A couple rules I fish by is to use bait/tackle I have confidence in, as an example, I am a diehard believer in Gami. hooks as well as Maxima line, Loomis/Lamiglass rods and Shimano/Penn reels, I have used these items for years and they work great for me. As for baits, I have a personnal preference in how my eggs are cured and I am very picky about how my plug cut herring roll, if it doesn't spin properly I won't use it, its all a matter of confidence, I know if I pay attention to a few detail, I catch more fish.
Rule #2, which I apply more to guiding in Alaska then here in Wash. is to stay in a spot that I have confidence in, if I get to a spot and I'm marking either fish or bait or both on my graph and there not biting, I'll wait them out, more times then not it pays off, stick and stay, make it pay.