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The Best Travel Fishing Rods of 2024

By Pete Robbins

Updated on May 24, 2023 5:36 PM EDT

13 minute read

Best for Bass

Abu Garcia I.K.E. Signature Series Travel Casting Rod

Best budget.

Shakespeare Ugly Stik GX2 Travel Spinning Combo

Best premium.

Megabass Triza Travel Rod

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Travel fishing rods are easy to pack for a trip, and the good ones fish like a one-piece rod. Over the past several decades, rods have gotten longer because more length typically equals better casts and more leverage on big fish. For example, the 5-foot 6-inch pistol grips that dominated bass fishing into the 1980s have been replaced almost entirely by rods that are 7 feet and up. Unfortunately, luggage costs and rules have also exploded at this same time, meaning that it’s not always feasible to take an oversized 7- or 8-foot rod tube on distant trips. That’s doubly true if you’ll be getting on a floatplane or your luggage size is otherwise restricted.

Travel rods aren’t solely for air travel, though. If you’re an urban angler getting on a subway, they may be your best choice. If you want something to keep in your car or backpack in case you pass by a tasty-looking fishery, they’re prime choices. In the past, the options were often limited. Either manufacturers took an existing blank and added rudimentary ferrules, or it was a bargain basement combo that required a staple remover to get out of the package and that couldn’t stand up to farm pond bluegills. Fortunately, many manufacturers have recognized the need for better travel tools, and they’ve heeded the call. 

I get to do a lot of traveling with fishing rods as a writer and host of exotic fishing trips. I’ve been to the Alaskan wilderness, through the Amazon jungle, and on every major bass lake in the U.S. and Mexico. Those destinations require a plane ride, and while I don’t always pack multi-piece rods, it’s given me the chance to test out many of the best. Here are my picks for the best travel fishing rods.

• Best for Bass: Abu Garcia I.K.E. Signature Series Travel Casting Rod
• Most Innovative: Daiwa Ardito-TR Travel Casting and Spinning Rod
• Best for Inshore: Falcon Traveler Coastal Spinning Rod
• Best Budget: Shakespeare Ugly Stik GX2 Travel Spinning Combo
• Best Finesse: Wild Side Light Spinning Rod
• Best Premium Casting: Megabass Triza Travel Rod  
• Most Versatile :  Toadfish Travel Spinning Rod
• Best Bait Finesse :  KastKing Kestrel 3-Piece Rods
• Best Premium Spinning : Shimano Zodias 5-Piece Travel Spinning Rods

How I Tested the Best Travel Fishing Rods

I’ve taken these travel rods all over the globe and all over the country, fishing for species both exotic and mundane. More importantly, though, I’ll admit that I’ve abused them. They’ve been shoved in suitcases, walked through dense forests, and used for lures outside of their supposed range. That’s the nature of the travel game. Coming home from Mexico, officials forced me to check a carrying case that I’d carried on for the trip South of the Border, and my rods returned in one piece—or rather in their original configurations of multiple pieces. When possible, though, I like keeping them at my side, and I’m usually able to do so. It also enables me to bring a rod and reel or the occasions when I travel for a non-fishing purpose but might be able to sneak away to make a few casts.

Best Travel Fishing Rods: Reviews & Recommendations

Key Features

• Length: 7 feet
• Packed Length: 28 inches
• Three pieces
• Comes with both medium (1/4-3/4 ounce lures) and medium-heavy (3/8-1 ounce) tip sections
• Soft travel case included
• Versatility means you only need to carry one rod
• Comfortable E.V.A. handle
• Great value
• Included case isn’t crushproof; should not be checked on airlines

Abu Garcia, worked with Bassmaster Classic champion Mike “Ike” Iaconelli, to design the Ike Signature Series Travel Rod. Ike is known for his wins on the pro bass circuit, but he’s also known for his urban angling adventures. Traveling by bus, bike, plane, and train to those urban fishing spots were the inspiration for his travel rod. 

The best feature of the rod is the included interchangeable tip sections that provide different actions. They are a tremendous value, since the rod doesn’t sacrifice on components. They include 36-ton graphite blanks, stainless steel guides, and a premium Fuji reel seat. Ike carried this rod worldwide on his television fishing exploits for a wide range of species, but his heart remains with bass, and that’s where this rod excels, for everything from soft plastics to crankbaits to spinnerbaits . Anglers who expect to use finesse presentations can buy the spinning version.

• Length: 7 feet 
• Handle converts from spinning to baitcasting
• Three-piece rod, includes six total pieces 
• Lure Weights: ¼ to 1 ounce 
• Extreme versatility
• Handles wide range of lures
• Sensitive yet strong graphite construction
• Included case not crushproof; should not be checked on airlines

Daiwa has built a rod—and specifically, a rod handle—that will accommodate both spinning and baitcasting reels when configured appropriately. That means you don’t have to choose one or the other when you’re limited to one travel rod. What’s most impressive is that they’ve somehow developed a blank that doesn’t feel awkward in either role. It includes X45 graphite construction that prevents blank twisting and truly performs like a one-piece. I took this rod to Zambia for tigerfish, where it performed admirably with a baitcasting reel, and then used it at home to skip Senkos under docks with a spinning rod. It’s not truly a finesse spinning rod, but could handle light baits with plenty of backbone to extract hard-pulling bass from gnarly cover.

• Medium action
• Lure weight: ¼ to ½ ounce 
• Bargain priced
• Durable full cork handle
• High-quality components
• Some anglers may not like the moderate action

If you’re chasing redfish or speckled trout on the Gulf Coast, or bonefish and snook in the Everglades or Keys, you need a rod that will simultaneously make pinpoint presentations that also has the heft to muscle outsized, super-strong fish away from cover. This rod is light but mighty and fits the bill. The Coastal Traveler series also has a baitcasting model in the lineup. They’ll both do double-duty in freshwater, although Falcon also provides Lowrider series travel rods for that purpose. All of them include cork handles (full in the case of the Coastal, split-grip on the Lowriders), Fuji K-Frame tangle-free guides, and a blank through reel seat. All come with a crushproof, three-section Cordura-coated case with the rod’s specifications printed on the outside.

