How young is to young to go ocean fishing

[elkhunter338]

I have a very well mannered 6 1/2 year old son who is strong, minds well, and loves to go fishing. The problem is at what age is ok to take him ocean fishing on a very nice day?

I would be 5-10 miles from dock, spare motor, well maintained 21 foot boat, coast guard has 5 boats at dock, monitor channel 16 vhf 24/7. All of us always wear life jackets, I have a emergency bag with hand held vhf radio, flares, spare gps.
I know there is a chance of a major failur (fire or other) that could put all of us in the water
Am I irresponsible for wanting to take my 6 1/2 year old son out ocean fishing on nice days (no white caps at all) good weather report.

 

[df909]

Re: How young is to young to go ocean fishing

If you do the safety speach with him I'd go for it. I used to go fishing with my dad when I was pretty young and we did fine. I was out on the lake a few weeks ago with my 9 y/o & came up on a boat fire- he did well with the instructions and helping me help the other boat, so for a day of just fishing I'd do it.

Just make sure he knows how to use the radio to call for help & how to stop the boat in case you go for a swim. I plan on taking both of my boys ocean fishing this summer & I'm going to bring a little 2-man inflatable boat as a life boat in case things go bad.

 

[Camo Joe]

Re: How young is to young to go ocean fishing

Make sure he is a good swimmer and able to hold his breath under water without panicing..............the rubber quick blow up raft boat is a good idea.........................Just think safety and teach it to him..........nothing like going fishing with Dad..........I use to go with my dad but can't anymore...............So get prepared and go..................

 

[Fly Rod]

Re: How young is to young to go ocean fishing

I have taken my grand daughters fishing since they were five years old and now they are 7 & 9. When fishing from a boat their attention spand is limited, lets be honest, when they are on a 26' boat with little room to run around they get bored in a short period of time unless you are traveling fast and they yell go faster and I say we are going fast enough. The 9 year old loves cranking up the fish while the 7 year old wants someone else to do the cranking and then when ashore takes all the credit for catching the fish. I find that a two hour trip with the grand daughters is fine and we just go around the harbor.

When chartering I will not take a child under 12 years old. They too have a short attention spand especially when you have two, they act as if they were home, they start picking on each other. And then there is the man that takes the wife or girlfriend along to control the kids as she is turning green and puking over the rail.

 

[capt sam]

Re: How young is to young to go ocean fishing

I was on the water with my dad fairly young, as were my kids but as FR mentions they have a time limit to be out so I always went by their moods, if they got really bored or tired we went back in, always trying to emphasize a positive experience.

 

[utopian]

Re: How young is to young to go ocean fishing

A lot depends on your children and how responsible they are; i know plenty of 6 Yr olds i would take fishing as they are usually willing and eager to learn (& help) on the other hand i know 16Yr olds that i wouldn't let near my boat on dry land never mind out to sea.
By the sounds of it you are well prepared for equipment so as long as your mentaly prepared to enjoy your self (ie relax as the kids will pick up on a panicky dad) and the kids know when to do exactly what you tell them & know the dangers of hooks, bait & water etc then there is only one other thing to remember - warm drinks (chocolate usually best for kids), a pinic so they can make their own fun if needs be - and for absolute back up for bored kids - take a gameboy

 

[elkhunter338]

Re: How young is to young to go ocean fishing

Just to clarifiy, our son who will be 7 the end of October, would only go out with at least two additional adults (Mom and a grandpa or an uncle) and the length of the trip would be dictated by his level of enjoyment. Life Jacket's on our boat are mandatory for all persons on board our boat, at all times.

He has been Lake fishing and enjoy's it very much, even when the weather get's a bit choppy in the middle, several miles from shore.

 

[slasmith1]

Re: How young is to young to go ocean fishing

My dad was a commercial fisherman going across the Columbia River bar daily. I started going along when I still napped all day and ate from a bottle. Any age is a great time to start. My kids have both been on boats almost since birth we even had a friend with a 3 week old baby on our boat 2 weeks ago. The earlier you start and stress following all the boating rules the better chance you have of them remembering to always follow those rules.

