I just moved to ATL and would really like to start fishing with the kids. Do i need to buy a boat for crappie fishing? never tasted crappie...i hear they are one of the better tasting freshwater fish? are there public fishing piers? my kids are still young, so what type of fishing would you recommend to keep their interest at peak level??

sorry for all the "newbie" questions. thanks for your time!

You know what... sounds like you need to take them trout fishing. I bet they would love it. I know I do. It's a little bit of a drive, but there is a place on Lake Burton called "Mocassin Creek State Park". There, you will find the hatchery, restrooms, and talk to anglers while the little bits cast into the trout ponds. The drive is well worth it, for the scenery is beautiful. First impression is everything, and it will make for a great one. Newbie...without newbies, there are no "Oldbies"!

Right now is primetime for crappie fishing. Go to any of the local parks and find brush piles sticking out of the water. Put a crappie minnow on with a small split shot about 3 inches above the bait, a small weighted bobber and cast near the brush pile. Depending on how small your kids are you may want to help with the casting as the brush will claim some of your line no matter how good you are it comes with the territory. Starting next month you can do the same thing with just about the same rigs just use crickets......I have caught everything on a cricket. It is fun for kids and like my old uncle "Woody" use to tell me when I was little, "if they aint bitin crickets, they just aint bitin " give it a try......

Thank you both so much for the info. Another question if you don't mind. Is there a rod/reel/mono set up that can work for crappie/bass and trout fishing for the beginner? I have heard of an ol ugly stick with a spinning reel at walmart, but I don't mind investing in something else if wear and tear is an issue. I have heard of guys having 6-7 rods with them with different line, different reels etc. That might be a little above...or a lot above my head at this point. Any suggestions for a basic setup? i live up in the southwest lake lanier area if there are any local shops that can be recommended. thanks again!

Trout and Crappie are both line sensitive. Rod and Reel selection can get a little frustrating when you are new to this sport. A light action setup spooled up with either 4 or 6 pd test is the way to go. Since you live close to them, I would suggest "Lake Lanier Fishing and Outdoors". Or, give them a call before you go. Good people work there, and they will definitley help you out.

There is a tree farm on Jot 'em Down rd. called Kinsey Family Farm.
They have a pay pond full of brim and bass that a kid on the bank can easily catch and have a blast. Give it a try.

Another place you can take the kids for trout is Rainbow Ranch on HWY 20 between Cumming and Buford. It is a pay pond and they provide rods and reels I believe. Robert the owner is a great guy. If you want to try crappie from the bank try Little Hall on the left side going in around the brush. Try to go late in the evening if the water is clear which I believe it is. The crappie are spookier in the clear water. Little less spooky at dusk. It should be good at Little Hall the next few weeks. There has also been some stripers caught from the bank at Vanns but not really a good option for kids. The guys at Timberghost which was Lake Lanier Fishing and Outdoors is on the way to Little Hall and they can set you up which the right tackle. The store number is 770-888-0920. It is just north of Cumming.
Directions:
take 400 North to Hwy 369. Turn right, go 1 mile to Hwy 306 and turn left, go 50 yards and turn left into Herbert Automotive and Timberghost is directly behind it.