Make No Mistakes While Getting Kids Involved
Musky Hunter|December 2019/January 2020
The author and his sons take a break from casting for a team photo.
Dave Olson
Make No Mistakes While Getting Kids Involved

You love musky fishing and know the time, effort and techniques needed to put fish in the net. But you want your youngster to enjoy the sport, too ... so how in the world do you help them develop the passion? I made many mistakes with my boys, but there were some things I tried that worked perfectly. Here are a few tips that I think can help.

I was hooked on the sport after catching my first musky, a 42-incher, while fishing with a guide. It was an incredible experience to feel its power and watch it swim away after photos. Previous to that moment I had shore-fished with my kids or had rented boats, and they loved to go. But now my focus was on muskies, so I bought a small boat over the winter and out we went the next spring.

We didn’t see a fish on the first outing, and the next few trips produced the same result. My kids’ attention span was understandably short and their interest level faded with each outing. In hindsight, I should have mixed musky casting with “break” periods of fishing for panfish or bass to keep their interest up.

This story is from the December 2019/January 2020 edition of Musky Hunter.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the December 2019/January 2020 edition of Musky Hunter.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM MUSKY HUNTERView All
What can Current Do For You?
Musky Hunter

What can Current Do For You?

WATER FLOW IN LAKES IS SUBTLE AND OFTEN OVERLOOKED. BUT MUSKIES USE IT, SO WHY SHOULDN’T YOU?

time-read
3 mins  |
February/March 2021
Mountain State Muskies In Spring
Musky Hunter

Mountain State Muskies In Spring

CATCH MUSKIES DURING TIMES WHEN NOTHING IS PREDICTABLE

time-read
4 mins  |
February/March 2021
Winter Presentations For Southern Rivers
Musky Hunter

Winter Presentations For Southern Rivers

Winter has arrived, yet in the South it’s still mild enough to keep fishing with the exception of maybe a week or two of an Arctic front.

time-read
3 mins  |
February/March 2021
Tune Up For The Season Ahead
Musky Hunter

Tune Up For The Season Ahead

Have you started making your plans for the upcoming fishing year?

time-read
3 mins  |
February/March 2021
Rob Manthei
Musky Hunter

Rob Manthei

Guide Rob Manthei’s love for the Vilas/Oneida County region of northern Wisconsin is deeply rooted. His father and grandfather started taking him there on fishing trips when he was just two years old, and he began guiding full-time at the age of 25.

time-read
6 mins  |
February/March 2021
Find The Right Structure In Deep, Clear Water
Musky Hunter

Find The Right Structure In Deep, Clear Water

With breathtaking scenery, vast amounts of water, and complex and diverse structure, clear water Canadian Shield lakes offer some of the most sought-after musky fishing in the world. A bucket-list destination for the passionate and determined angler, there’s something truly special about being in the sanctuary of the great Canadian Shield lakes.

time-read
4 mins  |
February/March 2021
Multi-Species Or Bay Boat ... You Make The Choice
Musky Hunter

Multi-Species Or Bay Boat ... You Make The Choice

Is there really such a thing as a perfect musky boat? There are so many variables to choose from in the market today. Do I want a casting or trolling boat? Aluminum or fiberglass? Welded or riveted? Do I want a tiller, side console, dual console, or full windshield?

time-read
4 mins  |
February/March 2021
Region To Region
Musky Hunter

Region To Region

Region To Region

time-read
10+ mins  |
February/March 2021
Genetic Study Yields Answers
Musky Hunter

Genetic Study Yields Answers

STUDY SUGGESTS LEECH STRAIN IS NOT THE ‘SILVER BULLET’ FOR WISCONSIN MUSKY WATERS

time-read
6 mins  |
February/March 2021
Crawling Crankbaits To Catch Cold Water Muskies
Musky Hunter

Crawling Crankbaits To Catch Cold Water Muskies

Crankbaits catch plenty of muskies during spring, summer and fall, but the key to catching ’skies in the very early cold water season on these lures involves some special tricks.

time-read
3 mins  |
February/March 2021