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Whether you an avid angler who loves to explore new fishing spots while traveling? Or perhaps you’re a beginner who wants to try your hand at fishing on your next vacation? Whatever your level of experience may be, having the best travel fishing rods can make all the difference in your fishing success and enjoyment.
But with so many options available, how do you choose the right one for your needs? In this blog post, we’ll explore the top travel fishing rods covering the range of multi-piece travel rods available in the market to help you find the perfect one to pack on your next adventure. So, let’s dive in!
For traveling, the basic requirement of the travel rods is that first it fits into the backpack, if can’t then it must be portable to easily carry in a separate rod case. Following the scenario we have listed the best ones.
Top 3 picks for the Best Travel Fishing Rods
- Carbon fiber rod construction
- Cork handles
- 7 feet length Fast action
- Titanium Line guides
- Composite rod construction
- 5 piece rod
- 6 feet rod length
- Size 20 reel
- Graphite blank construction
- Stainless steel Line guides
- Ultra-light to Medium Power
- Available in 5 different lengths
Best Travel Rods Reviewed in detail
Anglers who are taking a weekend trip or planning fishing excursion, this exceptional piece of fishing equipment is perfect for those who are always on the go. This travel kit is must-have for travelling anglers.
The first thing you’ll notice about this kit is its compact size. It’s designed to be lightweight and easy to carry, making it ideal for travel. But despite its small size, it packs a punch in terms of features and performance.
The kit comes with a high-quality 5-piece rod that is made from durable composite material. It’s lightweight yet strong, providing the perfect balance between sensitivity and strength.
The rod is also designed to be versatile, with a medium-light power rating that makes it suitable for a wide range of freshwater species. The rod is designed to land 3-4 lbs. catches easily.
Additionally, the included spinning reel in the kit is equally impressive. It’s smooth and easy to use, with a precision gearing system that ensures a seamless fishing experience.
It’s a 20 size reel and equipped with a corrosion-resistant graphite construction that makes it suitable for use in freshwater and saltwater environments.
Fulfilling the best travel kit tag, the Okuma Voyager Spinning Freshwater Travel Kit comes with a range of other useful accessories. These include a tackle box, and a soft-sided carry bag.
This compact size tackle box is right the size for lake, stream, and ponds fishing placing smaller lures. It is everything you need to start fishing right out of the box.
This kit is perfect for beginners and experienced anglers plus those who don’t trust collapsible rods, this multi-piece rod comes with strong ferrules that allows pieces to fit tightly and firmly together.
Overall, the Okuma Voyager Spinning Freshwater Travel Kit is an outstanding choice for anyone looking for the best travel fishing rods as a high-quality, portable fishing setup.
- It’s a budget friendly travel kit under $100 and also includes a reel and carry bag, everything required for a perfect setup
- It is a perfect kit for beginners as they don’t have to search the perfect match reel
- It’s a go to set up, just grab the bag and land to the desired fishing spot
- The guides are made strong to make sure they don’t bend under heavy loads
- The connection points are made high quality to fix all rod pieces properly
- The pole can break off if exceeding its line and lure rating
- Not suitable for bigger saltwater catches
St. Croix isn’t ideally designed as a travel rod but its multi-piece construction i.e. 1, 2, and 4 piece rod make it’s a reliable option for travelling anglers. This rod has everything an angler could ask for – sensitivity, strength, and versatility.
The Triumph is built with high-quality materials, featuring a premium SCII graphite blank that is both durable and sensitive. The rod’s fast action is perfect for making quick and accurate casts, while still having enough power to pull in big fish.
So like Okuma Voyager, you aren’t bound to medium or smaller catches. The rod is designed to perform more than its capacity.
The standout features of the Triumph is it’s premium SCII graphite blank construction that make it both durable and sensitive.
It’s rod’s fast action is perfect for making quick and accurate casts, while still having enough power to pull in big fish with enough backbone.
One of the standout features of the Triumph is its comfortable cork handle. Not only does it provide a firm grip, but it also feels great in your hand even after a long day on the water.
Moreover, the rod also has high-quality aluminum oxide guides that are designed to reduce line friction and improve casting distance.
Whether you’re targeting smallmouth bass in a river or casting for trout in a lake, the Triumph can handle it all.
Its versatile design makes it ideal for a wide range of fishing techniques, from finesse presentations to power fishing.
