I’m at that point now…

[NavyVet1204]

I’m at the point where I’m beginning to see that I don’t need a dozen different setups when I got fishing because I’ve noticed that I’m reaching for/grabbing the same setups time after time after time. I can make up reasons why I need the next rod/reel all day long, but I only carry the same ones. If I’m not carrying the same ones then I’m at least tying on or fishing the same techniques every time. I’ve got six baitcaster setups and I initially had six different plans to dedicate a technique to each and fish that way, but shakey head and chatterbaits and t rigged plastics just keep killing it where I am. So I reckon I’ve got three back ups lol

[cyclops2]

The fish WILL REFUSE to bite. If you are not using the different rigs required by law !!   ?

[king fisher]

It might be better to have it and not need it, then to need it and not have it.

[cheezyridr]

the trouble is, if you stop spending money on fishing gear, something in your house or vehicle will break.  the money will find a way out.  it always does. 

[Team9nine]

Very wise to have figured this out while you only have 6 outfits and not 16…or 26 ?

[Bird]

I've been a (3) man setup for many years and still am. Pre tie the night before and one of the 3 usually produces. 

My fishing buddy regularly carries 9 with face buried in fish finder, reading structure while I'm grabbing the net. Lol

Whatever works I guess. 

[PressuredFishing]

51 minutes ago, NavyVet1204 said:

I’m at the point where I’m beginning to see that I don’t need a dozen different setups when I got fishing because I’ve noticed that I’m reaching for/grabbing the same setups time after time after time. I can make up reasons why I need the next rod/reel all day long, but I only carry the same ones. If I’m not carrying the same ones then I’m at least tying on or fishing the same techniques every time. I’ve got six baitcaster setups and I initially had six different plans to dedicate a technique to each and fish that way, but shakey head and chatterbaits and t rigged plastics just keep killing it where I am. So I reckon I’ve got three back ups lol

Mh casting and medium spinning can do almost everything, and the things it can't do it still can just not great. Personally line type and size makes a bigger difference than rod type, plus line is way cheaper, or spare spools, not saying I don't own a swimbait or frogging rod, but I didn't invest a ton into them

[N Florida Mike]

Ive got 8  ( I think ) bass combos. I’m like you - I generally end up using 2-3 most of the time

BUT… the others have a dedicated use and I like to throw them a little if conditions seem right, so they often go along for the ride at least.  I never take more than 6 on a trip though…

[cyclops2]

All my reels have loaded spare spools.   Piece of cake for a big pike grabbing SMB while coming in.

[GRiver]

I fish with 2 baitcasters, 1 with braid- pitching & flipping the sloppy stuff. 1 for crank bait and top water. 2 spinning rigs, 1 for plastics and 1 spare( sometimes stuff breaks) I also have a ultralite rig, because …. Well….they’re  just fun to fish with. 
So I carry 5, fish with 2-3 most of the time.

I have more at home, but most of my gear come yard sales and I clean them and fix them. 

[813basstard]

1 hour ago, cheezyridr said:

the trouble is, if you stop spending money on fishing gear, something in your house or vehicle will break.  the money will find a way out.  it always does. 

Ain’t that the d*** truth!

[gim]

I have 10 combos that are rigged specifically for bass fishing. 7 BC and 3 spinning. I would say that I use 3-4 of the bait casters regularly and 1 of the spinners on a regular basis.  The other ones are used more sparingly. If I had more, they probably wouldn’t get used very much.

[Trox]

As much as I wish that was the case for me, I feel like it is very dependant on what I am trying to accomplish during a given fishing trip. If I go out to just "fun fish" (all fishing is fun, but to me this specifically means not going out in preparation of a tournament type event), then I'm absolutely fine taking 4-5 setups. But when I'm pre-fishing for a tournament, there's 20 or so combos in my rod locker and it's strictly because I am trying to figure out multiple patterns, and when I start catching fish on one thing, I will stop using it and move to the next and so on... Now, that doesn't necessarily require 20 rods, but that is my approach... I have yet to pull out all 20 on a given day though so it could be worse I guess... Someone already said on this thread,  "Better to have it and not need it..." 

[Sphynx]

2 hours ago, PressuredFishing said:

Mh casting and medium spinning can do almost everything, and the things it can't do it still can just not great. Personally line type and size makes a bigger difference than rod type, plus line is way cheaper, or spare spools, not saying I don't own a swimbait or frogging rod, but I didn't invest a ton into them

Mhf casting, MM casting, Mf spinning all roughly 7-7.5ft and I can easily and very happily get by on a typical day, I have a few very specific technique driven outfits (like my jerkbait rod) that have very definite uses, but I also know before I go if I will need it, if somebody rolls up and says grab your stuff, we're going fishing and I don't know where we are headed, I take those three rods.

