Drifting...# Of Rods?

[Toby from MO]

In January I’m heading down to Taneycomo with a few buddies for a weekend of fishing. That said, this will be my first on two fronts…first time to Taneycomo and first time trout fishing.

I’ve been doing a lot of reading on this site trying to educate myself before the trip as 99.9% of my fishing included bass, crappie or walleye. So far so good…everything I’ve read makes sense with some techniques crossing over and similar to techniques I already use. That said, I have a question regarding drifting and the number of rods used.

Typically speaking of course, do you find most drift preferring to hold a single rod in hand or do most drift preferring multiple rods held in rod holders?

I’ve gotten mixed responses from my buddies. A few say the bite is so light you need to keep a single rod in hand and so often you don’t have time to deal with two or more. On the other hand, the others say to install rod holders, as they have them all over their boat.

Considering the latter question may be the response I have been looking into fastening some rod holders in the front/rear of my boat for my partner and I. Any recommendations would be much appreciated.

My boat is an aluminum bass boat. Thinking out load, I’d prefer something not permanent and cost effective. I’ve considered the clamp on style but I’m not sure how securely they will clamp on over the round edge of the boat unless I use some thin wood boards as backing.

[twosets]

I really like to hold that rod in my hand, and at times let the line run over my index finger so that i can really feel the bottom and the bites. If you are fishing a jig you may want to bounce it off the bottom sometimes as well.

I am not sure what the regs say about using more than one rod.

Good luck

[Spinnaker]

Once upon a time a friend of mine was using more than one rod. We warned him. There was a pretty good drift going. He turned around to check something and his line snagged. His drag was set tight. It poped the rod up in the air and down she went. We had to bite our tonges to keep from laughing. He was steamed for a while but got over it. We went back and forth over the area to try to snag it but no dice. I would advise against using more than one rod at once. Just my way of thinking but to each his own. On a lighter note, I think you will enjoy trout fishing. I also have an aluminum boat I use at home and on TRock. When I fish Taney I like to wade and flyfish in the upper end so I only use one rod. Good luck.

[bigredbirdfan]

I really like to hold that rod in my hand, and at times let the line run over my index finger so that i can really feel the bottom and the bites. If you are fishing a jig you may want to bounce it off the bottom sometimes as well.

I am not sure what the regs say about using more than one rod.

Good luck

I prefer one as well so you can feel the line on two fingers as twosets pointed out. Sometimes it is a very lite bite and you need to be ready to set the hook. Then if lots of water generation you need to distinguish between bouncing off the bottom and bites. Just my 2 cents. Others may disagree.

[Guest kevinkirk]

Having said all that, are trotlines legal in Taneycomo? Just wondering where the line is.

[bigredbirdfan]

I see nothing in the Wildlife Code about restrictions on numbers of rods. I also see that trotlines, limb lines and jugs are not prevented. I will caution you that the daily possession is 5 trout total and only 1 being brown. Browns under 20 inches are to be released immediatly unharmed. If you have two browns by misfortune on your trotline or one under 20 inches you might be in deep poultry doo doo or human doo doo or whatever doo doo. Under normal conditions normal methods should work just fine on Taneycomo.

[rainbow]

I have fished Taney for many years and drifting with multiple rods is not easy even if you have holders. If you get hung up a rod will go over the side so fast you won't see it. Also, it is hard to fish with more than one, keep the boat right with the current and catch the lite bite.

[Guest kevinkirk]

I see nothing in the Wildlife Code about restrictions on numbers of rods. I also see that trotlines, limb lines and jugs are not prevented. I will caution you that the daily possession is 5 trout total and only 1 being brown. Browns under 20 inches are to be released immediatly unharmed. If you have two browns by misfortune on your trotline or one under 20 inches you might be in deep poultry doo doo or human doo doo or whatever doo doo. Under normal conditions normal methods should work just fine on Taneycomo.

I flyfishmainly but just curious. Learning all I can. Need to get the regs and read them closely. Does everyone just focus on the trout in Taney then? I find that amazing. Cant wait to get down there for good.

[laker67]

I see nothing in the Wildlife Code about restrictions on numbers of rods. I also see that trotlines, limb lines and jugs are not prevented. I will caution you that the daily possession is 5 trout total and only 1 being brown. Browns under 20 inches are to be released immediatly unharmed. If you have two browns by misfortune on your trotline or one under 20 inches you might be in deep poultry doo doo or human doo doo or whatever doo doo. Under normal conditions normal methods should work just fine on Taneycomo.

I,m only recalling this from memory, so don't quote me or take as fact.

3 rod maximum per person, 33 hooks on one trotline. I do not know the number of jugs allowed, but i do know that 4, not 5, is the statewide limit on trout.

[perchjerker]

I have drift fished from my Bass Tracker many a time. Whenever I tried 2 rods either I was loosing drift rigs and bait a whole lot faster than I wanted to, or it was a circus with multiple trout on and the boat moving. After some time on Taney you will see that you will catch more fish with 1 rod than 2, unless you are anchored or tied up with a slow moving current.Good Luck and maybe we'll see you on the water.