So as I start to increase my rod and reel combo collection the more fishing I do, I got thinking. Do people have a reel for every rod they have?

I appreciate that obviously not all reels go with all rods, but does it come a point where you use a reel on multiple rods.

Yes I do except my fly rods and I use different lines on their own reels but balance the weights.
On my Mitchell graphite reels I have multiple spools.
All other rods I have bought as a balanced outfit.
I have never considered doing it any other way.

I have as many reels as I have rods but do change occasionally. About 13 rods at the moment. I don't need more.

For light combos I use a size 1000 or 2000 reel on a 1-3kg road. Use from squid,whiting, flathead, pinkies (from January)

I have a few Shimano Nasci 4000 and Shimano Symmetre as well for Snapper plus a bunch of El Cheapos which do the job well.

This time I year I carry lots of rods with me. Usually 5-6 rods. 2 for squid or whiting, 1 for salmon, 3 for snapper. All ready to go.

Generally it's a reel for every rod. Mainly it's due to reel size and line rating matching up to a particular rod. I find it a pain to change reels onto other rods. You see people like the guys on Big Angry Fish doing it before each session and I just think what a waste of time. It's also a good excuse to get more combo's.

My rod/reel collection is broken down into specific separate sets (2-4 rods) for: carp fishing, freshwater trout fishing, light duty PPB plastics/bait, squid/egi fishing, medium duty gummy/WP, offshore game and sharks.

Thanks for the replies guys.

You've reconfirmed my thoughts. Reel for every rod due to different fishing type, target species weight etc.

Also, come to think of it, the times you target one species you'll need the same/similar reel rod combo etc.

I'll continue shopping then hehe

I reckon its a good excuse. You will find if you dont you pick up whatever combo is set up and need a very good reason to change them over.

Having said that, most have mine have cheapie ebay braid on them, wouldn't want to pay to fill them all with top shelf stuff.

eg If you are going gummy fishing you need 3-4 Heavish reels and lines, then if you are going flattie/whiting fishing you are looking at the same number of lighter reels and lines. If you end up compromising and putting heavy line on line rods you risk snapping them if the snag up (I should now )

Kayak fishing is tough on gear so in reality there is always a degree mismatch as rods snap and reels fail.

Swapping line over on a reel for different purposes is for the very dedicated, easier to have different reels.

As Shane said best to have reels and rods ready to go. Less time swaping things over the better.
Best to have all the rods/reels combo's ready to go with the correct setup you want to fish. Makes it a lot easier to get out on the water quickly. Also I have a bunch of pre made rigs ready for the species I'm targeting that day. There is no worse feeling being on a very hot bite and you are spending time untangling or doing up lines. So not only should you have rods ready with the correct line, tackle but also I highly recommend making quite a few pre made rigs. In some outings I might not need to rig up but other times I can go through my entire rig holder (8 rigs). Much easier to do on land as well than on the yak.

What everyone /\ /\ /\ said. I just tend to change the leader depending on what I am fishing for. Eg 2500 reels, normally 10lb braid with 6 - 8 lb leader for trout, 8 -10 lb for salmon etc and 15lb for Snapper.

Fish lures mostly and target specific species.
Bream and EP's 1-3kg match rod and reel
Cod, Yellowbelly and Bass 1-8kg, match rod and reel in both spin and baitcaster. But have couple more baitcasting reels than rods with specialist lines. eg. Extra fine braid where long casts are required. Heavier cheaper lines where structure is an issue. Easier than storing and changing spools on the water.
Coarse multiple reels per rod with alternate lines + spare spools.
Game multiple reels per rod
Fly match reel to rod.
Surf more rods than reels.
Snapper matched Pflueger rods and reels that started life with me as bream and cod rods. Pflueger are a work horse product, inexpensive and good quality but for me not finesse gear.

Back when I was working in retail - I would tell customers who were just starting out fishing to purchase according to their budget. Fishing can be as expensive or inexpensive a hobby as you deem it to be.

Eg, you can catch a cod on a piece of salami, hooked on a piece of 50lb line left tied to the root of a gum tree (set line - and highly illegal) or catch the same cod with the latest fandango jointed snag attracting swim baits that retails for $80, with an outfit that costs just as much as a second hand hobie outback with all the bells and whistles.

At the end of the day, whatever you purchase make sure it serves a purpose that will fulfill your needs and wants. Whether that means each rod is paired to matching reel, the end user will be the best judge. There's no guarantees that you will catch more fish based on the outfits you own.

And for what's it worth, my son's first outfit was a $10 mojiko blue combo (line included) that I bought for him when he was 4years old. It caught a stack of fish and it was a sad day when I watched that same outfit getting dragged into the waters of lake Eildon by something we will never know. One of the best tips I learnt from my dad was to stick a small 2cm x 1cm long masking tape inside the spool of the reel labelling the line that's on that spool and year it was put on. my 2c worth.