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.