How many fishing poles should I own? 2024

Wizardneck2@gmail.com reply :

I currently own a pretty nice spinning reel setup and a decent bait caster. I just purchased a 7'6" medium fast Mojo Bass with a Lew's Tournament spinning reel. I'm quickly realizing my older equipment is pretty much junk. I can only drop shot with them maybe a little top water, but that is about it. I have been buying different lures which are much heavier and I've been looking for fish in deeper water. Changing lures is one thing, but line size has kept me limited. I have already spent about a $1,000 bucks this year on annual passes, batteries, line lures etc. I really need to be prudent and not just buy what I see the more advanced fisherman (wealthy) have. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

Red Dog

dave reply :

Is this a trick question?

Wizardneck2@gmail.com reply :

No, just wondering if most folks have different poles for line size and or for lure types and fishing depths.

Raul reply :

As many as you can.

Fishin' Fool reply :

Just accumulate as many as you can over time. I don't own a boat but fish in a bass club and I own around 10-12 casting and spinning rods in various lengths and power.

roadwarrior reply :

Don't be in a hurry adding more gear until you really know what else you "need". These are examples of a few that come to mind:

Dedicated A Rig, jerkbait rod and if you fish a lot of deep-diving crankbaits, that's another.

BTW, "rod" is the preferred term for "pole".

Wizardneck2@gmail.com reply :

I guess I should also preface space. I almost always have a buddy with me and things can get a little hectic with poles every where.

IowaHusker28 reply :

Find deals. There are stores everywhere that offer some kind of sales either at the end of the year or in the winter right before spring because they need to get rid of old product. I am up to 18 combos, ideally I would like 2 more or more lol but its not that you "need" a lot of rods but it sure makes it faster and easier. I fish for my school in many different college leagues and in a bass club. It gets expensive, so when you see deals,even though you might not use it right away. It will come in handy eventually. You can stay around 250 for a combo or heck even 180 you'll slowly build up a good quality selection.

Also think about your purchases. You can get a new Tatula for 150 or a Type R for 180ish but is it worth the extra 30 dollars? You can buy a tatula or a revo s or a lews lfs for under 150 and a mojo bass or a veritas or a ghost and many more..... where I am going with this, is you can get quality stuff and not break the bank. Especially if you can find sales. Take the time to find what you need or the gap in your "arsenal" and make the best choice based on what you want to spend. Don't up caught up on trying to buy 10 $600 combos.

WRB reply :

If you own and fish out of a bass boat with rod storage lockers you can easily have 15 to 20 rod-reel combos. However, unless you troll, you can only use 1 at a time. Knowing what that 1 outfit going to takes trail and error every outing.

I don't own a 7'6" medium spinning rod and have no use for it.

My spinning rods are 6' 10" , 2 each 3 power or medium fast with 6 lb FC and 1 each 2 power or medium light fast 6 lb FC.

Spinning outfits to me are used for light lure finesse presentations like drop shot, slip shot, darter head jig, etc.

I usually will have 15 bait casting outfits that range from 8 lb FC to 60 lb braid and use them for everything from big swimbaits to small lures. Most commonly used rods are 6'10" 5 power or heavy jig & worm rods with 14 lb FC, 7'5" 5 power or H crank bait rod with 12 lb mono, 7' 5 power (popping rod) used for crank baits, spoons, 8' XH swimbait rod with 25 lb mono, 6'8" 4 power/MH mod-fast top water and spinner bait rod with 15 mono. About 6 bait casters and 1 spinning average each outing.

The basic bass rod is a 4 power-MH fast action 6' 6" to 7' bait casting outfit general use with 12lb to 15 lb mono, should have 2 of those. I use 5 power because of targeting big bass and prefer them.

Tom

DogBone_384 reply :

There's only one answer: ALL

JustinU1X reply :

You might have come to the wrong place to ask that question haha

In a post by road warrior he suggests three that can get you by but six or so can cover almost any application.

cottny27 reply :

4-5 combos will do to cover most everything imo

Delaware Valley Tackle reply :

How fast a car, or pretty of a girl should you have ? Kidding aside Roadwarriors list of three starting combos is dead on. Welcome and enjoy the forum and the sport. No pressure.

jc68 reply :

the one with the most toys in the end wins

new2BC4bass reply :

Welcome to the forum. As you can see, there is no limit to how many rods we should have.....only to how many we can afford.

When I visit relation in Florida, I carry 4 casting rod combos in a 14' dingy. Other guy carries 3 spinning combos. We make do.

smallie.mike reply :

Own or use???

