To me it depends upon how your fishing , I use both, usually fish with one rod out and the other in the margins, but I do have a plan as how I will play and land the fish, from both rods, to be honest the water I fish has quite clear bank's in most swims so walking along the bank to land a fish is not a major problem ........ I fish with my margin rod at 90 degree that way I can see the rod tip move before the alarm goes off most of the time .....