How to Get Your Child Fishing This Summer Holiday

The summer holidays are a great time to introduce a child to fishing. It gets them outdoors, provides a break from screens and creates the chance to spend proper time together. Fishing does not need to be complicated or expensive, and a child does not need to catch a monster to have a brilliant first experience.

Two brothers, one brilliant first session, and smiles all round after catching their fish together.

Start simple

For most children, the easiest way to begin is with a fishing whip. A whip is a simple pole with a short length of line attached to the end. There is no reel to operate, so children can concentrate on watching the float, striking, playing the fish and handling it safely.

Starter whips are inexpensive and are often sold as kits containing a float, line, weights and hook. A whip between three and five metres long is usually plenty for a beginner.

Avoid buying too much equipment at the start. A small seat, bait box, landing net, disgorger and a few basic items of tackle are enough for an enjoyable first session.

Whips make fishing easy — fewer tangles, cheaper to buy and simple for beginners to use.

Choose the right water

A well-stocked commercial fishery is usually easier for a first trip than a large river or difficult natural water. Look for somewhere with safe, level banks, toilets nearby and plenty of smaller fish.

Ask the fishery which lake is best for beginners and whether children need their own day ticket or permit.

Remember that permission to fish and a rod licence are different things. In England and Wales, children under 13 do not need a rod fishing licence. Young people aged 13 to 16 need a junior licence, but it is free and must still be obtained before fishing. The fishery may also charge for a day ticket.

Keep the first session short

Adults may happily sit beside a lake all day, but younger children often enjoy a shorter session. One or two hours is usually enough for a first visit.

Choose a comfortable day, take drinks, snacks, sun protection and suitable clothing, and stop while they are still having fun.

Aim to get a few bites rather than target the biggest fish in the lake. Maggots, sweetcorn and small pieces of bread are simple baits, but always check the fishery rules first. Feeding a few loose samples regularly can help bring fish into the swim.

Teach fish care from the beginning

Catching a fish is exciting, but children should also learn that the fish’s welfare comes first.

Wet your hands before touching a fish, keep it low over a landing net or unhooking mat and return it quickly.

Every beginner should have a suitable landing net and a disgorger. A disgorger helps remove a hook safely when it is inside the fish’s mouth. An experienced angler or coach should demonstrate how to use one before a child attempts it alone.

Never pull at a deeply hooked fish or keep it out of the water while searching for equipment.

Let them get involved

Children learn best by doing. Let them help prepare the bait, plumb the depth, feed the swim and land their own fish.

Praise good concentration, careful casting and gentle fish handling, not just the size or number of fish they catch. Tangled lines and missed bites are all part of learning.

Getting some guidance

Parents do not need to be experienced anglers to help a child begin. Our free online guide to setting up a whip, available on the UK Fishing School website, explains the basic equipment and setup step by step.

For families who would prefer some practical support, a Try Fishing session can remove much of the guesswork. Tackle and bait are provided, the venue is chosen for beginners, and an experienced coach can help children catch fish from the start while learning good habits.

However you begin, keep it simple, safe and enjoyable. A few small fish, plenty of encouragement and a shared summer afternoon may be all it takes to create a lifelong interest in fishing.