I have just read your post for the first time. I am guilty of fishing with more than one rod, just incase and often miss a strike because it is the othe r rod that gets the bite.
A perfect example why not to do this just happened to me last week in the Maroochy river whilst fishing for whiting over known yabbie location with sea grass covering. My unattended need rod got hit big time and got dragged out of the boat, I am assuming by a stingray or perhaps trevally, probably the latter cause the fish freed itself. I know his because I snagged the rod (well line actually) about an hour later and got it backed. Very fortunate indeed.
The lesson has be learnt and will now only have a floater on a bigger rod set out the back in the rod holder and concentrate on fishing for the targeted species with just one rod.
Thanks so much for a great lot of advice and ur right, it's back to the basics and more fish will be found.