You’ve got children, little angling experience and some basic questions — we’ve got answers

Modern city dwellers may grow up far from streams and lakes. When their children ask about fishing, it’s understandable that urban residents don’t know all the answers.

Here are some common questions and answers to help kids get started in fishing:

Question: We don’t have any fishing tackle and we’re reluctant to spend a lot of money until we’re certain that our kids will enjoy fishing. What should we do?

Answer: You don’t need to spend a lot of money to get kids involved in fishing. KIDFISH (1-877-733-5646) sponsors youth fishing events and provide tackle and bait. If you decide to buy gear, you can purchase a youth model spincast rod and reel for less than $20. For less than $5, you can buy fishing line, hooks and bobbers and cut a willowy limb from a backyard tree and use it for a simple fishing pole.

Question: Do I need to buy a fishing license for myself and my child?

Answer: Children in many states are exempt from fishing-license requirements until their mid-teens. Check with a licensing agent for specifics in your state. June 7 is National Fishing Day, and all fishing-license requirements are suspended for that day only in most states.

Question: Where do we find regulations for the common fish species?

Answer: A fishing-license vendor should also provide you a copy of state fishing and hunting regulations. Studying the laws can seem daunting to someone who’s not a sportsman. For youth fishing, it’s best to concentrate on small sunfish that can be caught near the shore and the sunfish are not protected by size or bag restrictions in most lakes. Since most of the fish you catch will be small, you might want to prepare your youth angler for catch-and-release fishing.

Question: What other fish species are good for kids?

Answer: The fish easiest to catch. Sunfish and bluegills are the best choices, and catfish rank a close second. If you have a boat, white bass (sand bass) provide predictable action, as do crappie. Until the youth has plenty of experience, steer clear of largemouth bass, striped bass, hybrid stripers or other game fish that require a fair amount of skill and patience.

Question: What should we use for bait?

Answer: Natural baits such as worms or live minnows work best. Grasshoppers or crickets also work well, and it’s almost as much fun to catch the bait as it is to catch fish. Rig the bait so it’s suspended under a small cork. When the cork goes under, it means a fish has the bait. Clamp a little splitshot sinker to your line above the hook to make the bait sink quickly. Use a small hook. You won’t catch many small fish if your hook is too big.

Question: What should we do to prepare for a fishing trip?

Answer: Preparation is an important part of the fishing process. Be sure to include water or soft drinks and plenty of snacks. Young anglers don’t like to go hungry. Also include sunscreen, needle-nose pliers for unhooking fish or working with tackle, and insect repellent. Make sure you have a camera to record the experience.

Question: Where can I find additional material to help us?

Answer: The Internet is an excellent source. Wal-Mart and FLW, a professional bass fishing circuit, have teamed to create a good informational Web site at www.TakeaKidFishing.com.