long or short run?

[zippyduck]

So you prefished and have two patterns that were working. The spots in the patterns are all south of the launch.
Do you run to the fartest spot and work back or hit the closest and work south?

Yes this too wide open but That is what I am going to talk about. If the fish are biting early I hit the closest spot to get more fishing time when they are biting. If it is a later bite ( maybe due to current ) then I make the long run in the morning.

OR  you may have a hot spot and should run to that one first.

Don't be like me and run circles all day. 

[Wizard]

First off, I hate making long runs. Running a good distance means less time with my bait in the water. If I do make a long run; LOZ, Kentucky Lake, Mead, Havasu, etc., I have to know that the area will give me a greater weight in a short time and I will have the area to myself. The problem as I see it; you can't win the tourney the first day but you sure can lose it if you are mistaken.
Excuse #3 in the Book of 1000 Fishing Excuses: "I lost the tournament because I had a 3 hour run each way and the bass wouldn't bite". I caught them or I didn't catch them, enough said.

Wizard

[zippyduck]

Wizard,

I hate long runs also, I need as much fishing time as I can get.

So let me put it this way, do you run to your fartest spot first or the closest in the pattern? Or do you head to the best spot in the pattern?

[Wizard]

If there is one spot with a lot more potential than the others, I'll start there first. I like to set up milk runs as it saves time. Fishing time is very valuable in a tournament. If the spots are pretty equal, I start at the closest spot. If you go to the farthest spot at the beginning, locals or a faster competitor may have gotten to it before you. Wasted time in my opinion.

Wizard

[Pacific NW Ron]

I don't fish tournaments but when I go fishing bait in the water time is what I want.  I almost always start within a short distance of the ramp and fish my way out.  Sometimes I actually start right at the ramp.  If no one is fishing they I might make a couple casts before taking the boat off the trailer.

[D.W. Verts]

I've one numerous tournaments after running 70+ miles to the fish. One time it took maybe eight minutes after I got their to fill the winning limit.

I've won numerous tournaments within three-five miles of the ramp, too.

It's all about decisions. Go with your gut. That's the best I have to offer.