When BM fishing, how long do you give an area before moving on? By the time you change lures a couple of times, change depths, get the release clip set just right, you've burned up an hour or two, is that to long for an area with no bites?

When we fish we like to set up a troll pattern and stick to it for a few hours or more before moving. This is because sometimes you can fish the same spot all morning and then as soon as the "bite turns on" you will nail a couple fish. You just never know when that will happen.

I tend to sway from making big runs in the middle of the fishing day to other water because it takes away from fishing time.
We might hi-tail it back to the head of the troll if if want to keep fishing in the same direction, but rarley bail from a place like Manchester up to Jeff Head right in the middle of the fishing morning.

I say go to a good spot, get all your gear out and everything set right, then keep fishing until the bite turns on.

I agree with Sky-Guy if I'm in an area that I have confidence in and/or I'm marking bait, as I like to tell my guest when they start getting antsy yet I think a bite will turn on "stick and stay, make it pay", more times then not, things workout the way I hoped they would.

Rarely am on the water for more than 4 hours.
I don't change location or lures to often, rather I usually change the speed of my troll.
I might even "ring the dinner bell" a little more too. If you start with a lure or bait that is fairly close to the size of the naturals, you shouldn't have to change gear.

One thing I feel Blackmouth fishers don't do enough is scout out new locations close by. Specifically, finding underwater structure. It is alway wise to get a good small scale chart of your favorite area and look for deep water troughs or pinnacles, quick drop offs, ets...
More often than not, you'll have these secrets spots to yourself and they are usually productive.

Downriggin'

Pretty much the only time I will pull up and move is when the seaweed and grass is to thick to keep off the gear. And even than I will only run till I get to clear water. I fish area 11 the most and there are so many good spots you normally dont have to run far.

When fishing E. Bay, I will start to troll from the launch over to Todds. If I have not had at least one bite I will pick up and run over to West Pt.

Downrigger--
Are you using charts from your boss, or are they commercially available? Commercialy speaking, which do you recommend?

Thanks.

GH,

I have the luxury of using ours... after all, navigation is what I make a living at...

Charts are obtainable through Boater's World or West Marine. All you need is a chart number. I am not to sure of the price though. Maybe $10-$15 a piece.

I can help you there if you need me to.

Downriggin'

I was just at West marine, charts are $17.95, if they have the one you want, which they didn't!...call first! I have the Puget Sound Navonics plug in for my Lowrance GPS but the scale in some of the areas I fish in do not have enough detail to make them useful for finding good structure. I guess I'll just need to spend more time on the water searching.

the burien library has charts in a drawer in the NW section. puget sound, columbia river, straits, and coastal waters. looked same as the ones at boaters world to me, take a pocket full of dimes and carry them in the boat in a large ziploc. see yall sunday i'll be aboard starcraft tom's salmon slayer!
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