Super User slonezp Posted January 20, 2010 Super User Posted January 20, 2010 I have 8 hours from take off to weigh in. I fish a river system with 7 lakes totaling 11-12000 acres. I have approximatly 20 "spots" that I fish on a regular basis. If I'm in a spot that normally produces fish and isn't how long before I should change presentations, how long before I should leave? Also If I'm on a spot catching small fish. How long before changing or leaving? Do you guys try and catch a limit then go for the big bite or go for the big bite and if that doesn't work, try and get your limit. Time management during tourneys drives me crazy and I think if I was more focused on fishing than 2nd guessing myself I could do better. Does anyone else go thru this? Quote
Super User fishfordollars Posted January 20, 2010 Super User Posted January 20, 2010 Great questions, unfortunately sharp minds have been trying to figure that out since man picked up a switch and tied a hook made of bone to the line. When to go or stay. All I can tell you is let your instincts be your best guide. I have this problem to. I may hit one spot and be gone in five minutes(It just does not feel right). Next spot I might drop off plane, cut the outboard, and then leave without a cast. Just use your instincts, everyone else does. I try to give a spot a real try if I decide to fish it. Fish the top of the water column, then mid depth, and last out deeper(As to number of cast in each column, heck, who knows). Problem is the fish may turn on either before you arrived or after you leave. It's all about timing. In order to time an area or spot you just have to have the time to fish it at different times of day. Someone fishing one or two days just does not have the time. Five little ones or go for the big bite. I'm going for the big bite. You will usually catch enough small ones while doing that. Dang, I got way off track on this, but you would have to write a chapter, or a book to cover it well. Jack Quote
Aluma-Bass Posted January 20, 2010 Posted January 20, 2010 I always go for my limit now....i use to catch my self spending too much time lookin for that kicker fish. When i started filling my limit 1st i started doing alot better and even won couple T's last year. After i get my limit thats when i start searchin for the hawg! One T i fished i had my limit with in the 1st hour so i had the rest of the time to hunt! Quote
NILBasser Posted January 20, 2010 Posted January 20, 2010 I am firm believer in getting a limit then trying to upgrade. That way I concentrate on fishing. Never second guess yourself if you are fishing your "spots" Quote
TimJ Posted January 20, 2010 Posted January 20, 2010 can you "time" your fish? often, bass will feed at around the same time in a 2-3 day interval although the time may get a bit later as days go on...depending if most conditions stay stable. when practicing, if you find bunches of bass feeding at diff times, cycle through them. just an idea. I fished with Steve Daniel on the Detroit River in a Top 150 on Lk StClair yrs ago and we fished like he was in FLA. he had them timed to the point that he told me when they would turn on and he was spot on for all 3 days. we were day 3 and the pattern held. TJ Quote
TimJ Posted January 20, 2010 Posted January 20, 2010 I see that dollars had the same idea...oops Quote
bmadd Posted January 20, 2010 Posted January 20, 2010 My philosophy is to try and fish for 5 good ones, not just keepers. Like Jack said, you'll normally catch some small ones while doing this. Quote
kikstand454 Posted February 2, 2010 Posted February 2, 2010 My philosophy is to try and fish for 5 good ones, not just keepers. Like Jack said, you'll normally catch some small ones while doing this. i agree.. but then... if your mindset is that you dont want to catch just "keepers", then wont you find yourself putting the small ones back? i think you should go to the holes you found or know about... and fish like every cast is for a 10lber. if you find that a bunch of 2lbers are on the spot... then get your limit in the boat and move on. a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush....... you have to sometimes think that if dinks have moved up to the spot you were catching 4lbers on the day before... that the other anglers in the tourney may be experencing the same problem. and then a limit of 2lbers could very well win the tourney. Quote
StingerJon11 Posted February 2, 2010 Posted February 2, 2010 very wise group here. i'm more top gun and go for the 10lb kicker. I find the smaller ones along the way. Quote
Super User slonezp Posted February 14, 2010 Author Super User Posted February 14, 2010 I had the opportunity to ask Mike Iaconelli How long do you stay? during a seminar at a fishing show here in Chicago. His answer was no longer than an hour. I have since seen him in an interview on Bassmasters saying to fish every tournament to win. I got to thinking after I listened him. I go into tournements "hoping" to win, not needing to win. If I don't win a tournament I'm still going to eat. When I go to work I need to do well because if I hope to do well I may not have a job tomorrow. If I fish a tourney with the "I need to win" attitude it may be easier to make decisions. Going for the "big bite" may be the way to go. This year I will prepare (prefish)more which should make my decision making easier. Quote
rebeav Posted February 16, 2010 Posted February 16, 2010 Ike stayed in one spot for 3 days during last years classic lol. Based on the season I had last year my strategy this year is to get 5 anyhow anyway lol. "Fish the moment". After every tournament most are asking (myself def. included) the same questions. Shoulda Coulda Woulda's :-/ Quote
Super User Catt Posted February 16, 2010 Super User Posted February 16, 2010 Glenn has interviewed numerous Pros & everyone answered that question the same...instincts Quote
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