The reality is that most bass fisherman carry way too many lures. I have lures/soft plastics in my boat that I have not used in the past 5 years.

I would get myself a soft tacklebox that carries four clear plano boxes with 2 smaller plano boxes on the sides. The two smaller plano boxes would be used for weights and hooks. The rest I would use as the following

1. Crankbaits, jerkbaits, lipless crankbaits
2. Topwater, buzzbaits, spinnerbaits
3. Jigs, tubes, jig trailers
4. Your Choice (I have senkos and finesse worms)

Then on a side pouch I carry about 5 bags of soft plastics that I may use depending upon the season (frogs, jerkbaits, big worms, etc)

I only carry my favorite baits in each box and carry three basic colors, natural browns, Black and blue, and chartreuse. This may differ a bit depending upon the bait as I like to have a crawfish red lipless crankbait and hot pink soft plastic jerkbait in the spring.

If you have been fishing for a while you will have your favorite baits. Try not to get caught up in the wait if scenarios but instead think back to the last year and grab the lures that you used.

As for poles- a spinning rod and 2-3 baitcasters.