How many fishing poles should I own?

[soflabasser]

14 hours ago, cottny27 said:

4-5 combos will do to cover most everything imo 

I agree with you that 4-5 combos should be more than enough,this is the max number of combos I bring with me when bass fishing.Most of the times I only really need 1 rod/reel to have a good fishing trip.

[cottny27]

4 minutes ago, soflabasser said:

I agree with you that 4-5 combos should be more than enough,this is the max number of combos I bring with me when bass fishing.Most of the times I only really need 1 rod/reel to have a good fishing trip.

I tend to only bring 1 when I kayak fish due to some of the tight backwater places I fish.  The hikes can tear up some equipment.  I could always use another when fishing so I'm knot wasting line changing lures.  

[kickerfish1]

Too many, yet never enough!

[RB 77]

14 hours ago, jignfule said:

After extensive research, the answer is 17.5

This! Haha.

When I'm on the deck I usually bring 6-8 rods with me. When I back-seat I usually bring 3-4 rods with me. I change out which ones I bring me according to the body of water I'm fishing. I usually just add a few combos a year to help build up the quiver and get rid of stuff that lays idle as I go.

[fishinfiend]

as many as you can afford or when the wife complains buy 3 more.

[*Hootie]

If you're still calling them "poles" I would just hold off for a while. 

Hootie

[fishindad]

One of the most difficult decisions is figuring out 'wants' vs. 'needs'. Asking hard core bass fishers how many rods 'should' one own is a loaded question.

I see you live and fish in SoCal. So, having fished some of those waters here's what I would suggest you'll need:

Dropshot/finesse/light line setup, ML power

Swimbait/heavy cover combo, H power

Reaction bait setup for rip baits, spinnerbaits, crankbaits, M power

All-around/all purpose combo like a 7 ft MH fast action rod

If you fish mostly open water and deep water without much cover then you may not need the that H pitching setup. You can throw smaller swimbaits with the MH rod or your present baitcasting combo.

 

[Raul]

17 hours ago, jignfule said:

After extensive research, the answer is 17.5

I have no problem with 17, what I don´t get is that 1/2 setup.

[blckshirt98]

Depending on what you fish...bass...trout...surf...pelagic...etc...it can hit double digits pretty fast.  When in doubt just buy as many as you can afford and have room to store.

[roadwarrior]

16 minutes ago, blckshirt98 said:

When in doubt just buy as many as you can afford and have room to store.

Well, I would not agree with you there. I have accumulated my collection over the past 19 years or so. During several of those years I have bought a couple of rigs and of course, sold or given some away.  Coincidently I have 19  rods currently or on average, one acquisition per year. I have been given some gear, but if I decided to keep it, the new replaced the old. What I am suggesting is "buy as needed" and ONLY on sale or from guys on the Forum (Flea Market). Obviously some of our members can afford this year's state of the art and be first on the block, but for most waiting on a deal is probably a better strategy.

And just one more thought, I would prefer one GREAT rig verses 6 that are "just fine". I guess that's why it has taken me so long to build my fleet.

 

[Darren.]

I'm with the less is more folks here. I have taken 6 rods
kayak fishing and it was a clown circus. Four was more
manageable, three is better, two is ideal.

My main setups are now one bait casting setup and two
spinning setups. It was 2 and 2. So I'm going to see how
I do with only three rods this year. (of course I have more,
my sons use the rest)

But realize for me that I primarily fish soft plastics, not
hard lures, no A rigs, occasional cranks and swimbaits.

I don't fish tournaments, so money isn't on the line for
me, just the pure enjoyment of the sport.

Perhaps if I entered tourneys, had a bass boat, and was
under time limits to produce, I'd need more....

[S Hovanec]

As many as your wife has pairs of shoes!

[faygo1979]

I find 3 to 4 rods is ideal for kayak fishing for me.  I will add a 5th for tournaments sometimes but it depends on how much i know about the lake..  I normally plan 1-2 moving baits like a swim-bait, spinner bait, or a crank.  then one slider head rod and a jig rod.

 

Now on how many I own  that is over a dozen.  Granted I am planning on offloading 4-5 this spring  But that is to replace them with other rod ideas. 

[iabass8]

bout tree fiddy

[.ghoti.]

5 hours ago, S Hovanec said:

As many as your wife has pairs of shoes!

i don't know what i would ever do with that many rods and reels.

[Fishin' Fool]

I own one more as of today.

[JRammit]

I fish out of a 12' jon boat and make due just fine with 3 rods, though i would like a 4th.... Im slowly replacing my old cheap gear (all ugly stiks) with new medium quality set ups ($150-$200)

Could i afford to pay more?.. Yes.. But i have kids and they always need something?

[Hookem Hank]

Don't just decide on one brand of reel or rod. A man can never have too many fishing rigs, but with that being said that doesn't mean you have to go spend a fortune. My advice would be buy what you can afford and fish with what you find confidence in.  

[Sam]

Like women's shoes, you never have enough rods.

[Justbass11]

I had 2 rod and reels, now I have 5. I am slowly building up my what I have. I buy my rods in the $100.00 to $130.00 range which are good rods and my reels in the same price range. I am building up for when I get my first boat which will be soon. Like the guys have stated, start slow and pretty soon you will be in good shape. After I get my boat I plan to have 8 to 10 or more. Good luck and welcome to Bassresource. You will learn a lot like I have in short period of time.

[fvogel67]

On 2/25/2016 at 1:44 PM, S Hovanec said:

As many as your wife has pairs of shoes!

A few years ago my wife asked me "Why do you need so many fishing rods".I then ask her "Why do you need so many shoes?"She's never brought it up again.  Lol.