My last evolution so far, is a large shoulder strap carry, top zip bag used to carry large Plano boxes with room for a few more plus a few outside zip pockets for stuff. The extra room inside can hold a micro-rainsuit and a thermos bottle. The outside pockets carry various fishing tools. The bag sits on the deck and everything is accessible from the top.
+1
My dad has been fishing since he was a kid and turned 81 this past March. I think this is the same set-up he now uses. The main case is soft sided, and the assorted fishing gear sits in the hard plastic cases and are stacked inside the main case. He has hard cases for bass, crappie, etc (sometimes more than one case depending on the amount of gear it requires). A very modular design, he can pack it all inside the main case until he gets where he will be fishing, then add or remove cases depending on what he will be fishing for that day. YMMV