Thread: How many rods can you fish with?

Great Question, I have wondered the same thing!

My interpretation of the rule is that you can fish with as many poles as you wish. Most of the reasoning comes from the YO-YO rules. There aren't any stipulations on how many yo-yo's a single person can put out. you may run into a "local" lake rule somewhere. I've only seen these rules over in miss. on certain crappie lakes. You may run across some local lake rules regarding yo-yo's also. I looked this up on the G&F website, and I found nothing regarding poles though.

I normally use 4 when I spiderrig but my Father-in-Law uses 6.

I fished 6 on Greeson last year at crappie camp.

I fish 6 sometimes 8. And there is a limit on yoyo's one can put out. Also, you have to have your name,address,tag number or some other information written on the yoyo's. I think the limit is 30 per person and cannot be left unattended. The reason i know this, 3 years ago I got scolded..in a polite way... by the gamewarden for leaving my yoyo's unattended to go get more minnows.

I just found this on AG&F website.


Yo-Yo Fishing - Up to 30 yo-yos (or similar mechanical devices) per person may be used as long as they are not left unattended (out of sight or hearing) during daylight hours, and no more than one is hung from a line, wire, limb or support. Yo-yos must be labeled with the owner's name and address or vehicle license number, or current vehicle license number of the person using such equipment.

Good question-since we leave for Lake Norfork in the morning.
Here in Missouri I believe you are allowed 3 rods. But, you are allowed like 33 hooks if you trotline-which I never have done. You can have 30 hooks in the water-trotline or jugs, then fish with 3 rods for your 33 total. Don't know why you can't trotline or jug fish with 3 hooks and have 30 rods?
I only use 3 rods--dock fishing or boat fishing..that's why I have never tried spider-fishing.
All states are different--just look at the regs in the state you plan to fish!

I appreciate all the replies but no one has still provided any concrete evidence of just what is legal. It has to be written somewhere. Perhaps I will call G&F tomorrow and see what they say. Thanks for the replies.

Just a side note: Last year I was fishing an Arkansas lake and a gentleman pulled up beside me in his boat and said, "Man, don't you know that you can't fish with that many poles out?" I was fishing with 5 poles at the time.

Hmmm?

This is commonly misunderstood. The rule is you can fish with as many poles as you can safely operate unless utherwise posted by individual lakes, etc.