How many rods do you need?

Hi all, so here goes I have a small boat more than 5-6 rods and something is going to get broken.

As much as I would like more rods is it better to just have a few set up for what I need and switch out when I need it.

I don’t think I can afford a bunch of rods for just certain applications.

I bass fish 90% 3 baitcasters 1 for cranks 1 for spinnerbaits 1 for jigs or worms spinning rods I have 3 mostly all for wacky rigging small jigs or for the other 10% I use them for panfish.

I do catfish some but small ones and the wife uses the spinning rods just fine. So asking the professionals on here what do you do with limited space.

I finally got over the fact I’m not a professional and don’t need 10 rods clanking around broke 4 last year when I fell in the boat $500 bucks worth of rods hurts quick. Thanks all.

need or want…?

No matter the space, make better rod holders with pvc, design to fit and protect your rods.

“How many rods do you need?”

…another one

I used to be able to get by with 4 and cover almost all species:

1 – medium or medium heavy spinning rod with 3000 series reel and 20# braid for pike and bass in heavy cover.

2 – medium or medium light spinning rod for swim baits, dragging jigs, lindy’s, etc. This is kind of an all purpose rod and I run with 10# braid.

3 – medium light XF for jigging and pitching for walleye – run with 6# braid

4 – ultra light panfish setup

I have about 15 rods now because I started reading this site but I could roll with this set of rods. The #1 setup can also handle decent size cats if you get into them.

I’m not a baitcasting guy but you could probably swap them our for 1 and 2 if you target bass a lot.

“He who dies with the most toys wins!”

I don’t think I want to give an answer to your question…..

If you ask me, it’s still not enough.

If you ask my wife…..well….

If you ever get into trolling the Great Lakes, you “need” a lot of rods…..don’t do it….

Between my ice fishing stuff, trolling stuff, and regular stuff….the number is a lot closer to 100 than it is 25….I’d honestly be kind of scared to count

personally i mainly use 3 for the type of fishing i do. 1 for panfish, 1 for pike, 1 foe walleyes. i do have extras.

now ice fishing…..i have 6!!!!!!!

My boat has 14 rods at all times and 18 rods during the late spring/summer (leadcore). This is for the river so its based on 2 guys/2rods each for whatever presentation im doing & a couple back-ups..

If im going to mille lacs I only need 4 rods

Going bass fishing, I only need 1 rod with a frog tied on it

wwow I just did the math, 16 rods over 3k oh man I have a problem now to my gun safe!!! I am really addicted! lol this fishing thing is a good problem

One true thing I know…. the boat is never big enough!

The correct answer is…. just one more. Unless they are trolling rods, then you need matched sets of 5,8,10,and 12 foot long.

Is there a way to order a rod but not have it delivered to your house where your wife will say… “You didn’t order another rod!!”

mrpike1973 wrote:

don’t need 10 rods clanking around broke 4 last year when I fell in the boat $500 bucks worth of rods hurts quick. Thanks all.

Well now that you broke 4 rods you’ll need to replace them…X2, is usually how that works. So…? You’re going to need a bigger boat! Will need one for all the more rods you end up buying.

On a serious note…do you need 3 rods for “bassin”?

Typically I don’t pack every rod I own (which is probably dozens). In the boat for a day outing…usually a MH, ML, and UL for walleye and perch (and bass and pike too). Perhaps an extra couple, but no more than 6 for the given day and target fish.

A muskie outing would be another set of rods, usually just 3 because the net takes up so much room.

gonecribbin wrote:

If im going to mille lacs I only need 4 rods

Going bass fishing, I only need 1 rod with a frog tied on it

FryDog62 wrote:

Is there a way to order a rod but not have it delivered to your house where your wife will say… “You didn’t order another rod!!”

I’ve had them delivered to work before.

FryDog62 wrote:

Is there a way to order a rod but not have it delivered to your house where your wife will say… “You didn’t order another rod!!”

Maybe someone should start a fishing rod and shoe company. Then a guy could order fishing rods, have them shipped to the house, and with them comes a pair of womens shoes.
Guy gets new rods, gal gets new shoes. Gal forgets about new rods. Everyone happy!

