Engine help!!!!

Hey guys, Ive been having an issue with my outboard (89' johnson 70hp)  and wanted to see if anyone has experienced something similar, or has any suggestions as to what it could be.  I am hoping it is something small that I can fix so I dont miss any walleye fishing!!! So heres whats happening. The last couple times out it has done this - It will start fine at the dock, and the first or second time I move spots - it fires right up, but then It just wont start at all. It sounds like it is going to, but it wont no matter how many time I try.  So I will let it sit 10-15 minutes and it still wont start....So usually I get annoyed and put my kicker down and start moving with that.   After a while it will usually start up again and run fine.  Last night it did his to me, but then at the end of the night it started right up and I let it Idle for a minute and it died out and wouldnt start so I had to use my kicker to get into the dock. I replaced the fuel filter, and the old one looked pretty bad so I was hoping that would do the trick, but its still doing the same thing.  Any Ideas?

Check the easy stuff first.
 
Look at fuel lines, if they are hard or cracked replace them same as fuel bulb.
 
Check electric connections, look for loose grounds, loose connections, anything with corrosion, elecectric compontents that may be damaged like a cracked coil, maybe a bad kill switch at the control box (you are turning that switch to "On" correct"? (i have tryed starting my motoro a few times and thought my trip was ruined until i look and see i never turned on the switch on the control box)
 
Remember Fuel, Compression, Spark. You say the motor runs so I would not think compression. With spark and fuel left both need to be looked over.
 
I would look both of those systems over. My guess is it is simple, and I think it is electrical.

^ +1...just had a similar sounding problem...
tried a new line & bulb with no luck...
a good carb cleaning worked for me.

Thanks for the info, I replaced all of the spark plugs and it started fine, but Ill have to get out and run it for a while to make sure. If not I think my next step will be to clean the carbs

check the fuel tank vent.  maybe a wasp built a nest in it blocking the flow of air.  Try starting the motor and running with the gas cap loose.  if it works with the cap loose, then it's a vent problem.