I've done the whole great lakes thing with 9 rods sticking out of a 16' boat. Easily the most inefficient way to fish on the planet. Not to mention our 1 rod rule kinda prevents that.
2 rods will outfish 4 rods with downriggers just about every single time. Trolling is about efficiency. Too much gear keeps gear out of the water.
depends on conditions and water temps,clarity and depths fished. In summer I'll fish 4 riggers at staggered depths,2 wire dipsy rods and 2 copper rods. Spring I'll run 2 riggers and 4 rods off the planner boards 2 per side run back 100-150 ft
