Casual fishing advice

I can’t offer much advice on freshwater gear, but for a kid and new fisherman I would think you can’t really go wrong with worms and a cork with small hooks for some perch

My advice would be to not get discouraged. Fishing is not always as easy as people’s Facebook photos make it look. But enjoy that time with your boy, it will be some of your fondest memories!

Get some crickets and slay some bream. Best kind of fishing for a young kid

You can catch Rio Grande Cichlids in Bayou St. John and City Park. Just walk the banks and look for them swimming by (they’re dark) or later in the spring, when the mating pairs are protecting their nests closer to shore. They’re invasive, so don’t feel bad. You just need bream hooks, very light line, and night crawlers. Loosen the drag and cast out nothing but worm on a hook to them. Sometimes you have to annoy them to get them to bite. It should entertain you both

Don’t forget the snacks. Yoohoo, strawberry soda, moon pies, twinkies. All the snacks mom would raise an eyebrow too.

Damn, I just read about those things. Ok dumb question, since they’re invasive, what do you do with them if you catch one?

Nvm, just read they’re good eating

Yeah, the city would prefer you don’t throw them back in the water, but I don’t think anyone would actually come after you if you did. If you do try, I would recommend starting by Magnolia Bridge on Bayou St. John and working your way towards City Park. You can see and catch small bass and bream as well doing the same thing. Basically sight casting

Temper your expectations. I give it 15-20 min before he is throwing rocks and shite.

Get him a little bait net and let him try to catch minnows or something.

Just go with it though. It’s still technically fishing.

Get one of those minnow traps and but some bread in it. Little kids always get a kick out of that.

We had a great time today boys. Didn’t catch anything but had 3 strong bites(line snapped).

He was super interested in the little tackle box that came with his rod.

Had plenty of fun casting and feeding the ducks and geese.

Cherish this. They grow up too damn fast.

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My mom got my 3 year old son a rod and reel for Christmas and I’d like to take the boy out to Bayou St. John, the bayous in City Park, and other small places around New Orleans.

I’ve never been a big fisherman and haven’t even been in several years.

What are the standard tips and advice you baws would offer? Especially any info on bait and tackle and supplies would be great.

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All of the advice is spot on....but keep every outing short and sweet....leave him wanting more. I screwed up with my son and would put him on a boat and not get back to the hill for 12 hours....he has just started fishing with me again after about 10 years of refusing to go. Kids love the idea of fishing but like everything they get bored with it pretty quick....an hour or two is more than enough to begin with....if the bream or biting. If they ain't an hour will seem like an eternity to a kid...