Am I alone?

[Randy Price]

I grew up with 1 fishing rod until my mid 30's.  A friend introduced me to St. Croix AVID rods and Shimano Stradic reels back in 2000 and I've never been the same.  I've since purchased almost 20 high end AVID or higher SC rods.  Now when I go fishing (multi species I generally only take 2-3 rods) and the rest just sit.  I'm making a short story long but does anyone else have too many rods and they're not even really enjoying or using them?  I've thought of selling some but I then think I might have sellers remorse.  Thoughts/help????

[DaubsNU1]

I have owned the following rods since the mid to late 1990's:

- four bait-casters (three Cabela's, one Berkley)

- seven spinning rods (all Cabela's brand)

 

All but two get used regularly...one is a very light spinning rod that is a duplicate, the other is a heavy spinning rod that needs guide work.

 

I don't want to spend $$ on new rods and reels...what I have seems to catch fish. I would rather spend money on lures / tackle, or boat upgrades.

 

Now, ask me about Gore-Tex coats, pants, rain-gear, hats, gloves, waders, etc.  I have a PROBLEM : )

[Spankey]

Call me crazy, but over the last few weeks I’ve been fishing my older cheaper/lower end stuff. All good quality stuff. BPS and Cabelas house rods. Daiwa Regals and Shimano Symetres. 
I’m taking a step backwards on purpose.   It’s working out just fine. 
 

Went back to some shorter rods for a reason. 

[gunsinger]

I usually have four rods out on the deck to start the day.  I've been known to reach into the locker to pull one i've rigged for special technique (top water, chatterbait, etc).  There are a couple rods in the locker that rarely get used but only because they're for my wife and daughter.  

 

I'm too cheap/frugal to own any high end stuff.  ?

[Randy Price]

A few years ago I got a really nice bonus and bought 6-7 Legend Elites, Legend X-Tremes, and Legend Tournaments when I had the money tp spend.  Now I have too many nice rods and not enough time to enjoy them.  Just the opposite of when I was younger.

[Bankc]

My rod collection has exploded in the last two years.  I now own 10.  Seven are for bass fishing.  One is for crappie.  One is a spincast for taking along someone who doesn't know how to use my spinning and BC reels.  One is a broken rod and reel that I replaced and then repaired and haven't used since.  I'm going to give it away to a friend who goes fishing with me about twice a year.  

 

I can only fit six rods in my kayak, so that's usually what I bring.  The next time I buy a new rod, it'll be to replace something I already own, not to increase my collection.  Part of it is money, but mostly it's just space.  In the past, I had a habit of getting into a hobby and buying one of everything.  I decided not to do that this time.  

[DitchPanda]

I have a vast collection of rods and reels...without counting I'd guess 15 casting and 6-7spinning and that's just bass stuff. To be fair I don't buy high end stuff I buy budget to mid range stuff and alot of the time I don't even pay full price. My most expensive combo is around $300. I fish alot so I use the majority of my stuff.

[Darth-Baiter]

I have the bare minimum number of rods/reels. A few need upgrades but it’s not urgent.   Someday. 

[Junk Fisherman]

I have a few extra rods that I keep as backups but for the most part I don't have any rods that do not get any use throughout the course of the season.  I have sold rods before and have never regretted selling any of them.  It is usually an excuse to buy something new which is an upgrade over what I sold.  Plus, I carry a dozen or so combos so I always have a rig that can accommodate what I want to use.  I've never sold something and then needed it.  I say thin the herd and buy some new equipment.   

[Jig Man]

I have extra reels not extra rods.  I keep 6 extra spinning reels just in case and 2 Curado 5:1 bait casters for winter time Arigs.

[geo g]

I too have a collection of rods.  There are always at least 6 rigged and ready to go on the deck of the boat, and another 6 at home that don't make the trip.   Of the six loaded and ready, I usually use two, but if something bad happens a backup is waiting in the wings.  We buy way too much stuff.  Most stuff is made to catch fisherman, not so much fish!

[Bubba 460]

 

I have whatever I need tied on to one of the ten rods I usually carry onboard. I hate to cut something off and re-tie something on and dig through a dozen boxes. That usually only happens after a pickerel bite-off. Plus you need different rods and reels for different species of fish ~ I might want to catch some crappie to eat one of these years. I have a bunch of med light and light rigs I just never use, been giving some to kids on the bank or the dock that have junky set-ups.

[MAN]

I started off a simple man with a rod or two for all

Went extreme and topped 40 rods easy

Back to simple man

[new2BC4bass]

5 hours ago, Randy Price said:

I grew up with 1 fishing rod until my mid 30's.  A friend introduced me to St. Croix AVID rods and Shimano Stradic reels back in 2000 and I've never been the same.  I've since purchased almost 20 high end AVID or higher SC rods.  Now when I go fishing (multi species I generally only take 2-3 rods) and the rest just sit.  I'm making a short story long but does anyone else have too many rods and they're not even really enjoying or using them?  I've thought of selling some but I then think I might have sellers remorse.  Thoughts/help????

