How Many Is Too Many?

[Refined N Focused]

My favorite days are actually those days when you have one rod on the deck and everything else is in the rod locker. But more often than not the bass are changing and we're constantly having to test the gamet of presentations against the mood of the bass.

Plus we have all these fun toys and it seems a shame to leave them in their tackle boxes too long.

How many combos do you find yourself fishing on an average fishing trip? How many would you like to have to be "comfortable" with not having to retie your lures all the time on a fishing trip?

[J Francho]

It's at about a dozen that I start to feel cramped. We're faced with so much diversity in our northern, natural lakes that it's hard to fish with less than three or four, even if you're dialed in. Even when I'm fishing deep smallies, which is somewhat specialized, I still have three drop shot rods out, a jigging spoon, a football jig, and at least one cranking or jerkbait rig on deck.

[Quitlimpin]

I almost always fish out of my float tube, so for me, it's a three combo max. I tend to have a pretty good idea of what my presentations will be, and I bring the three setups that will match accordingly. That being said, when I take the boat out, I'm liable to have 6-8 setups on deck and several in the locker.

[kylek]

I usually have 5 baitcast set ups and 1 spinning rod with me when I go. I normally fish from the back of the boat, so anymore than that it gets a little cramped!!

[LgMouthGambler]

Ive leveled them down to six from over 12. I pretty much fish the same things all the time that produce, if anything I will just tie on something if it comes down to it.

[wnybassman]

On the deck I am comfortable with 4 out at a time, 6 I get a little cramped and I hate when 8 are out. When out by myself 8 or 10 combo's can be out as I utilize the bench seat to rest the rods on.

As far as what is in the boat, this is typically what I carry all season in the one rod locker..........................

[Ratherbfishing]

For me, it's 3 baitcasters and 1 spinning outfit. Any more and the problems begin to outweigh the benefits. But my deck isn't that large either. I find that no matter how many pre-rigged rods/reels I have on board, I wind up tying something else on anyway (I didn't say I was smart).

[georgeyew]

At most I bring 2 with me. One baitcaster and one spinning. Sometimes I am tempted to just leave the baitcaster and use only the spinning. But I guess I am not as hard core as the rest of you yet. Just trying to keep it simple for now.

[WRB]

I mentioned this just the other day, when I launch my boat there are 4 rods out and ready to go; a jig rod, a worm rod, a swimbait rod and 1 other rod depending on the seasonal period. I keep another 12 rods combos in the rod locker for a total of 16. During the day my goal is to have 1 rod out, the 1 that is catching bass!

Tom

[NorcalBassin]

I usually bring out 8 but it's rare for more than 4-5 of those to get any water time. If I use all 8 it's been a tough day.

[00 mod]

Minimum of 4 and a max of about 10. If I can't figure out what is going on by about 8, my butt should be off the water anyways!

Jeff

[jkarol24]

I usually try to keep it to 4-6 rods on the deck at all times, I make sure to put a rod away if i don't see a need for it in the next hour or so.

[kickerfish1]

For me 4-6 on deck with another 8 or so in the locker. Typically some of the rods in the locker are doubles especially if it is a drop shot or c-rig bite. Most of the time I have a general idea of what the bite may be like based on the lake, water clarity, water temp, and weed growth as well as the time of year.

[Bluebasser86]

Usually 6-10 but I do a lot of junk fishing so there can be a few more if I'm having a hard time figuring them out.

[roadwarrior]

When I'm fishing minnows on the river, two rods: one to fish and one back-up in case something goes wrong.

If I'm fishing artificials, five or six rigged and ready, another five or six rigged, but stored.

[piscicidal]

My boat rod holders only hold eight, so for me nine is too many! I would take more if I could....

[SirSnookalot]

3 rods, 2 of which are usually stored in the rod holder on the bimini top our of the way. At any time a fish may take me 360 degrees around the boat, having rods and reels in my way can result in tripping or a broken rod.

[senile1]

How many combos do you find yourself fishing on an average fishing trip? How many would you like to have to be "comfortable" with not having to retie your lures all the time on a fishing trip?

The number of combos that I end up fishing depends on how quickly I determine a pattern. If I figure them out quickly I may only use three or four. If fishing is slow I can use eight, or even more. I always have 8 combos on deck with 4 more in the locker on my 2000 295 Pro Elite Stratos. These boats are narrower at the bow than some other makes so I wouldn't want to have more than 8 on deck and 6 is really better for moving around. In my 10 foot jon boat I will carry at least 6, and sometimes 8 and the usage is the same. If I'm on fish, I may only use three or four but I can use them all if the bite is tough.

[Fish Chris]

2 to 4.

I went out Sturgeon fishing Mon-Tues, and all I brought was 2 micro-light combos

I guess that's all I needed, as I landed a 7ft, 140 lb'er, and a 7 1/2ft, 200 lb'er

Peace,

Fish

[Bankbeater]

In a boat I will usually take four rigs with me. Three bc and one spinning. When I fish from bank I use two.

[FD.]

On a tournament day the deck looks like this

Top water

Cranking

Heavy Punch

Medium Flippin

Light Worm

Frog / Dipper

In the box are duplicates of the above plus

C-rig

Spinner Bait/ Chatter Bait

Spinning Rig

Total of about 16 on board at a time

If I'm just fishin for fun I will only have 2 or 3 on the deck at a time.

[NorcalBassin]

2 to 4.

I went out Sturgeon fishing Mon-Tues, and all I brought was 2 micro-light combos

I guess that's all I needed, as I landed a 7ft, 140 lb'er, and a 7 1/2ft, 200 lb'er

Peace,

Fish

Man that's awesome... I need to stick a gps tracker under your boat and follow you to your spots!

[WRB]

2 to 4.

I went out Sturgeon fishing Mon-Tues, and all I brought was 2 micro-light combos

I guess that's all I needed, as I landed a 7ft, 140 lb'er, and a 7 1/2ft, 200 lb'er

Peace,

Fish

Micro-Light!

Tom

[SudburyBasser]

2 to 3 is max for me. I find any more and I'm tripping on the darned things, particularly if we have three guys in the boat.

[South FLA]

4 to 6 at the ready at all times, with favorite presentations for the day have at least a backup in the locker.