When do you leave fish for “other” fish?

This weekend is turning into a new lake exploration weekend. My dilemma has always been when do you leave fish for more or better fish. How do you guys handle the decision?

When I think I can do better somewhere else.

A combination of these things:

Expectation
Confidence

If if any of these aren’t being met, I move. If “trolling” is your game plan, them that would be another reason to move.

Just remember, the sun doesn’t always shine brighter somewhere else.

Pretty vague, I know, but every situation is vastly different.

Quote:

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If they’re negative (not actively feeding) or if they’re small I move.

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X2. I am always thinking about my next move. Deeper or shallower, bait or plastics. Suspended fish or bottom huggers. Biggest thing I have noticed is to pay attention to what mood the fish are in and react accordingly.

I moved plenty yesterday including 4 lakes and 4 species. Trout jumbos gills and slabs. At the end of the day the first two lakes were the ones i should of stayed at. My not so favorite sm auger got a workout yesterday.

Leave when its time to go. Fish not biting, just to small or not what you are looking for its time to move on. I would rather keep moving all day and not find them than sit in one spot and not find them. Sitting in one spot is just not active fishing unless you happened to land right on top of them. Its hard to fault yourself for moving all over the place and trying different things. Its a very good way to become a better fisherman. Much better way to learn how to fish than plopping down a ice shack and saying “guess they are not biting today”.

Went out exploring on Wednesday. First two lakes were new water. Marked fish and caught a few but nothing special. First lake had a large group of guys on it when we arrived at 7:15. Noted they all left at 7:30 for the next visit to this lake. Second lake was a gil lake and midday seemed a good bet. Had a few little runs but nothing special. Last lake is an evening bite traditionally for me. Put down at 1:30 and action was non stop until 3:00. Tipups, tipdowns and jigs. Big bass, nice gils a few nice crappie. Two tipdowns were busted off by large fish. Then the bite died when it should of took off? It was fun running and gunning and I learned things about the new water for the next time. Not sure I answered your question but getting out and trying new water is always a learning experience even if you dont catch em.

This one time I left small fish to catch bigger fish when Chomps texted me….

I came across that exact scenario today. I have been on a pretty good sauger bite for the last 2 weeks. I decided this morning to try out the amazing perch bite I was on a month ago….turns out, I should have stayed with my Sauger bite. But that is what fishign is all about, unpredictable, and constantly changing. Tomorrow I might try the Saugers again.