How Long in One Spot?

A nice mirror sits in the water in the net.  On this day it was
a hit or fish about every hour and a half which is good action
when carp fishing.  I stayed and landed 5 carp.

One of the most frequently asked questions I get from beginners is this.  How long do you spend in one spot?
There is no simple answer to this question.  Most experienced carpers get a feel for a spot and generally know when to stay and when to leave.  Here are a few general guidelines I use in most places.
* Did you prebait the spot?  If so, you should get a hit or a fish within about an hour and a half of starting. With no prebaiting, I might toss in some bait when I get to a spot and I usually give the place a couple of hours.
*Are you seeing any signs of fish?  I'm talking jumping fish, whirls, bubble trails, mud clouds or fish moving close to shore.  If so, I will usually stay fishing and try to change baits to get them to hit rather than moving to a different spot.
*Are you catching?  If I am getting runners or catching fish, I will stay.  In carp fishing, one fish an hour is really good.
*Did you bait other spots?  I will tend to move if I have another good option which means that I usually bait 2 or 3 spots.  These spots can be in the same body of water or in different venues that are close by. You are more likely to catch in prebaited spots.
*Do you have the right conditions or time?  High percentage times include rainy days, daybreak and sunset.  I usually don't move when I have the right time or conditions.
So, no hard and firm rules when deciding to stay or leave.  As you put in more time in this game, you develop a sixth sense that tells you how long to stay in one spot.