How many of you use more than 3 rods consistently on a kayak?

[bigbassin']

4 minutes ago, J Francho said:

I like to have a few more places to put a rod than the number rods I bring.  For example, my crate holds 6.  There's two recessed holders lust behind the seat.  Plus, two rocket launchers up front.  That's 10 total, twice as much as I usually bring.  This way, when I need to retie, unbutton, or photograph a fish, I have many convenient options instead of dealing with one or more rods in my lap.

I definitely see the advantages of having more rod holders than you actually need.  I've had to go swimming after knocking a rod over while trying to turn around and grab my tackle.

[Choporoz]

@bigbassin', I don't even know how you can fish from a kayak without a crate or rod holders.   I suppose I could manage ok with four rods laid out in front of me the whole time (since I do much of the time, anyway), but it'd be true hardship to feel forced to leave the ramp with less than four...lol

[NYWayfarer]

I take two, but I am going to start taking 3. 2 will go in the holders and one in the cockpit with me.

 

I have a DIY crate but it doesn't fit properly on the back of my kayak. When I do take it I have a total of 5 rod holders , 3 on the crate and 2 built in.

[Choporoz]

I have gear tracks all over, so I can put all kinds of rod holders, if I wanted.  But my wife's yak doesn't have tracks, so I installed starport mounts and they are very handy, too.

[Turkey sandwich]

I've got "room" for as many as 8 on mine.

[fishwizzard]

I have room for four, three spots on my crate and one built-in holder up front.  I try to pick based where I'll be fishing on any given day and have never felt the need to bring any more along. 

 

As most my fishing is from the bank, often a fairly good hike for my car, having more than a single rod feels like a luxuy.   

[JustJames]

If your kayak have enough room and stable enough to maneuver around go for it "the more the merrier".

Me I only carry 3 all the time, one for moving bait (Fluke, chatterbait jerkbait) another one bottoms contact (fat Ika, Senko, Jig) and last top water. I can rig for mores,  but I found it is more cumbersome than merrier. I fish only a few hours each trip and found myself going under tree more often. I only have 2-3 Plano boxes in the front storage. one plastic binder and a net.

[boostr]

 Depends where I'm at. If it's a new place 6. If its my regular haunts 3 or 4.

[haggard]

I feel the yak is all about simplicity (just me) so in the old yak kept it to 3 combos. New yak has 4 tubes plus 2 holders so I could take 6 combos but don't want to. Haven't had it on the water yet but will probably do 4 combos max, and hopefully just keep it to 3. Trying to make the rod choices before I get in the boat, rather than when I'm in it.

 

I don't like retying (would rather fish) but would rather force myself to think more carefully about which lure to use than manage more rods.

 

Besides, when I get swamped, I lost only 4 combos  because I'll be too stupid to remember to leash them.

 

[Dens228]

I said 4 earlier but yesterday added a fifth. I fish a lot of plastics so added a weigtless rig to go with my weighted since I often switch back and forth depending on depth and vegetation of my current spot. 

 

I'm going out Saturday and my pre-rigs will be

1. Weighted t-rig

2. Weightless ri

3. Jerkbait

4. Lipless crank

5. Spinnerbait or chatterbait depending on wind and chop

[Riazuli]

19 hours ago, bigbassin' said:

I'm surprised to see how many rods y'all take out on kayaks.  I don't have a crate system or rod holder, the extra rod just sits between my legs so that may be why, but I never take out more than two.  And I only do two if I plan to be on the water for more than 3 to 4 hours.

 

In a canoe I always do 3 to 4, unless I bring the fly rod.  Then it'll be one fly rod, one conventional for if the wind picks up.

I was carrying my second rod between my legs this last summer /fall too and yeah it's not convenient at all.  Now I've got a crate system with 2 triple rod holders so they'll be neatly and conveniently standing behind me and not all over the place.   

19 hours ago, bigbassin' said:

I definitely see the advantages of having more rod holders than you actually need.  I've had to go swimming after knocking a rod over while trying to turn around and grab my tackle.

Do you put floats on your rods? Or did it sink 

17 hours ago, fishwizzard said:

I have room for four, three spots on my crate and one built-in holder up front.  I try to pick based where I'll be fishing on any given day and have never felt the need to bring any more along. 

