Two rod is indispensable to koke, landlocked king, and trout trolling. Which is a majority of my time. Usually one rod shallow and one deep, almost never the same depth or presentation until I’m confidently dialed in. I like a second rod for striper bait fishing. Not getting your two trolling rods tangled is a skill in and of itself somewhat. Also learning to fight and net a fish while still maintaining a straight line troll, or in close combat type fisheries. Learning how to entice and play double ups too. Sometimes I have to shake the rust off and miss a net job or get impatient while doubled up it costs me a fish, and I know it’s time to brush up on some motor skills.
I don’t use my two rod when river trout/steelhead  fishing, bass, or fly fishing though. If that’s what you lean more towards it might not matter that much to get it.

Other than in the ocean, I have two rods out all the time. Trout trolling, always. It just allows you to cover more of the water column with two different depths while trolling. If I'm somewhere that minnows are legal, I have a (minnow, grub, etc.) out, and casting with the other rod. Even in bass lakes where live bait use is not allowed, I'm drifting a small jig on one side and casting. I've had many times my jig is 15' below me, dragging in grass and it still gets hit? The amount of times my lines get fouled up is pretty minimal. And it's worth the dozen or so trout doubles I'll get every year. Nothing more exciting than getting in both fish on a double. I love the double in net pictures. 

Probably the only time I have gone to one rod is when the fishing is just so off the hook, it takes too long to reel in the second line and clean off the lure after catching on your other rod. I've had it a few times, when you start paddling, cast out, put the rod in the holder and hammered. Over and over again. One rod in those cases is enough. Those are rare days though.

Quote from: AlsHobieOutback on April 16, 2024, 05:09:54 AM

I'll be there even if I don't bring my kayak to see some some of my NCKA family.

I have a Tarpon 160 you can borrow/test drive here in the East Bay if you don't want to transport your kayak so far.    

Thanks Tsuri, I appreciate the kind offer.  I probably can't stay upright in the 160 at the moment, regained too much weight.  I am working hard to loose it again this year though.

yoooo, pretty fish

See you there.