I carry a few rod setups even fishing from shore. I have a 5'6" spinning rod w/6lb test for smaller lures. My topwater spinning rod is 6'

6" with 14lb test. My crankbait spinning rod is 6' with 10lb test. My carolina rig rod is a 6' spinning rod with 17lb test. Each lure comes with a suggested line size for the best action. I also use a barrel swivel on my crankbaits so I get a better, smoother side to side movement.

I search for the bottom structure using my hummingbird portabre fish finder. I can location the deeper holes and flats besides the shallows too. I also look for points and channels. The smaller places I fish have no topo maps.

Then all I have to do is look at my lure and bait selection and match my presentation.

My buddies make fun of me with so many rods.

If you only use one ROD setup I would go with 8lb test and a 6' or a 5'6" rod.

Remember it's not luck in fishing, luck is at the casino. It's skill in fishing.

I used to do a huge amount of fishing from shore, but due to my personal preferences and the way I fish, I carried just one rod. Spinning with medium power and a 2500 size reel with 10# mono until I switched over to 15# braid. Rods of 6'6" and M power always worked well for me as a general purpose rig.

I enjoy fishing off land and from my Tracker, it all depends on where I'm fishing. When I started fishing off land years ago I would bring 4 rods and tons of gear. Over the years I've learned to narrow my rod selection down to a 7'1" casting setup with 10lb braid and a 6'10" spinning setup with 8lb flouro. I like longer rods for bank fishing because of the longer casting distance. I've learned to lighten up on the tackle. Instead of carrying all my tackle, I've narrowed it down to a sling pack with a medium plano box with my confidence baits, about 10 bags of soft plastics, and a bit of terminal tackle (hooks, swivels, weights, etc...). It makes fishing from the bank much easier and I find myself spending more time actually fishing. When I'm on my boat I bring 4-6 rods and much more tackle.

I throw a vast array of different sized lures. I figure my weaknesses were needing stronger line for topwater and carolina rig fishing. Mainly due to losing fish in the past. This limits me when I go to the lighter baits so more setups are needed. I throw a large assortzent of lures till something strikes then I'm on that pattern. On a tough day I never give up. I may run threw my lures a second time changing my presentations till something works. Not being in a boat I can't move to another spot. But I can move down the road above were I'm fishing. If it's tough I settle down and run threw my presentations. It's time to catch up and practice. Then of course I just get into a practice mode and a fish will interrupt me.<br /><br />What I need next is a boxed in chair with a rod holder and pull out draws. Then i can sit with it all right there. Maybe wheels on one end too. Being older now I need to sit.