Multiple rods on the boat deck

["hamma"]

  I may start my day with one on the deck, or ten. Depends on where I'm fishing, and what I plan on doing. Of course, I will have more tucked away in the rod box, and things can change as the day rolls on, but I try to maintain clear decks as I dont have a football field for a deck to begin with.

 Am I guilty of having a crapload of rods on my deck? Sure, at times yeah. Once I dail in whats going on, I will weed some out to the rodbox

[scaleface]

I prefer a clean deck . I trip over trolling motor pedals .

WRB I'm surprised you caught those bass in front of those guys . I  would have waited .

[Catt]

I could give y'all dozens of examples of catching bass within sight of the launch.

 

My grandson's first Hawg was caught fron under the dock we were standing on at the ramp with 3 boats waiting to launch.

 

This 11 lb 3 oz was caught 30 yes from that same ramp off the bank with boats running by or launching.

[J._Bricker]

On 3/18/2017 at 2:56 PM, WRB said:

Watching MLF competition sets the tone for today's pro's with anywhere from 10 to 15 or more rof combos out on the front deck while fishing. It amazes me how bass anglers copy what they see on TV.

A few days ago I took an old friend who can't get up early due to his health issue fishing. We arrived at the lake around 9A bright sunny day and the spawn is on so you don't need a lot of different rods and reels. We both got out 2 rods for worms and jigs put them out on the deck and launched. While I was parking another bright yellow 21' bass boat launched and I got back to the dock the other guy arrived looked at our 2 rods each, I look over at thier 20+ rods out on the deck and said " are you fishing MLF"? He answered can't catch em if you don't have the right stuff. 

Got in my boat and idled out about 20 yds while the other guys were trying to figure out what to start with and metered a rock pile with bass on it, turned off the engine and put down the trolling motor, turned around and the guys yells to me "your secret spot and starts laughing. Fred and I both made a cast to the rock pile, we both caught bass on the first cast while the guys watched.

Before the others got their rods sorted out we caught 7 bass between 3 to 4 lbs off that rock pile.

Silence, no more laughing from the peanut gallery.

Tom

 

Tom, great story, glad you two got 'em good!  Sounds like age and experience vs youth and exuberance:). You and Fred started fishing with the two rods most of us hope we finish the day using.  Personally, with lousy weather, no time on the water, going through everything fishing show I've DVR'd, and anticipating catching 'em on everything I've stockpiled in secrecy over the winter months I just might have a deck full of rods to start out the day as well..... Continued good fishing, JB 

[MNGeorge]

Getting older and less agile every year, I'm reluctant to have several thousand dollars worth of rods laying where I might inadvertently step on one...to me, the few extra minutes it might take to retie or dig another rig out of the rod locker is worth not having to worry about stepping on a rod or reel handle...just my $.02

[WRB]

4 hours ago, scaleface said:

I prefer a clean deck . I trip over trolling motor pedals .

WRB I'm surprised you caught those bass in front of those guys . I  would have waited .

You don't know if those are bass without given them a try. The guys watching just idled out of the marina, put it on the pad, never looked back. We fished around the lake and caught several good quality bass until noon and put it on the trailer good relaxing day.

Tom

[RB 77]

Usually about a 1/2 dozen on deck at any given time. Usually not very much more. I might be only using one or two for the whole trip though.

[Ghostshad]

First i think 2 many rods on the deck caused me to fall in the lake last summer. But i was 62 years old with bad knees & a bad back didn't help none , as far as starting at the ramp , i always do. I think its always worth a few extra minutes fishing a boat ramp because i've caught a lot of bass off the ramp where i put in. I'm glad others back in & leave because if their any bass on that ramp their all Mine.

[gim]

My boat simply isn't big enough to stack a dozen rod n reels on each side of the front deck like I often see pros doing.  I understand the concept of having different setups rigged with different line to accommodate different lures in different situations because I don't like re-tying all the time either.  If you're re-tying, you aint fishing.  I generally have about 3 setups on the deck ready to go and another 7 in my rod locker that I can access if I want/need to.  If I had room for more, I'd probably have them.