 

As most my fishing is from the bank, often a fairly good hike for my car, having more than a single rod feels like a luxuy.   

I picked up a rod and reel case that holds 8 for that purpose.  It's just a long convenient tote made by field and stream.   Haven't used it yet but once I set up my new equipment, I'll be using it for sure.  

[Riazuli]

On 3/1/2018 at 8:41 PM, haggard said:

I feel the yak is all about simplicity (just me) so in the old yak kept it to 3 combos. New yak has 4 tubes plus 2 holders so I could take 6 combos but don't want to. Haven't had it on the water yet but will probably do 4 combos max, and hopefully just keep it to 3. Trying to make the rod choices before I get in the boat, rather than when I'm in it.

 

I don't like retying (would rather fish) but would rather force myself to think more carefully about which lure to use than manage more rods.

 

Besides, when I get swamped, I lost only 4 combos  because I'll be too stupid to remember to leash them.

 

I use rod floats.  Do yall think those work well?

[Tracker22]

I take four. Two on deck and two in the holders. I’d take five but I just don’t have a place to hold it.

[RB 77]

On 2/27/2018 at 7:16 PM, Darren. said:

I would say I use 2 normally, 4 max....

 

This is pretty spot on for me. I have come to the conclusion that yak fishing will be a compromise for me. I will limit myself on the yak knowing that I will have any number I may need at my disposal on the boat. It helps ease my apprehensiveness about being so limited on the yak. It boils down to ROI for me, having the added combos isn't worth the hassle of dealing with them on such a limited vessel and to be quite honest, I enjoy the simplicity of it from time to time. Just K.I.S.S. and enjoy the ride.

[Cak920]

On 2/27/2018 at 8:35 PM, MassYak85 said:

You could say I keep things minimal...

 

 

...but that would be a complete lie 

 

 

Technically, I could carry 8 rods if I ditched my net and flag/light pole. But I don't even have 8 active setups so there's no point. What you see is what I carry at maximum. Some lakes I know I am not going to be punching or frogging so I can sometimes leave that at home. Some days I might just go out for a couple hours, leave my crate at home and just use the two built in rod holders. But I like to have the option to bring everything lol. 

 

How do you reach those rods on the back?

[Riazuli]

44 minutes ago, Cak920 said:

How do you reach those rods on the back?

Was wondering the same thing - I was imagining some yoga like maneuver that didn't lead to capsize   But it looks to be within arms reach, and a darn inventive contraption at that. 

[MassYak85]

1 hour ago, Cak920 said:

How do you reach those rods on the back?

 

32 minutes ago, Riazuli said:

Was wondering the same thing - I was imagining some yoga like maneuver that didn't lead to capsize   But it looks to be within arms reach, and a darn inventive contraption at that. 

Haha. The perks of being young, thin and having long arms (I'm 6'1"). Ask me if I can do that "Yoga like maneuver" in 20 years lol. My kayak is actually pretty stable though, I've never felt in danger of flipping just reaching for stuff. 

[haggard]

Depends largely on two things: physical and mental.

 

Physical: How big is the yak; does it have rod storage / holders to manage multiple rods easily, or is it so small that you're fumbling and getting tangled?

 

Mental: Does having a lot of choices make your fishing harder (overwhelmed by too many decisions) or easier (the right combo for the situation is right at hand)?

 

Environment: Are you fishing water that doesn't vary much in terms of structure and species (could get away with fewer rods), or in a single outing are you fishing everything from panfish to big stuff in various conditions - heavy cover, open water, shallows, vegetation, etc. (might need more rods).

 

Oh wait that's three.

 

To answer the original question, for me in a yak in fresh water it's usually 3 combos. New yak has storage for 4 plus 2 holders, so I might go with 4 now.

 

But I'd really like to get down to two.

 

For kicks this season I might spend a day with only one and see what it's like.

 

 

 

On 3/1/2018 at 4:56 PM, JustJames said:

If your kayak have enough room and stable enough to maneuver around go for it "the more the merrier".