 

[henrye718]

Re: How young is to young to go ocean fishing

I have a very well mannered 6 1/2 year old son who is strong, minds well, and loves to go fishing. The problem is at what age is ok to take him ocean fishing on a very nice day?

I would be 5-10 miles from dock, spare motor, well maintained 21 foot boat, coast guard has 5 boats at dock, monitor channel 16 vhf 24/7. All of us always wear life jackets, I have a emergency bag with hand held vhf radio, flares, spare gps.
I know there is a chance of a major failur (fire or other) that could put all of us in the water
Am I irresponsible for wanting to take my 6 1/2 year old son out ocean fishing on nice days (no white caps at all) good weather report.

Anything could happen any time I mean you could have car accident with your young son in the car so it up to fate always unless your just bad at details as some people are and get careless with saftey and boat maint.

I would say never to young but if he starts to get sea sick that is your sign, bring him back when he is older if thats the case.

 

[jdsgrog]

Re: How young is to young to go ocean fishing

I don't think it's irresponsible. Actually, you sound very responsible and if he is all right on the lake (as far as behavior), I'm sure he'll be all right on the ocean. It sounds like you just want to expose him to something you and the family enjoy. Just take the necessary precautions (which it seems like you are doing), and like you said, if he doesn't enjoy it for any reason, then head back asap.

The best times I had growing up was fishing on the lake with my Dad since I was 4 or 5 years old. Yeah, it was on a row boat and small lakes, but it impacts me to this day...which is why I got a small fishing boat of my own now. I keep telling my wife I can't wait until my daughter is a little older (she's 18 months right now) so I can take her out.

 

[elkhunter338]

Re: How young is to young to go ocean fishing

Thanks everyone for the input. The wife and I feel he is ok to go out if he has fun and yes go back in when he wants to. He loves going fishing/boat rides in the lake and bay.
The main issue as to why I posted this was because my dad and mom are totaly against him going out in the ocean until he is probably at least 9 years old. My dad goes out ocean fishing with us most of the time, and he grew up ocean fishing in a 18' boat. Mine is 21' cuddy. However he has never told me when he started going fishing in the ocean with his dad and grandpa.
Their fear is something is going to happen (fire, hit a log, or something) that will put us in the water very quickly. A child being 7 years old does not have a chance at survival if that happens. Coast guard is one call away and they can respond in probably less than 10 min. 45 mph and 5-10 miles away is pretty quick. I have a marine radio and gps in the boat and a handheld in a emergency bag (with handheld gps), we all wear life jackets.

Now I have a decision to make if my son goes out with my wife and I this year, if that happens my dad and mom stay home and will have no part of it.

 

[xxlurchxx]

Re: How young is to young to go ocean fishing

Last year 4 guys went out for a nice day of fishing, 3 NFL football players, Only one guy came back. These were experienced men. 5-10 miles offshore is a long way even if the coast guard is right in your bay. The ocean is a big place, I wouldn't do it with a single engine boat. Hypothermia happens rather quickly even in warm water. Try fishing in the bay, or some where not too far offshore.
If you have to go out, leave detailed plans and let them know if you deviate from them.

 

[elkhunter338]

Re: How young is to young to go ocean fishing

I heard about them, but I think there where other circimstances invovled.
I have a spare motor 15hp kicker to keep me off the rocks, and anchor and rope. Push the boat 5mph in the ocean.
I have 2 marine radios (1 in boat, 1 portable) I verify the portable works at the begining of the season, and verify the boat one works probably every 3 days. I also keep a fully charged cell phone and we have cell phone reception. i have the coast guard number programed in the phone. You have to be willing to call the coast guard, which I am. Twice in the past 5 years I have had unexpected engine issues (lost drive line, broke timing gear) both have been repaired (brand new engine, brand new driveline components) both times I immediately called the coast guard to let them know what happened, my location, and that I was making 5mph towards dock. 1 time they towed me in, the other time they followed me accross the bar.
I never callled a mayday call because I was not in immediate danger, boat was not taking on water, no fire, no risk of immediate danger. If immediate danger ever occurs a mayday call will go out with gps coordinates.

