Hi! I was under the impression that the number of rods you can have with you is two (California requires another permit for a second rod) yet I see some people carry more than 2. What is it really? Thank you!

Two rods with lines in the water. 

24 minutes ago, J Francho said:

Two rods with lines in the water. 

Thank you! Have always been confused by this lol ? so you dont need a 2nd rod permit even if you carry 4 rods so long as only 1 line is in the water?

Yup, you can carry as many rods as you want, but only 2 max in the water at a time.

You guys are lucky - we're only allowed 1-line in the water per person during open-water season unless you're fishing border waters.

California gave the 2nd Rod option as a way to make more money....Its an extra $16 bucks and only works for inland waters.

New Mexico charges for a second rod too 

I just found out Uncle Sam is moving me to California this summer (currently in Florida). Never heard of charging for a second rod before. Not that I'll need it bass fishing anyway. 

They don't charge for a second rod (yet!) in NY, but the two lines out rule makes follow ups much easier.  I also like to toss a BIG wake bait out behind the boat like an MS Mini Slammer or Deps Buzzjet, and leave the rod in a rod holder as I slowly work a shoreline.  I catch quite a few fish this way.  So, it might be worth the $16 to be able to cast a $30 lure on $40 line with a $500 rod and reel and set it in a $25 rod holder.  Perspective is everything.

PA changed a couple years ago from 2 rods to 3 rods, no extra fee required.  Which really surprised me coming from a state that charges extra for trout and extra for Lake Erie. 

Lucky for us in Michigan, I guess! I am allowed 3 rods in the water per person, but I usually only have 1-2 rods in the water at a time since I fish from the shore a lot.

20 hours ago, Crappiefish said:

Thank you! Have always been confused by this lol ? so you dont need a 2nd rod permit even if you carry 4 rods so long as only 1 line is in the water?

And each line can have 2-3 hooks. 

16 hours ago, BBuck said:

I just found out Uncle Sam is moving me to California this summer (currently in Florida). Never heard of charging for a second rod before. Not that I'll need it bass fishing anyway. 

Welcome to the Left Coast. The weather and bass fishing is great but you will see it comes at a cost. I never get the 2 rod option. But you can have 2-3 hooks on that one line.  

The 2nd rod stamp fee in California has been around for a few decades. Trout anglers lobbied for this option.

No limit of the rods in the boat, only with line in the water is considered fishing with that rod.

Never heard of a rod limit for ocean fishing?

Tom