Fellow bank fishers, if you could think of one tip of trick you have picked up over the years to make fishing from the bank more enjoyable, productive, easier, etc., or one essential item you bring with you... What would it be?

I'll start it off with one of each
Tip: Pre-rig setups. I have been making a few leaders of each setup I will use and placing them in worm bags. It makes them easier to find and quicker to swap out.
Item: DEET... Out of everything I carry, this has to be my most beloved item. No more pre DEET days of slapping and scratching endlessly. I personally use Off Deep Woods spray.

Watch your step! It's that time of year. Snakes,wasp nest,poisonous spiders,poison ivy,and slippery banks can make life difficult very fast. Best advice is to simply "STAY SAFE"!

Backpack easier to carry your tackle thru the woods and walking on the rocks.

You wouldn't go wrong with a nice pair of boots, not only for snakes but helps keep bugs from crawling up you ankles. Oh and get you some zoom brush hogs in watermelon red especially if you can find the tiny size.

Pair of pruning shears for when you get wrapped up in thorns
I also take a trash bag and pick up stuff on the walk out.

Water. Obvious in the summer, but you might not think about it during the cooler spring time outings, but on days like yesterday where it was full sun and it climbs above 80, a must have, especially when your walking trails and out all day.yesterday, after about 6 hours of fishing/walking, was a tough mile walk back to the truck, was very happy I picked up a big bottle at the gas station and put it in the pack.

Headlamp, even the cheap ones are better than no light at all.
Extra pocket knife.
Backpack only used for bank fishing so always have my basic gear, than only change out plastic trays with rigs I need.
A bunch of napkins or TP in a ziplock bag.
Beef Jerky and powerbar.
Basic First Aid kit.

I agree plan ahead and only bring the lures you need, keep the load light.

+1 on the backpack

Always cast parallel, or close to it, to the bank in the direction you're walking. Most of the bass I've caught from the bank have been within a few feet from shore.

Backpack with a camelback. Stores easier than a big bottle or Nalgene and distributes the weight better than one big bottle. Like some other people said, easier to crawl over rocks and carry rods with a backpack than a traditional tackle box or pack. Also, you can switch plastic tackle boxes out more easily for whatever you plan to use that day but keep your standard necessities in the pack so you don't forget to switch those over with everything else.

Soft shell tackle binder that zips and has removable heavy-duty zip lock pages. Easy to toss in and semi-collapsible whereas Plano boxes take up the same amount of room no matter what. You can see through the pages and flip through easily. I got one at Walmart for $12 or something. Very worth it.

I would add to the already mentioned above; always wear a cap/hat,polarized sun glasses, learn to identify all poisonous snakes in your area ,have at least 1 bandana,a couple of zip ties(repair a broken reel seat or rod eye), wrap some duct tape around a bic lighter,(fire and duct tape are always your friend) and invest in a Thermocell to keep the skeeters away.

Definitely this. I had an near miss once. I was able to find a public restroom with about 1 second left on the clock. Never again... I keep it in my truck which is usually close to where I am fishing at. (Not a whole lot of wilderness in Lubbock)