Fish With Only One Rod?

[Sp032o]

Hey everybody. Quick question. Is it possible to effectively fish using only one rod to consistently catch bass all year round? If so, please let me know what kind of rod and reel to use, and what technique(s) to use with it. If this isn't possible, then what would the minimum amount of rods be to consistently catch bass all year round? Any feedback or opinions REALLY helps me out since I am new to fishing. Thank you.

[Mccallister25]

If your not that hard up on fishing, and only go out a few times a year.. And dont fish for money, Id say sure. Before I got big time into bass fishing I used to throw any lure I had on a Berkley Cherrywood rod and Pflueger President spinning reel. I still caught bass. Granted, like I said.. I didnt really know what I was doing at the time, but it worked.

Nowadays I have my fair share of rods and reels to cover almost anything I need to throw, but for the last 2-3 months Iv really only been using 2 setups per outing.

Just do what your comfortable with, and what your budget tells you. No need to load up in gear, if you cant afford it, or simply dont think youll need it. Sometimes less is more.

[DogBone_384]

I'd have to say yes, simply on the idea that I only had one fishing rod growing up.  I now have many because I'm older, make good money, and spend too much time reading this forum and 'have' to 'have' more and better equipment....  sure could be worse...   

[BassinLou]

Hey everybody. Quick question. Is it possible to effectively fish using only one rod to consistently catch bass all year round? If so, please let me know what kind of rod and reel to use, and what technique(s) to use with it. If this isn't possible, then what would the minimum amount of rods be to consistently catch bass all year round? Any feedback or opinions REALLY helps me out since I am new to fishing. Thank you.

 

I will say yes. The majority of my fishing is bank fishing. I would say its 75% bank vs 25% boat. When I bank fish I take only 1 outfit which consists of a 7 ft M/H Avid with a Lews Tournament MG. I have learned to fish multiple applications with this one set up. I use braid and utilize leaders when the situation asks for it. On the boat, its a whole different story... LOL 

[Missourifishin]

I have 2 spinning setups, and 2 baitcast (Not counting my little zebco and my catfishing rods) and I use one baitcast and one spinning the majority of the time. So I would be fine with only 2 rods and reels. And having only one would work too. I would suggest getting as nice of a rod & reel as you can afford, and just enjoy it. You can decide later if you want/need more.

[Kevin22]

Yeah. Absolutely. 7' MHF baitcaster. 

 

Springtime fish jerkbaits and lipless cranks, during the spawn you can flip and drag just fine with it, during summer you can fish about any bait you want with it, fall it will handle spinnerbaits and lipless just fine. Winter, I don't know.. I'm fishing through an 8" hole in the winter. 

[doyle8218]

Of course it is !!!

[mcgreggor57]

I'll echo another yes.  I have a spinning and BC outfit and beat the bank exclusively  Often I'll take both set ups but occasionally I'll only take one of them to force me to practice a certain technique.  Don't stress your finances for the sake of thinking you can't catch fish.  If you only have one combo, make yourself an expert with what you have.  Have fun!

[FishTank]

Sure. I would say in general a 6'6" mh rod and medium sized spinning reel will do for just about anything and anybody. If I had to pick from what I own though, I would go with my shimano core and my g loomis 783c glx. I know this is a bait caster but it would suit me just fine.

[timsford]

I could use a medium or mh spinning rod and a good spinning reel for almost everything i throw. I like fishing swimbaits and other big baits like magnum cranks and spinnerbaits though for.big bass and stripers but if i could only afford one rod it would definitelty be a m spinning rod with a durable reel. I could catch a ton of fish of all species but as ive gotten more experience id rather go after 1 or 2 huge fish a day than 20 2 lbers. Id say yes though imo you can definitely use only one rod in a pinch and have fun fishing

[Pinoy_Basser]

YES 

 

I mostly bank fish (similar to BassinLou).

Gloomis GLX 783-2C Rod with a 51 sized shimano reel (CQ51 or 1001xt) spooled with either 20 or 30lbs braid.

 

It can handle both light weight softplastics and other lures (spinners, cranks. jigs etc.)

 

I also carry a back-up 2-piece  spinning rod with 4lbs mono or FC  just in case the fishes are too finicky or easily spooked

and might need a more stealthy approach.  

[Maxximus Redneckus]

1 spinning rod med action 6-6 with 3 spools of line. 30 lb braid 10 lb yo zuri and 4 lb yozuri. A ziplock with a few worms.a rapala. Some flukes ,mepps and a jig.

Wow makes me miss the somple things in life

[Fish Murderer 71]

I just couldn't imagine me fishing with just one rod any more.  Before I knew better I would have had just a cheapy zebco from wal-mart and catch crappie and cats all night long down by the spillways.  

[Deleted account]

Hey everybody. Quick question. Is it possible to effectively fish using only one rod to consistently catch bass all year round? If so, please let me know what kind of rod and reel to use, and what technique(s) to use with it. If this isn't possible, then what would the minimum amount of rods be to consistently catch bass all year round? Any feedback or opinions REALLY helps me out since I am new to fishing. Thank you.

