Sam Register is a big fan of small ponds.

"We go to two different ponds, one of which I grew up fishing in," he said. "Alex just loves getting out. Sometimes, he'll just quit fishing and catch creatures. When he's fishing, he prefers fishing with crickets and worms."

Securing permission for private waters can be easier when you knock on an owner's door with a towheaded youngster (or your wife) standing next to you. The promise to catch and release can help seal the deal. Asking the owner if they'd like some dressed fish or filets, especially sunfish, catfish or crappie, might be a good idea. Many ponds have largemouths stunted due to overpopulation, and removing a few may meet with the pond owner's approval.

One of the bonuses of fishing farm ponds is the trophy catches that are available. A "trophy" is different things to different people, especially small people like children. A 3-pound bass may not seem like much to a jaded adult, but to a 5-year-old it's a huge, huge fish.

Again, tackle needs are not complicated. But a bucket of medium-sized minnows fished on a No. 6 light wire hook underneath a bobber gives a child or spouse the chance at a lunker bass, crappie or catfish, while a tube of crickets fished on a No. 8 or 10 long-shank will tempt the resident panfish and make unhooking easier.

Patience is a virtue for parents when fishing with children.

"There are times I want Alex to catch fish, to do what I'm doing," Register said, "but sometimes you just have to let them do their own thing."

Remember that small waters can yield big treasures to youngsters, but the treasure is not always on the end of a hook.

May is the prime month for striper action, and the trip is tailor-made for boaters who are looking for some easy and fast fishing. Simply set up some bass tackle with Carolina rigs, buy some big shiners, put in at the ramp in Weldon and have at it. Catches of 100 a day are not unusual during peak times.

The fishing is as simple as lip-hooking the bait, dropping it to the bottom and hanging on. As June approaches, there can be a good topwater bite early and late, so Mom and Dad can cast lures while the kids await a bite on bait.

Special regulations affect the Roanoke at this time of the year, including the use of barbless hooks (plugs can have only one barbless hook on them). The harvest season will be over by now, and circle hooks are advised for bait-fishing.

"Piers offer a safe environment and a variety of fishing that you can't get anywhere else, and it's relatively inexpensive," said Dr. Richard Ehrenkaufer, a former nuclear chemist who retired to Emerald Isle. A surf and pier expert, Ehrenkaufer, who is also known as "Dr. Bogus" on his Web site (www.ncoif.com) and weekly local radio show, is a daily visitor to local piers.

"One of the most common mistakes is casting too far," he said. "Some of the best fishing is right around the pier pilings, and bodes well for children and spouses fishing for bottom dwellers."

Piers offer numerous advantages for families looking for fish. Number one, there are fish, even in June. Spring and fall are the best seasons, but there are still enough bluefish and bottom-feeders around to provide action, and also some Spanish mackerel for those adept at casting plugs and spoons.

The same tackle used at inland lakes can be used for a lot of pier fishing, and simple two-hook dropper rigs baited with fresh shrimp or mullet are pretty easy for beginners to rig and fish with. Squid is an option as it stays on the hook well, and bloodworms attract fish well. (Buy shrimp at a seafood market to ensure freshness and a snack for later if the fishing is slow.)

The amenities of pier fishing cannot be overlooked. Restrooms are nearby, food is available, tackle and bait are close at hand, and some pier houses even have video games and television if the fishing is slow.

Capt. Ken Kramer of Southwind Guide Service runs inshore trips and also an offshore charter boat for bluewater species. His 35 years of experience have exposed him to all types of anglers, families included.

"Half-day trips trolling for bluefish and Spanish mackerel are good for families," he said. "Typically, the seas are smooth, you start fishing immediately (compared to offshore trips), there's a lot of action, and you're catching food fish.

"I do half-day trips for redfish in the summer, and that's a lot of fun for someone who's used to bass fishing," he added.

Bottom-fishing headboats are another possibility, and some operations will run fishing trips in protected waters in inlets or nearshore wrecks, but there is more travel time and the possibility of motion sickness.

The same goes for offshore charters, where the water can be rougher, there can be more downtime between strikes, and the cost is usually around $1,000 per trip, as opposed to $250 to $500 for something closer to shore.

Regardless, Kramer recommends asking a few questions before choosing a trip. What age would the captain/crew prefer to deal with? How many can go? How long is the trip? What are the options, species-wise? Is it catch-and-keep or catch-and-release?

From mountain streams to the Gulf Stream, no matter where you live in the Tar Heel State, there's a family fishing adventure just waiting for you. Grab a rod and go!