This is a question that haunts many fisherman. If you had waited five minutes longer – would you have caught that fish? Invariably, the instant you move from position a fish will pop out of the water behind you and this is probably the most frustrating aspect about fishing. However, there are a few good rules of thumb that you can follow to help you determine how long you should be sitting around waiting, and when to take action.

Patience is more than just a virtue when it comes to fishing. It is vital and for many of us, it is also nearly impossible. You can wait for hours and come up with nothing, or some days, you’ll get nibbles immediately. You can choose to sit there with the same bait, or try something new, but how do you know when to give up and make the switch?

First, it is important to make sure that you have the right bait for the right fish. If you’re not using the right bait, then it won’t matter how long you wait – the fish just aren’t going to be interested. However, if you are using bait that is tried and tested, or that has worked for you in the past, it may just mean that for that particular day it won’t work and you need to try something else.

You can figure out when to switch by taking a look around. If there are visible fish and they are simply not interested, switching is the best idea. If there are no fish that are visible, they may simply be lower than your bait and you’re not drawing them upward. If you can’t see any fish, give it about fifteen minutes. If you still don’t have anything, it’s time to try something else, or possibly change your location. For visible fish, ten minutes without a nibble generally means that something is off, so switching is best after about that amount of time.

Other factors will determine how long you should stay in one location. For example, the same fish that you are getting in the morning won’t be in that same spot in the afternoon. Some fish prefer to go deep when it gets hot out, others will head for vegetation or an outcropping. Study the habits of the fish you are after and make adjustments as necessary as the day goes on.

The weather can also have a big impact on your success rates and how long you should stay in one specific area. On cloudy days, there will usually be more fish near the surface, while on sunny days, you may need to go deeper. The best method is to target the fish you’re after, learn about their habits and keep a log of the time you spend and how fruitful it is.

There is no one answer to this problem, but by employing the above techniques you can stop wasting time and start catching fish – on your schedule.

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Originally posted 2008-09-03 05:52:49. Republished by Old Post Promoter

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Halibut fishing is incredibly popular and challenging and there are thousands of different techniques that you can learn. However, there are a few standard tips (ok maybe not so secret) that will help you land that halibut, whether you're fishing from a boat, the dock or even the side of a lake. If you want to start really bringing in the fish, these tips will make a big difference in your success rate.

1. The key is the bait.

   Halibut are a tough fish to bait, and the best way to keep them interested is to keep changing your bait. We recommend changing every ten to fifteen minutes. It is a lot of work, but it will really pay off. Try rotating out your different types of bait. Once you land one, chances are that bait won't work again for a little while, so dip back into your rotation for more variety.

2. Use the right kind of bait.

   As you may have guessed, halibut are picky eaters. We recommend the use of the following baits for the best success: Octopus (if you can find it - squid will also work) Halibut Skin (only use the white side of the skin) Salmon heads, Mackerel innards, crab or cod. It's best to have as many on hand as possible so that you can rotate them frequently as mentioned above.

3. Use the right kind of lures.

   Once again, we're dealing with a pretty crafty fish here, so you're going to need to step up your game. We've found that Zzingers work very well, as well as lead heads. Your lures should be pretty big and it's a great idea to really try out several different ones while you're fishing. Often, it's the right combination that will lure them in, and knowing when to change things up. The lures can work very well if you've found that the above baits just aren't getting the job done.

4. Use the right tools.

   Halibut require a pretty strong line, so try to get somewhere between 80 and 120# test lines. Your pole should also be powerful and should be very quick on the reel in. Try practicing your technique off the water for the best results.

5. Keep trying the same location.

   While many people like to move around, this can actually reduce your chances of catching a halibut. If you're on shore, make sure you stay in about the same spot and cast deep. If you're on a boat, drop anchor and sit there for awhile. It may take a lot of patience, but you will land a halibut.

6. Don't be afraid to get a little smelly.

   The best secret to attracting halibut is to scent your boat and the water around you. It's a bit nasty but it works. Chum scent works the best and will make a big difference in the amount of fish that you catch. Just remember that if you store your boat in your own garage, you're probably going to want to wash it well before bringing it back home.

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