Thread: Number of poles/rods per person in the surf?

I apologize if this is listed somewhere already, but I cannot locate any regulations regarding the number of rods per person in Alabama for surf fishing. I read only one in use per person on the pier, and I searched the coastal federal regs and the regs for Alabama. Unfortunately I could not find anything regarding rods per person. I'm from Michigan, and the limit is 3 there.

Any help would be greatly appreciated. I also tried the search feature on the site here.

I'll call Monday to the state to see what they say, but I was hoping I may get a bit of information from actual fishermen.

Thanks in advance, and tight lines.

Eddiewardo

Sorry to say I don't know either. I really don't think there is a limit and I have fished two at a time in the surf. I really can't handle more than that anyway. If you get a run on one pole and begin fighting a fish, what do you do if the second and maybe even the third pops off, when a school runs through witch is likely to happen? If you get a legal answer, let us know. Otherwise I wouldn't worry about it, only use what you think you can handle.

Good fishing...

Welcome aboard Eddie; and I don't believe this has been asked before!
The rule on the pier is to limit the amount of clutter on the pier from people laying their equipment on the deck, especially when the pier is crowded.

I don't know of a regulation on the surf limiting the number of rods, as many as you are willing to haul out to the surf as far as I know.

I usually fish 4 but don't think there's a reg I can handle 21/2 on my own and my wife is usually there for backup when surf fishing. It's always interesting to have a school or reds or jacks come thru. Last year 3 of us had my 4 surf rods my buddy's 2 surf rods and my pomp jig rod all hooked up at the same time. It was a pretty interesting circus that had a good crowd but all were landed and safely released.

Thanks for the input. I thought that might be the case. In Michigan off the pier I have been booked up with 3 steelhead, and I know what a goat rodeo that can be. I have 2 nephews and a father in-law I will be taking fishing with me so I will have backup/reinforcements. I'm hoping to get them out to the pier art least once, and I hope to see some of the regulars out there! We will be coming down the first full week of April.

I will post again when I get an official response.

Thanks for all the informationand assistance!

Eddie

To my knowledge, there is no limit on the number of rods, but there might be a limit on the total number of hooks. The last time that I was down, I had 3 rigged with live bait and two more with artificials. The 3 with bait kept me so busy that I didn't have much time for the artificials.

Isnt it 2 rods per fishermen.

There is no limit that I know of.
I surf fish a lot more than I pier fish, and talked to DNR many a time with 3+ rods per person sitting in the sand spikes.

Nope, no limit in AL.

There is no limit on the number of rods a person can fish with. There is a 5 hook limit per rod though. Just got off the phone with the saltwater fisheries division, and that is what I was told.

Thanks for the responses.

Eddie