[jimf]

I used 4 rods today, so I had 4 on the deck.   2 stayed in the rod storage.   I rarely take out more than 6.  

 

[Airman4754]

So if you have more than two rods and don't fish next to the dock you don't know what you are doing?

[lonnie g]

this was a fun to read thread ! thanks guys. in my ranger I might have a few rods out, don't own 20 . if fishing local ponds that many would sink my little 8' aluminum boat.

[S. Sass]

21 hours ago, Catt said:

5 on deck is normal for me

 

I have 2 identical rod-n-reels; 1 is for Texas Rigs from weightless to 1/4 oz & the other is a Jig rod from 1/4 oz to 1/2 oz.

I have these 2 on deck 24/7/365

 

The next 3 depend on body of water

Have you been on my boat.  I keep mine like this constantly.

 

I have others in the locker and it isn't impossibly that if I need another I can go open the locker put one I have realized is not working that day in and take out what ever else I want to try. 

[clh121787]

On 3/18/2017 at 5:45 PM, A-Jay said:

 

And let's not forget all "the Rigs" - Where Texas & Carolina may have started it all - Ned, Do-Nothing, Chicken, Neko, Split Shot, Jako, Rage, Wacky, Doodle Dong, (alright I made that one up - or did I ?) and the A or Umbrella Rigs. 

 

And I have no problem with most all of it, (well, except for the post catch screaming like a sea bird one, not a fan), just as long as I get to do it, doesn't matter what it's called.

A-Jay 

 

You forgot about the world renowned " Donkey Rig" IMHO the rig list isn't complete with out the donkey rig

[A-Jay]

6 minutes ago, clh121787 said:

You forgot about the world renowned " Donkey Rig" IMHO the rig list isn't complete with out the donkey rig

 

I can't argue with that mantra' but I had no intensions of trying to make the list all inclusive. 

With new rigs popping up all the time there was probably 2 or 3 that came to life just in the time it took me to type that one up.

btw - don't forget to Wacky Rig your Spanky  http://lunkercity.com/spanky.html

A-Jay

 

[Scarborough817]

i have 10 combos but i will rarely take more then 8 out for a day my big bait rod will normally stay at home unless i go for a day of giant hunting and i will only take it out 

[shimmy]

To me, each rod and reel has its own story of how and when i obtained them. Don't have many rods, but if i can get them all on the deck, i will. I love the art of choosing line size, the right lure, and then having them on deck. I work hard to have what i have on deck, so i find it more enjoyable to have my arsenal on the deck so i can make a quick cast if needed despite the fact i know my jig will be my main approach. If i had the space, the money, i would have 25 rods on deck. I love knowing i have options. Plus, when you see most pros who fish for their living have 10-20 rods on deck, it means they have found utility for that and it's not just for looks or sales. When the best fisherman in the world show that it is no longer needed to get dialed in, then i will rethink it.

[TOXIC]

Well of course you are going to catch fish at a ramp used by tournaments, it's where they release their fish.  We call them ABC fish already been caught.  

 

I take a lot of rods because I can.  And if I didn't, they would be biting on the combo I needed to throw that bait.    I take 3 rods when I go crappie fishing.  I take 4 rods rigged with different senko techniques alone when I go for bass.  

 

Boat rods....

 

 

[J Francho]

It never really occurred to me that a TV show depicting a cluttered deck full of rods had anything to do with a tough bite, and me emptying my rod locker, searching for the magic bullet.

 

If there are a lot of rods on the deck, it usually wasn't a day of smooth sailing.

 

There's also some weird obsession with fisherman about what other fisherman are doing.  It cracks me up, even though I've been guilty of it a time or twenty.

[Bankbeater]

I find that if I am familiar with the water I am fishing I won't have more than 4 combos out.  If I am fishing water that I don't know then I will have 5 or 6 out.  If I had more rods out than that I would probably be knocking them into the water.

