How many rods is too many? 2024
Bassdestroyer reply :
What are your opinions? How many rods for a bank fisherman, is too many? 1? 3? 5? Or more?
kickerfish1 reply :
I would say there isn't a magical number. I would only carry up to 4 but, I think 2 is about ideal.
If you have the funds and enjoy technique specific gear than get whatever number you can. Sometimes a jerkbait or dropshot rod for can be a seasonal niche rod or technique so you wouldn't need them all the time. You can also go for more general and all around gear too.
jsh32 reply :
When im going to be bank fishing and walking a little distance I like to carry 3 rods. one spinning for small baits and two baitcasters, usually my worm and jig rod and a rod for moving baits.
Scarborough817 reply :
according to my parents more than 1 realistically though i think more than 6 or 8 is a little much from a boat and from the bank i would say no more than 3
fishwizzard reply :
I couldn't stand carrying more then a single rod the few times I tried it. I am currently hemming and hawing over buying a high-end telescoping casting rod so that I can hike in/out without having a rod in my hands. For more civilized bank fishing where my car is never going to be more then say 1/2 mile away, I just walk back to the car when I want to change up rods.
Last_Cast reply :
no such things as too many.
BassWhole! reply :
Depends on how and where you are fishing, but I find when bank fishing one or two rods works best, anything more just slows me down.
Team9nine reply :
Yep - 2 is one too many rods from the bank. I'll take mobility over "just in case" every time. Same goes for tackle - everything that will fit in a pocket or two over boxes and bags (just in case) all day, every day 
T9
The Bassman reply :
On 12/22/2016 at 4:22 AM, Team9nine said:Yep - 2 is one too many rods from the bank. I'll take mobility over "just in case" every time. Same goes for tackle - everything that will fit in a pocket or two over boxes and bags (just in case) all day, every day
T9
Contrary to popular thinking I tend to be more productive with a minimum of tackle. I try to think out what will work best before I go. Too much stuff has me changing too often. Besides, in my case just try wading with two outfits.
WRB reply :
1 more than you need!
I keep about 15 outfits in my rod locker and use maybe 3 to 4 of them each outing but don't know in advance what outfit I will be using on any particular trip.
Haven't counted my rod & reel inventory for awhile estimate is over 30 if I include salt water and fly fishing.
Tom
DaveT63 reply :
I usually have 4 or 5 in my truck at any given time. After accidently leaving one at a pond one day, and later coming back to find it gone, I take no more than one out of the truck at a time. I just walk back to the truck when I want to swap rods. FWIW, I got the rod I left behind back after leaving a message at the pond with my name and number. I got lucky that time around. Might not happen next time. For me, or for you if you ever leave one.
IgotWood reply :
Depends on the water, and season. When I fish a spot I am very familiar with, I should be able to predict which techniques, and which baits I will be fishing. Having said that, I would carry only one rod, if I could....maybe two, max. If I am fishing unfamiliar water, and I know I will be a good distance away from my car, I'll maybe consider carrying 2-3 rods.
fishwizzard reply :
On 12/22/2016 at 4:22 AM, Team9nine said:Yep - 2 is one too many rods from the bank. I'll take mobility over "just in case" every time. Same goes for tackle - everything that will fit in a pocket or two over boxes and bags (just in case) all day, every day
T9
Yep, I have a super small fly fishing chest pack for small rivers/ponds and a larger sling for longer trips or bigger waters. When I have a single rod I usually take whatever lure(s) I am currently working on and then something that is totally opposite. So if I am going to hit up a lake to work on jerkbaits I will throw a small pencil case full of senkos into my bag and maybe a light jig or two. If I am wading a river with my Ned rod then I will have a small box of micro cranks, spinners, and other reaction baits with me.
Now, my car usually has a duffel bag with about 4-7 Plano 3600 boxes full of different stuff in it so if I really need something else, I can run back and grab it.
rippin-lips reply :
On 12/22/2016 at 4:35 AM, The Bassman said:
Contrary to popular thinking I tend to be more productive with a minimum of tackle. I try to think out what will work best before I go. Too much stuff has me changing too often. Besides, in my case just try wading with two outfits.
I wade a lot using 2 rods. I wear a backpack and keep a few bags of plastics and a plano 3700 box with my terminal tackle and hardbaits in it. I stick the spare rod in the backpack and zip it up. You can move freely and switch rods when you need to.
