I've completely changed my approach to spin fishing since I started. I used to carry everything but the kitchen sink: Panther Martins, Mepps spinners, Kastmasters, Crocodiles, Phobes, Blue Foxes.

Now I just carry Panther Martins in four colors: gold blade w/ black & red body; gold blade w/ black & yellow body, silver blade w/ yellow body, and black blade w/ black body. I carry at least three of each in both size 1 and size 2. And I carry two each of the smallest size Kastmaster in gold and silver. Finally, I carry a small assortment of mini-jigs in browns and greens.

If it's overcast I throw the black-bladed PM's. If it's bright I try both silver and gold until I hit on what's working. Some times (particularly when stream fishing), they'll hit nothing but jigs. Since I went to this system I almost always out-fish my buddies who carry, in my opinion, way too much tackle.