If im just chasing trout in Missouri, I have found I catch more "trophy fish" if I target the bigger fish. When I'm targeting bigger fish, I tend to cover more water looking for that one fish I want. My success rate on the trophy fish has greatly increase since adapting this approach. I do enjoy the numbers game but rarely do I catch a trophy fish when I'm just looking for numbers. My gear and equipement do not change, just my style of fishing.
While in Alaska, and running the rivers in jet boats, I prefer to have as much of the river to cover as possable. If I get in a spot that is producing well, I will stay there for quite a while and then blow through the rest of the river at the end of the day.