I think I agree with you in a general sense. But I did use mine last weekend drifting a minnow around while also tossing lures. It proved useful in that sense. But, the $18 bucks or whatever you pay for it on an annual basis seems steep, at least for me, considering how seldom I use it.

When trolling for trout I like to have two rods, and when fishing from the shore two rods can be good for bait fishing or bait fishing and tossing lures.  In the ocean it isn't required, but it's there that I usually only use one rod.  Second is for bait/backup when ocean fishing.

salmonids absolutely! One fly lined on top, one on the down rigger. High/low get um all!!!

SF Bay and San Pablo Bay both only allow one rod.  Ocean allows as many as you want (no stamp required!) until you start fishing for rockfish/lingcods, then it becomes one rod only.  Up-River from the Carquinez Bridge, and most lakes/rivers allow two rods, with the stamp. 

I mostly troll from the kayak.  If it is legal for me to troll with two rods, I do.  Stripers and trout.  In the ocean, I think it would be more difficult to not get tangled, but in the delta or in a lake, it isn't too bad.  When I hook a fish, I give a few extra pedal strokes, then gently turn the kayak towards the side that got hooked up.  Sometimes I will keep pedaling and reel in the other rod, but only if I think it will get tangled, which really only happens if I drift back down towards the lure. 

I will also use the second rod if just bait fishing, either anchored in the kayak or boat, or from shore.  Or, have one with bait and casting a lure with the other.  Just depends on the species/day/location. 

yup..

Hmmm, the wife and I have a two rod license, mostly for crabbing with snares off the beach. I was always told, casting off the beach you need the two rod license for two rods and even fishing off a kayak, you need the two rod license in the open ocean. I have heard some people are getting a commercial license to use multiple rods in the bay and open ocean, to have a no limit on the catch. Can anyone comment on this please, enquiring minds want to know, please educate, R.

Ever seen the cat fishing folks out on the east coast?  I've seen one guy using up at 8 rods  almost no one less than 3.  I often wonder if they have more success or not, figuring if the bait is in the zone, more is just more choices.