i too have been perching far longer than I care to remember. however my expreience from the many guys i have fished with, it is a matter of personal touch. I finally ended up with a basspro 5 1/2' ul with a 6;1 ratio bait cast reel spooled with 8# braid, 3ft. mono leader, 2 #2eagle claw hooks, 1oz# sinker no bling, in the mud. Like I say, try until your comfortable with the setup and you will catch fish.