BrackishBassin reply :
For a pond or something close to a parking lot, 3 is reasonable. For the lake I fish that has a trail that's 7 miles long around it, 2 is a stretch and I'd never attempt 3. If I went wading, I'd go with a single rod.
Anytime I do shoreline stuff for saltwater, I only ever carry one rod. But it's significantly heavier gear and the rod is a heck of a lot longer that anything I use for freshwater. My tackle is also a lot heavier (an assortment of sinkers ranging from 1/2 to 6oz, spool of 40lb mono for leaders/rigs, etc.) so I need to lighten up somewhere.
Bass_Fishing_Socal reply :
I normally will bring only one rod since Ill be walking and casting a lot along the bank. I also can re-tie new lures faster than walking back and forth. Believe me sometime I leave the other rod behind that I cant even see it from distant if I bring two rods.
Occationally Ill bring two rods but that rod will be for specific lure that I know I will fish all the time the whole trip.
fish-fighting-illini reply :
I do a lot of bank fishing for bass in the dark and only for about 2hrs per outing so time is of the essence. Thus getting, into the tackle box, retying and all that stuff not to mention dealing with the flashlight wastes a ton of time.
As a result I carry at least 2 rods and sometimes 3. I have them pre-rigged with what I want to use so I can have up to 3 ready to go options.
The Bassman reply :
On 12/22/2016 at 5:19 AM, rippin-lips said:I wade a lot using 2 rods. I wear a backpack and keep a few bags of plastics and a plano 3700 box with my terminal tackle and hardbaits in it. I stick the spare rod in the backpack and zip it up. You can move freely and switch rods when you need to.
I can see how that would work but I spend a lot of time in small creeks. Overhanging branches and such would make that impractical for me. I'm glad it serves your fishing style.
Darren. reply :
The answer is, it's up to you.
Personally, if I'm dock fishing, I like to have 1 or two
at the most - unless it's long pole (no reel, fixed length
of line, float, etc.)
If I know I'm walking from spot to spot, 1 is good.
Kayaking, I've taken from 1 to 5. 5 definitely too many
for my liking. Too many rods to position if I'm going
under low hanging trees, bridges, etc.
My sweet spot is 2 rods, sometimes 3 when kayaking.
And like @The Bassman, I don't take all my bait. I try
to take what is proven where I fish....
blckshirt98 reply :
100% shore guy and I try to bring just one rod as often as possible. It's usually a MF or MXF spinning rod that I can use for finesse and light hardbaits (crankbaits,topwater). Sometimes I'll bring a second glass/composite rod when the bite is good and I'll want to throw heavier stuff like chatterbaits or larger squarebills. If I'm going to a completely new body of water I'll bring a third to avoid having to change/re-tie as I try to figure the lake out. But 3 is my absolute limit. Any more and I spend more time carrying/setting down/juggling around rods than fishing and it becomes a chore. On top of that it takes one moment of a drop in concentration for baits to be tangled up in each other and I need to spend time trying to untangle the lines.
"hamma" reply :
A light backpack with the essentials spread out in the side and and smaller front pockets, spare hat, sunglasses, pliers, line clippers, sunscreen, bugspray, afterbite, etc,..
In the big pocket I have 2 planos, a 3700 with hardbaits, and a 3600 for terminal tackle and jigs, in the smaller pocket I have bags of plastics., and a tackle wrap with several different spinnerbaits.
I will carry two rods,. one being a 6' med heavy baitcaster for jigs, plastics,and spinnerbaits,... and the other a 6' med action spinning for treble hooked lures.
I have developed this system over the past 30 or 40 years or so, and have found this to be the easiest, and most effective way to bankfish for bass.
I have another backpack for trout fishing the shorelines as well.
Jeff H reply :
I don't shore/bank fish much but I do a little bit of wading. Never more than 1 rod with me.
In the boat it's whole different deal though
CTBassin860 reply :
? To many rods!
Ill make rod setup for throwing only jitterbugs simply to justify buying a new rod.
Yeajray231 reply :
When I bank fish.. I usually bring 4 rods... One spinning I use for lightweight and weightless one casting for heavier and moving lures,
And I bring a really small ultra light that I use for panfish if the bass are slow , and I almost always use a bluegill as bait on the 4th rod I bring for catfish. I'm never dissapointed fighting a big ol' fat ugly catfish.