• Lengths: 5 feet 6 inches and 6 feet 6 inches 
• Comes with matching reel
• Three or four pieces
• Rod and reel packaged together for the price of one
• Four-bearing spinning reel
• Strong guides will stand up to braided line
• Cloth rod and reel travel bag cannot be checked

The Ugly Stik brand has been synonymous with strength and value for decades, and Shakespeare continues to refine the products while keeping them at rock bottom prices. These three spinning combos—one light action, two medium action—all come with a four-bearing reel and rods that combine graphite and fiberglass construction. While the cloth carrying case may not be crushproof, this combo will stand up to just about anything you can dish out. That makes it a great option for kids or beginners, but you’ll be surprised at the wide range of species it can handle across the globe without any fear of failure.

• Length: 6 feet 3 inches
• Packed Length: 22 inches
• Action: Light
• Five pieces
• Ultra compact 
• Innovative ferrules maintain one-piece feel
• High modulus graphite

Wild Side’s U.S. distributor Arundel Tackle claims that this rod is “made for the overhead bin, NOT baggage claim.” It comes with a rectangular carrying case that weighs a mere 2 ounces and will slide easily into your carry-on. More importantly, they’ve somehow taken a five-piece rod and eliminated any traditional multi-piece imprecision. That might be because they use refined spigot ferrules that do a solid job of maintaining a one-piece flow. This has become a go-to Ned Rig rod when I’m bass fishing at home, but it has so many other uses where it’ll excel. These include stream trout fishing, pan fishing, and light saltwater use. The high-quality cork and E.V.A. split handle are comfortable for all day fishing and match up with any lightweight spinning reel.

Best Premium: Megabass Triza Travel Rod  

• Lengths (casting): 6-feet, 6-inches; 6-feet, 8-inches; 6-feet, 9-inches; 7-feet; 7-feet, 2-inches   
• Available in five baitcasting and two spinning models
• Lure Weights: 1/32 ounce to 3 ounces
• Wide range of actions for a full range of techniques
• Built one at a time for attention to detail
• Gorgeous peacock wood reel seats and hand-drawn graphics

Megabass makes everything from the best swimbaits to some of the nicest production rods available. The Triza Travel Rod has typical Megabass quality in a rod that fits in a backpack. Megabass has a lot of experience making travel rods for their Japanese customers, who are often more constrained in terms of space and transportation, and therefore demand them. These premium travel rods are now widely available in America and cover just about every bass fishing technique under the sun—while at the same time being superior for some saltwater and multi-species use. They’re a gorgeous piece of art that would look great displayed, but they’re too solid to sit on the sidelines. Megabass claims they are constructed to their “Triangle” ideal—with a tip section that maximizes tension, a belly section that maximizes torque, and a butt section that maximizes torsional rigidity. These are workhorses that present like show horses.

Most Versatile:  Toadfish Travel Spinning Rod

• 7 feet 2 inches
• Medium/Medium heavy action
• Interchangeable mid and tip sections
• Incredible versatility
• Kigan tangle free guides
• Extremely durable
• Included case is strong but quite heavy

This rod comes with one handle section, two mid-sections, and two tip sections, allowing for five different configurations, making it the most versatile travel rod on the market. That uniqueness is also a huge bonus if you slam a section in a car door or otherwise break one – you lose a bit of that trademark versatility, but you’re not completely out of luck. What’s also nice is that it comes with extremely durable components, including soft-touch rubber handle inlays and a handle that will stand up to the most you can dish out, including saltwater exposure. It’s fairly sensitive for a five-piece rod, and the spigot ferrules hold well. The case may be heavy, but you can check it through on the airlines without worrying about damage.

Best Bait Finesse:  KastKing Kestrel 3-Piece Rods

• Light-fast action
• IM8 ultra-high modulus graphite blank
• Extremely reasonable price
• One of the few rods in its category
• Very sensitive IM8 high modulus graphite blank
• No case included

The biggest problem with many travel rods is that they’re too vanilla – understandably made to cover a wide range of conditions and species. That’s fine if you just want one for random use, but it doesn’t help anglers with specific needs. KastKing has entered the market with a lot of BFS options and wisely chose to build a three-piece rod in that category. It can handle lures as light as 1/10 ounce, yet, with a balanced baitcasting reel, still has the winch-like power that spinning cannot provide. The rod comes with quality components, including American Tackle Ti forged guides with aluminum oxide Duralight rings, so whether you’re chasing panfish, Alaskan trout, stream smallmouths, or light saltwater species, it’s meant to stand up to a beating. In Asia and Japan, manufacturers have historically made a wider range of multi-piece rods than they do in North America, so it’s a good sign that KastKing is willing to take a calculated risk on this specialty stick.

Best Premium: Shimano Zodias 5-Piece Travel Spinning Rods

• Medium-Light – Fast
• 1/8 – 7/16 ounce lures
• CI4+ Reel Seat maximizes ergonomic comfort
• Fuji guides hold up to the rigors of travel and different kinds of line
• At 5 pieces, incredibly transportable
• Rod case not included

Shimano and brand partner G.Loomis have dipped in and out of the travel rod market for years, producing some top-notch products. Shimano’s bargain-priced Convergence Series is a great value and quality product, but the Zodias will fill the needs of more demanding anglers. It looks and feels like an expensive JDM product, and despite the multiple ferrules functions like a one-piece rod. I liked the Carbon Monocoque grip, and felt that it enhanced sensitivity, even with light lines. It’s also available in a baitcasting rod if that’s your stylistic preference, or if you want to use heavier lines on bigger fish.

While most standard rods are one or possibly two pieces, most travel rods are three or more pieces. Alternatively, they may be telescoping. Either way, they “collapse” or “compress” or “break down” to lengths that will fit in a suitcase or in a small separate carrying case. That makes them easy to take on a plane or stuff under the seat of your vehicle for impromptu fishing adventures.

Many anglers believe that one-piece rods are superior in all instances and will do whatever they can to take them on long-distance fishing trips. Of course that is possible, and there are hard-sided carrying cases that extend up to nearly 10-feet long to transport them. One problem, however, is that the airlines are increasingly restrictive on checking such bags. Even when they allow it, they may be costly. Furthermore, rough baggage handling may result in destruction of or damage to your valuable gear.

Typically commercial airlines will not allow you to carry full-sized rods on airplanes, but they’ll often allow you to carry properly-cased and appropriately-sized travel rods on board. In fact, the T.S.A. guidelines explicitly state that fishing rods are permitted in carry-on and checked bags but note that “passengers should check with the airline to confirm that the fishing rod fits within size limitations for carry-on items.” Some foreign airports and foreign carriers will not allow the same, so be sure to check ahead of time and carry a crushproof case that can be checked if necessary.

