Rods On Board

[Flint River Pirate]

How many rods do you guys carry on an average trip? I am trying to downsize. I think I have been carrying too many and they get in the way. I am going to start carrying 4 total. One for a popping cork, one for live bait, one for jigs and a baitcaster for plugs. What do you guys think?

[Reel Cowboy]

I normally bring 3 per person, so maybe that is what I've been doing wrong. I keep each rod rigged with something different, top water, spoon, suspending, jigs ect....

[Tom Keels]

4, 2 spinning, 2 baitcaster.

[TroutTrent]

This is a good ? for Steve and Butch

[What a mess]

I have 12 rod holders not including those for trolling most days they are all full when on plane once I'm to the fishing grounds.

The three from the back are cleared to not hamper casting. Spoon rod, jerk shad, jig, minnow plug, walk the dog type top water,

long and short clacking cork rods and doubles of some for a guest.

[wevans]

3 inshore and at least one offshore rig when fishing inshore, 2 offshore and 2 inshore when fishing offshore ya never know when conditions will change and give you the offshore opening or run ya off the offshore fishin OH, and two inshore poles for each guest "which I seldom have"

[Reel Cowboy]

This is a good ? for Steve and Butch

Or Vickers, didn't that Scout have like 20 something rod holders?

[Charles]

Fishing from a canoe, kayak, or walking in somewhere, I feel that I can comfortably carry two. In the canoe I have room for more, but don't need more than that; and I have found that taking more increases the risk of one getting broken.

I took four last time I went with TC, but his boat has stowage under the gunnels to keep them out of the way.

[captkeyser]

For inshore I usually bring 3 rods:two bait casters, one for the fluke, one for Topwater and one spinning outfit for the Bomber.

I always carry a back up trolling outfit just in case it smooths out.

[SHOWBOAT]

5....I hate tying knots when I could be fishing. If I am having sucess with a particular lure or really want to throw it, then I'll retie a break-off. Otherwise, just grab another rod. TW, spoon, jig, fluke and suspending lure are the way I usually start. sometimes 2 different TWs instead of suspending lure. Gives me a chance to fish the entire water column.

[Jumptrout51]

Why all this talk about "how many rods"?
Just take what you need.
Butch and I just need more than most.
And Yes, TinCan hides his so it doesn't look like he has many.

[Redphisher]

I carry , 1 for a spoon, 1 for top water, 1 for lipped crank bait, 1 for jig head, 1 for live bait, 1 for popping cork and 1 beefy rod ( because I like to feed the Lady Fishes to the sharks). I hate having to retie when I want to change tactics and nothing worse than not being ready when the time comes.

[Natureboy]

Good topic Dave, I find I carry a bunch too. When we are offshore I certainly carry a bunch but I think you are asking about inshore fishing. When I inshore fish I generallly have 4 rods all day. I carry one with a Capt. Mike's spoon tied at all times. I carry one with a jig head, one with a ratl-trap or crankbiat and I also have a stiff rod for a cajun thunder. To be honest last couple of times I took a work rod and TORE up the rock bass on a texas rigged watermelon u tail worm? Go figure,but they love it! You are right though it is easy to take too many. I would pick 2 good spinning rods and a good baitcaster also maybe a big rod for catching sharks if that's your thing. Somedays I fish with the same rods almost all day. Inshore requires a little more thought in my experiences.

[RHTFISH]

When I'm fishing solo I carry at least 6 and sometimes 7-8 depending on time of year....usually scale down to 4-5 if I have company on board.

[Bow'd Up]

For myself, I normally have 5 on the boat, 2 casting rods for plugs and 3 spinning rods for popping cork, jig, and spoons. I like haveing all five rods rigged with a variety of everything so that they are ready when I want to change without having to do a bunch of retying.