Not to get off the original thread, but just curious about the number of rods used. Does any captains run with 2 mates? I would run 2 mates at times (MDNR licensed for 2 mates), depending on the trip I had going that day. At that time Mi & OH limit had jumped up from 5 in OH & 6 in MI to a 10 each limit in both states. Now I'm retired and usually only fish with 1 or 2 others in the boat, and the 3 rod limit in MI has worked out well.