Florida Cracker2 reply :

Another option is extra spools (spinning reel) with other line weights on them. Takes a few minutes to change-over...but will save some money.

jignfule reply :

After extensive research, the answer is 17.5

Mosster47 reply :

On 2/25/2016 at 8:10 AM, jignfule said:

After extensive research, the answer is 17.5

Agreed.

Maxximus Redneckus reply :

Having great equipment has nothing to do with wealth its all about if you need it or if you want it...i can afford steez,mgxs,megabass, etc but i do fine with my abu round reels used for $5 to 120$ new no need for anythi.g more IMO

Chris at Tech reply :

The answer is always one more than you currently have.

rawjuice reply :

As much as you can! It's an addiction! Lol

thirtysixit reply :

On 2/25/2016 at 5:58 AM, cottny27 said:

4-5 combos will do to cover most everything imo

I agree with this gentleman... I fish Falcon rods so I'll use my stuff as an example

Flipping Rod: Cara Amistad 7'3'' heavy action with a fast tip. Good for Carolina rigs and froggin too.

Deep Crank Rod: Cara Deep Runner 7'3'' medium heavy with a moderate tip. Its also my Trap rod

All Purpose Rod: Falcon Original Herm 6'6'' medium heavy with a fast tip. Finesse jigs, spinnetbaits and worms

Small/Medium Crank Rod: BuCoo 6'6'' medium action with a moderate tip

Spinning Rod: Cara Squirrel Tail 7' medium action with a fast tip for shaky heads and finesse presentations

I paired all of them with Quantum Smoke reels that I found on eBay. Usually paid around 125$ for each of them.

Just my two cents............

Turkey sandwich reply :

There's some really good advise on here. Some of the best, I think, is to figure out what you want to fish and buy what's versatile and will last.

Braid outlasts mono or flurocarbon as a mainline (can last several years depending upon use, sun exposure, etc), has better sensitivity and can be high vis for line watching.

You can get a lot of rod for under $150 now. (St Croix Mojo, Abu Veritas, Duckett Ghost)

As for reels, you can get decent spinning reels without going broke, but going cheap on a baitcaster can create a lot of headaches. Lews, Abu, Diawa, and Shimano all have some pretty solid casting reels in the $150-$200 range.

If you spool with braid, consider softer tips for anything with treble hooks and reaction baits.... So, a decent MH moderate makes a great stick for Crankbaits, lipless cranks, and spinnerbaits. It's also a good option for larger walking baits (Spooks, etc) The moderate action will also help launch them a mile. (For Crankbaits, a slow gear ratio reel is pretty ideal)

A 6'6ish Med moderate spinning rod is a great option for fishing jerkbaits and even small shallow running Crankbaits.

For Texas rigs and jigs over 1/4 oz, a 7'-7'3 MH fast/x-fast action casting combo is ideal for getting maximum feel and getting good hook sets with heavier wire hooks. (I like a high gear ratio reel)

for flipping, taste matters, but with braid, a mod/fast tip on a 7'6-8' rod makes for a good start. ( you want an high gear ratio reel to get fish out of tangles fast)

I like a 6'6-6'9 ML x-fast rod for fishing drop shots, and weightless finesse plastics.

A 7' M Fast spinning combo is great for throwing tubes, Senkos, and shaky heads.

From there, you can specialize a ton, but those are the basics. Depending upon the water you fish and your style you might want to make some small changes, or pick up more of one combo than another, but with those 6, your bases are covered and you haven't broke the bank (too badly).

Alonerankin2 reply :

35 to 40 should about cover it.

soflabasser reply :

On 2/25/2016 at 5:58 AM, cottny27 said:

4-5 combos will do to cover most everything imo

I agree with you that 4-5 combos should be more than enough,this is the max number of combos I bring with me when bass fishing.Most of the times I only really need 1 rod/reel to have a good fishing trip.

cottny27 reply :

On 2/25/2016 at 8:17 PM, soflabasser said:

I agree with you that 4-5 combos should be more than enough,this is the max number of combos I bring with me when bass fishing.Most of the times I only really need 1 rod/reel to have a good fishing trip.

I tend to only bring 1 when I kayak fish due to some of the tight backwater places I fish. The hikes can tear up some equipment. I could always use another when fishing so I'm knot wasting line changing lures.

kickerfish1 reply :

Too many, yet never enough!

RB 77 reply :

On 2/25/2016 at 8:10 AM, jignfule said:

After extensive research, the answer is 17.5

This! Haha.

When I'm on the deck I usually bring 6-8 rods with me. When I back-seat I usually bring 3-4 rods with me. I change out which ones I bring me according to the body of water I'm fishing. I usually just add a few combos a year to help build up the quiver and get rid of stuff that lays idle as I go.

fishinfiend reply :

as many as you can afford or when the wife complains buy 3 more.

