Thread: One Rod Rule

Guys, having done most of my pier/surf fishing on the east coast anglers were limited to two rods. At Gulf Shores I want to be sure what the rule or custom or norm exists. Having fished two rods (bottom fishing) when things are slow, is this illegal?
Any help is appreciated.

The pier rules state "only one rod & reel in use at a time."
But that is rarely enforced, especially on certain regular anglers who occasionally bring donuts ;-) lol

on the beach there is no limit on the number of rods you can put out...

Thanks. Donuts being the key, I will google the nearest donut shop just in case it’s a slow day. Krispy Creme or Dunkin Donuts?

It is against the rules as posted to use two rods at the same time.

In my experience, the rule is often broken by some fishermen when the pier is not crowded. If you do it don't be surprised (or complain) if someone calls the office and gets them to send out someone to see that the rule is enforced, especially if the pier gets at all crowded. This is especially true during sheepshead season (coming up) which, on occasion, leads to the exchange of unpleasant words. Rods are also supposed to be tended, but most folks will give some leeway there, again depending on how crowded the pier is.

While most folks will tolerate the occasional use of two rods if done judiciously, using more than two is considered pretty bad form as is using two when there is much of a crowd at all.

Common sense and a regard for other fishermen can help, but there is always the potential for someone to be offended or inconvenienced, in that case the rules rule.

Only rule I see being enforced is no shark fishing. Can't seem to figure out why it's legal in Florida but not here. Oh wait they have a lottery too don't they.

I will admit I have used 2 rods when its cold and the pier is slow. I've seen several use 2 rods when its busy which is not courteous to others in my opinion but not terrible. The people using 4 or 5 rods fairly piss me off. It makes me wish for a pod of bull reds to come along and pull them all over the rail.

Hard to reel in 2 different rods at the same time when both get hooked up

i use one rod but multiple lines. there’s a workaround to almost anything.

There are a few ambiguous variants like 3 kids who have wandered off leaving parents with 5 rods out, and 5 limits being thrown in the cooler on their behalf.

Most annoying to me are people leaning a rod (dry) to reserve a prime rail spot so they can wander off and then elbow people who have been fishing continuously out of their spot. Life is too short to argue with those entitled souls. Bonus annoyance points if the leaning rod has a dried up cigar minnow but they run up with a cobia rod and leave the unused king rod in my way as they set it out of their way. Extra bonus for constructing whole sentences consisting of over 50% vulgarities.

The trouble is that they generally only use two, maybe three, vulgarities, but they repeat them endlessly. I have a certain admiration for creative cussing. I even have a book on it.

On the multiple rod subject, I will do as others have stated and use two rods for sheepies if the rail is not crowded, but I'd actually rather fish just one and have it in my hand so I can feel the bite. I do like to fish a trolley rig, but both lines are going to the same space and I do stay by by my rig unless the bite is completely dead, and then I'm real close by and ready to get out of your way if you hook up.

I'm also one of the people who will call the authorities on folks who are fishing multiple rods when it's crowded or the bite is confined to a small area. It's not my job to enforce the rules, but I know people who are SUPPOSED to do so.