[jimf]

42 minutes ago, J Francho said:

It never really occurred to me that a TV show depicting a cluttered deck full of rods had anything to do with a tough bite, and me emptying my rod locker, searching for the magic bullet.

 

If there are a lot of rods on the deck, it usually wasn't a day of smooth sailing.

 

There's also some weird obsession with fisherman about what other fisherman are doing.  It cracks me up, even though I've been guilty of it a time or twenty.

 

You hit the nail on the head.   If I leave rods in the locker,  I'm probably catching fish.   Same goes with lures/colors etc...    

[Ersteman]

Good share, Tom! My kayak holds 2 rods and 1 in hand, so that maxes me out at 3 setups. I'm forced to keep it simple.  Kinda like it that way!

[Darren.]

On 3/19/2017 at 8:19 AM, whitwolf said:

The power of advertisement and the need/want to replicate. It's truly a fascinating study. There was a time that I had set ups that had whatever bait I was told would guarantee a boatload of bass within easy reach. I not only had the baits but the "look" that screamed "look at me I not only know but I look the part." I stayed this way during my mid 20's through my mid 30's "thinking" I was just a few more baits/fancy gadgets away from figuring it all out.

 

A solitary trip with my son changed my fishing for life. I will always believe when you have little folks and or beginners on board you should keep it simple and make durn sure they catch fish. He didn't care  about the latest and greatest and comfort was far more Important than style. The simplicity of a cricket and bobber  and the smile/exuberance of my son that day in particular, brought back memories of a time when fishing was simple, fun, and what drew me to the water in the first place to chase those majestic green fish. 

 

Through many more years of transformation/experimentation I found what works for me. Yes, there are days I have six set ups at my feet but more times than not I worry little about having what I think I "might" need and just fish. I pretty much go through a progression of what I know works for me and let the rest sort itself out regardless of time. On average I have four set ups at the ready and as the day goes on i usually put one away. 

 

Lastly, It's a decision that's entirely up to the Individual as to what to do but for me I base much of what i do with one simple tenant at the forefront; I want to catch fish and have FUN. If you fish long enough you tend to realize that most every decision you make comes from a lifetime of experience. 

 

Great thread Tom, thanks for starting it!

 

Well said! Loaded with truth. I, too, want to have fun

when on the water, hence, have minimized what I take,

and what I buy anymore. Though the baitmonkey does

still jump on my back, it is far less than before.

[RichF]

It seems silly to cast judgement on anglers that like to have a lot of rods on the deck of their boat as "wannabe pros."  Could some be trying to "playing the part" like they see on TV?  I'm sure.  But I think there are also plenty of guys, including myself, that just like to actually use all the crap they buy.  I tend to keep 8 - 10 rods on the deck whenever I fish.  99% of the time, I actually use all of them and maybe even a few from the rod locker.  When the fish are really biting, I'll constantly throw different stuff just so I can catch them on different baits, rods, reels, line, etc.  I see it as practice and it makes me a better angler.  If I was only gonna bring 2 rods out all the time, I would only buy 2.     

[runt4561]

I have been tournament fishing for many years and my goal when I am preparing for a tournament is to narrow my rod or technique selected to just a few. although I have fished many tournaments where I only caught fish on one specific bait, I have never been able to narrow my selection down to less than six rods. The reason is, as tournament fishermen, if we are going to be successful, we have to prepare for several scenarios or changing conditions. If I went to fish a tournament with 2 fishing rods, regardless at how good those choices were and I was presented with a situation where I needed a certain rod or bait to fish a situation that presented itself to me, my whole day would be haunted by the what if's. so, that is why we carry so many rods. we never know for certain what situations we will be facing. now these fellas you referenced having 20 or so rods.... I have never had that many on the deck of the boat. the most I have ever had is around 10 and truth be told, probably only caught fish on 2 or 3 of them.