People have been fishing for years, with varying degrees of success. It seems a simple activity on the surface, after all, you just throw a hook and line into the water and voila, there's your lunch, right?

Wrong! Fishing is a complex activity with many nuances and tricks of the trade. With 31,500 different species of fish in the world, the variety of fishing techniques and equipment to catch them with is mind blowing.

So, what are the basics of fishing that you need to check out?

Firstly, you need to decide what type of fishing you will be doing. Fresh water fishing, ocean fishing, fishing for sport or simply fishing for leisure all involve different techniques and equipment, so try to narrow down your interests.

Once you've decided on the type of fishing that interests you most, do your research. The Internet is full of hints and tips for just about all categories of fishing and a simple search for fishing techniques can return literally millions of sources of useful information.A great place to find out more about fishing is at your local tackle shop. Not only are the staff there knowledgeable about the equipment they sell, but they are usually enthusiastic fishermen or women who can pass on many great tips.

Fishing magazines are of course another great source of information and usually include basic tips such as the correct choice of reel, line and bait for your desired fishing style.

As with many other activities, there are many useful videos available that will help you to improve your fishing skills, whatever the style you choose. Learning from a video is a great way to educate yourself on the finer points of fishing. Often a topic that is difficult to comprehend becomes crystal clear when you can actually see what's going on.

Remember you will never learn all there is to know about fishing by talking to other fishermen, reading books or magazines, researching the Internet or watching videos. The best way to improve your knowledge is simply by getting out there and fishing yourself.

And bear in mind: If you are planning a fishing trip, consider South Africa. The country's long coastline and amazing variety of marine life offers several options. Your choice of destination will depend on your budget and on what kind of fish you're after. Research the internet and talk to your travel agent to find the right fishing spot for you.