bobber set up for the kids. You can buy them at academy next to the worms. They are a bream killer, very tough so hard to cast off the hook via violent casting. You can cut one worm into several bits.

If you stick with small hooks and smash down the barbs, I would go ahead and give it a go. Spread em out and let em fly. With that many kids, you may need more adults for untangling duty.

You might also consider using cane poles. My kids fished with those for years.

[Rollo]

What fun!!!! Bring some neosporin& bandaids for sure!

[SCHU]

You can also throw several handfuls of range cubes out for catfish chum. Buy them at feed store...

[Curmudgeon]

Good luck! It sounds like fun!

[fishcrazydan]

i recently taught the cub scouts from my church about fishing. i gotta say that i loved the opportunity to teach them about it and hopefully start a new generation of fishermen. i ended up teaching them the basics a different day from when we took them fishing and then took them fishing at lake huntsville of easter weekeded and just went over the basics again before i let them get their lines in the water. i just had them using worms and little live minnows. its was a blast watching them get excited when they hooked a fish. mostly they just caught crappie and bluegill and perch but a few even caught bass and one kid caught a 5lb catfish. taught the kids how to clean and fillet a fish with the catfish and then did up a fish fry for them with some trout i brought as well as the catfish and a bit of gar i caught the night before. They LOVED it. I'll tell you right now that if even one of those kids gets hooked on fishing, it will be more than worth it to me. hope you have the same experience.

ps. dont forget band aids and stuff. i didnt have any bad hookings except for one the got me in the arm that i had to clip to take out but you may not get so luckly cuz you have twice the number of boys.

[Overkiller]

Funny story they lock the gates at 10pm. We get to spend the night in the truck in a parking lot. Hopefully we can find them in time in the morning. I have 10 fishing poles and a cooler full of bait my boss donated that i'd hate to waste.