 

[Mike Robinson]

Re: How young is to young to go ocean fishing

I'm not sure why it's assumed one is in more peril simply by being further offshore. I can think of many situations where people have lost their lives because their vessel got too close to shore in the wrong place!

In my area the open coast is very rugged with steep shorelines and crashing surf and it can be miles between sheltered inlets. I would much rather have engine problems several miles offshore than close to shore, especially with an onshore wind as often it's too deep to anchor.

But I digress, we have been bringing our son ocean fishing since he was a few months old, he is now 4 years old and he loves the boat.

Elkhunter, really you're the only one who can answer your question, only you know your son, your own capabilities, your local conditions and your vessel. If you and your wife are comfortable with it then I say go for it. As in most activities there is some risk, but the rewards can be great.

 

[puddle jumper]

Re: How young is to young to go ocean fishing

I am with mike on this one.

You could ask that question on just about any activity. I think it comes down to how comfortable do you feel about having your child on board. Things can go wrong at just about any moment. In 99.9 % of the time nothing but a grand day of fishing will happen. You say he has already been out on lakes with you well the ocean is just a bigger body of water.

The funny thing is when things go wrong the children are usually the ones with the level heads.

 

[joebob14]

Re: How young is to young to go ocean fishing

Last year 4 guys went out for a nice day of fishing, 3 NFL football players, Only one guy came back. These were experienced men. 5-10 miles offshore is a long way even if the coast guard is right in your bay. The ocean is a big place, I wouldn't do it with a single engine boat. Hypothermia happens rather quickly even in warm water. Try fishing in the bay, or some where not too far offshore.
If you have to go out, leave detailed plans and let them know if you deviate from them.

I live about a half hour away fom Tampa Bay where this happened and beleive it or not these guys were fishing in Tampa Bay where the tides are strong and the water gets rough real fast. They had engine problems and they were found 5-10 miles out, or at least the 1 survivor was any way. There have also been plenty of cases in tampa bay like the one that hapened just a few months before the nfl players died where a man died right in the bay not more than a half mile from the skyway bridge where they could have been easily rescued but they were not prepared for an emergencie. The point is accidents can happen anywhere at anytime and the best we can do is be prepared. It is never to soon to teach a child how to be safe, in fact I beleive the younger the better.

 

[Outsider]

Re: How young is to young to go ocean fishing

Just remember, when your son is on the boat, he's going fishing. The rest of you are along for the ride and to provide supervision ...

 

[crw1957]

Re: How young is to young to go ocean fishing

Both of my children (now 16 and 23) grew up on our 23 ft Cuddy. They have been going since birth. Use your head, pick your days and make those memories.
How safe is you car?

 

[xxlurchxx]

Re: How young is to young to go ocean fishing

Elk my post was not meant to dissuade you, just encourage you to make sure you were prepared should something bad happen, heaven forbid. Alot of folks take for granted that their equipment can fail and end up in dire straights. You seem to be more than sufficiently prepared.

 

[utopian]

Re: How young is to young to go ocean fishing

The more you worry, the less you'll enjoy it - - if we always worried about "hitting the log", or "running out of fuel" then no one would ever go out fishing. Remind your dad that todays lifeguards / Lifeboats are much faster these days and the use of a reasonable survial suit & inflatable life jacket will keep the young 'uns safe & warm untill the life boat arrives.


You've done all the worrying and done all your preperation & planning, you'll always get people telling you different things so only you know whats best and how well you are prepared

NOW - - GO HAVE SOME FUN