Why So Many Rods? 2024

LakeNormanFishing reply :

Being new to fishing and a teenager without a steady income it stuns me how many rods people have. So I have 2 questions:

1. Why have so many?

2. Also, if it is such a big deal what should I do if I really can't afford more than 1 rod and reel combo?

Thanks for any responses, anything helps!

gulfcaptain reply :

First off, I do have a lot of rods, but it's within my budget and I have started to get outfits I use for certain applications and techniques as well as being able to carry a few rods as so I don't have to constantly change baits. Now prior to this I fished with one rod for quite a bit. Depending on what you're doing more then likely with only one rod I would go to a MH 7' rod (baitcaster) as it can be an around good fit for almost anything you want to do. Line depends on you. For me, I fish a lot of clear water and am comfortable with lighter braid in the 20lb range. This may not be the case for some. But for me it works great as I can topshot most anything from 10lb to 20lb mono or FC.

John G reply :

If you can't afford more than one rod n reel, don't worry about it cause it ain't no big deal. I did a lot of fishing as a kid with one rod n reel and I was content with what I had back then. If you can afford a different combo for every technique, that is nice too but it's definitely not necessary. The best thing that you can do is to buy a decent to good quality 6'6" to 7' MH/F rod and a Shimano reel and go with that.

ABW reply :

On 7/22/2014 at 11:07 PM, LakeNormanFishing said:

Being new to fishing and a teenager without a steady income it stuns me how many rods people have. So I have 2 questions:

1. Why have so many?

2. Also, if it is such a big deal what should I do if I really can't afford more than 1 rod and reel combo?

Thanks for any responses, anything helps!

People have so many rods because there are so many techniques in bass fishing, and some people like to have technique specific rods so they don't have to retie their knots. This would be convenient when fishing in a tournament. Also, some baits perform better on other rods. ex) crankbaits on rods with a parabolic bend so you give the fish more to work with

If you can't afford more than 1 combo, then I would suggest you get the most versatile there could be. A 7' MH Fast with a 6.4:1 gear ratio for baitcasting. This can effectively fish texas rigs, jigs, spinnerbaits and more.

FrankW reply :

Hi LakeNormanFishing,

Shore fishers usually only take one or two rods. It is the boat fishers that carry a lot of rods. I usually carry about 8 rods that are on deck for fishing. I have 3 spinning rods and 4 bait casting rods. Why so many? Because it saves time and helps to catch more fish. For instants, If I am fishing a worm or other plastic and all of a sudden Bass break the surface chasing shad. I can quickly pick up a shallow running crank, jerk, or spinner bait and cast into the action. Most times I will hook up. Other times I might be fishing a worm and can pick up another rod with a Senko with out having to take the time to retie a new bait.

For someone like you I would suggest two rods. One for plastics and one for everything else. I would rig the second rod with a snap so it is quick to change lures. I would also buy spinner baits with a twisted tie. They work better with a snap.

Frank

LakeNormanFishing reply :

Great advice above, much appreciated. Another thought, if Im bank fishing with lures about 1/8oz to 3/4oz max should i use a baitcaster or spinning rod?

Slipknot_Fan666 reply :

I bank fish and only use one rod. It's a $180 setup so it's not gonna break the budget and I love my reel. The rod I'm trying to sell or trade for a cork handle because I'm not a foam grip fan after using one for a while.

It's more along the lines of if you have the money, you will have more equipment. Trust me, if you get into fishing, you will be wanting to buy a lot more equipment and tackle whether you have the money for it or not. When you're walking through BPS or Acadamy or something and you see a nice reel and find a nice rod to go with it right after, you'll be wanting to save your money up to buy it.

masterbass reply :

If your going as light as 1/8 use a spinning set up. For me buying rods and reels is more of an addiction. I have more than enough gear, but I just love researching and buying new stuff almost as much as fishing.

crankbank reply :

roadwarrior has a good post, that is stickied, about the best rods to have if you're only going to use a few.

I use to ask myself the same question about the insane amounts of rods I would see on the decks of boats when watching shows on tv. I always used one spinning setup for everything, then bought a nice baitcasting setup and that started an avalanche of sorts. I still do not have a huge fleet, but I now understand the different line and technique options can be made much easier with a nice arsenal.

The same can be said for tackle. Not too long ago, I thought my small Plano tackle box held more lures and plastics than I could ever need. Fast forward a few years and I am now saying the same thing about the 6 or so utility boxes I have filled to the brim.

gulfcaptain reply :

On 7/22/2014 at 11:28 PM, LakeNormanFishing said:
Great advice above, much appreciated. Another thought, if Im bank fishing with lures about 1/8oz to 3/4oz max should i use a baitcaster or spinning rod?

