How much time?

[BobT]

One of the problems with me when I'm on the water is deciding when I've given a particular area enough time to show whether it's producing or not.

Typical scenario is that I get positioned on a particular structure and start casting my jigs, cranks, whatever and after a while I start to wonder....is this place going to produce or should I move on? Basing my decision on past experience (the past few minutes) it would be easy to say yes but not only do you have to be at the right place but you have to be there at the right time. What if I decide to leave just as the fish decide to produce? Maybe 30 seconds after I decide to pull out they decided to bite and I missed it.

How do you guys decide such perplexing questions?

Bob

[BRULEDRIFTER]

I stick it out for a while longer, then when I'm ready to leave, I take a few more casts. Then I'm gone!

But it also depends on the species I'm after, and other variables. Usually though, when I am not feeling it, I go through the motions I stated above.

[hhguide]

Yup it give myself more time than I think on a spot then I'm going to know what is going on at that spot if your there for awhile and dont get a few until the end next time or the nest day start later on that spot it maybe that they bite in the afternoon there and not right away inthe morning

[Nick Kuhn]

Depends on how well I can convince myself that another spot on the lake will be more productive.

[Bassboy1645]

I have a handful of lakes statewide where theres one or 2 spots that produce no matter what!!! Honestly even under worst conditions like cold fronts and hot flat calm( walleyes) I can pick up a fish here. But if its good I can get a bunch! So often esp if its a tourney, I get my couple eaters or my board fish and then I use that to determine if other spots and patterns will produce.

On a relaxing day with a buddy or uncle we just try everything or stick with a couple known producers like jigging or casting a crank and we work every spot with one or 2 presentations thouroghly and rarely we strike out but if the fishing is decent at all we get a few....

Muskie I always cover structure good one time run and gun and hit it later if we raise fish or see anythign or think its good..

I never really ponder my choices..fishign wise...If im not feeling the technique or spot right away I change...I dont wait and see or try too many things...

Just my syle though...

[PerchJerker]

Normally I like to move around a lot and not spend much time in one area ...... I like to go find active fish that want to bite. In tournaments though I usually try to stick it out on the best spots, trying to catch just a few quality fish. Problem is I usually lose patience and want to move.

[Down Deep]

If it is a new spot that I have never fished before I will work it over for quite awhile to learn it. If after I've tried what I consider "good water" and I have found no fish or anything that would cause me to believe there were fish present; 1. Sonar evidence 2. fish biting in a similar location; I'm on my way.

If it is a known spot, I will give it the once through and get going. Again, I'm looking for evidence that fish are there.

If it is crappy weather or the lake is just off-the-bite I might just sell my soul and stay put. This is usually on spots that I know and have produced in the past.

I believe that although the run and gun method has its place, you can shortchange yourself by not staying put long enough to figure out the bite.

[BXC747]

If fish dont produce after a bit I move on, simple as that. If the fish arent biting at a spot, move on and come back later, or at a different time the next day.