time management

[eats]

Hey,

How do you guys manage your time on the water? Specifically, how much time is devoted to fishing proven spots vs. exploring new areas?

In just the past month or so I've really gotten hooked on smallmouth and have found a couple spots on the lake (Mille lacs) that I am comfortable with and that have been producing fair numbers with the occassional big fish. Now I don't know how to balance the comfort zone with the urge to explore. Any thoughts?

Brandon

[Crawlerman]

Interesting thought. Myself I will generally go on a spot untill it becomes less productive than I would like; then would do my exploring. Also in the early spring and late summer I'll be more mobile and apt to explore. On slow days in general I will try to look for new spots.

I fish for bass and sunnies a lot; and therefore often look for visable cover nearby. The only time I really use the depthfinder is when I'm searching for crappies, or just to make sure the water is deep enough to motor in.

[EBass]

Finding a new spot is exciting. Go explore, you can always come back to your "proven" spots. Good luck and just my .02

[dfv87]

I spend lots of time night fishing, and night fishing it is hard to do too much exploring due to safety concerns. I find myself trying to get out every few occasions earlier than normal to do my scouting before sundown. At night if I try a new spot it is definately because I looked it up on a map and have scouted it prior. If I am fishing in a boat or ice fishing I try to stay mobile to new spots if the fish are not there they won't bite. I do not have a specific time with no bites to move but I just "feel" I gotta move.

[can it be luck?]

Hit the old reliable spots first to get an idea how the bite's going. Look for spots that have the same characteristics as the proven spots to try. Fishing slows, move. Your "hot spots" may be seasonal so try to figure out the attractions to the spot and dont rule it out if it slows. If you have a good bite going experiment with other baits on these active fish, a good confidence builder. can it be luck?

[united jigsticker]

Yep. Finding new spots is most of the fun, just like finding whole new lakes to explore.

I'll do the same as noted above when about to seek new spots; Go to an old "trusty" and get a general pattern on the fish first. It may not always be a replica of what other spots are doing, but it gives a good idea and start point.

If I have people with in the boat, 99% of the time is spent on old reliable holes. Fishing alone is when I explore.

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Good fishing,
UJ
[email protected]

[Guest]

i'll fish "my spots" in the morning and evening....i take the afternoon to go and explore.....even if i only catch one or two fish on those new spots....it tells me that those new spots can be very productive the next time in the mornings and evenings....but it also says....if the fishing is tough.....i can still catch fish during the afternoon lull....and thats why i'll come back with fish when others don't....

[Paul Rohweller]

Good question! for me all my exploring is done when I'm alone or with my dad or slick 2526.. When I'm with clients I spend all my time (usually)on proven spots. Then I fish thru them once, if they fail to produce I move, if they still look fishy I'll regroup, tweek things a bit if need be and go thru a second time. No fish the second pass I'm on to the next spot but I might be back later if it looked good.I have a few large sandbars that hold fish. The fish can be most anyplace along the bars so you have to look a bit, trolling spinners lets you move along pretty quickly until you have them pinned down. If I run across a new spot when I'm with clients I might drop a line quick just to feel it out otherwise it goes into the gps until I can come back alone to look the situation over closer...Good fishin!! Paul

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Paul Rohweller
Pine to Prairie Guide Service
218-962-3387
N.P.A.A. 425
http://fishingminnesota.com/pinetoprairie

[Guest]

I normally like to try my go to spots first then If I get nothing I will go and explore. I just got myself a underwater camera so when i explore i can see whats down there also. That is also nice. If i am planning on night fishing I might go out lil earlier to do some exploring then when it gets dark I will go the spots I know and fish them.

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Fish ON!