Me I only carry 3 all the time, one for moving bait (Fluke, chatterbait jerkbait) another one bottoms contact (fat Ika, Senko, Jig) and last top water. I can rig for mores,  but I found it is more cumbersome than merrier. I fish only a few hours each trip and found myself going under tree more often. I only have 2-3 Plano boxes in the front storage. one plastic binder and a net.

That's a nice boat and a beautiful body of water.

[Riazuli]

26 minutes ago, haggard said:

Depends largely on two things: physical and mental.

 

Physical: How big is the yak; does it have rod storage / holders to manage multiple rods easily, or is it so small that you're fumbling and getting tangled?

 

Mental: Does having a lot of choices make your fishing harder (overwhelmed by too many decisions) or easier (the right combo for the situation is right at hand)?

 

Environment: Are you fishing water that doesn't vary much in terms of structure and species (could get away with fewer rods), or in a single outing are you fishing everything from panfish to big stuff in various conditions - heavy cover, open water, shallows, vegetation, etc. (might need more rods).

 

Oh wait that's three.

 

To answer the original question, for me in a yak in fresh water it's usually 3 combos. New yak has storage for 4 plus 2 holders, so I might go with 4 now.

 

But I'd really like to get down to two.

 

For kicks this season I might spend a day with only one and see what it's like.

Nice breakdown - I'll be fishing where there is a mix of open water, grass, slop, bass, and snakehead.  I also want specialized power/action for crankbaits, spinnerbaits/chatterbaits/jigs, plastics, jerkbaits, topwaters...so for me it's an absolute minimum 3, max 5 at the moment. Ideally, I can get away with 4.  

[keltonz]

Is this the Riazuli that fishes at 4MR?

 

I take 4-6 rods with me. I only have rod holders for 5, so it means keeping one rod and my net at my feet. But it beats having to retie or use a rod not best suited for the technique. 

[Riazuli]

33 minutes ago, keltonz said:

Is this the Riazuli that fishes at 4MR?

 

I take 4-6 rods with me. I only have rod holders for 5, so it means keeping one rod and my net at my feet. But it beats having to retie or use a rod not best suited for the technique. 

It sure is  Nice to see you on the forum.  I plan to head back out there this Thursday after taking a break with all the wind and subsequently catching a cold after having to run around old alexandria on Friday for a while trying to get something to eat before a meeting  Not sure if you've seen the Potomac Mills sign, but it is leaning...traffic going south has been crazy since Friday. 

 

Thanks for your input on the rods. I can't wait to get back out on the water - 4mr has treated us well this winter, but it's time to break free!  I'm planning to take my kayak out to more areas of the Potomac and local lakes/ponds as things warm up.  I'll likely vary how much gear I take depending on where I go.  I ran with an extra rod between my legs before the winter, and really wanting to avoid that now, so I'm setting up 6 rod holders (2 yak gear triple rod holders) on a crate.  A longer net will go in one holder, with 4-5 rods in the other.  Hopefully just 3 if I take the yak out on a small pond or lake. 

[thinkingredneck]

Usually 2 rods, 1 small bag or satchel.  

[kjfishman]

I have been  using  3 and may drop to 2, one bait caster one spinning and carry less tackle.

[the reel ess]

I have two built in rod holders and a crate with 5. I usually take at least 6. Sometimes 7. I have 4 BC combos, 2 spinning combos for bass and sometimes I take a light spinning for panfish/small bass. It never hurts to come prepared.

[Beetlebz]

I fish exclusively from a sit IN kayak, it helps keep the cold out in the winter. The downside is I can carry 4 rigs max with 2 holders built in and two between my legs, so I have a few I swap out depending on the time of the year and location.

 

This time of year I run a 7'3 ML spinning rod with copoly for finesse, a 6'6M caster with copoly for jerkbaits and heavy drop shots, a 7' MH with mono for topwater and finesse jigs (and tubes, light T rigs) and 7'5 MH on copoly for moving baits. After the spawn I swap out the 6'6 M caster for a 7'6 H caster for flipping and pitching. Tackle in a flambeau backpack and plastics in a binder behind the seat. It keeps it simple enough, I haven't had issues losing the extra rod over the side. Yet, anyway. 

 

I installed a scotty last year just forward of the cockpit, I wind up not using it 99.9% of the time.