Available in multiple 6 different lengths and power rating so pick according to your requirement with its combination of sensitivity, strength, and versatility, this rod is sure to become a favorite in your tackle arsenal.
- Versatile rod available in multiple lengths and power
- Fast action rod is sensitive and allow hook setting power
- The rod comprises of corrosion resistant components
- Suitable for both freshwater and saltwater bigger catches
- Expensive rod
- Not available as moderate and slow action rods
3- Sougayilang Fishing Rod Combos
best backpacking fishing rod
FEATURES
If you are looking for a compact fishing rod that fits into your backpack than Sougayilang telescopic fishing rod is a fit option. It is one of the best telescopic fishing rod that comes with durable construction that wouldn’t break into two in the middle of the cast.
It can handle both freshwater and saltwater fishing conditions and with the right length selection you can adopt accurate and longer casts as per requirement.
This set is perfect for anglers on the go, as the telescopic design makes it easy to transport and store. The rod is made from high-density carbon fiber, which provides excellent sensitivity and strength, to withstand the harsh conditions of saltwater fishing.
The rod features many of premium features that are mostly part of high-end rods like ceramic guides. The guides on this collapsible rod aren’t easy to bend and perform well under pressure.
The spinning reel is smooth and responsive, making it easy to cast and retrieve your line. Featuring 13+1 ball bearings with 5.5:1 gear ratio.
It’s a recommended telescopic combo covering various fishing styles whether fishing from kayak, streams, lakes, or river. The EVA handles are of suitable length to ease casting.
You might face some line tangles issue at start but it get smooth after several casts.
What sets this combo apart from others is the included fishing carrier bag, which makes it easy to transport your gear to your favorite fishing spots.
The bag is made from high-quality materials that protect your rod and reel from damage, while also providing ample storage for all of your fishing accessories.
The combination of high-density carbon fiber, durable reel materials, and included carrier bag along with hooks, lures, swivels, fishing line, and an extra spool makes this set an excellent choice for both freshwater and saltwater fishing plus an ideal deal for beginners.
- The combo includes reels, bag, and lures along with rod
- Available in multiple lengths
- Budget-friendly combo
- Line tangles
4- Ugly Stik GX2 Spinning Combo
best overall
FEATURES
Ugly Stik GX2 spinning combo is one of those all-rounder rod and reel that works in almost all fishing conditions. It is one of the best spinning rods overall, best for bass, one of the best ultra-light combo for pan fishing. So Ugly Stik fulfils its versatility features perfectly and a go to rod and reel combo for travel anglers.
One of the standout features of the Ugly Stik GX2 Spinning Combo that make it specific over other combos is its exceptional durability. The rod is made from Ugly Tech construction, which combines graphite and fiberglass to create a rod that is both strong and sensitive.
It is available in 6 different lengths 4’8″ to 7’0″ this means that you can fish with confidence knowing that your rod can handle even the toughest fish of any size with different line lbs.
Keep in mind that it’s a two piece rod so it might be too long for long distance spots so if you are looking for a multi-piece rod you can swipe up.
The attached reel is equally versatile available in 6 different sizes 25-50. It features 4 ball bearings and durable spool make it smooth to operate and cast smoothly.
The reel is bit heavier as compared to graphite reels but that doesn’t affect the casting ability. Moreover, the reel also features the anti-reverse bearing system that ensures reliable performance to make it easy to reel in your catch, even when you’re dealing with a larger fish.
Overall, the Ugly Stik GX2 Spinning Combo is an excellent all-rounder that is suitable for a wide range of fishing techniques including casting, jigging, and trolling. Make sure to pick the right power rod to prevent snapping of fishing rod.
- The rod is sensitive enough to detect smallest fish nibbles so a recommended combo for pan fishing who have delicate bites
- Economical spinning combo
- Durable rod and reel
- The EVA grips traps dirt and salt particles into its pores easily
5- Fenwick HMG Spinning Fishing Rod
best inshore travel rod
FEATURES
The avid anglers who love to travel and searching for a spinning rod built with latest technology that built to last, Fenwick HMG spinning rod is best to add to your collection.
With a graphite construction that is 13% stronger than its previous version, this rod can withstand tough fishing conditions and catch the biggest fish with ease.
Its advanced design also makes it incredibly lightweight, making it the perfect companion for those long trips where packing space is limited.
Featuring stainless steel guides with zirconium inserts that are durable enough to handle braided line abuse plus reduce friction.