Things to Consider When Buying a Travel Fishing Rod

What will you be fishing for.

The same travel rod that excels for panfish might be a liability chasing big saltwater fish in the surf. Today there are enough specialized options that you should be able to cover most extremes and many technical presentations. The trouble comes when you need to do double duty. That may require the purchase of a second rod, or perhaps even making compromises—using a single rod that is a jack of all trades but a master of none.

How compact must it be?

Fewer ferrules or connectors usually (but not always) means better performance. However, the ideal travel or “pack” rod will fit into a small case, which may or may not need to fit within your suitcase. Take careful measurements of your possible dimensions, adding a slight bit for the padding of the case and any internal rod sock that protects your tool.

How will I carry my travel rod?

The best possible scenario is to keep your rod or rods with you at all times, in a padded, crushproof case. That reduces the chances of loss and breakage. However, in the instance that you need to check it, make sure it fits in your other luggage or run the risk of paying a surcharge. Many of these rods come with tubes or cases. Some are better than others, so don’t hesitate to invest in an aftermarket product for peace of mind.

Why Trust Outdoor Life?

Since 1898, OL has been a leading authority in testing and reviewing hunting gear, fishing tackle, guns and shooting equipment, and much more. We have more than a century-long history of evaluating products, and we’re now bringing that expertise to online reviews. Our editors are experienced outdoorsmen and women, and most importantly, we’re trained journalists. We prioritize field testing and objective data when reviewing products. We conduct interviews with gear manufacturers and engineers as well as outdoor experts so that our readers have an understanding of how and why a product works—or doesn’t.

Advertising does not influence our gear reviews and it never will. While we always focus our coverage on standout products—because we want our readers to be aware of the latest and greatest gear—we also cover the flaws and quirks of any given product.

Final Thoughts on the Best Travel Fishing Rods

As I’ve amassed an arsenal of travel rods over the past several years, I’ve seen a shift in my thinking. Previously, I reserved them exclusively for exotic travel to places like Zambia, Mexico, Brazil, and Alaska, and then relegated them to a garage shelf when I returned home. Increasingly, however, I’ve found myself using some of them in my day-to-day angling, in places where I could still take a 7- or 8-foot one-piece rod but now choose instead to take the multi-piece tool. 

Many of the more inexpensive multi-piece rods are still notably less fluid than their one-piece counterparts, but that’s not always the case. Furthermore, if you’re a one-piece snob, you may be surprised at how refined these options have become.

Best Travel Fishing Rods for 2024

Jason sealock.

• Oct 09, 2023

Choosing a travel rod for anglers who like to pack light and carry a fishing rod in their luggage on every where they travel requires a little planning and view of the options and fish you think you might encounter on your travels. We reviewed a wide gamut of rods and came up with a lot of options to consider as well as some great recommendations for which fishing rods we would suggest for a lot of different types of fishing and travel.

Things like size of the rod when disassembled, number of pieces, rod case, roll or bag, type of rod, how you will transport it, whether a telescoping rod makes sense and more need to be considered before choosing the best travel rod for your fishing plans.  

Travel rods can come from 2 pieces up to 5 pieces not to mention the telescoping travel rod options out there. You might want to fit the rod in a suitcase, if so more pieces will break down into a smaller foot print. Or you might carry it with you which might give you more options for rods. You might want a hard case to protect the rod if you’re worried about TSA or some other party damaging your rods in transit. Or a rod wrap may suffice if it’s tucked inside of another hard case suitcase.

OUR TOP PICKS

• Best telescoping travel combo – Buy from Tacklewarehouse
• Best travel rod for bass – Buy from FishUSA
• Runner up: Daiwa ardito travel rod – Buy from Basspro
• Best all-around / saltwater travel rod – Buy from Basspro
• Best telescopic travel rod – Buy from Basspro
• Runner up: Ugly stik cx2 4-piece travel combo – Buy from Basspro
• Ark rods genesis rods – Buy from Tacklewarehouse
• Zebco 33 spincast telescopic combo – Buy from Basspro
• Shimano Convergence D Travel 4-Piece Spinning Rods – Buy from Tacklewarehouse
• St. croix triumph travel rod – Buy from Tacklewarehouse

Know Your Travel Rods

Then there are the types of rod to consider including spinning travel rods, casting travel rods, telescoping travel rods as well as travel fly rods or specialty rods like travel swimbait rods or travel trout or panfish rods. Or any combination of the aforementioned.  

If you plan to fish with light lures and light line, then a spinning travel rod might be the best option. If you plan to look for big bluegills or crappies specifically on your travels, then a long telescoping rod might make more sense or a small spinning rod like a trout rod might give you a lot of options for trout and panfish.

If you’re going for larger quarry, you will want a beefier rod that has a reel that can hold heavier line. Usually a baitcasting travel rod makes sense for bass, or big fish like walleye, pike, musky, stripers, etc.  

Specialty rods like travel swimbait rods or extra long jigging rods might be just the ticket for probing unknown waters for specific types of fishing like jigging brush for crappie or casting oversized swimbaits for trophy bass and stripers.  

Of course if you’re in to fly fishing, then a travel fly rod is hard to beat. There are some super high end and middle of the road options that are great rods that make a 9-foot fly rod fit into an over night travel bag with the travel fly rod option.

CONSIDER TELESCOPING RODS FOR TRAVEL

For some, a telescoping rod is an easy spur of the moment travel rod option to probe some nearby waters to see if they have fish available. I have buddies that keep telescoping rods in their trucks at all times and will break it out on their travels or while taking a lunch or after work on a work trip. It’s a quick and simple option.

Most of time telescoping rods are a bit lower quality. Or at least that was the case back when the only option was a low end push button spin cast combo for small panfish. There are, however, some newer options bringing this back as a real viable option for bass and panfish.

A Travel Combo Might Make More Sense

You can buy travel rods that are a rod and reel combo. This is often the case with telescoping options. But there are some better quality options in the multi-piece travel rods with a decent spinning reel. Most of the time. I want the best rod I can get and a good reel in my bag so I’m not fighting my equipment in the limited amount of time I get to fish on my travels. Especially those spur-of-the-moment unplanned fishing trips while traveling.  