*Hootie reply :

If you're still calling them "poles" I would just hold off for a while.

Hootie

fishindad reply :

One of the most difficult decisions is figuring out 'wants' vs. 'needs'. Asking hard core bass fishers how many rods 'should' one own is a loaded question.

I see you live and fish in SoCal. So, having fished some of those waters here's what I would suggest you'll need:

Dropshot/finesse/light line setup, ML power

Swimbait/heavy cover combo, H power

Reaction bait setup for rip baits, spinnerbaits, crankbaits, M power

All-around/all purpose combo like a 7 ft MH fast action rod

If you fish mostly open water and deep water without much cover then you may not need the that H pitching setup. You can throw smaller swimbaits with the MH rod or your present baitcasting combo.

Raul reply :

On 2/25/2016 at 8:10 AM, jignfule said:

After extensive research, the answer is 17.5

I have no problem with 17, what I don´t get is that 1/2 setup.

blckshirt98 reply :

Depending on what you fish...bass...trout...surf...pelagic...etc...it can hit double digits pretty fast. When in doubt just buy as many as you can afford and have room to store.

roadwarrior reply :

On 2/26/2016 at 1:59 AM, blckshirt98 said:

When in doubt just buy as many as you can afford and have room to store.

Well, I would not agree with you there. I have accumulated my collection over the past 19 years or so. During several of those years I have bought a couple of rigs and of course, sold or given some away. Coincidently I have 19 rods currently or on average, one acquisition per year. I have been given some gear, but if I decided to keep it, the new replaced the old. What I am suggesting is "buy as needed" and ONLY on sale or from guys on the Forum (Flea Market). Obviously some of our members can afford this year's state of the art and be first on the block, but for most waiting on a deal is probably a better strategy.

And just one more thought, I would prefer one GREAT rig verses 6 that are "just fine". I guess that's why it has taken me so long to build my fleet.

Darren. reply :

I'm with the less is more folks here. I have taken 6 rods
kayak fishing and it was a clown circus. Four was more
manageable, three is better, two is ideal.

My main setups are now one bait casting setup and two
spinning setups. It was 2 and 2. So I'm going to see how
I do with only three rods this year. (of course I have more,
my sons use the rest)

But realize for me that I primarily fish soft plastics, not
hard lures, no A rigs, occasional cranks and swimbaits.

I don't fish tournaments, so money isn't on the line for
me, just the pure enjoyment of the sport.

Perhaps if I entered tourneys, had a bass boat, and was
under time limits to produce, I'd need more....

S Hovanec reply :

As many as your wife has pairs of shoes!

faygo1979 reply :

I find 3 to 4 rods is ideal for kayak fishing for me. I will add a 5th for tournaments sometimes but it depends on how much i know about the lake.. I normally plan 1-2 moving baits like a swim-bait, spinner bait, or a crank. then one slider head rod and a jig rod.

Now on how many I own that is over a dozen. Granted I am planning on offloading 4-5 this spring But that is to replace them with other rod ideas.

iabass8 reply :

bout tree fiddy

.ghoti. reply :

On 2/26/2016 at 2:44 AM, S Hovanec said:

As many as your wife has pairs of shoes!

i don't know what i would ever do with that many rods and reels.

Fishin' Fool reply :

I own one more as of today.

JRammit reply :

I fish out of a 12' jon boat and make due just fine with 3 rods, though i would like a 4th.... Im slowly replacing my old cheap gear (all ugly stiks) with new medium quality set ups ($150-$200)

Could i afford to pay more?.. Yes.. But i have kids and they always need something?

Hookem Hank reply :

Don't just decide on one brand of reel or rod. A man can never have too many fishing rigs, but with that being said that doesn't mean you have to go spend a fortune. My advice would be buy what you can afford and fish with what you find confidence in.

Sam reply :

Like women's shoes, you never have enough rods.

Justbass11 reply :

I had 2 rod and reels, now I have 5. I am slowly building up my what I have. I buy my rods in the $100.00 to $130.00 range which are good rods and my reels in the same price range. I am building up for when I get my first boat which will be soon. Like the guys have stated, start slow and pretty soon you will be in good shape. After I get my boat I plan to have 8 to 10 or more. Good luck and welcome to Bassresource. You will learn a lot like I have in short period of time.

fvogel67 reply :

On 2/26/2016 at 2:44 AM, S Hovanec said:

As many as your wife has pairs of shoes!

A few years ago my wife asked me "Why do you need so many fishing rods".I then ask her "Why do you need so many shoes?"She's never brought it up again. Lol.

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