Plan Your Meals
Even if you're fishing in the must bountiful, well-stocked lake in the country, don't plan on catching fish for your meals. Bad things can happen—the weather can turn nasty, the fish can get finicky or you can have an unlucky day of fishing. For all intents and purposes, eating fish on a trip should be seen as an added bonus, not an absolute.
Most fishermen I know don't usually bother with lunch, opting instead to keep fishing, but beef jerky and granola bars will suffice. Dinner should be the big meal of the day.
More: Fishing Trips for the Beginner
Know the Lay of the Lake Ahead of Time
In terms of tackle, I've had luck trolling near weeds and other shoreline vegetation with just about everything over the years—spoons, spinners, jigs. If my boat is in more open water, and particularly around rock outcroppings or other landmarks, I plan to start by searching for eddies and casting some shallow or deep-diving crankbait, depending on the water's depth.
If you're fishing for trout, the game will be completely different, and the most important thing to note is when the insect hatch occurred. Your best bet is to read up about the fishing in your specific region well before you head out. Each body of water will have its own secrets, as will the fish that inhabit it.
More: Campgrounds for Saltware Fishing
Find a Campground at ReserveAmerica.com.