But when you get to a location and wished you had a rod and reel, a decent priced telescoping rod/reel combo can get you in the fish on an unexpected hot spot quickly and easily.

You Need a Travel Rod Case, Bag or Roll

Anymore your travel rod is going to come in a hard case, a roll or a bag. Regardless you need to take care to protect the pieces of the rod or the rod while it is compartmentalized so it’s not damaged in your travels.  

A hard case might be a cloth case with a hard shell inside of it that zips closed on the end and the multiple pieces slide into little sleeves inside of it. Or it might be a hard outer shell with a soft interior that keeps your guides and blank parts protected. These are nice when you plan to carry your travel rods separate from your luggage. Or keep them in a vehicle on your travels.

A travel rod roll is just a cloth sleeve with individual pockets for each piece of the blank and then you roll it up with flap that closes on one end and tie it off with the attached ties. These can be nice for putting a rod or two into your other travel bags or a small compartment in your vehicle.

A travel bag can be just a cloth bag or a padded foam bag that houses and protects the rod simultaneously. I’m a fan of these as they keep your pieces from falling out as sometimes happens with rolls. And they keep the blank pieces with a bit of added protection. The padded bags are ideal in my opinion.  

Best Travel Rod Brands

In the freshwater space, the best travel rod makers are often synonymous with the best rod makers. Makers like Daiwa, Shimano, St. Croix, Megabass, Ark Rods, Fenwick, and others have really solid travel rod options. Others that many don’t know offer travel rods have good options like Favorite, Bass Pro, and BnM Poles.  

Here are the travel rod brands we reviewed and liked:

• Favorite Fishing
• B’n’M Poles

Having said all that, let’s take a closer look at some of our personal favorites in various travel rod categories.

Best Telescoping Travel Combo

Daiwa travel combo.

We chose the Daiwa Travel Combo as the best combo because it comes with a good reel, telescoping rod that is better than most and it’s own sling carry bag that is big enough to put several travel rods and reels in. This combo compacts down to 26 inches making it a perfect option for any trip whether it be in a car or a plane.

The rod is a 7-foot, 2-inch Medium power fast action rod. It’s a solid rod and stayed extended as we fished with it. The reel is a 2-bearing Daiwa Crossfire LT 2500. Even though it’s only 2 bearings, it performed very smoothly and effortlessly with a very smooth drag. It’s a solid spinning combo and it’s offered in EVA or Cork grips.

The combo costs $149 but if you just want a good combo without messing around with pairing rods and reels, this is a quick easy choice.

Buy at TackleWarehouse

Best Travel Rod for Bass

Shimano zodias travel rod.

The fact that Shimano took one of their best rod lines and converted it into a high-end bass travel rod got me excited. And when I got the new rod in my hand, I was very impressed. I am a big fan of the original Zodias line and was so excited to see this level of quality in a 5-piece travel rod.  

This travel rod condenses down to 19 inches when packed, meaning you can literally take it anywhere. And when full assembled you have a very high quality rod full of all the features of the high end one-piece blanks. The 5-piece construction gives the rod more uniform bend than a 2-piece model would.  

It has so much power and a steady consistent load when casting. You will forget it’s a travel rod by your second cast. It’s a high end rod that just happens to be in 5 pieces. It has a CI4+ reel seat for lightweight strength and a full carbon monocoque grip which eliminates the use of EVA giving a light rod more sensitivity.

Hi-Power X construction which makes the blanks outermost layer wrapped with carbon tape form that X appearance on the blank that gives more precise actions to the rods with more strength.  

You can really lean into fish with this rod without worry. It’s one of the nicest travel rods we’ve tested.

Buy at FishUSA.com

Buy from Omnia

Runner Up: Daiwa Ardito Travel Rod

This is another high-end rod that has been brought down to a travel rod form factor. This rod comes with a very nice hard case and it breaks down to 30 inches (32 in its case). It features a V-flex ferrule joint system. These ferrules don’t require you to jam the rod pieces all the way together and then struggle to separate them. You simply push them until they snug together and you are all set. You can break down and put the rod together in seconds and be fishing as fast as you can thread your line.  

The rod has a high-modulus blank, Fuji Aluminum Oxide guides, unsanded micro-pitch blank, split Eva grip and machined nut hood. It’s a high quality rod that pairs nicely with your favorite bait caster. It comes in 7-foot medium, 7-foot medium heavy and 7-foot, 6-inch medium heavy.

Buy at BassPro.com

Best All-Around / Saltwater Travel Rod

St. croix avid trek rod.

This is a finely crafted American rod with incredible blanks offering uniform performance, strength and ultra-perceptive sensitivity. The premium cork full grip, and quality blanks featuring St. Croix’s IPC mandrels, SCII high modulus carbon, slim profile ART ferrules, Sea Guide Hero hi-grade guides with zirconia rings and stainless gun smoke frames, sea guide hook keeper, and a 15-year-transferable warranty.  

This rod can literally do it all. Going to Louisiana to fish the marshes for bass and redfish, this is your rod. Strong, light, smooth, sensitive and easy to pack. The 3-piece rod is 6-foot, 6-inch MH rod with a lot of power but great castability. This rod is a joy to fish with and you can expect it to last a long time with that kind of warranty.

Best Telescopic Travel Rod

Bass pro aventur1 telescoping rod.

I was pleasantly surprised by the Aventur1 telescoping rod. It features 6 sections but 8 guides for uniform castability and a nice line path while fighting fish. The unique guide system has floating guides as well as guides permanently affixed to the rod sections. So you won’t fight with line on the blank on this travel rod.  

The 7-foot medium power rod fished really well and I was pretty taken aback at how nice this rod fished for $59. A rod that will likely always be in my travel plans. With an RT2 graphite blank, Fuji aluminum oxide guides, Fuji reel seat, with EVA split grips and X-Wrap rubber cork butt cap, this is a pretty functional telescoping rod for travel fishing.

Best Big Swimbait Travel Rod

F5 departure travel rods.

The folks at F5 Custom Rods make some of the nicest big swimbait rods available today. These are custom made rods from blanks to handles to accents. They are often very selective in how they build rods and you usually have to get lucky enough to catch a rod on a drop. However, the F5 Departure Travel Rods are often in stock and I picked up a H and XH rod a year or so back.

