Jim Moynagh of Carver, Minn., finished the first day of FLW Tour competition on Lake Hartwell in 15th place. Photo by Gary Mortenson. Angler: Jim Moynagh.

May 23, 2012 • MLF • Archives

Some guys like to run a long way to get away from the pack of other fishermen. Other guys have to run a long way because that’s their only shot at finding fish. To me it’s better to start looking for fish a reasonable distance from the takeoff, basing my search on how I think the lake conditions and season are going to position the fish.

I don’t like to make long runs because they’re always a gamble. The farther you have to go, the bigger the gamble. You open yourself up more to things going wrong, whether it’s locking through a dam or experiencing equipment failure.

Also, when you make a long run, chances are you won’t have a lot of time to alter your game plan if the conditions have changed. You’re stuck with what you’ve got most of the time. It’s taking chances any way you look at it. Sometimes you’re golden, but sometimes you just have a long boat ride back with nothing more than what you could have caught by finding fish closer to the takeoff.

M&M’s pro Jim Moynagh, Carver, Minn.