As the title states I have a bass fishing tournament tomorrow at 7:30-3:30. Right now I have 4 rigged rods crankbait, senko, jig, topwater. I was thinking about using my only other rod I have at college which is a 5'6 ultra light trout rod for a 4 inch berkley powerworm on a  t-rig. I think I have 6 lb test on that reel right now but I have two spools one with 10 and one with 12. Should I just use what I have rigged now and swap in and out the trig and the senko? or should I hook that light rod up with bass gear? If you could help me out tonight yet that would be awesome! Thanks - Robby

Leave the UL at home.

Your going to be retiring that topwater early anyway.  Just take the 4 and swap out a little when needed.  

My topwater rod has a braid setup on it. What could I swap into that setup? Could I swap a crankbait on it? The lake I fish at home is FULL of alfewife shad that like to come to the surface when schools of bass and striper chase them so I usually keep a topwater rigged. The lake I am fishing this tournament in doesn't have that condition so I guess I could swap it. Also they just stocked trout in this lake i'm fishing.. will this force the bass to do some different movement or habits?

avoid cranks with braid, you want something with a little give.

You'll never go wrong with a jig, winter, spring, summer and fall.  If you are not comfortable on the bottom, throw a Fluke,....another "can't go wrong" winner

Good luck, go give them basses a BassResource beating!

I see you're fishing in PA. I fished in your state a couple times, and this time of the year  the "basses" are active, getting ready for winter. I would have a spinnerbait tied on one of my rods. Jig is good year around. Have you tried swimming a white-ish jig with a white or chartreuse 4" twistertail grub as trailer (tail pointing down)?

Crankbait is a great search bait, and the senco is good for "follow up" or just saturating a good spot, finessing a couple more bites. Have you considered a jerkbait ? Rattletrap?

My plan for this time of the year would be  to fish relatively fast until I find them (they are schooled up, probably), than coaxe as many bites as I can from that school. They are prowling, looking for food. The bite should be better the second part of the day.

Do not take the Ultra Light. If you missed an 8 pounder on that rod you would regret taking it for the rest of your life.

lakeannabasser your exactly right. Same thing happen to me before.

if you take the UL make sure you play the fish until they're too tired to do anything, which could take a whole lot of minutes.