Kayak people. How many rods do you bring?

[Spy]

Seven is what I run now, six in tubes on the pak and one pistol grip up front. Lure changes are the main reason as my fingers are no longer suited to fast, fine, light duty action after many decades of earning a living working steel. Add in just a touch of cool weather and it's game over for sure. Also switched to snaps for the first time so hopefully that helps speed things up a bit.

[Allen Der]

2-4 rods.  2 flush mount rod holders and 3 in a crate.  I also dont use trebles anymore on the kayak like someone else mentioned.

[Bluebasser86]

I usually bring 8. I've got 6 tubes on the side of my crate and 2 back facing flush mounts on the yak, plus the one forward facing I use to hold the rod while rigging or unhooking fish.

[Bass Junke]

On 1/25/2021 at 9:02 PM, moguy1973 said:

I made rod leashes out of old phone charger cords and some cable cuffs like shown here: http://palmettokayakfishing.blogspot.com/2011/09/build-rod-leash-for-kayak-fishing.html

I have been looking for a new leash system. I love those cable cuffs, and they don't scratch the blank. I was using bungie cord, tie wrap, and a split ring/key ring. The tie wrap and ring slide around the blank. Not scratched yet but looking for something better. Thank you.

[Bluebasser86]

On 1/25/2021 at 8:02 PM, moguy1973 said:

I made rod leashes out of old phone charger cords and some cable cuffs like shown here: http://palmettokayakfishing.blogspot.com/2011/09/build-rod-leash-for-kayak-fishing.html

Good idea. I made some out of cord and carabiner clips and wrapping the clip around the rod and clipping it back to the cord but it's kind of hard to do depending on which rod I'm after. Looks like I need to check those cable cuffs out as a way to maybe make it a little easier.

[J Francho]

Dumb question about leashes that I'll preface with the fact I have never used a leash while kayaking.  Yes, I lost one rod in 15 years.  Is the leash for if you tip over, or is it to prevent them from falling out of the holders?  I ask, because you don't see leashes on fishing boats that use the same flush mount and rocket launcher style holders, and some of these run in way rougher water than any kayak.  extra cordage in a kayak has always been an annoyance and possibly a safety issue in my eyes.  

[bulldog1935]

rod leashes are for rods that are out of sight and out of mind, and not in a locking rod holder - it's possible to drag a rod off in the mangroves, et.al., and not see it happen

 

Conversely, a working rod temporarily in a front rod holder doesn't need one.  

If you're fishing offshore, probably want all your rods on leashes - otherwise, a mackerel might run off with your rod.  

If you're going through the surf, you need your rods strapped low on your boat, because spilling is likely.  

I make my own rod leashes with quick-release buckles

The swivel clip lets them slide along a trolley line to keep the bungee length short, and still reach 360 around a 16' boat - the loop on the quick-end twists around both reel foot and rod.  

Soft paracord is good for the rod end

and the flat paracord is even better

 

There was also a youtube of a power boat driver intentionally turtle-ing kayakers in a cove with his boat wake - during a pro bass tournament.  It would be a shame to loose a half-dozen rods and reels even from an improbable event.  

There's also boat docks - este.  It's not really about You (but rod leashes), pick what You want and knock your lights out.  

Edited March 25, 2021 by bulldog1935
below

[J Francho]

Mackerel, mangroves, surf...  that's probably why I wouldn't use a leash.  What about people that are bass fishing?  I mean, if I'm near trees, I won't store my rods vertically.  I can definitely see where that would be a problem though I'd more worried about snapping the tips off than losing the rods.  But I can't think of many (or any) situations where rods would jump out of a holder.

[GTN-NY]

I’ve bumped my rods with the paddle, and lifting the lid on my crate has almost dumped a rod. 
You just never know

[the reel ess]

I took a milk crate and zip tied (6) PVC rod holders in it. And I have two flush mount (angled to the aft) rod holders. So I can carry 8. And I will sometimes when I expect a mixed bag. But usually I carry 7 bass combos. 

[MassYak85]

I can carry 7, I usually bring 5 or 6. I rigged a milkcrate with some of that PVC board and some PVC tubes to add 4 additional rod holders to the two built in to the kayak. There's also a tube for a flag (or 7th rod) and my net. 

[CM-fisher]

I usually take 3, (finesse spinning, cranking, jig/worm/frog) but that depends on what I'm going for. sometimes I only bring one when I'm walleye fishing

[Boomstick]

I will usually bring 3-5 depending on where I am fishing, what time of year and how many different presentations I expect to be throwing. Occasionally I will bring 6 which means I am keeping one up front with me at all times.

[CM-fisher]

1 hour ago, Boomstick said:

I will usually bring 3-5 depending on where I am fishing, what time of year and how many different presentations I expect to be throwing. Occasionally I will bring 6 which means I am keeping one up front with me at all times.

Yes, that is what I have to do because my kayak has only 2 rod holders (and for bass I use 3 different combos). sometime soon I am going to put a few rod holders on a milk crate for extra storage room

[Boomstick]

16 hours ago, MN_Bassmaster78 said:

Yes, that is what I have to do because my kayak has only 2 rod holders (and for bass I use 3 different combos). sometime soon I am going to put a few rod holders on a milk crate for extra storage room

I have a YakAttack BlackPak plus two YakAttack Omega rod holders (plus a Zooka II for my net). I could add three more to my Blackpak, but then I would have to turn it or block access to the blackpak itself, so I haven't bothered.

 

I've actually been debating trying the Wilderness Systems kayak crate one of these days which would get me one more rod and some storage for small things up top, but honestly I'm not sure if the storage up top would be difficult to turn around and grab something and thus is it worth it, and it may be more difficult to grab boxes.

[Dye99]

Depends on the water Im fishing but usually 6 in the crate ( 3 bait casters, 3 spinning rods ) and a back up bait caster and a drop shot rig in the hull.