Re: How many rods are legal?
What about this?
1.62. Minimum and Maximum Size.
No fish, mollusks or crustaceans less than the legal minimum size or greater than the maximum legal size (total, fork or alternate) may be possessed, except as otherwise provided. Total length is the longest straight-line measurement from the tip of the head to the end of the longest lobe of the tail. Fork length is the straight-line distance from the tip of the head to the center of the tail fin. Tip of the head shall be the most anterior point on the fish with the mouth closed and the fish lying flat on its side. Alternate length is the straight-line distance from the base of the foremost spine of the first dorsal fin to the end of the longest lobe of the tail. Unless otherwise provided, all fish, mollusks or crustaceans less than the legal minimum size or greater than the maximum legal size must be returned immediately to the water from which they were taken.
I'm sure the law is the same for over the limit fish as well... and the law doesn't state released, it says returned. You can't release a dead fish back into the water from which it came, but you can return a dead fish back into the water from which it came.
This...
1.87. Waste of Fish.
It is unlawful to cause or permit any deterioration or waste of any fish taken in the waters of this state.
... is for the wanton waste of fish, and the disposal of fish cleaning debris into the water.
I'd much rather abide by section 1.62. than try to argue 1.87. with a warden after he caught me with too many fish.
The return of short, oversize, and over the limit fish is standard in all of the US states and Canada too, and if you think you can argue it with a warden... I'm sure you won't win.