NorCal Kayak Anglers
Kayak Fishing Zone => General Fishing Tips => Topic started by: albiec22 on April 17, 2024, 02:41:18 PM
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Hi everyone,
Just out of curiosity, how many of us have the 2-rod stamp but hardly take advantage of it? I have a lifetime license along with the lifetime privilege package that includes the 2-rod stamp (wedding present from my wife) and I can probably count on one hand how many times I've actually used 2 rods since 2008. Even while trolling, I find 2 rods just too much to manage. I can see how it might benefit bait fishing (maybe catfish?), but since 99% of my trout fishing is lures or fly, I just don't use it.
Anyone else find the 2-rod stamp not useful?
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I think I agree with you in a general sense. But I did use mine last weekend drifting a minnow around while also tossing lures. It proved useful in that sense. But, the $18 bucks or whatever you pay for it on an annual basis seems steep, at least for me, considering how seldom I use it.
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When I troll for trout I always use two rods. Sometimes the two lines will tangle when I get a fish but I'm used to it. I use two rods for halibut in the ocean (Tomales Bay) as well.
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When trolling for trout I like to have two rods, and when fishing from the shore two rods can be good for bait fishing or bait fishing and tossing lures. In the ocean it isn't required, but it's there that I usually only use one rod. Second is for bait/backup when ocean fishing.
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Hi All,
Just got the two rod this year.... most of the time I just use one rod but when kokanee fishing I have used two at different depth with potentially different lures to help me hone in on where and how they like it. Not sure if I will do it again but ask me after this season.
In the past in the ocean (where you dont need the stamp(i think) I have tangled terribly multiple times when using two rods . I think I really most times I can only handle one rod.
Troy
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salmonids absolutely! One fly lined on top, one on the down rigger. High/low get um all!!! :smt044
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Without the two rod stamp, you don’t get to experience the kayak double. Can be a very fun challenge
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SF Bay and San Pablo Bay both only allow one rod. Ocean allows as many as you want (no stamp required!) until you start fishing for rockfish/lingcods, then it becomes one rod only. Up-River from the Carquinez Bridge, and most lakes/rivers allow two rods, with the stamp.
I mostly troll from the kayak. If it is legal for me to troll with two rods, I do. Stripers and trout. In the ocean, I think it would be more difficult to not get tangled, but in the delta or in a lake, it isn't too bad. When I hook a fish, I give a few extra pedal strokes, then gently turn the kayak towards the side that got hooked up. Sometimes I will keep pedaling and reel in the other rod, but only if I think it will get tangled, which really only happens if I drift back down towards the lure.
I will also use the second rod if just bait fishing, either anchored in the kayak or boat, or from shore. Or, have one with bait and casting a lure with the other. Just depends on the species/day/location.
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Yep
I use mine often.
Trolling the lake, mostly.
Stationary in salt.
Never on flyrod
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yup..
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Lol! I guess I'm in the minority. When I'm out fishing, it's for the peace and quiet. Someone once called it water therapy or fishing Zen. Having two fish on just makes me too anxious and impatient. Catching for me is secondary. At least this is what I have been telling myself (skunked 3 out of 4 last trips).
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Hmmm, the wife and I have a two rod license, mostly for crabbing with snares off the beach. I was always told, casting off the beach you need the two rod license for two rods and even fishing off a kayak, you need the two rod license in the open ocean. I have heard some people are getting a commercial license to use multiple rods in the bay and open ocean, to have a no limit on the catch. Can anyone comment on this please, enquiring minds want to know, please educate, R.
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It is my understanding that the two rod stamp is only for put-and-take fisheries, like lakes where the trout are planted. Anywhere that has requirements for barbless hooks or bait restrictions will not be open to use of the two rod stamp.
The two rod stamp is not required in the ocean, and there are few species that can be fished with two rods at once - California halibut being by far the most common two rod species.
I've lost count over the years of how many people want to live in the fantasy world where you can fish two rods until you catch and keep a lingcod, rockfish or salmon.
Trolling with two rods isn't that tough in the ocean - depends how the conditions are. I've landed a few doubles on Cali's - definitely fun!
