The scientific method works for me....

 

Sun's up.. the pink one looks good.

Gettin windy. That rattly one maybe?

Hmmm... not biting. I like blue. Maybe the fish do to.

The water's really blue today... Green will clash. Ya, that'll get their attention.

I try to stick with conditions and season. I always have a drop shot, wacky rig and Texas rig on the deck. The conditions and structure of the day will drive the rest of the baits I will try. I enjoy using every tool in the tool box, my wallet doesn't though! 

I use 4 rods most of the time. One is a t-rig, always. One is for moving baits. Cranks, swim baits etc. One is always a dropshot. The last one is the wild card. I tie on something that seems like it would work in the given circumstances. I'll try new things if something I haven't used in a long time. It seems to work for me.

   This way I have my confidence baits at hand but also have the ability to change up quickly to something else.

    I have to think that most of us do something similar.