While there is certainly a high degree of excitement that comes to the participants of the recent marlin tournaments, it is equally magical to see the pure honest excitement that materializes when a kid catches their first fish.  It is an experience that can take us back to our roots and remind us how special fishing really is.

Last weekend the San Diego Anglers Club hosted a day of fishing for the Big Brothers of America.  The kids and their big brothers met at the Seaforth Boat Rental in Glorietta Bay on Coronado Island.  I was lucky enough to participate in this back to basics day.  Two boys, Adam and Eric and their big brothers boarded the Parker at 7:30 am and we worked our way out of the bay. 

When I asked the boys if they had ever been fishing they both said yes, but that they did not catch anything.  Their impression of fishing was sitting on the bank with the rod sitting lifelessly in the rod holder. 

They enjoyed the various sites in the bay including the Padre's Petco Park, aircraft carriers, Seaport Village, downtown, the Point Loma lighthouse, and more. 

Within 30 minutes we had arrived at the green tank area off of the Point Loma kelp beds.  I told them that we were looking for bonito.  I baited a rod with a live sardine and gave it to Eric.  We were going to slow troll and I told him to let out some line and to lightly put his thumb on the spool.  I told the boys that if they got a bite the line would start to peel off the spool.  Within 3 second of that statement the line began to peel off of Eric's reel and a very surprised and excited look appeared on his face.  The fish ripped drag off of the reel and he did his best to battle the fish.  A few moments later Eric had his first fish. 


After bleeding the fish and putting it on ice we put out a couple more sardines.  The boys were visibly excited now and could sense that another bite would surely happen.  And they were right.  This time it was Adam's turn.  He is a bit younger and struggled to wind the fish to the boat, smiling all the way.  It wasn't too long before he had his prize.


We spent the next couple of hours catching fish after fish.  At one point the sealion moved in and started stealing our baits.  We changed tactics and began trolling Rapalas.  The boys loved hearing the clickers go off and seeing the light weight rods bent over double, a prelude to greater things to come in later life no doubt! 

That feeling is ever present in all of us when we are fishing.  We are all just big kids waiting for that magical feeling when we connect. 

I would encourage everyone to take a kid fishing and get them hooked on the sport that we all cherish so much.  There is a certain joy in passing the baton to the next generation.


Doug