I always carry a small calapsable ultralight rod in my bag that I use for snappers. The plan today was to catch a snapper and live line him in hopes of something bigger. Before leaving the house I made sure I had my snapper lures and my 9ft rod for the live snapper. I drive to the spot, walk a little less than a mile, go to take my snapper rod out of my bag, and I can't find it. I suddenly remembered I took it out of my bag a few weeks ago for the first time in about 4 years. I spent the next hour casting a 9 ft surf rod with 20 lb line and a 1/8 oz spoon. Needless to say I didn't catch anything. Lesson learned, double check that you have everything before leaving the house.