"malcolm" wrote in message
news:AKTOe.273910$x96.52764@attbi_s72...
Andy wrote:
I hope someone can help with my quest!

I have a young son who is bursting to have a go at fishing. He is
particularly keen to eat anything that he might catch, so I thought sea
fishing would be just the job. However I am no angler and have no idea
where I should take him...

I am based in the Reading area, so the obvious venues are either Southsea
or Hayling Island. Are either of these suitable for a young lad with a
rod, reel, spinners and a few feathers? As the rod is quite short,
casting miles from the beach is not an option. What do the panel suggest,
bearing in mind the priority is to have fun (this is a potential hobby so
I don't want to put him off) and perhaps catch nothing more exotic than
perhaps a mackerel?

Thanks for any suggestions,

Andy.

what I would give for a couple of fresh Mackeral
Mackeral are prob the best tasting fish you can catch anyway,
peppered and fried mmmmmmm.
Explain that fishing on the beach is an experience, like an expedition
sand, sun, darkness, food and drink, seagulls, sand fleas etc etc.
and maybe some fish too.
people who just want to catch fish go boat fishing.
Sounds like a day fishing trip, so take a camera and seashore wildlife
book too, small children can get bored just fishing, wildlife exploration
gives it a broader meaning.
plus gloves and a few plastic bags to pick up some litter too.
always helps keep the beach clean.
regards malcolm

This is my thinking exactly. Given that my son is very keen to try fishing
and my daughter is fairly curious about it, I don't want the initial
experience to put them off. My intention is to keep expectations low and
emphasise the fun aspects. As you say, at their ages, there is so much more
to a day trip that happens to include a bit of fishing rather than a fishing
only trip that, at least initially, is very likely to yield no fish.

I would like to say a big thank you to everyone for the replies so far, they
have all been very informative and encouraging.

Regards,

Andy.