All depends on what you're comfortable with. I normally don't use anything over a 1/4oz on my spinning rod. And an 1/8oz is tough on a spinning rod. Now if you're fishing a plastic worm with an 1/8oz weight that's different. May have to save and carry 1 of each so you have all your bases covered.

crankbank reply :

On 7/22/2014 at 11:31 PM, masterbass said:
If your going as light as 1/8 use a spinning set up. For me buying rods and reels is more of an addiction. I have more than enough gear, but I just love researching and buying new stuff almost as much as fishing.

Couldn't have said it better myself.

Slipknot_Fan666 reply :

On 7/22/2014 at 11:28 PM, LakeNormanFishing said:
Great advice above, much appreciated. Another thought, if Im bank fishing with lures about 1/8oz to 3/4oz max should i use a baitcaster or spinning rod?

I can throw weightless worms on my BC, I don't like to though because I have no idea how to fish them.

roadwarrior reply :

http://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-forums/topic/130634-rod-selection-the-basics/

LakeNormanFishing reply :

Thanks for the advice guys, I think this answers all my questions!

new2BC4bass reply :

Fished with one rod for a good many years catching fish from a few ounces to a few pounds....from sunnies to catfish to pickerel to bass, etc. Definitely stick with a spinning rod for 2 reasons. 1) 1/8 oz. lure and 2) fishing from shore. Baitcasters require more room to cast...unless you want to flip or pitch short distances. Casting 1/8 oz. on a baitcast reel is going to require special gear that won't work very well for a lot of other techniques because the rod will be a little too under-powered. The spinning rod will let you fish in tighter areas, and with the right rod it will handle from at least 1/8-5/8 oz..

Raul reply :

You don´t need a bunch of rods to fish.

It´s nice to have several with different baits tied and just grab one for this, then grab another for that and so on without having to retie every time you want or need to change lures, but is not necessary.

I´ve been "poor" too, for years I fished with only one rod, caught tons of trout, carp, bass with it, now I´m not "rich" but I do have a lot more rods that what I used to own. Believe or not, I don´t use them THAT much, I´m a pedestrian most of the time because I fish from the bank and .... I don´t need a bunch of rod to fish, I now can afford 1 nice setup specifically purchased for the foot patrol.

Grantman83 reply :

Why not?

DogBone_384 reply :

In my case I fished most of my life with one rod/reel combo, but now that I'm older (NOT grown up....) and in good financial shape I have a greater desire to learn new/different things about bass fishing. It started a couple of years ago when I wanted to try baitcasters, which started with an Ugly Stick and BPS Pro Qualifier and as I read this forum I became curious as to what type of rod reacted which way under certain conditions - you get it...

It's just been an evolution. Being a teenager, I'd suggest sticking with what you can afford and upgrading as you get older and make more money. Not to sound like a parent, but I am, it'll happen in time. Good luck with it.

JaxBasser reply :

As a teen/young adult (not that I'm old lol) I used one combo and caught plenty of fish. It was a 6:4 baitcaster with a MH/F rod and it could handle a lot of different techniques even though it wasn't optimal for all I did with it. Now that I have a decent job I have a lot more rods/reels but I still loved fishing even when I just had one decent combo. Collecting gear just becomes another part of the hobby.

smalljaw67 reply :

You don't need a lot of rods to fish but if you pursue a single species on a pretty serious basis and use multiple techniques then you need a few different set ups to handle different things. I often make the golf analogy, "why do you need so many clubs?" , in theory you can hit the ball all over the course with a driver or a putter but it will be hard to putt with a driver and it the ball won't go to far trying to drive it with a putter or pitching wedge. The same thing applies in fishing, if you are using a wide range of baits you aren't going to use 4 or 6 pound line with a light wire hook and an ultra light rod to fish 3/4oz jigs in heavy cover or you aren't going to use a heavy power rod and 50 pound braid to fish 1/16oz hair jigs, but if you are using a 2500 size spinning reel with a medium power rod and 8 or 10 pound line chunking some bait or small lures from the bank and wanting to catch anything that happens by then 1 set up is fine.

Ratherbfishing reply :

Because there is a fine line between insanity and a hobby. : )

tomustang reply :

Because the locker is big enough for more than one rod

Tywithay reply :

I just hate retying out on the water, so I figure I need one rod for every lure I own. Won't stop until I get to that point.

Slipknot_Fan666 reply :

It's easier to grab another rod than it is retie a lure on.

boostr reply :

It's like crack.

Smallmouth Hunter reply :

On 7/23/2014 at 7:19 AM, Grantman83 said:
Why not?

It's fun to collect rods and reels. I'm not into collecting baits/lures as I stick with what works for the most part, but rods/reels are a different story.