[WRB]

We tend to start off with 1 or 2 rod and combo’s adding more and more over time.

When you tournament bass fish with your boat having a back up combo for each presentation you use the combo’s multiply because you are on the clock and time is critical.

All any of us need is tackle we are using at the moment,1 or 2 combo’s but it’s hard to decide what those will be ahead of time.

I am back to where I started; 1 casting jig & worm, 1 casting general use, 1 finesse spinning combo. Would I tournament fish with only 3 combo’s....only if the bite was something my current tackle would be competitive.

Fun fishing I have what is needed to catch a few bass.

Tom 

 

[GoneFishingLTN]

16 minutes ago, WRB said:

We tend to start off with 1 or 2 rod and combo’s adding more and more over time.

When you tournament bass fish with your boat having a back up combo for each presentation you use the combo’s multiply because you are on the clock and time is critical.

All any of us need is tackle we are using at the moment,1 or 2 combo’s but it’s hard to decide what those will be ahead of time.

I am back to where I started; 1 casting jig & worm, 1 casting general use, 1 finesse spinning combo. Would I tournament fish with only 3 combo’s....only if the bite was something my current tackle would be competitive.

Fun fishing I have what is needed to catch a few bass.

Tom 

 

Did you ever tournament fish not trying to derail a thread just curious

 

[NorcalBassin]

I'm in the other ballpark... bait monkey tricked me into buying more tackle than I'd ever need. With that in mind, I generally take a junk fishing approach just to see how many different things I can catch them on. I showed some restraint this last time out and only took 10 setups. ?

[islandbass]

@NavyVet1204

Good for you!! I am fortunate to have realized that early in the game as you did. However, my bait monkey told me he was talking to yours earlier today, and yours laughed after reading your post and said, “Wha ha ha (evil laugh) Fat chance.”?

 

I realized that with lures too. It took about 10 years to whittle away at my stash — a combination of using, selling and giving stuff away that I can fit everything I use in a backpack and a bankers box that is 1/3 full. 

[slonezp]

23 minutes ago, NorcalBassin said:

I'm in the other ballpark... bait monkey tricked me into buying more tackle than I'd ever need. With that in mind, I generally take a junk fishing approach just to see how many different things I can catch them on. I showed some restraint this last time out and only took 10 setups. ?

You'll need it. You just don't realize it right now.

[OldManLure]

I have over 20 setups. Various colored rods and reels.    I don’t choose the 5  I’m taking out based on power and action, but rather color.  I don’t want my setups clashing with my kayak color and clothing ensemble.

[slonezp]

6 minutes ago, OldManLure said:

I have over 20 setups. Various colored rods and reels.    I don’t choose the 5  I’m taking out based on power and action, but rather color.  I don’t want my setups clashing with my kayak color and clothing ensemble.

With the right shoes and matching purse, you don't need to worry about the color of the kayak. 

[WRB]

3 hours ago, GoneFishingLTN said:

Did you ever tournament fish not trying to derail a thread just curious

 

Yes. Started out as a Pieces club events in San Diego 69-70’s  and enjoyed night tourney event with my son.

[scaleface]

I usually take 5 to 7 baitcasting combos and 1 spinning setup just in case I need it . That lone spinning setup has to covers all  light-line techniques .and it still doesnt get used a whole lot .

[Junk Fisherman]

14 hours ago, NavyVet1204 said:

I’m at the point where I’m beginning to see that I don’t need a dozen different setups when I got fishing because I’ve noticed that I’m reaching for/grabbing the same setups time after time after time. I can make up reasons why I need the next rod/reel all day long, but I only carry the same ones. If I’m not carrying the same ones then I’m at least tying on or fishing the same techniques every time. I’ve got six baitcaster setups and I initially had six different plans to dedicate a technique to each and fish that way, but shakey head and chatterbaits and t rigged plastics just keep killing it where I am. So I reckon I’ve got three back ups lol

 

I agree.  The reason need a dozen+ combos overall is for the variety of fishing I do.  Largemouth, smallmouth, clear Great Lakes, shallow dark water reservoirs, finesse, power fishing, ect..  But on any given day, I don't need more than 6 combos in the boat.  

[cyclops2]

So the smarter fishes will refuse to bite the hooky. Leaving the person going thru 20 rods and setups and   MAYBE  convincing the fish ?    The fish is far smarter.