Bank Fishing: Multiple rods vs. One?

[cortman]

I own several rod/reel combos for bass fishing that are better suited to different techniques, and I like using all of them. Fishing from the shore with multiple combos gets to be a pain however. Seems like half the time I'm either putting rods down or picking them up again. I can't be near as fast in covering shoreline or agile getting through brush in some ponds. Plus if you have nice setups you hate to be laying them in the dirt/weeds all the time.
Fishing with just one combo is much faster and simpler, but leaves you unprepared for certain situations and cuts down your fishing time if you're constantly retying baits.
Have any of my fellow bank fishermen come up with any creative solutions to this problem?

[Capt. BassinLou]

I own several rod/reel combos for bass fishing that are better suited to different techniques, and I like using all of them. Fishing from the shore with multiple combos gets to be a pain however. Seems like half the time I'm either putting rods down or picking them up again. I can't be near as fast in covering shoreline or agile getting through brush in some ponds. Plus if you have nice setups you hate to be laying them in the dirt/weeds all the time.
Fishing with just one combo is much faster and simpler, but leaves you unprepared for certain situations and cuts down your fishing time if you're constantly retying baits.
Have any of my fellow bank fishermen come up with any creative solutions to this problem?

My creative solution was becoming effective at tying leaders. Reason being, throwing braid will cover a very broad spectrum of techniques.  However, if the need arises to change it up, tying up a quick leader can solve the problem quickly.

[Princeton_Man]

I rarely ever bank fish very far from my truck and as I mentioned in another thread earlier, I will most likely have more than one rod with me but, rarely will I have more than one at the water. I'm my need changes, I'll go back to the truck.

Most of nature's rod holders (including the ground) can be a dangerous place for a nice rig. Specially for me.

[Lipripper]

I sort of answered this in the other thread. I carry two most of the time and it don't take long to change baits.

[West6550]

I carry 2 normally. A 6'6 M and a 7' MH

[SFL BassHunter]

Depends.

Most of the time 1. Dobyns 734C

If I plan on doing a lot of frog fishing I may take a 7'3" Heavy/Fast with me.

[FISH520]

i take 4
one crankn
one all purpose
one heavy
and one spinning
carry my tackle in a backpack and two rods in each hand. i lay my backpack down and then lay the rods on top of it to keep them off the ground. i do ot go to far from my tackle so its not a problem to get back to it to make adjustments

[FlatsNBay]

I kind of force myself because of simplicity to focus on one or two techniques and therefore only bring 1 or 2 rods. I think that has made me a better fisherman because it forces me to stick with and learn instead of switching techniques and rods. As an example, I may bring my swim jig rod with some swim jigs based on the time of year and body of water and I will pretty much live or die with it unless I go back to the truck for another rod. I may end up altering my retrieve and presentation with one bait until it works.

[ccr425]

I usually take 2 rigs.

mh/xf rod with 7 gear reel (all around rig)
xh/f rod with 7 gear reel (slop rig)

[j102]

Two rods, one in the truck, one on hand. I am usually close to the truck to change if needed.

[Oldfart9999]

I carried one, if I get back into it I would make it 2 except for real brushy areas. If I should fish the Ontario shore from piers again I would add a baitcaster, at least 7' MH F for smallies.
Rodney

[scudzilla66]

I've tried carrying 2 before but I prefer just sticking with 1 setup. The only times it comes back to bite me is when I fish top water and a fish misses, I can't throw a soft plastic after it. I'vd gotten pretty proficient at knot tying so if I'm switching up it doesn't slow me down.

[big g]

As a guy that bank fishes at least 5 days a week one rod is the way to go.  You dont have to put it down and then go back and pick up the one you left.  I know what I want to throw.  I take several different baits that just take seconds to change.  I usually don't change much but rather change techniques with the baits I am working that day.  I will alter how the bait works in the water rather then go to a totally different style bait.  Learn how to work and control the bait, not just change the bait.  For bank fisherman this is key.  One rod is all I need, techniques changes there are many, until I find the right action for that day!!!!!!

[Capt. BassinLou]

Another reason I don't carry another rod with me is because honestly its a pita for me..  Plus I don't want to risk stepping on the outfit if its any where around me. Lastly, I get some weird people approach me sometimes and seeing an extra outfit on the ground may give them the idea to ask to fish, and that's NOT happening with my gear.

[j102]

Good points there Big G and Lou.
That is one of the reasons I keep one in the truck, and only one on hand. But, in all honesty, I rarely go for the one in the truck. One rod does it most of the time.