Should I Stay or Should I Go?" How Long to Fish The Same Spot Before Moving...

So, you’ve arrived at your first spot at the beginning of a long-anticipated fishing trip. You know they’re there, and your confidence is high. A half hour passes - you haven’t put a fish in the boat. An hour passes - still nothing. Two hours - are you still confident?Three hours - don’t tell me you’re still there?These types of scenarios are all too common for anglers, whether you’re in a tournament or just out to catch some dinner. Deciding when to leave and when to stick it out is not easy, and making the right choice can be the difference between a fresh fish dinner and a turkey sandwich. Here’s some advice on when to stay and grind away and when to head for greener pastures.

You should STAY if

• Conditions are the same as they were when you caught them in the past
• Baitfish are present
• Bass/gamefish are feeding around you
• You haven’t tried a finesse presentation yet
• You are getting bites but they’re not committing
• You’re doing something specific, like targeting a trophy.

When to GO

• Conditions have changed dramatically from when you found the spot
• You’ve tried everything in your box and still got nothing
• When you haven’t seen any baitfish or predatory activity
• You’re not marking any fish on your locator.