It’s a fast action rod that offers responsive feel, making it easy to detect even the slightest bite. The rod also provides excellent accuracy and control, allowing you to make precise casts every time.
This is not all, you can easily fish all day long with its cork handle that is ergonomically designed to reduce hand fatigue.
So, whether you’re fishing for fun or competing in tournaments, this rod is sure to exceed your expectations as it is available as 1 piece and 3 piece rod so pick according to the requirement.
- Stronger rods that lasts longer
- Flexible rods
- Sensitive rods to detect slightest bites
- Lightweight rods
- The reel seat needs improvement
- The rear cork handle length is shorter
You aren’t always up to smaller catches, to target Salmon and steelhead the Okuma brand introduced the Okuma SST travel rods for anglers who love to explore new fishing spots.
These rods are designed with the serious angler in mind, and boast a range of impressive features that make them ideal for these challenging fish species.
The rod blanks are made from IM-8 graphite, which provides exceptional sensitivity and responsiveness. You might be missing the composite construction’s flexibility in this rod but still have enough backbone to land giant.
The standout feature of this rod is that it is lightweight. Beside the heavy duty stainless steel line guides it is still lightweight to fish full day long without any fatigue.
They are suitable for longer casts and when fishing deep to make lure reach the bottom levels. It is a 3 or 4 piece rod but ferrule connections make this rod cast like a 1 piece rod.
These are fast action rods with medium-heavy power and 8’6’’ length that makes it easy to detect even the slightest bites, ensuring you don’t miss out on any catches.
The Okuma Salmon and Steelhead Travel Rods also come with a convenient travel case, making them easy to pack and transport. This is particularly useful for anglers who travel frequently and don’t want to risk damaging their rods during transportation.
Okuma Salmon and Steelhead Travel Rods are sure to exceed your expectations and help you land that trophy fish you’ve been dreaming of!
- Lightweight rod
- Technique specific rods specially designed for specific species
- Strong ferrule connections
- Hard case don’t have any shoulder straps
7- Temple Fork Outfitters Rods
best travel rods for saltwater
FEATURES
The rods especially designed for travel angers keeping in view all the pin point requirements of travel fishing rods. These versatile rods are designed to be both durable and lightweight, making them ideal for packing into a suitcase or backpack and hitting the road.
To ensure top-notch performance whether its shore, inshore or kayak fishing, the Travel series with a blend of high modulus carbon fiber and fiberglass, resulting in a strong yet sensitive rod that can handle a variety of fishing conditions.
The standout feature of this rod its ability to accurately cast heavy lures. Another feature are its cork handles that offer comfortable grip, and they are also incredibly durable, so you don’t have to worry about wear and tear over time.
To handle saltwater bigger catches and bear the saltwater bruises especially when casting with braided fishing line, the line guides on the rod are K-frame. These guides reduce friction thus reducing line tangles and breakage issues.
Overall, the best rod starting from beginners even for the tournament anglers a bit pricy as compared to other travelling rods but keep in mind it’s a onetime spend. These are built to last and a worthwhile investment for any angler.
You can pick between spinning and casting rod style and go with different power rods. This 7 footer rod is available as light to medium-heavy rods covering all smaller to bigger size species.
- Durable rod
- High-end features
- Sensitive rod
- Convenient to carry
- A perfect multi-section rod for tournament anglers
- Attractive cosmetics
- Expensive rod
8- TROUTBOY Fishing Rod and Reel Combos
best collapsible fishing rod
FEATURES
Collapsible rods are best option when you don’t have enough space. These long rods of 7 to 9 feet collapses to 2.7 M and easily fits into the backpack along with other luggage.
The TROUTBOY combo is made exceptionally made durable to meet unusual condition of travelling and bear pressure.
Its fishing rod is made from carbon fiber with a smaller percentage of fiberglass, which makes it strong, lightweight, and sensitive, and it features a comfortable EVA handle for all-day fishing comfort.
The reel attached is equally amazing like the rod. It is also made durable and corrosion resistant to perform in saltwater conditions too.
It’s reel offer smooth casts with 13+1 ball bearings, these guides are properly sealed so salt particles wouldn’t effect it smoothness for a longer period.
But what really sets this combo apart is its versatility. Whether you’re fishing for trout in a mountain stream, bass in a lake, or even saltwater fish on the coast, this combo kit is up to the challenge.
