There are tons of ways to enjoy the outdoors, but few are as relaxing as fishing. With the right planning, you can ensure that your trip will be a success, whether you're on a short weekend excursion or an extended vacation with friends and family. Here are seven tips to help you plan the perfect fishing trip to suit your personal preferences and schedule.

7 Tips for Planning a Fishing Trip

1) Location

The size of your catch is dependent on where you are. What's plentiful in one area might be nonexistent elsewhere, so when deciding where to take your next fishing trip, keep that in mind. Try asking other anglers what they've caught at different locations or do some research on local fish populations to see what might be most prevalent in your area. Once you have an idea of what's available, start narrowing down which locations you want to visit, it's time to consider how to access those spots. Every type of fishing requires a different setup-river fishing requires waders and maybe even a boat, while deep-sea fishing will require different gear than inshore fishing does-and terrain can vary from place to place as well.

2) Weather Matters

As with many outdoor activities, choosing an appropriate time to go fishing is key. Think about when fish are most active and you'll increase your odds of success. Ask your local sporting goods store or bait shop what species are biting where and when; they may even sell fishing calendars with all of their local tips printed on them. Lastly, be sure to check what weather conditions you're likely to encounter at your destination. If it's going to be sunny and 75 degrees one week, but rainy and 40 degrees two weeks later, that might change how you plan ahead.

3) Plan Your Transportation

Whether you're planning to travel by plane, train, or automobile, you'll need to know how to get there. If you don't have someone to pick you up when you arrive at your destination, you'll need a rental car. In general, if you want to keep transportation costs down and avoid stress during your vacation, it's smart to book transportation before setting out on your trip. This way, no matter what happens (weather delays or other unforeseen circumstances), at least one major stressor will be off your plate.

4) Tackle, Hooks and Bait

Whether you're fishing from shore or on a boat, it pays to have all your tackle sorted out before you start fishing. Bring extra line, hooks and leaders if necessary, plus enough spare lures or flies to cover you in case anything goes wrong (and it will). If using bait to catch fish, plan how much is needed and make sure that's available on your trip. Nothing spoils a day on the water more than running out of bait when you haven't planned properly.

5) Fishing Accessories Matter

There are tons of fishing accessories out there that can make your experience easier, but it's important to know what's worth getting and what isn't. A good pair of fishing boots will protect your feet and keep you dry, while a good rod and reel combo can cut down on handling time. The best part is that both have multiple uses so they won't just be taking up space in your truck. If you plan on staying overnight at your destination, pick up some camping equipment; you might even find yourself with some leftovers once you get home.

6) Get Advice From Pros (or learn yourself)

This may sound like an obvious tip, but if you don't know anything about fishing and want to learn more, why not chat with someone who does? It doesn't matter whether it's online or in person-the advice you get from an expert can be invaluable. For example, a local guide or fishing club member could be able to point out local hot spots that are worth looking into; plus, they'll likely have plenty of tips on how to make your trip more successful. They may even allow you to tag along on their next trip so you can see what they do firsthand. Getting advice from pros is also a great way to get free outdoor adventure ideas.

7) Always Check The Rules & Regulations

Different states have different rules and regulations regarding fishing, so it's important to always check before going. Things such as where you can fish, what types of fish you can keep and how many, fishing licenses, size limits, seasons and other conditions all vary from state to state. By checking beforehand you won't find yourself breaking any laws or inadvertently catching an endangered species. It also means you can enjoy your trip more knowing that everything is above board and legal. If possible visit your chosen location in person prior to booking to get an idea of where best to fish (and whether certain areas are even accessible) so that once on-site you can concentrate on catching rather than planning out every last detail.