Only that you don't have enough rods yet.   

 

And "Yes" to your question "...does anyone else have too many rods and they're not even really enjoying or using them?"  I haven't gotten out much the past 4 years, but kept buying rods and reels that interested me anyway.  Rods that haven't seen water are approaching 20 in number between spinning and baitcasting.  You can add quite a few more that have only been out a couple times.

 

Reels are worse. 

 

I might take 8-10 rods with me to the lake, but often only 2 or 3 get used.  I fish from shore and many times I don't feel like going back to get different rods.  I also grew up using only one rod.  I was probably happier then.  Especially considering I was raised in a good area for fishing, but now live in a horrible fishing area.

 

Actually the poor fishing has been a big contribution in me gathering so much gear.  It is about the only reason I haven't given up fishing again.  I gave up for 23 years after moving to this area.  New gear kept me going out.

[king fisher]

If you think you have too many rods now whatever you do, don’t take up flyfishing

[TnRiver46]

From what I’ve witnessed you are not alone, far from it. I would say you are in the majority group

[papajoe222]

too many rods? is that a trick question?  i have 31 and i'm contemplating adding another. all but two walleye trolling rods see some action every season. then again, i normally keep six on deck and another 4-8 in the locker. 

[ATA]

I have so many rods and reels like you, BUT unlike you I am enjoying every single of them 

[BrianMDTX]

7 hours ago, Bankc said:

My rod collection has exploded in the last two years.

Mine did in less than a year. Everything I had was 40 to 50+ years old. I needed a refresh. I now have 4 baitcasters: a HF, a MHF, a MF and a MHMF. And three spinning rigs: a MLXF and two MF. I normally take no less than 4 or more than 5 on my inflatable. Unless I damage or lose something I’m good for now. 

[gim]

I’ve got 10 rod/reel setups specifically for bass fishing and I use all of them every season. I will admit I use some of them more than others though.

 

I’ve also got a couple walleye setups, an ultra light for panfish, and 2 muskie combos.

 

The panfish setup probably gets the lowest use every year, although I use that one first every spring because it’s the only legal season open here until May.

[mrpao]

Can a person have too many rods or reels? That's like asking, can you have too much money. I say "no". 

Been a multi-species angler, i have many different combos. I have stuff for bass, crappie and panfish, trout, catfish and stripers, saltwater. You name it. Though most of my stuff is for bass. Especially my high end stuff.

I like to rotate the combos out. Whatever i feel like taking on the boat that day. I like having the option of rotating and switching things up.

Plus i like trying new gear. So I'm always adding to the lineup.

[Fishin Dad]

I have over 30 combos ( add another 15 to that with ice fishing, yes, drilling holes in frozen lakes and catching fish......Lol).  I started building rods now and am adding to and/or replacing a lot of those combos that I don't like something about them. It is just another part of this hobby that I love.  I have given away a lot of combos I don't use anymore to young fisherman.  I am a teacher so when a student shows an interest, I will try to set them up with a combo and some surplus tackle.  

Trying different rods, reels, and baits is one of the things I love about this sport.  

[NYWayfarer]

I have dozens of rods, cheap to expensive. Most sit around collecting dust as I have a few favorites that I choose to carry almost every trip.

 

St Croix 6’ ML Avid spinning

St Croix 7’ M Bass X casting

St Croix 6’10” M Triumph spinning

Lews 7’ M TP1 Black

[new2BC4bass]

4 hours ago, king fisher said:

If you think you have too many rods now whatever you do, don’t take up flyfishing

I have a 4wt and 5wt Echo Carbon XL on the way.  Both 9 footers.  Dug out my custom 7'6" 3wt and ordered new line for it and a bunch of flies and leaders for all 3 rods.  Received 3 new reels.  Got to find the reel for my old 9' 8wt. GL3  Considering a Sage Foundation, but hopefully the Bait Monkey releases his choke hold on me first. 

 

You can fly fish for cheap, but it sure is easy to get caught up in looking at all the great rods available today.  The following are just a few of the low to mid-price.  If you can consider a $350 rod mid-price when there are ones costing over $1000.  I've looked at the Hardy Shadow, TFO BVK, Orvis Clearwater, Lefty Krey Pro II, Moonshine Drifter, Echo Dry, Echo Ion XL, Redington Path II, Redington VICE, Fenwick Aetos, Douglas LRS, Douglas DXF and the TFO Axiom II-X.  Whew!

 

Move over bankruptcy.  Here I come. 

[CrankFate]

Not alone. I have certain rods for certain things. Either by weight fished or stiffness. I do not like to take more than 2 rods with me.