Northwest Fishing Reports

A new license option allowing anglers to use two fishing poles in specific waters for an additional, annual fee of $20 ($5 for resident seniors).

I can see it for a few places, and maybe only a couple species of fish, like perch and crappy and bluegill. Maybe for catfish.

I was watching this one a couple of months ago when the bill was being signed.

Walleye anglers are all for this.

As creative as WDFW can get with the regs it will be interesting to see how they write it up..

"2 poles can only be used from sun up to 10am and 10pm to midnight on the south shore of all lakes with the name of "Lost". Only 1 pole can use bait at a time, the poles cannot be more than 36.5 inches from one another, and cannot be more than 15' in length combined. Only one pole can hook a fish at a time, if fish are hooked on both poles, one pole must be immediately deposited into the lake."

I hope the two pole rule does not apply for stocked trout. They will be fished out faster if many people pay the extra $20 and take home 10 trout instead of 5 per day. Thats excluding the poachers taking more than 5.

returnofthefish wrote:I hope the two pole rule does not apply for stocked trout. They will be fished out faster if many people pay the extra $20 and take home 10 trout instead of 5 per day. Thats excluding the poachers taking more than 5.

It doesn't say anywheres in there that two limits will be allowed. Don't be jumping to assumptions

Thanks for being so kind and letting me know that my hope was incorrect.

Gringo Pescador wrote:As creative as WDFW can get with the regs it will be interesting to see how they write it up..

"2 poles can only be used from sun up to 10am and 10pm to midnight on the south shore of all lakes with the name of "Lost". Only 1 pole can use bait at a time, the poles cannot be more than 36.5 inches from one another, and cannot be more than 15' in length combined. Only one pole can hook a fish at a time, if fish are hooked on both poles, one pole must be immediately deposited into the lake."

That is funny...

Toni wrote:I never even thought of two limits. I fish all day and can barely get one. I just thought that I would be able to narrow the lures or depth when trolling to find the fish and then just fish that. Wouldn't two poles per one person be hard to control? Like getting 2 fish at once.

Toni- That is a problem that I would like to have!#-o

Using 2 poles sounds like a harvesting strategy, not condusive to catch and release. I foresee future flame wars on WL.com reports where the reporter indicates targeting bass and uses 2 poles. :+O <duck>

That's awsome. I'm looking forward to knowing which waters will be open to the use of two rods. Trolling Rufus Woods with two rods per person could put you back on shore before the sun comes up.

I get to fish 2 poles here and let me tell you it is sure nice when I am bank fishing I can have a bottom rig and also goof around with a casting rod... And like Toni says it is nice to have 2 poles while trolling to fish different depths. (and yes doubles can be interesting:-" ) I had 2 fish on quite a bit ice fishing last year and it was a blast! I am sure glad I get to use 2 poles:cheers:

Multiple rods for ice fishing is the norm for most states, so while it may seem strange to WA residents, it is really not that bad.

Multiple rods are the norm for most Southeast states, and they do well enough. It is a technique that many crappie trollers use, many catfish anglers use, and carp anglers love it.

Multiple rods are allowed in Idaho now (two I believe) as well as in Montana (two also) and it seems to be working just fine. Personally, I like the ability to use a second rod for trolling. Trolling is boring enough, having a second rods will keep me from falling asleep and running my boat into you guys.

Nevertheless, it will take some time before the rule is widely accepted by a lot of people, and I personally agree that it is useful for specific species and techniques only.

I would like to see second rods as disallowed for trout, except on specific lakes. I ......................... I probably won't spend the money to use a second rod anyway.

2 poles? Maybe good excuse to have the spinner rod and fly rod out...but I'll think I'll always stick to 1 at a time...

AnglinArcher hit it on the head. When I Lived in Tennessee , there was no limit on the amount of poles you could fish with. The first few times I went out with only 1 pole , people looked at me like I was crazy. The benefits are many, when bass fishing, you can have one pole rigged with plastics and one for lures, this saves alot of time when you want to switch between baits quickly. Also multiple poles would be nice for trout/catfishing when your casting out and playing the waiting game.

I don't see trolling as boring... it's actually downright exciting if done using a fishfinder and GPS. Mark the fish on the GPS and zigzag around the icons working on getting them to strike. That's how we salmon fish once we start marking fish.

When the fish are biting it gets to be a 3 ring circus at times with 2 or 3 people in a boat fighting fish.

Years ago when I lived in PA we were allowed to use two rods and a separate handline with 3 hooks on each line. Back then I never questioned why the third rig had to be a handline. Now I wonder what the purpose was. Also back then not many people could afford two separate fishing outfits.

I plan on two rodding Moses Lake and the Potholes for walleye. Gives me two separate chances to get snagged up.

fishaholictaz wrote:I get to fish 2 poles here and let me tell you it is sure nice when I am bank fishing I can have a bottom rig and also goof around with a casting rod.

I agree. I would like to see 2 rods approved but I'm not real excited about paying an extra 20 bucks to have what other states and Canada already have.

I just HOPE, people realize TWO RODS doesn't mean you limit out on each ROD!