You've been at this game for a long time. Confidence is as important as technique in fishing. When getting on the water, you have to assess the conditions and at least start your day in an area you believe in. If it looks good when you get there, if the signs are right, stick to your guns, have confidence in your choice. If you're a charter captain, you have to hope your charter will have confidence in your ability, too.
Confidence is born of experience and that only comes with time on the water.
I have placed high in numerous marlin tournaments working this area over the years because I have learned it well. I pretty much know where the bait should be stacked up in this area and where the fish should be. Let me give you another piece of advice. I never leave an area showing fish even if they are not biting at the present time to look for other fish elsewhere. This is almost always a huge mistake regardless of where in the world you fish.