These are two of my favorite big swimbait rods that I use for crankdowns like the Bull Shad 4×4 and the Toxic Whippersnappers, for glides like the 86 Baits Doomrider, KGB Swimbaits Chad Shad or the Deps Slide Swimmer 250 and of course for my jointed swims like the Bull Shad 8 inch.

The rods are both 3-piece rods and are custom made with a full extra long camo EVA handle. The ones the often sell are split grips. The rod blanks are solid. Even with three pieces I had no issues heaving big baits like the Slide Swimmer which weighs 6 1/2 ounces.

They are going to run you about $289 a piece for these rods. But I am so happy to have them because I can take a pack of my favorite big baits and a very high-end swimbait rod literally everywhere I go to chase trophies all over the country and out of the country for that matter.

Buy at F5 Custom Rods

Best Travel Rod on a Budget

Favorite fishing army geo rod.

This is an impressive rod not only for the price but for how well this 4-piece rod fishes and fights fish. We caught some really quality bass on this rod this spring and it is a legit fun spinning rod to fish. I love that I threw it in my suitcase, loaded up and went to Arkansas and broke it out and caught a bunch of nice bass that were moving shallow to spawn.  

Even my brother-in-law enjoyed fishing with this travel rod. And at $39, it’s a hard rod to pass up. The 4 pieces in their hard travel tube are 26 inches. The pieces are barely 23 inches. The rod is a 7-foot, 2-inch medium-heavy spinning rod. I used it to skip Senkos around shallow cover a lot this spring. And it sets a nice hook and has a ton of backbone to land big bass. Our biggest on it was 6 pounds, 4 ounces this spring.

Buy at FavoriteUSA.com

Runner up: Ugly Stik GX2 4-piece Travel Combo

At $44 at Walmart, you can’t go wrong with this nearly indestructible travel rod. The Ugly Stik has been the staple of affordable travel rods. They can take abuse and continue to catch and land fish.  

Buy from Walmart.com

Buy at Scheels

Best Trout Travel Rod

St. croix trout series pack rod  .

For the adventurer who needs a light and packable trout rod to get to remote locations, this is the Cadillac of adventure rods. This rod says trout, but it’s a dynamite bluegill, crappie and even smallmouth rod for remote streams and creeks. It’s a beautifully built rod at only 2.9 ounces and 3 pieces, it compacts down to be no added weight in your backpack.  

I paired it with a small 1000 spinning reel and 4-pound line and really enjoyed fishing this rod a lot. It will become one of my staple creek travel rods now. It throws little baits effortlessly and had a nice backbone for such a light rod. A real joy to fish with.

Buy from FishUSA.com

Best Panfish Telescoping Rod

Bnm poles little mighty telescoping rod  .

I have to admit, I’m a little blow away by this rod. I grew up crappie and bluegill fishing with my father in Florida and Arkansas with telescoping fiberglass rods from B’n’M Poles. So I have a lot of nostalgia when it comes to these types of rod. But the new Little Mighty Rod is something special.

While it’s not technically a travel rod, it’s a telescoping rod that reaches out to 20 feet and breaks down to barely 22 inches. It looks like a bright orange track baton but it extends to a masterful reach out and touch a crappie or bluegill telescoping rod quickly.

One word of caution, be sure you extend the rod small sections first. So grab the string tab on the tip and pull it out that way. Don’t slide the sections out by dumping the open end out or you will have issues with sections getting out of order and blocking each other. Same for breaking it down. Big sections first and be sure to leave the string out when you put the cap on.  

Other than that, I enjoyed testing this rod a lot. I honestly didn’t think much of it when I got it. But after using it I can think of all sorts of places I want to take and fish with this rod. Once you get the hang of maneuvering 20 feet of rod with a fish on the end it’s a pretty fun stick to fish with.

Buy at Walmart.com

Buy from BnmPoles.com

Other Travel Rod Considerations

Ark rods genesis rods.

This was my original travel rod and I’ve put a lot of miles on it. It’s caught fish in Nebraska, Arkansas, Kentucky, Tennessee, Alabama and Mississippi. This is a two piece travel rod that comes with a nice padded bag.

Read our full Ark Genesis 2-piece travel rod review

The rod joins together nicely and fishes so well. The very narrow blanks are durable and sensitive. I’ve caught fish just about every way you can on these rods. I have the 6-foot, 8-inch MH and the 7-foot, 6-inch MH rods and have flipped, frogged, spinnerbait fished, jigged, cranked, popped a topwater popper and burned a buzz bait with these rods. A great option that gives no sacrifice in performance in a 2-piece travel rod.

SixGill Argos Travel Rods

A very nicely made travel pack rod, the Argos Travel Rod is a 4-piece rod built on a 24T Toray Carbon blank. Comes with a 25 inch travel case. It fishes like your nicest bass rod but you can tuck it under a jacket and take it with you anywhere. The rod loads nicely on the cast and has enough back bone with it’s 7-foot MH frame to fight any size bass you might tangle with. A very nice travel rod option.  

Buy from Sixgillfishing.com

Zebco 33 Spincast Telescopic Combo

This is an affordable option at $25 but it’s not made to handle big fish in my opinion. It’s a great rod for catching panfish around a campsite, or of the dock on vacation. But it’s not made for fishing for larger fish. The rod bends easily at the tip under load and the line cuts across the rod to the next guide. So just be cautious with bigger fish on this setup. But for $25, you can catch the heck out of a bunch of panfish with this setup.

Buy at Amazon

Hardy Zephrus FWS Travel Fly Rod

I haven’t had a chance to review the latest offerings from Hardy yet, but one of my all time favorite travel rods is my Hardy Zephrus FWS Travel Fly Rod. It’s a 9-foot, 5-weight rod. It is the perfect pack rod for hiking into remote streams and chasing fish on the fly. This is the Ferrari of travel rods in my opinion. Everything is first class from the aluminum case, styled bag, ferrule covers, and beautiful craftsmanship on the Sintrix 440 blank.  

Buy from Hardyrodsandreels.com

Shimano Convergence Travel Rod

This 7-foot, 4-piece rod is another great do-it all travel rod. It’s a great rod for a lot of different species and lures in that 1/4 ounce to 3/4 ounce size. It breaks down to 25 inches so it will fit in almost all your bags and it comes in a nice hard case with a shoulder strap if you want to carry it on your back while you hike. It’s very well made and fished nicely with a variety of reels.

