How Long Before You Change Patterns?

[Megastink]

When I fish a tournament, I survey the conditions and do my best to "fish the moment". However, we all come to a point where enough is enough, and if you're not getting bit, it's time to change.

So, what's your time limit?

If I'm fishing a certain technique that I think will work, but I don't get bit in about 30 minutes, I'm doing something else.

As a co-angler, I've spent way too many days caring senkos to middle-of-nowhere "grass" with nothing to show for it. Now, I speak my mind and give honest opinions. Half an hour and no bites; time to move.

On MLF, KVD was talking about how his cutoff time is 10 minutes. No fish in ten minutes, he's gone. Then again, some other pros might sit on a spot all day and wait for the fish to turn on. Sometimes they're rewarded.

What are your thoughts?

[jhoffman]

The drop shot for me has my confidence so high that if I throw it and it doesnt produce a fish I will move. My favorite bait to throw is a jig and 90% of the time its on some form of rock. If I cant get that jig bite going Ill pick up that drop shot rod. If i can boat one bass of any size I will adjust from there. The drop shot is so effective in my mind that its almost not fair to the fish.

 

Some people are just killing their drop shot action by jacking a 1/0 hook into the bait. Ive caught 10lb steelhead on size 20 hooks so I know that its not necessary to have a hook that size. Im nose hooking 6's and 8's most times on a trick worm when I drop shot. Its all about a light presence sometimes.

 

One time I was fly fishing a stocked stream, that pool I couldnt produce a fish on a size 20 fly, thats small for those who never fly fish. I dropped down to a size 28 black midge and landed two holdver browns, one was 26" and the other 24"

[Megastink]

I use #6 Gammys for dropshoting. I only lost one fish last year. I compensate with a 7'1" ML Powell Endurance rod. Great tip.

[tbone1993]

I give it about an hour before I move on. It really depends on the conditions, if the weather changes I might bounce to another spot then return to where I started.

[reaction-strike]

This is the million dollar question. Personal preference, I would opt to stay in a spot longer, if I know there are fish there and its just a matter of time before the bite turns on.  The more time your running, the less time your lure is in the water. If I caught fish in that spot while pre-fishing, it gives me more confidence in that spot, I know those fish are there and I would grind it out. If I have a non-productive pre-fish, I would opt for running and gunning and hope I get lucky casting to active fish. I find running and gunning plays with my head.  If KVD says, 10min maybe I should change my way of thinking.   

[BradGuenette]

Last summer was fishing a tourney here on Muskrat lake, cold front had just passed through, winds were howling, we fished the same spot all day, using tubes and drop shot. I knew the fish were there so why move. We got 6 bites for 5 fish that day which landed us in 4th place with 18lbs. That's always a problem do you stay on one spot and grind it out? Or move and search for something that may not even be there?

[Felix77]

As a co-angler this one is very tough.  Especially if you are working a bait, not getting bites and see your boater begin landing them. 

 

That doesn't mean your presentation wouldn't get bit but it does begin to mess with your head.

 

With that being said I am more inclined to go with the 30 minute rule as a co-angler if neither of us is getting bit.  If my partner begins killing it then that could vary.