If you don't catch a fish, you're dead. You don't get to choose the location or time (of day/season) of the cast. If you could use any bait, any line, any rod and reel, what would you use and why?

Zebco push button with the ten pound line that it comes with a shiner and bobber.

Can I pull out a 9MM and surprise whoever is going to kill me if I don't catch a fish?

#30 braid line /6.6 medium action rod/bait caster/white or white chartreuse spinnerbait

Well, I'd start with a Shakespear Ugly Kat Rod, with a big shakespear Spinning Reel strung with 14lb Trilene Xtra Tough Clear line, a wire leader on the end of that.  I'd then throw on a treble hook, and the smelliest, nastiest, chummiest stink bait ever known to man.  I'd put a little bell on the end of my rod, grab a beer, a portable tv, a 78 oz steak, baked beans, mashed 'taters and sit back.  Either way, I got it made... if I catch a fish, good, if I don't Id have a hell of a last meal and catch a good goame on the way out.  

A stick of TNT, well maybe a half stick, going to die anyway, not there for the sport this time.

LOL!

Zebco push button with the ten pound line that it comes with a shiner and bobber.

The Snoopy kid's edition??

    > An ultralite rod and reel rigged with the smallest hook i can find, and a green crappie nibble.  If a fish is near by I will catch him.

Yeah I agree with Pond Pro, a little ultra light with a tiny hook, a tiny split shot, a trout float and a quarter of a nightcrawler... that'll catch something, just about everywhere.

I would say a drop shot with a spinning rod and reel most likely daiwa with 8 lb excel. Lure would be one of those small senko 3" and a gamakatsu hook. I figure on one cast i can work it as long as i want in one spot without moving it or needing to reel it in. Also its a heck of a way to catch fish.

Bait==Rapala DT-6 sunfish color

Line==Berkley Trilene XT 8 lb. test

Rod==Fishin Stick casting model

Reel==Shimano Calcutta

I use this everytime I go fishing and I ain't dead yet...!!!

Thats not fair!! I'd die either way. If I caught a fish on my first and only cast in an unknown location with unknown conditions I'd have a heart attack. So for me give me a Shimano Calais on a 7' GLoomis GLX spooled with Spiderwire 20# test with a white hammer hare jig and a chartuse pig trailer. I also want a fine cuban cigar and a bottle of Jack.  ;D