TAKING THE BAIT WITH FIRST BITE

Kids learn how to fish at Lake County Fair

A large fish tank filled with catfish is one of the newest attractions at this year’s Lake County Fair in Painesville Township.

First Bite, located at the west end of the midway, is an attraction that teaches kids and adults the basics of fishing.

Beau Allen, with First Bite Fishing Tanks, said the exhibit is designed to teach kids, although adults are welcome also, how to bait the hooks, cast their line, catch a fish and take the fish off the hook.

“It’s educational and free,” He said.

Primarily, the tanks are filled with catfish, but occasionally they use bluegill.

Allen said visitors to the attraction have been nonstop. The first day of the fair it ran from 12:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.

“It’s been a constant flow of kids,” Allen said. “They get to come here and fish for free. What’s more important than a little kid putting their pole in and catching a big old catfish?”

Allen said First Bite is educational and attracts

“It gives kids something to learn. You get a lot of people here from the city who don’t get to go out and fish.” — Beau Allen of First Bite Fishing Tanks

children as well as adults.

Some people have never fished before and this gives them the opportunity to give it a try.

Typically, the tank can accommodate up to 10 kids at time for fishing.

“It gives kids something to learn. You get a lot of people here from the city who don’t get to go out and fish,” Allen said on the importance of having an attraction like this at the fair. “We show them it’s a very fun activity that you can take your family out and do.”

In addition to teaching

basic fishing skills, Allen also explains the difference in fish species and types of bait.

Parker Warmington, 6, of Chardon, found the fishing to be her favorite part of the fair.

“It’s awesome,” she said. I’ve never fished here. I found it and said I want to fish.

Parker’s grandmother, Fran Warmington, said they were there before it opened and Parker kept checking her watch waiting for 12:30 when the tank was scheduled to open.

Warmington expects to have a hard time trying to get Parker away from the attraction, because she enjoys it so much.

Jaiden Avila, 10, Phoenix, Arizona, caught four fish within a half hour at the tank and thought the experience was really fun.

“It’s really cool how they even have an albino catfish,” he said.

After catching his fish, Jaiden stood and watched as Allen pointed out the fish’s teeth while showing him how to take it off the hook. Allen then showed Jaiden how to hold the fish properly and release it before handing it to him to throw back.

First Bite Fishing Tanks definitely plans on returning to the Lake County Fair next year, if fair officials want to have them back, Allen said.

KRISTI GARABRANDT — THE NEWS-HERALD First Bite Fish Tanks, a new attraction to the Lake County Fair, teaches kids the basics of fishing and has a steady line of kids waiting to try it July 26.

KRISTI GARABRANDT — THE NEWS-HERALD Parker Warmington, 6, of Chardon, holds the catfish she caught while fishing at the First Bite Fish Tanks at the Lake County Fair July 26.