Spinning rod

Casting rod.

Buy at Tackle Warehouse

St. Croix Triumph Travel Rod

This work-horse travel rod serves a ton of different purposes. It’s 6-foot, 6-inch size makes it a great size for tight quarters. I loved fishing some small streams near the house with this rod. A fun little rod for wading creeks or winging around on bigger waters on your travels. It’s small form factor of 24 inches makes it a great pack rod to keep in your vehicle or throw in your bag on long trips. It’s a very nice blank divided into 4 pieces. It’s strong, sensitive and light. A great travel version of their very popular Triumph line.  

Wired2fish Travel Rod Comparison Chart

We review a ton of products and while they don’t always make the best of categories there are a lot of good rods to choose from that can get the job done. We try to give you as many options as possible while identifying some that we think stand out in the array of options. The goal with our guides is to help you be as informed and aggregate as much helpful information and personal experience into helping you with your fishing gear decisions.  

Here is a quick rundown of a lot of travel rod / telescoping rod options:

Currently working as Senior Advisor to Wired2fish. Former COO and Publisher, Jason Sealock came to Wired2fish shortly after inception in January of 2010. Prior to that he was the Editor-in-Chief of FLW Outdoors Magazines. He worked up from Associate Editor to Photo Editor and finally Editor in Chief of three magazines FLW Bass, FLW Walleye and FLW Saltwater. He set the content direction for Wired2fish while also working directly with programmers, consultants and industry partners. Sealock has been an avid angler for the better part of 40 years and has been writing and shooting fishing and outdoors content for more than 25 years. He is an expert with fishing electronics and technologies and an accomplished angler, photographer, writer and editor. He has taught a lot of people to find fish with their electronics and has been instrumental in teaching these technologies to the masses. He's also the industry authority on new fishing tackle and has personally reviewed more than 10,000 products in his tenure. He has a 30-year background in information technologies and was a certified engineer for a time in Microsoft, Novell, Cisco, and HP. He mostly fishes for bass and panfish around the house. He has, however, caught fish in 42 of the 50 states in the US as well as Costa Rica, Mexico, and Canada and hopes to soon add Finland, Japan, Africa and Australia to his list.

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The 5 Best Travel Fishing Rods of 2024

Fish anytime, anywhere with one of our experts' favorite travel rods

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Travel fishing rods are made for anglers on the go. Wherever you end up, there are new waters to seek out, so the addition of a dedicated travel fishing rod to the arsenal makes sense for aspiring travel anglers. The problem for many years was the lack of quality rods to meet the carry-on restrictions for fishermen traveling on planes. Multi-piece rods were much less common and inferior to more conventional rods; they were also more likely to break.

Thankfully, advances in technology and design have changed the landscape of angling travel. Rod companies are now able to provide traveling anglers with quality options, and the best travel fishing rods fish like their one-piece counterparts. 

The Best Travel Fishing Rods

Best combo: ugly stik gx2 travel spinning combo, best for saltwater: g. loomis escape glx series, best for bass: abu garcia ike signature series travel spinning rod, best telescopic: kastking blackhawk ii telescopic fishing rod, best fly rod: orvis clearwater.

• Length(s): 5 feet (light power), 6 feet and 6 feet 6 inches (Both medium power) 
• Numbers of sections: 5 foot rod is 3 pieces; others are 4 pieces
• Line Rating: Light: 4-10 pound; Medium: 6-15 pound
• Strong, durable and sensitive graphite and fiberglass construction
• More economical than buying individual components
• Strong and durable Ugly Tuff stainless steel guides
• Shakespeare four-bearing spinning reel, with double anodized aluminum spool
• Cloth rod and reel travel bag offers only cosmetic protection; not suitable for checked luggage.

According to Shakespeare lore, the Ugly Stik received its now world-familiar moniker when a product management executive took one look at the first prototype blanks and said they were the ugliest he’d ever seen. 

The most updated version is more aesthetically appealing, but it hasn’t lost its rugged durability or the signature clear tip segment. The Ugly Stik Travel Combo comes in three lengths and two power options (light and medium). Each rod is fitted with a solid Shakespeare four-bearing reel with oversized bail wire for added durability. And the entire combo is at a price point that won’t break the bank. 

These travel outfits make a solid choice for those trips focused on activities other than angling where you just might be able to fit in a little fishing anyway. They also make excellent entry-level outfits for kids and fishing rods for beginners . From personal experience, I’ll also say that these rods can handle those unexpected trophies that have a knack for biting when you’re just helping the kids catch a few bluegills.

• Length(s): 7 feet in two power options, medium-light and medium
• Numbers of Sections: three
• Line Rating: Medium-light: 6-12 pound; Medium: 10-17 pound
• Multi-taper design offers a superior blend of durability and performance
• Nickel-Titanium RECOIL guides
• High quality cork grip
• Light weight
• Difficult to find stock, at the moment

Very rarely will I say that a rod has the potential to enable a competent angler to catch more fish. The G. Loomis Escape GLX rods are an exception to this rule. Hands down, these are some of the finest fishing rods made today.

G. Loomis has been making fishing rods focused on performance since 1982. I bought my first GLX rod in 1999 and I still fish it today; I think that says a lot about both the quality and durability of the GLX line of rods. Loomis’ rod building expertise has led to superior travel rods that compromise nothing in a multi-piece design. Their proprietary Multi-taper Design process strengthens potential break points while reducing material application elsewhere. The result is strength and sensitivity. The Nickel-Titanium RECOIL guides used on these rods are amazingly tough and the cork grip provides a comfortable feel over days, months and years of fishing.

These rods are amazingly lightweight, given their strength, durability and ability to subdue large saltwater fish. This lightness in hand translates to greater comfort over a long day of fishing. The last cast of the day feels as effortless as the first.

GLX Escape travel spinning rods are available in two models. The medium power model is what I consider the ideal saltwater rod, able to handle large inshore species such as permit and bull redfish. In freshwater, this rod will handle most of the salmonid species, bass and pike. The medium-light model is also a phenomenal light saltwater rod, ideal for small bonefish, puppy drum and schoolie stripers. This rod is also a great crossover rod, whether for large trout, shad or smallmouth bass.

