When I first saw this thread, I wasn't sure how to respond because by patrols are anything but typical, from my own perspective anyway.
Notwithstanding, I (now) usually start in a Pigboat out of Manila and patrol in as much as fuel availability allows within the given historical context (e.g., the fall of Manila). Transfer to Fremantle and patrol the Makassar Strait, transfer to Brisbane, patrol the Bismarck Archipelago, the Solomons and Micronesia. Transfer to Milne Bay and patrol the same previous group along with the Palaus, the Philippines and the Marianas.
I'll always spend some time raiding various ports as to afford the enemy no safe harbor, though I've noticed the defenses tend to beef-up after each successive raid (probably just coincidence). I often change course when I'm near airbases to try and diminish detection by air. If I'm in an area that's close to an historic battle, I can remember it and I'm aware of the current date, I'll make an attempt to join in the engagement. I don't engage aircraft, I don't make it a habbit to take on DDs in battle, I don't stay submerged for too long and I don't do windows.
For the most part, that just about covers it.
