As another fishing season rolls around, a lot of anglers are looking for ways to improve their fish-catching skills. Unfortunately, many of them are looking in all the wrong places. Modern anglers tend rely too heavily on technology. While I strongly encourage anglers to own the best equipment they can afford, bells and whistles alone won't turn the average fisherman into a tournament pro any more than the best set of golf clubs will turn a weekend hacker into another Tiger Woods. The consistent results experienced by professionals require years of hard work and practice.
Equipment is only as good as the angler using it.
There are, however, five fairly simple principles that will help anyone be more successful. Pick a lake that's known to have an excellent population of whatever species you like to fish. Instead, call your state fisheries division and ask which lakes in your area have the strongest populations of catchable fish. Next, get a map of that lake and study the bottom contours. Talk to bait shop owners or guides who are familiar with the lake.