• Length(s): 7 feet
• Numbers of Sections: Four pieces—butt section, midsection and two tip sections for increased versatility
• Tip Sections: medium light—for 1/8 to 5/8 ounce lures and medium for 1/4 to 3/4 ounce lures
• Line Rating: medium light: 6-12 pound; medium: 8-14 pound
• Two tip sections offers great versatility
• Fishes like a one-piece rod
• Excellent sensitivity 
• Doesn’t include a crush-proof case for checked luggage protection

Abu Garcia was smart to partner with Mike “Ike” Iaconelli in designing this rod. Twenty plus years as a bass tournament professional coupled with his additional experience as a city fishing enthusiast provided the ideal experiential foundation for crafting top notch travel fishing rods. 

The Ike Signature Series Travel Spinning Rod is an exceptional value and an incredibly versatile fishing tool. Quality components are a significant part of the winning formula. The rod blanks are constructed from 36-ton graphite and finished rods have stainless steel guides and a high quality reel seat. The use of a continuous graphite ferrule is key to allowing this rod to fish like a one-piece rod. If all of this isn’t enough, then add in the best feature—the versatility provided with interchangeable tips. This combination allows you to fish an extended range of lures and finesse baits. Anglers looking for a more powerful bass fishing tool should consider checking out the casting rod version .

• Length(s): Casting —7 models from 6 feet, 8 inches to 8 feet; Spinning—7 models from 6 feet, 6 inches to 8 feet
• Numbers of Sections: All models are telescopic
• Line Ratings: 6-25 pound, depending on the model
• Multiple models for diversity and flexibility
• Quality materials and construction
• Quick assembly
• Still not as good as quality multi-piece rods
• Segments can loosen after significant casting/fishing time

Though I’m not a telescopic rod fan, I see the usefulness of the concept, and the KastKing BlackHawk II is the best telescopic rod I’ve seen. These rods are particularly well suited for anglers who need the added convenience provided by a telescopic rod and aren’t logging serious hours of fishing associated with dedicated travel fishing trips. In other words, they’re ideal for when you’re on vacation and, suddenly, you have an hour or two to go fishing.

KastKing has provided an outstanding array of options, in both casting and spinning rod models. This selection is a great service for potential customers who need to find rods to fit a wide variety of angling scenarios, as well as the inevitable personal preferences.

The BlackHawk II rods are built using KastKing KastFlex 24-Ton Carbon Matrix blanks, with a solid glass tip. Snug-Fit ferrules, stainless steel line guides, graphite reel seats and comfortable EVA handles are used to create a nicely finished rod. 

For more information on telescopic rods, we have a rundown of the best telescopic options out there , as well. 

• Length:  9 feet
• Line Weight:  5
• Action:  Medium-Fast
• Pieces:  4
• Warranty:  25-Year
• A bit heavy

The Orvis Clearwater took home the best value award in our fly rod test last year and was a favorite among our group of editors and testers. For starters, the Clearwater is one of the more affordable fly rods on the market, and it can hold its own with the premium rods that often see a price tag north of a grand. This rod went head-to-head with all of the top-end models, and after a quick blind-casting test, most of our editors put the Clearwater ahead of our favorite high-end rods.

As for performance, the Clearwater throws tight loops and can reach almost as far as any other rod. It’s a bit cumbersome, and you might get tired after a full day on the water. Anglers can pick up a Clearwater rod in sizes ranging from 2-weight to 12-weight. So no matter what fish you enjoy chasing with a fly, there’s a Clearwater rod for you. And since this is a travel fishing rod story, it’s worth mentioning that the Clearwater is a four-piece rod and can be carried on any plane in a rod tube. —Ryan Chelius

How We Tested Travel Fishing Rods

My first travel-to-fish trip happened when I was seven. We ventured north to fish for northern pike and bass in the Thousand Islands area of the St. Lawrence River. Since that first trip, my wanderlust has persisted, spanning three continents, five countries, eleven states, and three Canadian provinces. I’ve carried rods to all of those places via airline, bush plane, panga, train, car, taxi, subway and hiking boots. In between those adventures, I’ve spent a lot of time talking with fishing industry professionals about travel fishing rods and other assorted gear. Cumulatively, this distilled experience proves highly useful in evaluating travel fishing tackle. While writing this review, I considered the following attributes:

• Fishing Performance—comparative to one-piece rods
• Packability
• Materials and Construction

Buying Guide

Travel fishing can be as exotic as a once-in-a-lifetime globetrotting adventure, or as simple as a subway trip to the city pond or lake. In both scenarios, a more compact, travel-friendly fishing outfit will make transit to the destination easier. Before buying a travel fishing rod, consider what species of fish you’re targeting, spatial limitations, mode of transport and the all important time versus money equation.

Target Species

What type or types of fish will you be chasing, and where will you be fishing? An ideal rod for panfish or trout will be outgunned and frustrating to use when targeting big stripers or redfish. Rods and their counterpart reels (meaning the reel you always use with that rod) may be great in freshwater but not up to the abuse they’ll endure in a marine environment. I like versatility in my gear but not to the point of compromising my overall enjoyment. To this end, I think it best to establish realistic expectations and fully understand what my travel rods can and cannot handle.

Spatial Limitations

The first leg of the journey is a commercial airline behemoth with spacious overhead compartments that will easily accommodate your travel rod case. But the final hop comes via a de Havilland Beaver where space is severely limited. Or, perhaps you’re hiking into the backcountry for a multi-day camping and fishing adventure. In each of these scenarios, spatial limitations are different, and in each case it’s important to identify how compact your travel rod (or rods) need to be. This is a question best asked and answered before you depart.

Mode of Transport

In a perfect world, my rods never leave my oversight when I travel to fish. But often that’s just not realistic. So, I opt to plan for the worst and hope for the best. I like when rods come with a crush-proof case. If they don’t, it’s best to invest in a specialized travel rod case that will accommodate the rod or rods you plan to take. When trips require multiple transfers, the added peace of mind alone merits the investment.

If carrying a rod or rods onto an airplane, I find out the airline’s maximum dimensions for carry-on items. If I have any doubt about carry-on options, I make sure the cased rod I’m traveling with will fit in my checked baggage.

Time versus Money 

This is an important equation that has additional variability based on a person’s disposable income and priorities. I once commented to a guiding client that I thought everyone should have one area of life where they indulge themselves. His response was, “Why just one?”

