As a professional fishing guide in the backcountry and flats around the Florida Keys, I've noticed some of my clients come more prepared than others. Experience and casting ability are important, but skill is no match for the elements. Whether you fish with a guide 100 days a year, or it's your first guided fishing trip ever, there are things you can do to stack the odds in your favor and enhance your next fishing experience. Follow the ten tips below to make certain you're ready when the action starts.

These tips are aimed at flats or backcountry fishing, but can be applied to almost any fishing adventure you seek.

Remember: you can share you're own fishing tips with the GAFF community by creating a free member account on our forums.

1. Practice casting. The better you've prepared your ability to cast, the luckier you'll be. Go to the park, backyard, parking lot or any open space where you can practice. Be sure to practice with the wind in various angles because the fish seem to know when you have trouble casting in a crosswind.
2. Dress warm. Yes, it does get cold in Florida! Maybe not Canada cold, but when you start out in the chilly, wet morning and add some wind, all of the sudden it feels like the thermostat is broken and the cold air blows right through your core for 45 minutes. Layering is the answer. Bring raingear, a light jacket or sweatshirt and long pants. You can even get the long pants with the zip off shorts if the weather gets too hot to wear the full length pant.
3. Bring polarized sunglasses. Can't catch what you can't see. This isn't so important if you're going to be "blind casting" most of the day, but still, c'mon, get some polarized sunglasses. You don't have to spend a fortune. Most sporting goods stores and even some gas stations will carry some kind of polarized sunglass.
4. Wear comfortable shoes. You'll be standing for most of the day and you'll want to protect your feet from the sun and from the hard deck of the boat. It'll also help your back. Leave your wading boots behind unless you plan to get out of the boat.
5. Wear a hat and sunscreen. Don't bring your favorite "lucky" hat, unless you don't mind it getting wet, lost, or fishy smelling. Hats reduce glare, protect your noggin from the sun and keep you cool. Put sunscreen on before you get to the dock and every two hours - especially if you haven't seen the sun in a long time. Don't forget the back of your neck, legs and hands.
6. Have a good attitude. Even if the weather gets you down, don't frown. The bite may be on or it may take some time, but you've got to be ready when it happens. If you're bummed because the fishing is slow and decide to make a few calls or write some text messages, that's when the fish will decide it's time to strike.
7. Bring a camera. No, it's not bad luck. A camera captures the memory and keeps the fish alive. Video is cool, too. Some folks have underwater housing and take exotic photos, while others just keep the camera dry and whip it out for the release shot of a lifetime. Make sure the batteries are charged before you leave the house. Camera phones work, too, but their resolution is often too low for quality reproduction.
8. Bring food and drink. I usually have an assortment of refreshments on ice, but bringing along your favorite drink, like a frapaccino-latte-mocha-whatever, Gatorade or a Redbull might be the ticket to keep you going. Think easy packaging too. While a green salad sounds like a great idea, it might blow away if you try to eat while the boat is moving. Stick to heartier and easier to handle foods like tuna salad, ceviche, egg salad, fried chicken, beef jerky, trail-mix, power bars or deli sandwiches.
9. Make a plan. Decide what you want to fish for before leaving the dock. It's always good to have a plan. And while things change, at least it gives you a strategy for the day. If you're not familiar with the area or kind of fish you might encounter, you can let the guide decide what might be best for the day. It always makes good sense to call your guide the night before so he can be ready with the tackle and the strategy. A day of bending a rod and a day of catching bonefish are very different things but can be equally as fun and exciting. Your guide might have you in a good area for redfish, but far away from an area that's productive for tarpon. Keep your options open, but be aware that not all species of fish are in the same areas that you might be fishing in for the day.
10. Listen to your captain. Your guide is out there everyday and sees all situations. The more you act like a team instead of competitors, the more fun you'll have and the more fish you'll catch.

These tips and a conversation or two with your guide will ensure a great time on your next fishing charter. After all, it's all about getting out on the water and enjoying the day. When you're more prepared for what might happen, the luckier the fisherman you'll be.

Capt. Steve Friedman
www.afishingguide.com