Comes down to storage on the boat. Last 14′ I usually had 6 combos bc that’s what I had sufficient room for.

Now with bigger boat, have significantly more.

Agree with PVC, wish I had picks of what kind of redneck system my last boat had, personally thought it kicked a$$ for scrap stuff in garage. Kept everything secure and accessible.

Something simple I do it have about 6-10 rods and have 4-6 set up fully at any given time and if I need a different rod for a better application just switch out the reels on them and there you go no more then 4-6 rods still but always ready to go for what I need!

How many rods do you need ? All of them .

Don Meier wrote:

How many rods do you need ? All of them .

Always buy double of what you need when it comes to hunting and fishing but buy the second set from Wal-mart.
That way when she leaves you for the guy from work that’s never been in the woods or a fishing boat(hes into hot yoga and mindfulness) you can give her the junk set when you are ordered to split up your belongings.

But keep in mind when you move into your one-bedroom apt. you will struggle to find room for everything.(when there is a 6 mo. waiting list for garages)

That sounded as you are speaking from 1st hand knowledge.
Hoping that’s not the case, 6 month waiting list for a garage could cause
Mental Illness and we all know what happens after that.

I withdraw the portion regarding Mental Illness. That was meant to be funny and nothing Funny about that

I would re state it as having to wait 6 months for the garage could make one go Postal!

FryDog62 wrote:

Is there a way to order a rod but not have it delivered to your house where your wife will say… “You didn’t order another rod!!”

My brother orders them to my house.
Good thing you mainly bass fish or you would need (want) way more rods. I know how many rods I have but don’t want to say the number. Some rods can cover multiple scenarios and some are only good for one thing. Part of the sickness is having the perfect setup for a technique. Because of this I still want more rods even though I don’t need them.

Walleyestudent Andy Cox wrote:

On a serious note…do you need 3 rods for “bassin”?

I consider myself primarily a bass guy and fish quite a bit, and only carry 4 bass rods.
One medium-heavy baitcaster with higher speed reel (7.3:1) with braid for fishing thick cover
One medium baitcaster with standard speed reel (6.3:1) with mono for crankbaits
One medium-fast spinning with fireline for lighter presentations (and the rare walleye jigging)
One medium spinning with mono for plastic worms/craws/tubes

Must have more.

I limit the boat to what I’m targeting on that trip, so probably 2-4 rods per person, only one net for the targeted species, and that specific tackle bag. I also limit the boat to 2 people as much as possible. There just isn’t enough room for more than 2 people and all the required gear.

If I have to have three people (including me) then we are probably bobber or jigging which means 2 rod each.

Most time I just bring what is needed for the day. Typically three. Once and a while one or two more if Im really multi species fishing.

I agree extra rods laying around in the boat that are not being used are only there for the purpose of being broken. About the same goes for extra tackle and other items. Lets keep a tidy ship and focus on the fish.

Mr Pike,

The number of rods a person owns should be two time his age until age 10, then equal or more then his age until age 20. At that point it goes the other way and should be 1/2 his age or more until he/she can’t fish any longer.

This is known by the old timers as Rod Index (or RI). Much like Garage Logics old Cylinder Index (or RI).

If I had rod/reel setups that were all equally good I would want probably 4 per person. In reality I usually only use 2 because they are much nicer than the other stuff I never take out of the locker.

Tuma wrote:

<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>FryDog62 wrote:</div>
Is there a way to order a rod but not have it delivered to your house where your wife will say… “You didn’t order another rod!!”

“My brother orders them to my house.”

What’s your address – Lol. I’ll have my next rod sent there with a 6 pack of your favorite beverage

FryDog62 wrote:

“How many rods do you need?”

…another one

LOL same! Regarding a usual day walleye fishing, I take 2-4 spinning rods plus 2 trolling rods cause you never know. Panfish is 2-3 spinning rods and I don’t bass fish often.

I’ve also seen some pretty sweet PVC set- ups in jon boats and small v-bottoms, IMO it would be worth the time if you’re so inclined.