I see a lot of threads about how many rods to carry on a trip. Some folks carry as many as fifteen, to be prepared for any scenario. When we fish from our canoe, I've paired it down to two rods, and a small single sided box. Looking back through some logs I've kept, I realized that I've caught more bass since doing this, and it's been more fun too.In another thread, WRB stated that if you know what the bass are hitting on, you really don't need but two rods. I can't agree more. Starting with a buzzbait or popper at sunup, we look for any topwater action.                      Once the topwater bite is finished, I tie a 3" or 4" paddletail on to cover mid depth fishing.                           My other rod is only for a t rig plastic worm. And looking back on all this, the plastic worm has caught more summer bass for us than any and all baits combined. It's ALWAYS been the plastic worm that catches both numbers and size for summer fishing.Some folks might say we're missing out on fish by not throwing different style baits, and keeping more rods rigged up, but, I have to disagree. If you have a rod locker on your boat, and are able to carry more rods along, of course this is the way to go. Bass will strike many different styles of lures, when they're active, and you can be prepared to throw anything that might work. We've all learned that bass, and the prey they seek, are most active during the summer months.                     Therefore, it only stands to reason, that they will chase a faster moving more active bait?                                           For us, it just hasn't always worked out like this. A plastic worm, worked slowly on or near bottom has accounted for the most fish through all the years.     I think the main reason is, that we can throw them where other spinners, or treble hook plugs could never go. The worm is the KING of summer bass lures for us, and I can't see anything that may work better. Is the plastic worm your #1 bait for summer bass fishing?                                        

I’d say so far it is. Either Texas rig or wacky. Next trip I’m trying a split shot rig. 

It use to be but the last several years deep diving and yo-yoed liplesss cranks   have held their own . Then the  last two years Toad fishing has caught a lot of bass . I'd say in the past few years worms have dropped to number three but it depends on the day and  where I'm fishing too . I still have those days where the T-rig is tops , its just not as often as it once was . The worm is still just as effective its just I up'ed my game in other areas.

Almost by necessity a worm, or some kind of soft plastic, is by far my best bait...in the ponds where I fish, there is almost always (a) weeds, (b) woody cover or (c) both that almost require using Texas rigged baits .I'd also include Ned rig in this as kind of an adjunct of worms. I enjoy the few times that I can find a little more open water and fish a lipless or squarebill, but most often I've got some kind of soft plastic tied on at these ponds.

 

Having said that, I have learned that you can cover a lot of different styles using just soft plastics. Shallow or deeper, slower or faster presentation, change up the sink rate, etc. If the fish are feeding more actively I can go with something with more movement like a brush hog or a creature bait with lots of appendages. Less active, I can go with a Yum Dinger, a fluke, or a Ned rig. Add in colors, weighted versus weightless, and wacky style, and you can cover a whole lot of situations with just a "worm."

 

Also same boat as you with the rods. Doing mainly bank fishing, I'm obviously not going to be carrying 8 or 9 rods with me. I have one spinning combo and one baitcaster, and with both of them I intentionally tried to get something very "middle of the road" that would cover as much ground as possible (M/H-fast on the baitcaster, and M-fast on the spinning). I'd love to have a dedicated frog rod, a crankbait rod, etc., but it just isn't practical (or in the budget LOL). My M/H-fast baitcaster might not be the perfect rod for a frog or a crankbait, but I can make do with either. 

24 minutes ago, scaleface said:

It use to be but the last several years deep diving and yo-yoed liplesss cranks   have held their own . Then the  last two years Toad fishing has caught a lot of bass . I'd say in the past few years worms have dropped to number three but it depends on the day and  where I'm fishing too . I still have those days where the T-rig is tops , its just not as often as it once was . The worm is still just as effective its just I up'ed my game in other areas.

I've got a rod rigged up for toad/ frog fishing now too. I didn't buy a new rod for this, but I'm using an older flippin stick. It's the only one I've strung with braid. It's loads of fun. Lots of fish hit them, but I probably miss more on frogs than any other baits too.

7 minutes ago, Mobasser said:

I've got a rod rigged up for toad/ frog fishing now too. I didn't buy a new rod for this, but I'm using an older flippin stick. It's the only one I've strung with braid. It's loads of fun. Lots of fish hit them, but I probably miss more on frogs than any other baits too.

That is so frustrating but I think its the fishes fault . Last week I was nailing them on a toad then the sun came out . After that I had a hard time sticking one . At one point I missed ten in a row . Then as the day grew longer I started sticking them again .

 

  My rod is just a traditional 7 foot mh that one would use for wormin . I did spool it with  50 lb braid and that helps a bunch . Its the only rod I have with braid .