Take a kid fishing

• Keep it simple. A cane pole, live bait or canned corn, bobber, split shot and tiny hook make the perfect kid's fishing rig. Look for action. Walleye, northern pike or smallmouth bass might be your preferred catch but to a kid, any fish is a trophy. Panfish are often the most cooperative and can usually be found near shore.

• Distractions. Pack a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, cookies or just a bag of crunchy granola. A pair of binoculars, bird books or even a bucket of minnows can delay the sound of "I wanna go home" for hours.

• Safety. Wear a lifejacket. Kids are great imitators - if they see adults wearing a lifejacket, they'll wear theirs. Be sure to pack band-aids, pliers, a handkerchief, sunscreen and raingear.

• Have fun. At its heart, fishing is about memories. So make them. Be willing to stop and turn over rocks, feed the ducks or just wander around looking for frogs. It doesn't matter. Wonderful memories will be formed when people make fishing fun.

Minnesota's walleye and northern pike opener is May 12. The bass season opens May 26 for most of the state, and muskellunge become legal on June 2. Seasons are already open for crappie and sunfish.

fishing reels cleaning

Maintaining your fishing reels is one of the most important things you can do to make sure they work well and last for many seasons to come. It doesn't have to be a daunting task. Just follow these tips from the Reel Saver line of products and you’ll be ready for another great year of fishing fun.
With the help of a mini-screwdriver set, you can disassemble the basic components of your reel without creating an impossible jigsaw puzzle. Just be sure to place all the small parts a safe place to keep them from disappearing!
For a baitcaster, for example, removing the main cover plate will expose the main gear and bearing. Once there, clean off pre-existing buildup, which includes lubricant and organic material like salt crystals and marine life residue. Use a cleaner to free material from metal surfaces. Soap and water is popular, but it will not get out heavy buildup and can leave a residue. A cleaner like Reel Saver emulsifies organics very well and is safe to use.
Once cleaned, apply a small bead of oil or grease to moving parts. An oil viscosity is better for the bearing, and a light grease is more ideal for joints and other friction- vulnerable surfaces.
Depending on configurations, other parts like the anti-reverse and clutch bearings require a lubricant like Reel Saver AR, which has a tackier consistency. A good lubricant can also provide exterior protection for the reel.More fishing tips.