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Ever seen the cat fishing folks out on the east coast? I've seen one guy using up at 8 rods :smt005 almost no one less than 3. I often wonder if they have more success or not, figuring if the bait is in the zone, more is just more choices. :smt044
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I run two rods on my pedal kayak while trolling for trout or kokanee. I'll also run two rods when I take the kiddo bank fishing for stocker trout, anything I can do to up the chance he can reel in a fish!
When all I had was a paddle kayak it was a different story, without the ability to keep moving while reeling in a fish it seemed like a recipe for lost gear.
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I've lost count over the years of how many people want to live in the fantasy world where you can fish two rods until you catch and keep a lingcod, rockfish or salmon.
I would only want a second rod to catch more bait, not more rockfish. Just drag a sabiki around behind me. I can't imagine trying not to snag while trying to drift/jig two rods for rockfish or lingcod, haha.
And yes, a lot of people confuse the reg about when they can/can't have two rods, or which fish they can keep if they did have two lines in.
Also, for some reason, this made me think of Goldeneye...
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Hmmm, the wife and I have a two rod license, mostly for crabbing with snares off the beach. I was always told, casting off the beach you need the two rod license for two rods and even fishing off a kayak, you need the two rod license in the open ocean. I have heard some people are getting a commercial license to use multiple rods in the bay and open ocean, to have a no limit on the catch. Can anyone comment on this please, enquiring minds want to know, please educate, R.
Nope, no limit on the ocean side, but there is still in the bay. The 2 rod stamp specifically say:
Second Rod Validation $19.44 Allows a person to fish with two rods or lines in inland waters, except for waters in which only artificial lures or barbless hooks may be used.
Note: A Second Rod Validation is not required when fishing in ocean waters as defined in CCR, Title 14, Section 27.00. For general fishing gear restrictions in ocean waters, please refer to CCR, Title 14, Section 28.65. These sections can be found in the Saltwater Sport Fishing Regulations Booklet.
28.65. General. Except as provided in this article, fin fish may be taken only on hook-and-line or by hand. Any number of hooks and lines may be used in all ocean waters and bays except:
(a) San Francisco Bay, as described in Section 27.00, where only one line with not more than three hooks may be used.
(b) On public piers, no person shall use more than two rods and lines, two hand lines, or two nets, traps or other appliances used to take crabs.
.... More on other restrictions...
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28.65. General. Except as provided in this article, fin fish may be taken only on hook-and-line or by hand. Any number of hooks and lines may be used in all ocean waters and bays except:
(a) San Francisco Bay, as described in Section 27.00, where only one line with not more than three hooks may be used.
(b) On public piers, no person shall use more than two rods and lines, two hand lines, or two nets, traps or other appliances used to take crabs.
.... More on other restrictions...
"Any number of hooks and lines may be used in all ocean waters..." That's pretty lame that they mislead like that. When rockfish/lingcod and salmon are the most popular saltwater fisheries in Nor Cal, they shouldn't write something so blatantly flawed and expect fishermen to just figure it out.
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Also, for some reason, this made me think of Goldeneye...
Best FPS of the day!
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I always get the second rod thingy, but I'm not sure why, as I rarely fish freshwater.
In the ocean, I've seen kayakers fishing with 5 rods. They look like ocean-going porcupines.
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I have the two rod stamp, and use two rods while trolling for kokes...though this sometimes leads to huge frustration when I get them tangled, or when one snags as I'm reeling in a fish on the other.
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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. :smt003
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.
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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.
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Even if you only troll 1 rod it's nice to have another ready to cast at fish feeding on the surface. You don't have to reel in your trolled line before casting.
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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.
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This. It's always a good idea to be running multiple offerings and multiple depths. You spend a long time and distance trolling for them, trying to figure out what they want. Better to use two offerings or depths while covering ground. I don't usually get much of an issue with tangles when I hookup. I keep going with my pedals trying to keep trolling straight as I grab the rod and start reeling trying to keep tension. When the fish starts getting close enough to net is when I turn my rudder towards the fish and try and land it. My other line falls and in deep water I rarely have any issue retrieving it or having my fish get hung up in it.