Kids Fishing Class at Lake Neatahwanta a ‘Huge Success’

By Spider Rybaak
FULTON, NY – Twenty children participated in a kids fishing class conducted by local author Spider Rybaak and McGrath & Associates Carp Angling Services on Sept. 15 at Lake Neatahwanta on Fulton’s west side.

Mike McGrath, the most knowledgeable carp fishing expert on the East Coast, kept several children and their guardians hooked for an hour, explaining and demonstrating fishy subjects ranging from terminal tackle and tying knots to habitat preferences, mixing chum (grains, syrups and Marukyu Japanese bait) and seeding it into the water to draw the fish close to shore.

After his course in theory, McGrath led the kids to a spot on the lake, cast out several lines and began catching carp ranging from 7 to 15 pounds.

Meanwhile, Spider was teaching kids how to fish with worms and lures (Berkley PowerBaits).

Nightcrawlers  were the bait of choice in the beginning, but the supply ran out after a couple hours and the students turned to the Atomic Teasers, Ripple Shad and Honey Worm PowerBaits Spider handed out earlier, catching some nice bluegills and white perch on the popular Berkley lures.

Loaner Shakespeare Classic rod and reel combos were available for the day for kids who didn’t have their own fishing equipment.

Spider and McGrath will hold another fishing class on Lake Neatahwanta, October 27 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

For more information, contact McGrath: [email protected]; 315-882-1549.

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