In this section of The Kids Fishing Shop we're going to identify some of the basic fish you are most likely to catch and how to catch them.

Bluegill  aka. sunny, bream, pumpkinseed, shell cracker

We're going to start with my favorite fish and the fish that's most likely going to be your little one's first fish, the bluegill. Small in size, these fish pack more fight then you might think. They grow up to 12" in the southern U.S and about 9" in the north. They are non-picky eaters, eating just about anything smaller then their mouth. I've caught bluegills with just plain hooks before.  You can catch them all year long, but the best time is late spring and summer.  I reccommend trying worms, crickets, and, oddly enough, corn as bait.  Bluegills can be found in any freshwater. Use a hook small enough to fit in the fish's mouth. I love to fish for bluegill on light line. The lighter the better! Well I've told you enough now. Go and catch some for yourself!

The Largemouth Bass

America’s most sought after game fish, the largemouth bass is known for its large mouth and even larger appetite. They are found everywhere in the U.S., most commonly in rivers, ponds, lakes, canals, and streams. Largemouth bass eat anything living that is smaller than they are. They can be caught anytime of the year. If fishing in the winter, downsize to really small baits and work them very slowly. As far as bass baits are concerned, I believe in the old “K.I.S”, keep it simple. Over the years, I have found a few baits that work for me and I tend to stick with those. It makes me crazy to think of all the bass baits out there. JUST KEEP IT SIMPLE. Fishing is supposed to be fun, so don’t waste time stressing about baits!     

The following methods are simple, yet proven successful when used:

1.Rigging method - Depending on the bait used, loop the bait holder or the treble hook from a line to a preferred distance to the end. Bait movement is not suggested; therefore, a weight must be used to allow the rig to be still. A good distance shall be about 18" to 24."

Same as the first method, using the Slipweight to make the bait stable is also effective. The weight does not matter as long as it can slide in the line. The fish will not feel any weight and it will be late until they realize that the bait is fake.

Multibait technique allows multiple catches at once. Simply place three-way swivel along the line. As it draws more strikes it makes a great choice for catching more catfish at the same time.

2.Bait - Experts opt for chicken livers or medium sized shrimp from groceries. The shrimp's tail and skin must be removed and body should be big enough to slide up in a number 6 hook. This is simpler than the chicken which necessitates the use of pantyhose.

A diameter of a quarter is wrapped in a piece of pantyhose leaving a tag end then attach it through the treble hook. Blood worms, minnows, catfish paste, night crawlers, snails, living or dead small fish, and dough baits are also good choices of baits. Remember that the best baits are always those that nature produced.

3.Chumming - Fishermen catch more catfish with this method. This is simply throwing balls of mixtures of natural recipes in the fishing area. This attracts more catfish; the trick is that the mixture should be right enough for the catfish to feed heavily. The hook that will be used to fish normally must have the same recipe for the bait. Adding a good smelling flavor into the pasty mixture attracts catfish more.

4.Tackling - Although the technique involved in this method is by far effective, it's still the bait that attracts and brings the catfish in. As simple as it is, the tackle should be about 6 feet long with a spinning real.

Choose heavier lines to allow more battle between the fisherman and the catfish. It doesn't necessarily have to be expensive. The experience you get from a cheaper tackle is no different from an expensive one.

Make sure the grip is secure hooks are removed by pliers after catching the fish. Avoid being stuck with the fins as some are poisonous. Just simply sliding the hand up to its belly from tail, placing the fingers behind one side and thumb behind the other can remove the catfish from the hook without any harm. Happy catfishing and good luck!