FishTank reply :

Because I can't afford a Ferrari. :smiley:

Michiganbasser reply :

John G. Why do you say only to buy a Shimano reel. Shimanos are much more expensive than other brands and really I don't know if they compare. I have fished shimanos and abus and I have to say. My abus cast further, are a lot smoother, last longer and are cheaper. Shimanos are good and all but he said he cant afford too much so why would he spend so much on a shimano

OntarioFishingGuy reply :

On 9/17/2014 at 8:21 AM, Michiganbasser said:
John G. Why do you say only to buy a Shimano reel. Shimanos are much more expensive than other brands and really I don't know if they compare. I have fished shimanos and abus and I have to say. My abus cast further, are a lot smoother, last longer and are cheaper. Shimanos are good and all but he said he cant afford too much so why would he spend so much on a shimano

3 things: First off, welcome to the forums. May I suggest posting in the 'introductions' forum. It will let us all get to know you better. Second, Shimano does not only make expensive products, they have a large entry level market as well. Finally, this thread was not about which brand was better, it was simply about someone who was curios as to why people have so many rods. That being said, welcome to BR, and good luck in your fishing.

Michiganbasser reply :

Thanks for the welcome Ontariofiahingguy. I under stand what you are trying to say. Thanks. Also I didn't meen it that way. I just don't know why he was only telling him to buy a shimano.

John G reply :

On 9/17/2014 at 7:01 PM, Michiganbasser said:
Thanks for the welcome Ontariofiahingguy. I under stand what you are trying to say. Thanks. Also I didn't meen it that way. I just don't know why he was only telling him to buy a shimano.

The part about buying a Shimano was actually an attempt at a little bit of humor on my part. Not that buying a Shimano is humorous but I figured at least one person would get worked up over it. LOL

OntarioFishingGuy reply :

On 9/17/2014 at 7:01 PM, Michiganbasser said:
Thanks for the welcome Ontariofiahingguy. I under stand what you are trying to say. Thanks. Also I didn't meen it that way. I just don't know why he was only telling him to buy a shimano.

No problem man.

On 9/17/2014 at 7:52 PM, John G said:
The part about buying a Shimano was actually an attempt at a little bit of humor on my part. Not that buying a Shimano is humorous but I figured at least one person would get worked up over it. LOL

LOL!

Michiganbasser reply :

Wow John g. You got me. I like Shimano reels don't get me wrong. I just don't think they are right for starters.

SirSnookalot reply :

We are influenced by what we watch on TV, reading fishing forums and articles on what it takes to catch fish. No question having more than 1 combo with you does allow more techniques to be fished more conveniently. Is it a must, of course not but it's nice to have. I have many rods and reels, as a rule I have but one with me at any given time. I don't feel any great hardship suffered adapting various techniques and lures to what I have with me at that time. From a standpoint of learning how to fish you may better off with 1 or 2 combos before getting technique specific, may not be a bad way to go.

Munkin reply :

6-6 M Spinning with 8-10lb line would be my first rod

6-6MH Baitcasting with 12lb mono line would be my second rod

Now personally I bought a bigger boat just so I could have more storage space but I could survive with those two outfits stated above. With that being said I hate to re-tie so it is nice just to set one rod down and pick up another.

Allen

GANGGREEN reply :

I probably own 30 outfits if you include flyfishing gear and trolling gear. At any one time, there will always be at least 5 or 6 outfits in my boat, BUT, I suspect that as often as not, I'll pick up one outfit and fish with it for the entire day, never putting it down or switching it out. Admittedly, the outfit that I choose will be dependent on my target species and technique for the day but as others have pointed out, you can fish most techniques with a single outfit if you choose wisely. Now, admittedly, there are those days when I'll switch target species during the day, when the fishing's really horrible and I get desperate or when the fishing is so good that I simply get bored and want to try a different outfit but I've spent hundreds of days fishing with one rod/reel combo for the entire day.

As the others have pointed out, I suspect that most of the guys on the board who have 10, 15, 20 outfits or more can afford to have them and see fishing as their primary hobby so there's nothing wrong with it but I think everyone on this board would probably agree that they could get by with one or two combos if they absolutely had to.

RSM789 reply :

Put another way, multiple rigs allow you different presentations to a target quickly.

For example, the main cover at my home lake is docks. Often I'll make a cast or two with a topwater or crankbait along a dock to see if there is an active fish there. Then I'll throw a plastic worm or jig to the deeper corners to try to catch any bass suspending there or hanging off the edges. Finally, I may skip a wacky rigged Senko way back under the dock, to get to those fish hiding back in the dark, especially if it is midday & sunny.

it is fun to pull multiple fish from the same cover with different techniques. Multiple rods allow you to do that.

Dillo reply :

I am in your same position. I have 2 rods: 1 for bass (M 6'6 spinning) and one for trout and panfish (ul 5ft spinning). You just learn to adjust. I just dont use big swimbaits, for instance, because i dont have the right setup.

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