It is available in 6 different lengths from 5.10 to 11.10 feet with medium and medium-heavy power so clearly it is designed to land some bigger catches.
Four reel sizes 2000-5000 are present with high gear ratios of 5.0:1 gear ratio to set fast hook sets.
In summary, the TROUTBOY Fishing Rod and Reel Combo is an excellent choice for any angler who loves to fish on the go. With its high-quality components, lightweight design, and versatile capabilities, this combo kit is sure to become your go-to fishing setup for years to come.
- Durable collapsible fishing rod
- Extra graphite spool is also included in the package
- Only available in medium power
- Not suitable for smaller catches to detect their delicate bites
How to choose the best Travel Fishing rods
Length
If you are going with multi-piece or telescopic fishing rods whether its spinning rod or casting that doesn’t mean that you have to sacrifice the long casting distance ability of the rod for inshore or surf fishing. They aren’t like the ice fishing rods which have 24-36 inches total length.
The travel rods are available in long lengths ranges suitable for various fishing types. Whether it lake fishing or fishing from beach.
So length of the rod is directly proportional to the casting distance required for your type of fishing. But 6.6 and 7 feet rod lengths are ideal to pick.
They are goof with maneuverability and suitable for various situations.
Rod Power
The power of the rod is pressure required to bend the rod. The power of the rod is decided on the basis on the target fish. Three basic power categories are defined for fishing rods
- Heavy Power
- Medium Power
- Light Power
The bigger the catch is, the heavier power rod is required. So for saltwater shore and inshore fishing heavy to medium power rods are required.
Alternatively, for smaller catches with delicate mouths the light power rods are best. So there isn’t the general power rule for the best travelling rod.
Action
How fast your rod returns to its original position is the action of the rod. The stiffer the rod is, the more fast action it has.
There are also the three main categories for fishing rod action
- Fast Action
- Moderate Action
- Slow action
Now with the advancement many in-between options are available in many different brand rods i.e. extra-fast, moderate-fast, moderate slow, etc.
The action of the rod is also dependent on the type of fish catch. Fast action rods are good at sensitivity and best option for smaller catches whose bites are hard to detect.
Moderate and slow action rods are for relatively bigger action.
Medium power and fast action rods is the ideal pairing of most of the anglers.
Learn more of the “Fishing rod power and action” in our guide to these two rod terms.
Rod Material
The material of the rod decides what qualities it will have whether it comes with sensitivity superiority or the durability or both. This decides its construction.
The fishing rods are available in different options
- Fiberglass rods
- Graphite rods
- Composite rods
- Carbon fiber rods
The fiberglass rods are most durable ones and cheaper but heavier ones, graphite rods are lighter and sensitive.
Composite rods are combination of both fiberglass and graphite so have features of both. Last but not least there are carbon fiber rods, these are enhanced form of graphite so lighter and more sensitive than graphite rods.
For travel fishing rods, we recommend graphite and carbon fiber rods as lighter objects are preferred when travelling. Composite rods are also far better option than fiberglass rods.
Guides
The small eyelets and loops on the fishing rods maintain the stress between the line and rod when a fish is hooked. They keep line away from the rod and reduce friction to prevent line from breaking.
The material of the guides matter here a lot. Among this, stainless steel and aluminum oxide are popular one. Titanium and ceramic guides are also the better option but they are expensive and mostly fixed on high-end rods.
For travelling rods, the guides must be durable enough that they shouldn’t bend easily. Stainless steel guides are better option to land with.
Handle of the rod
The rod handle can be the matter of personal preference. As many prefer the EVA grips while other drop with cork grips.
While the cork grips are expensive option than EVA but a better option for hot and cold whether their only drawback is they can’t retain their shape for a longer period and start tearing off.
While EVA grips lasts longer and recommended when for trolling and beach fishing when rod holders are also part of the game.
Frequently Asked Questions
Conclusion
In conclusion, finding the perfect travel fishing rod can make all the difference in your fishing experience, whether you’re backpacking through the mountains or exploring a new coastal town. The versatility and portability of travel fishing rods make them an excellent investment for any angler who loves to explore new fishing destinations.
By considering the key factors we discussed in this article, such as length, power, action, and portability, you can choose the best travel fishing rod for your needs. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced angler, investing in a high-quality travel fishing rod is a great way to enhance your fishing adventures and make memories that will last a lifetime.