Dark was talking about pattern fishing.
Some things I have learned re: a pattern --
When the water is cold, worms are the #1 bait.
As the water warms, fish will get active and eat the clams.
It's usually better in the earliest spring to fish the outgoing, but if there is icy runoff in the rivers, concentrate on the incoming.
Noreasters are bad for fishing as they muck things up (Waiting for Dark to chime in with wst wind wally)
The beginning day or half day before a storm can put the fish on the feed bag, but this all depends on water temps.
Is there anything else you guys can add to this?
When is a good time to switch over to plugging so you will have better success?