Any good lake around Socal? I am thinking of taking my son (near 6 years old) fishing. I bought him a walmart set rod/reel combo like 3 months ago but he hasn't used it yet

I heard Irvine lake is good? I am just 7 miles away from puddingstone. Anybody fished there before?

Fished Irvine lake before...good trout and cat fishin'. Im frequent at Bonelli park but only for mountainbiking. Seen boat fishing the lake mostly close to the dam. Check the lakes when the last time they were stocked with fish...call their office

tractng wrote:Any good lake around Socal? I am thinking of taking my son (near 6 years old) fishing. I bought him a walmart set rod/reel combo like 3 months ago but he hasn't used it yet

I heard Irvine lake is good? I am just 7 miles away from puddingstone. Anybody fished there before?

If you want him to catch fish try Irvine Lake or Corona Lakes but I believe you have to basically buy the fish...not my kind of lakes.

Puddingstone is a nice little lake to shore fish from but never been much action there for me. How about shore fishing at Diamond Valley? Just check their website for trout plant dates. Or rent a bass boat and give him a day on the lake.

If you are willing to let him go on the jetski with you, try Silverwood, Perris, or maybe even Newport Bay for some spotted bass.

I miss having a son that was 6 years old that loved to fish with Dad....don't pass up those opportunities.

hobiefish wrote:

tractng wrote:Any good lake around Socal? I am thinking of taking my son (near 6 years old) fishing. I bought him a walmart set rod/reel combo like 3 months ago but he hasn't used it yet

I heard Irvine lake is good? I am just 7 miles away from puddingstone. Anybody fished there before?

If you want him to catch fish try Irvine Lake or Corona Lakes but I believe you have to basically buy the fish...not my kind of lakes.

Puddingstone is a nice little lake to shore fish from but never been much action there for me. How about shore fishing at Diamond Valley? Just check their website for trout plant dates. Or rent a bass boat and give him a day on the lake.

If you are willing to let him go on the jetski with you, try Silverwood, Perris, or maybe even Newport Bay for some spotted bass.

I miss having a son that was 6 years old that loved to fish with Dad....don't pass up those opportunities.

I hear you about the opportunities. He always asks, "Dad when are you going to take me fishing"? The ocean is just too rough sometimes. I took him jet ski riding last summer from Long Beach to HB (to see dolphins), it turned out to be a rough day. It was cloudy and cold and he didn't respond well at the end which made my wife and I nervous. We had two other jet skis that went with us. I almost wanted to ask the Coast Guard for help when we saw them but wife told me to continue (another subject of discussion).

I read somewhere too that Irvine lake has a feel for "buying fish" rather than fishing.

Hi Tony! When it's your kid's first time fishing, the most important thing is to make sure he catches a fish. Since you bought him a walmart combo rod, the fishing line should be no more than 4 lbs, especially in this occasion, fishing around this area for lake trout. If you have more than 4 lbs it would be really difficult to catch the trout. It doesn't matter which lake you go to. as long as you and your son have a great time!

alanhighhand wrote:Hi Tony! When it's your kid's first time fishing, the most important thing is to make sure he catches a fish. Since you bought him a walmart combo rod, the fishing line should be no more than 4 lbs, especially in this occasion, fishing around this area for lake trout. If you have more than 4 lbs it would be really difficult to catch the trout. It doesn't matter which lake you go to. as long as you and your son have a great time!

Well said!

Every child is different and you will have to adjust the type of fishing as he matures. I have 3 children and all three behave differently. My son would stop fishing, start whining, or find other things to do if the fish aren't biting. My older daughter does well in any situation and will fish all day without catching a fish and not complain. My youngest daughter fished once; didn't catch a fish in the first 5 minutes and decided fishing is boring.

You will just have to get him fishing and figure it out as you go! Remember, it is really not about the fishing; fishing is just a reason for you to spend time and have fun with him and hopefully pass on a hobby that he can enjoy the rest of his life. I am still learning about that myself. When you see him catch a fish and see that big smile it will make sense. I have never seen a sad face on a kid that just caught a fish!

Allan is very good about taking his children fishing; maybe you want to tag along with him sometime when he goes.

Here is a little of what you have to look forward to:

Thanks Alan and Hobiefish!!! Hobiefish, you are one strong man with three beautiful kids. We decided to stop at one

Never miss a chance! My son is 14 now and has started being interested in other endeavors, if you you know what I mean. But he will always remember OL POP whenever he is near the water. My 10 yo is still into whatever POP does as long as that Dang XBOX is turned off!

TrimUp wrote:Never miss a chance! My son is 14 now and has started being interested in other endeavors, if you you know what I mean. But he will always remember OL POP whenever he is near the water. My 10 yo is still into whatever POP does as long as that Dang XBOX is turned off!

Nice pics. My son turned anti-Dad at about 13 but is coming around at 20...one of these days he is going to ask to go fishing again and I will probably have a heart attack and won't be able to go

Moral of the story: Tony-GET that boy out fishing because he is in the prime window of opportunity for Father-Son adventures.