My office looks like a forest. Two dozen long, limber branches grow out of the floor, one bunch springs out from the far wall, and another cluster sprouts from the corner. These trees, of course, are not natural in design but rather consist of fiberglass and graphite. Almost every time my wife walks into my office, she glances at them and gives me a “tsk, tsk.” As if 24 fishing rods were too many for one man! Do you get the same kind of feedback? Then show your better half this breakdown of the bare minimum gear supply.
Offshore needs: A cool dozen 20s, 30s, or 50s (identical or mixed, depending on your preferences) and at least two 80s or 130s, for when the big fish are in town. Four medium/ heavy spinning or conventional rods for casting or bailing. These can do double duty for bottom fishing.
Inshore needs: Six trolling rods with monofilament and at least four with monel or wire line. Six medium spinning or conventional rods for chumming, bottom fishing, and casting. Four light rods for shallow-water casting. Two medium/heavy fly rods.
Freshwater needs: Four light rods and four ultralights. Two light fly rods.
Surf needs: Two surf rods. Yeah, you need casting rods, too, but frugal as you are, you can grab some off the boat.
That totals 52 rods. So in all honesty, I’m operating on less than half of what’s necessary. You see, ladies? We’ve been telling you the truth the whole time.
