There are many hints that will help you to have a successful fishing trip, no matter whether it is on a freshwater lake, a river or a pond. Here are a few: -

* Use the correct bait. This may seem obvious, but many anglers get used to using one type of bait and will use nothing else when a little change could get them the fish they desire. Many freshwater fish like live earthworms. If you can't get live bait, use the correct lures for your type of fish.

* Use a hook that is the right size. If you have a tiny hook it won't be strong enough for any but the smallest fish. If you are using a big hook it might be too big for the mouth of the fish you are after. Find out what size hook should be used for the fish you hope to catch and be sure to use it. Keep spares in case you lose the one you're using.

* Use the correct weight of line. A line that is too light will be likely to break. Don't use line that is ancient.

* Use fresh knots. Knots put extra strain on your line and tend it tends to break where it's knotted, so don't use yesterday's knots.

* Fish where the fish are. This may seem obvious too, but many anglers simply throw in their line at the first water they see. There are many ways to find out where the fish are most likely to be. Sometimes you will see birds hanging over the water and this will usually be to get their share of the smaller fish or crustaceans that the fish are chasing.

* Look for spots that have both deep and shallow water nearby. The fish like to hide in deep water, but they often like to feed in shallow water.

* Take note of the time your fish species like to feed. It may be that they only feed during sunrise and sunset. So if you are out there in the heat of the midday sun you may not catch anything at all.

* Fish at points. Points hold the type of structure that many fish species like such as brush, rocks and stumps. Bass especially can be caught in these areas, especially if a channel is nearby.

* Look for underwater foliage. Fish like to feed amongst weeds like lily pads, arrowheads and hydrilla, where they are safer from predators. Weedy places also contain the feed that fish like to eat.