How Long Before You Switch?

[Arv]

How long do you fish a lure before you switch to try something else? I don't mean going from slop along the bank to deep rocks. But given relatively consistent structure/cover, when would you bail and try something else? Could be a different color or a different technique entirely. Thanks.

[QUAKEnSHAKE]

20-30 minutes Ill try another if I have different ones with me.

To just challenge myself at times I will go out with only one type of lure and nothing else. One day only crank, another day only spinnerbait, only jigs and so forth. I did this just last week with lipless crank thats all I took one 1/2oz blue chrome. Only 2 small bass and one very nice 16" crappie agreed with me but its how I make an outing different.

[MrPeanut]

I'll go until I lose confidence in it...which admittedly a lot of times is probably way too soon...or too long for that matter.

[Arv]

I'll go until I lose confidence in it...which admittedly a lot of times is probably way too soon...or too long for that matter.

Haha same here. That's why I threw the question out here. I'll try some stuff for like 10 casts, and others for hours with no luck...

[flyfisher]

To me it all depends on where i am fishing. I usually pick a spot for any of a number of reasons and try to cover the entire water column in said area. It could be 10 or it could be 20 casts per technique but it really depends on where i am fishing that particular day.

Once i catch one or get a hit i try and replicate that same technique on similar areas and usually i stick with that a little bit longer before switching up.

Sometimes it even works too

[Darren.]

I will switch after a number of casts to a spot I know holds fish - if they don't take it.

How many casts, how many minutes, depends on the circumstances.

Hows that for a clear-as-mud answer?

[11justin22]

When I'm trying to find fish or find what they are biting I move through lures pretty quick, but usually have half a dozen rods rigged and its a simple as picking up another rod.

[Silas]

When I'm fishing a spot that I've caught fish in before, I start with the one that was most successful in the area. After about 10 casts, I lay the rod down and pick up another baited rod from the deck with a different type lure.....about 10 casts with it. Finally, I try a bottom bait.....worm, Senko, shaky head, Rage claw.....for about 10 casts. If I get nothing I pull up the trolling motor and fire up the big motor and move on.

That's why I have the boat, I figure.

For areas I'm fishing for the first time, I do about the same, starting on top with a frog or fluke or spinnerbait, then work down the column to the bottom. But......I might make only 4-5 casts per bait.

I keep about 4-6 rods in the boat with different baits. Those baits are invariably my "confidence" baits!

[Tuckahoe Joe]

For me its usually about 30 min or so. Although sometimes just when Im thinking about changing up a bait, Ill get a bite and then end up fishing it for another 30 min (often with no luck). I only have 1 rod so it gets kind of irritating tieing on bait after bait.

[Loop_Dad]

When I'm trying to find fish or find what they are biting I move through lures pretty quick, but usually have half a dozen rods rigged and its a simple as picking up another rod.

X2.

[SirSnookalot]

If the fish are on I'm going to catch them on anything and if they are off it may be a long day. I like to use something different each outing, I carry 1 rod and 2 or 3 lures and seldom change. I have more confidence in myself than the lure, I'm going to use the one that I think is better suited for shallow or deep, weedy or open water, etc. I prefer catching fish on my terms, meaning lures and techniques that I enjoy, it has to be fun, I will never put pressure on myself as "having to catch a fish".

[slonezp]

As far as presentation, If i am pretty sure the spot has fish, it could be as much as a few casts. I normally have 5-7 rods on deck to mess around with. If I am not sure, I will fish the same bait longer and this would be my confidence bait. A jig or worm. As far as switching spots, It depends if I'm fun fishing or tourney fishing. Fun fishing, it won't matter much. Tourney fishing, I have hopefuly eliminated non productive water while prefishing, and that's what I guage the amount of time on a spot.

[Bankbeater]

It all depends. If I have confidence in a bait I might use it for 30 min or so and change. Then I might go back and put the same bait back on again. If I don't have a lot of confidence in the bait I may only keep it on 5 or 10 minutes.

[BASSHUNTER1961]

If the fish are on I'm going to catch them on anything and if they are off it may be a long day. I like to use something different each outing, I carry 1 rod and 2 or 3 lures and seldom change. I have more confidence in myself than the lure, I'm going to use the one that I think is better suited for shallow or deep, weedy or open water, etc. I prefer catching fish on my terms, meaning lures and techniques that I enjoy, it has to be fun, I will never put pressure on myself as "having to catch a fish".

I could not have said it better myself......

[Jake P]

I'll go until I lose confidence in it...which admittedly a lot of times is probably way too soon...or too long for that matter.

couldn't word it any better.

[LgMouthGambler]

For me it all depends on what the water conditions, time of day, weather, and cover. I always fish my go to bait first, and if that doesnt produce, then I know its gonna be a tough day.

[deep]

Maybe after a couple of hours of hauling water. It's usually the location and/ or the aggressiveness of the fish, rather than the bait, for me.

[AndyTN]

I always fish my go to bait first, and if that doesnt produce, then I know its gonna be a tough day.

I am very similar to this. In my local lakes for me a 3 1/2 tube with a 1/6th jig inserted has been the most consistent bait this year. Fishing it is not at the top of my preferred baits. I do use it as a barometer of sorts though to see if the bite is on. I usually go out with three poles of what I'd prefer to use and then one rigged with the tube. If they are not biting any of them it does get to be a long day.

[xxjace]

When I'm trying to find fish or find what they are biting I move through lures pretty quick, but usually have half a dozen rods rigged and its a simple as picking up another rod.

same here..I have at least 4 rigged with diff things at all times ..just keep putting down and picking up

[BassAssassin726]

When i go out i bring 2 baitcasters and a spinning outfit. I check what the weather and such is going to be the day before and tie on some lures depending on those conditions. But i usually have a spinnerbait and jig on the baitcasters and a worm on the spinning. I would give each lure 10-15 casts in a given spot before changing.

[shimmy]

if i'm fishing a jig, then, i will ocassionally toss something else out for a few minutes but have seen way too many times the consequences of when i put a jig down after several hours of nothing while someone else in the boat continues to use it and catches a monster. Not worth it.

So, depends on the lure of choice.