 

Yes, absolutely. There are some lures you won't be able to use effectively, and others where you may need to get creative or make compromises, but it will work. Figure out what lures you will be using most, and work from there. You could catch bass year round with just 6-12 lures (4, if you really tried). Most spinning reels come with 2 spools (or you can get extras for BCs) so you almost have 2 setups there. We tend to over complicate fishing (all sports really) and the InterWb doesn't help.

[frogflogger]

I won the first 3 tournaments I fished in the 80's with one 6' rod with a 3500 ambassador reel spooled with 14# stren.

[Hyrule Bass]

I just couldn't imagine me fishing with just one rod any more.  Before I knew better I would have had just a cheapy zebco from wal-mart and catch crappie and cats all night long down by the spillways.  

What do you mean before you knew better? Even if you prefer bass fishing now, there is still nothing wrong using a cheap combo and catching crappie and catfish all night lol

 

 

 

 

Yes, absolutely. There are some lures you won't be able to use effectively, and others where you may need to get creative or make compromises, but it will work. Figure out what lures you will be using most, and work from there. You could catch bass year round with just 6-12 lures (4, if you really tried). Most spinning reels come with 2 spools (or you can get extras for BCs) so you almost have 2 setups there. We tend to over complicate fishing (all sports really) and the InterWb doesn't help.

 

you make an excellent point here that ive made in the past myself. Fishing can be as simple or as complicated as a person wants to make it...

[einscodek]

yea its possible just like its possible to use a pair of pliers to loosen a nut

but its likely not going to give you the best rod for a wider range of lures you could present and adjust to conditions

yer gonna be stuck with what that rod can do best

sometimes that can be fine.. other times you will wish you brought so and so other rod as well so you could throw so and so other lures

 

I have a wide range of lures and weights from 1/4oz on up to 2oz.. there is no way one rod can do it if I bring them all.. and without them all ya may go home skunked cause u couldnt adjust

 

Alots said about locating fish as being most important (and theyll bite anything if you find em.. ya right).. sure it is important tossing lures into an empty bucket isnt gonna catch u any fish

but many times I seen other fishermen say theres no fish in there and I go over the same spot with a different lure or presentation and nail quality

 

Gotta have yer tools with ya

[Deleted account]

What do you mean before you knew better? Even if you prefer bass fishing now, there is still nothing wrong using a cheap combo and catching crappie and catfish all night lol

 

 

 

 

 

you make an excellent point here that ive made in the past myself. Fishing can be as simple or as complicated as a person wants to make it...

 

Someone who knows no better goes to a place where "experts" who espouse the groupthink abound, what could possibly be the outcome? They will be advised to use the flavor of the month, which will in turn make said item/process even more popular for the next guy, creating the circle, after the flame burns out, we move on to the next best thing, and repeat the process. Its not a bass fishing thing, or even a fishing thing. Its the nature of the beast. I feel bad for the new guys. This is what I tell guys who ask, "less reading more fishing"...

[Master Bait'r]

Of course it is!  

 

 

 

You still won't catch me with any less than two though unless I'm walking a river bank though.  I like having AT LEAST one sensitive finesse and one heavier cover setup.  

[WIGuide]

Totally doable! Don't concern yourself with keeping up with everyone on here. I'd say if you get a nice quality 6'6" to 7' medium power/fast action rod you will be able to cover the widest variety of techniques. Is it perfect? No, but you can make it work. Pretty sure everyone on here started out with one. If and when you get more into it, you can start adding setups. 

[Fish Murderer 71]

Totally doable! Don't concern yourself with keeping up with everyone on here. I'd say if you get a nice quality 6'6" to 7' medium power/fast action rod you will be able to cover the widest variety of techniques. Is it perfect? No, but you can make it work. Pretty sure everyone on here started out with one. If and when you get more into it, you can start adding setups. 

It's a sickness for some!  I started out with a POS Pinnacle, 40$ combo.  now its 300-400$ a set up...  I sometimes wish I could go back to sittin all night at the spillway but its just not as much fun anymore, since I gave up drinkin and other illegal recreational habits 

[K_Mac]

Totally doable! Don't concern yourself with keeping up with everyone on here. I'd say if you get a nice quality 6'6" to 7' medium power/fast action rod you will be able to cover the widest variety of techniques. Is it perfect? No, but you can make it work. Pretty sure everyone on here started out with one. If and when you get more into it, you can start adding setups. 

 

I think this is very well said and great advice. I compare it to firearms; I can get by with a shotgun, but adding a rifle and handgun or two just gives me far more options. Enjoy the process...

[WIGuide]

It's a sickness for some!  I started out with a POS Pinnacle, 40$ combo.  now its 300-400$ a set up...  I sometimes wish I could go back to sittin all night at the spillway but its just not as much fun anymore, since I gave up drinkin and other illegal recreational habits 

 

I've totally got that sickness lol. Since you gave up that other stuff though you can afford some nice gear now!