CTBassin860 reply :
On 12/22/2016 at 7:34 AM, Yeajray231 said:When I bank fish.. I usually bring 4 rods... One spinning I use for lightweight and weightless one casting for heavier and moving lures,
And I bring a really small ultra light that I use for panfish if the bass are slow , and I almost always use a bluegill as bait on the 4th rod I bring for catfish. I'm never dissapointed fighting a big ol' fat ugly catfish.
I had 40 dollar BPS doughbait special UL that I never used and returned it.Thats a good idea,I may have to go re buy it.
On 12/22/2016 at 7:41 AM, MassBassin508 said:I had 40 dollar BPS doughbait special UL that I never used and returned it.Thats a good idea,I may have to go re buy it.
A bunch of kivver is better than no bass
Yeajray231 reply :
Mine is like a 20 dollar Shakespeare I got at Walmart.. and it works great. I use crappie magnets on small jighead but often I'll throw a bobber and those lil powerbait chunks. Bluegill tear them up even the big ones..
The Bassman reply :
On 12/22/2016 at 7:34 AM, Yeajray231 said:When I bank fish.. I usually bring 4 rods... One spinning I use for lightweight and weightless one casting for heavier and moving lures,
And I bring a really small ultra light that I use for panfish if the bass are slow , and I almost always use a bluegill as bait on the 4th rod I bring for catfish. I'm never dissapointed fighting a big ol' fat ugly catfish.
Sure beats fightin' a big ol' fat ugly........oops better not say. I stay in enough trouble.
Yeajray231 reply :
X2 on the trouble brother
new2BC4bass reply :
On 12/22/2016 at 2:37 AM, Bassdestroyer said:What are your opinions? How many rods for a bank fisherman, is too many? 1? 3? 5? Or more?
To answer your title question, many would say there is no such thing as too many rods. Personally I feel there is a point where another rod is really a waste as once a certain number is reached...different number for different people...you gain nothing but indecision. Do I take these 4 MHF or those 4 MHF? What do I do with the other ten MHF rods? 
I don't get much time fishing so I carry as many as I can and have them set up with different lures so all I need to do is grab another rod rather than re-tie. I try to use each for at least a few minutes every outing. Otherwise why have the rods?
As for how many to carry bank fishing, I have carried as many as three. I didn't like it. I'd much rather carry only one. I do keep several more in the car so I can change things up. Usually 6-9 rods. The problem with that is I don't want to get too far from the car in case I want a different rod. Especially if I elect to carry only one rod with me. Thus why I normally carry two or three. I may have to re-tie, but I feel I have more bases covered with multiple rods. I put up with the inconvenience of carrying the extra rods.
wdp reply :
I always carry 2 - 4 rods when bank fishing. If I have really good bank access I'll take 4 - never know what they might be biting & good to have a little variety of baits & presentations. It's kinda a pain, but worth it if the fish are being finicky.
If bank access is limited due to overgrowth, bushes, etc. I'll still take at least 2 rods, usually a shakey head set up & a topwater.
Fishing Rhino reply :
On 12/22/2016 at 3:27 AM, Last_Cast said:no such things as too many.
Yes, there is. If you are going to fish six different baits, then seven rods is too many.
The rule of thumb (just made it up) is one rod more than the number of different baits you'll be fishing.
Raul reply :
On 12/22/2016 at 2:37 AM, Bassdestroyer said:What are your opinions? How many rods for a bank fisherman, is too many? 1? 3? 5? Or more?
To me 1 is enough, I see no reason to carry another one since I never needed it.
blckshirt98 reply :
I want to add that as for owning rods, there is never such a thing as too many, only not enough space to store them.
Last_Cast reply :
On 12/22/2016 at 9:41 AM, Fishing Rhino said:
Yes, there is. If you are going to fish six different baits, then seven rods is too many.
The rule of thumb (just made it up) is one rod more than the number of different baits you'll be fishing.
Fair enough but youll need back ups in the car or garage ?
kingmotorboat reply :
I had about ten now I'm down to 5 I've also realized less is more in this sport. The less rods i have to switch the more fish I catch instead of over thinking
Fishinthefish reply :
The second one after filing bankruptcy from buying too many in the first place.
AnthonyBarnaoBASS reply :
As many as you feel you need for the application that you are fishing.
There is no such thing as too many fishing rods 
hunterPRO1 reply :
depends how many techniques and places you fish,
if you only fish a couple of ponds and only use a few techniques 2 rods will cover ALOT of your fishing
6'6" m/f spinning with 10lb mono and a 7' mh/f casting with 17lb mono. you can do alot with those two setups.
if you fish alot of different places and fish more than once or twice a week you might want more in addition to those two "must haves" like a heavy rod with braid for frogs and flipping/punching or a cranking rod with flouro or a topwater dedicated rod.
but for a bank fisherman those 2 setups with maybe one more cover what you need.
soflabasser reply :
On 12/22/2016 at 2:37 AM, Bassdestroyer said:What are your opinions? How many rods for a bank fisherman, is too many? 1? 3? 5? Or more?
The amount of rods I carry when bank fishing for bass depends on many factors. On long fishing trips(over 10 hours of fishing) I tend to only bring 1-2 rods.Normal trips I bring anywhere from 1 maybe 3 rods,and sometimes I bring more.With that said,you only need 1 rod/reel combo to have a successful day of bass fishing from the bank.
BaitMonkey1984 reply :
Bank fishing or fishing from the aluminum boat I limit it to 4 or 5. Anything more is a hassle given the issues with moving with your hands full of rod or due to limited space in an aluminum. In the Ranger, I would say I have 20+ combos stuffed in the rod locker. If I am going out for more than three hours, unless i have the fish dialed in on a few baits, I usually have 6+ spinning outfits on one side of the deck and 6+ casting outfits on the other. That is the most I feel comfortable with as I am not tripping over rods. Also, I don't have to waste time retying.
Fishing Rhino reply :
On 12/22/2016 at 12:23 PM, BaitMonkey1984 said:Bank fishing or fishing from the aluminum boat I limit it to 4 or 5. Anything more is a hassle given the issues with moving with your hands full of rod or due to limited space in an aluminum. In the Ranger, I would say I have 20+ combos stuffed in the rod locker. If I am going out for more than three hours, unless i have the fish dialed in on a few baits, I usually have 6+ spinning outfits on one side of the deck and 6+ casting outfits on the other. That is the most I feel comfortable with as I am not tripping over rods. Also, I don't have to waste time retying.
My kind of guy. I'm not quite as ambitious as you, but I agree that I'd rather put down one rod and pick up another rig than having to retie to change baits. In my paddlin' canoe I can carry ten rods, the one in my hands and nine in the rack and ready to go.
Truth be told, I should have made the rack to hold eight rods. Wouldn't have to stagger the reels with a bit more spacing. Notice all the rod tips are below the small foredeck and rails. Cannot be snagged by brush or weeds.
MattMurr reply :
I stick to 4 now a days.. when I was on the bank pretty much just did one or two rods at most.
wdp reply :
On 12/22/2016 at 5:29 PM, Fishing Rhino said:
My kind of guy. I'm not quite as ambitious as you, but I agree that I'd rather put down one rod and pick up another rig than having to retie to change baits. In my paddlin' canoe I can carry ten rods, the one in my hands and nine in the rack and ready to go.
Truth be told, I should have made the rack to hold eight rods. Wouldn't have to stagger the reels with a bit more spacing. Notice all the rod tips are below the small foredeck and rails. Cannot be snagged by brush or weeds.
That is a really cool set up! If fishing alone in my 12 ft jon boat, I'll carry 7 rods maybe 8. It gets a bit cumbersome at times. But, I'd rather have the right set up handy if that's what the bass are keying on.
Fishes in trees reply :
If you're bank fishing, don't bring more rods than you can carry. There are rod racks available that make carrying multiple rods easier. Multiple rods mean carrying multiple baits. Have a back pack that will carry all your baits & suck so that your hands are free for other stuff.
Back when I was a mean fishing bush hippie (Late 70's - early 80's), I hiked in to lots of waters that were a challenge to get to. 2 piece rods were more common those days, in fact they were more common than one piece rods. Taking them apart, strapping them together and assembling when I arrived on spot was a fact of life. At the time, I carried 2 or 3.
For the record, one was always a catfish rod, throw out a shad side or smallish live bluegill and stake down the rod real well. I caught several decent channel cats doing that.
SFL BassHunter reply :
That is based on 1) personal preference 2) how many can you fit on your boat or someone elses boat
I have a bunch of rods. I have 1 spin in my rotation, and usually 4 to 5 casters.
On some folks boats I can take 4, some 5. Normally when I fish the spin rod stays home.
There is no magic number of rods.
WIGuide reply :
I don't bank fish that much, but in the past when I have, I'm usually a two rod guy.
mllrtm79 reply :
Usually in my truck I keep 3; my 7' MF Spinner, 7' MH and 7' M casting. Just in case I want to stop on the way home from work and wet a line. At the usual ponds "between" work and home I will carry just one of the casting rods (depending on which pond it is) but at one of the ponds I will carry along my spinning rod in case I want to waterboard a senko.
I try to keep my combos not all at one spot so that the gf doesn't notice that there are three more this month then there was last month.
bigfruits reply :
walking through brush? 1 rod
walking on trail? 2 rods in hand or 4 with a rod carrier
car nearby? all of them
blckshirt98 reply :
On 12/22/2016 at 5:29 PM, Fishing Rhino said:
My kind of guy. I'm not quite as ambitious as you, but I agree that I'd rather put down one rod and pick up another rig than having to retie to change baits. In my paddlin' canoe I can carry ten rods, the one in my hands and nine in the rack and ready to go.
Truth be told, I should have made the rack to hold eight rods. Wouldn't have to stagger the reels with a bit more spacing. Notice all the rod tips are below the small foredeck and rails. Cannot be snagged by brush or weeds.
Now that is a sweet setup, nice work! I have to ask though, what are the bike tires for?
Fishing Rhino reply :
On 12/26/2016 at 1:46 PM, blckshirt98 said:
Now that is a sweet setup, nice work! I have to ask though, what are the bike tires for?
For rolling the canoe to the shore when I cannot get the truck close enough. It can be folded flat. Rolls easily over most terrain.
S. Sass reply :
On 12/22/2016 at 2:37 AM, Bassdestroyer said:What are your opinions? How many rods for a bank fisherman, is too many? 1? 3? 5? Or more?
It varies. I don't see any one perfect answer. As has already been mentioned there are so many different situations and styles of fishing its really a personal preference.
Myself most of my bank fishing is done within a close proximity of my truck. So 4 or 5 rods is not uncommon. Generally have a Jig, Spinnerbait, Crankbait, and Plastics/Worm rods are common setups I take. I might even have a extra Plastics/Worm rod with me as I fish a lot of plastics and its nice to have a whole other setup to vary while trying to find what they want. If it's a good time or place to do frog hunting I will usually swap it out with the extra Plastics/Worm rod. Bank fishing I can't remember ever taking more than 5. I know the places I go pretty much so I can load up with a pretty accurate assessment of baits and rods to take.
Blackhawk83 reply :
I personally have 5 rod & reel combos:
1) spinnerbaits
2) lipless crankbait
3) jig & pig
4) plastic worm
5) tube bait
but usually limit myself to 2-3 rigs on any given outing excluding tournaments. Hey time is money...right
Capt.Bob reply :
I don't know, but I ain't there yet,,,
But these are my favorites,,, so far,,,, 
gulfcaptain reply :
I carry 3 rods with me when I'm bank fishing, but then there probably are another 6 in the car just incase I think I need them or a certain one. As for how many is too many, well I haven't found that too many number yet and I've gotten quite a few (probably over 25). When I have too many to fit in both rod lockers I'll let you know when that happens, then I might have too many....but probably not.
Bait Runner reply :
I carry two rods, but my local lake has a two rods per person limit. Although, I never see it enforced. :/ There are dudes out there catfishing all the time with around 5 rods...
Bankbeater reply :
The most rods I will carry is two when walking the bank. One for t-rigged plastics, and one for spinnerbaits, or crankbaits. I leave the rest in the car.
Capt.Bob reply :
On 1/4/2017 at 7:52 PM, Bait Runner said:I carry two rods, but my local lake has a two rods per person limit. Although, I never see it enforced. :/ There are dudes out there catfishing all the time with around 5 rods...
Here in Ohio the you are only allowed 2 rods with no more than 3 hooks per line in the water at one time, but can carry as many as you like
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