Realistically though, most anglers need to evaluate how often, and for how long, they’re likely to use a travel rod, and then factor that into their decision about which rod is best for them. An angler who might, or might not, use the rod once a year on a family vacation will want a different rod from the fisherman or woman who embarks upon one or more dedicated destination fishing trips each year.

Q: Can I carry-on a fishing pole?

According to the TSA (Transportation Security Administration), fishing rods can be carried on, as long as they meet the airline’s criteria for carry-on items. However, it’s best to always work with the specific airline you’ll be traveling with to fine-tune your carry-on planning. If you’re traveling internationally, be sure to also check with air carriers you’ll be flying with in the destination country or countries.  Adhere to their requirements, and your rod should remain in your hands from home to destination and back.

Q: How do you travel with a rod and reel?

I always want to travel with my rods in a hard, crush-proof case and my reels safely stowed in my carry-on fishing bag. Even if my travel rods are compact enough for airline carry-on, I still prefer to carry them in the protective hard case, as plans can sometimes change at the flight check-in. If I have to check the rods, at any point in the journey, I know they’ll be safe. Many people think about the flight process but don’t consider the auto travel on either end of the flight. In my experience, the transition points are when unprotected gear gets broken. Careful packing of your rods and reels extends the safety to these travel transition scenarios. In the “for what it’s worth” column, I’d rather arrive at a fishing destination without my clothes than my rods and reels. But happily this can be avoided by using a change of clothes as padding around your rods in the travel case. This way you arrive with your rods, reels and at least one spare outfit. 

Q: Can you carry-on a 4-piece fly rod?

Yes, most conventional 4-piece fly rods will meet airline criteria for carry-on luggage. I’ve traveled with 4-piece, ten foot fly rods to Chile, Mexico, England and remote north western Canada. I’ve never had any difficulty carrying-on my fly rods. That being said, it’s still always best to check with the airline in-question in advance. If you’re working with an experienced fishing travel service, they can also provide their experience traveling to your destination.

Q: Can I fly with fishing lures?

According to the TSA, fishing lures are defined as “sharp fishing tackle that may be considered dangerous.” They recommend sheathing or otherwise securing hooks; the lures should then be securely wrapped and packed in your checked baggage. Based on this information, any hooks, lures or flies in your carry-on could be confiscated. For anglers, the problem with this approach is the fear of arriving at a remote fishing destination with nothing to fish. To alleviate this concern, I pack a small selection of must-have flies or lures that I put in my carry-on bag—think of it as an emergency kit. I keep the selection small enough that I can accept the loss if it’s ever confiscated. The bulk of my fishing lures are packed safely in my checked bag and include duplicates of the essentials.

Q: What is the difference between a travel rod and a standard rod?

A travel fishing rod can break down into small sections or telescope into one small piece. A normal fishing rod is often one, two, or four pieces. This makes it a bit more difficult to travel with.

Q: Are travel rods worth it?

Having a fishing rod that can break down into small pieces is definitely worth it. You don’t necessarily need a “travel fishing rod,” but rather something that breaks down into three or four pieces so it’s easier to travel with.

Whether you’re embarking upon a bucket-list adventure fishing trip or hoping to get in a little fishing while traveling with the family, it all depends on your tackle getting to the destination unbroken and functional. That defines why travel rods have become so important for modern anglers, and the importance extends beyond airline travel. Try carrying a one-piece rod on a busy subway and you quickly realize the value of travel rods for close-to-home fishing. 

Though many travel rods still fall short of their one-piece counterparts’ performance, advances in technologies and economies of scale have closed this gap. In some cases, the best travel fishing rods are indistinguishable from one or two-piece rods. To decide which travel rod is right for you, evaluate your target species, consider spatial limitations, mode of transportation and time versus money. Then, just add water and enjoy the fishing.

Why Trust Us

For more than 125 years, Field & Stream has been providing readers with honest and authentic coverage of outdoor gear. Our writers and editors eat, sleep, and breathe the outdoors, and that passion comes through in our product reviews. You can count on F&S to keep you up to date on the best new gear. And when we write about a product—whether it’s a bass lure or a backpack—we cover the good and the bad, so you know exactly what to expect before you decide to make a purchase.

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Best Travel Fishing Rod 2023 – Top Rated Travel Rods

The best travel spinning rods.

Looking for a compact easy to transport rod that still performs? Our list of travel fishing rods has something for all budgets. 

Nothing beats hitting the open road to your favorite destination and as a fisherman the urge is always there to pack your fishing gear with you.

Sure a tackle box and a few reels don't take up too much space.

But rods are a different story.

One thing is for certain one and two piece rods can be a pain to transport especially if your travel plans involve catching a plane somewhere. Packing them up in large rod tubes can be a bit of a hassle.

A travel rod just makes life easier!

Our top choice as the best travel spinning rod is the Okuma Nomad . It maintains a near perfect taper along the rod blank due to a spigot furl design, high durability thanks to a carbon wrap over the graphite blank and is finished with premium quality line guides and reel seat.

The Nomad is best suited to salt water spinning or heavy freshwater work. If you are looking for a lighter freshwater travel rod then the St Croix Triumph 4-piece is an exceptional caster of light lures and is perfect for back-country hiking to small rivers and streams.

Okuma Nomad

The best travel spinning rod.

The Okuma Nomad is offers one of the best rod blank taper available on any travel rod, combined with premium ALPS hardware.

Rod design has certainly moved on in the last 10-15 years. Improvements in carbon fiber, graphite and even fiberglass construction techniques have given rod builders the necessary materials to produce some amazing travel rods.

Time was that your travel spinning rod was a clunky affair that lost a lot of it's sensitivity due to how the spigot affected the taper of the blank.

Clearly a one piece blank will always be the most sensitive and balanced when it comes to performance. However, travel rods these days have solved a lot of the old issues.

With a big wrap around spigot the natural taper in the blank was effected on a normal two piece rod.

Now multiple this be 3 for a 4 piece rod and you ended up with a rod that was limp and felt like it left you out of touch with your lure and hook setting.

A lot of modern travel fishing rods have whats known as a spigot ferrule . The spigot ferrule is essentially a piece that is bonded to the lower piece of the blank that the upper piece then slides onto.

It's perfectly normal for there to be a gap between each section, this allows for upper section to still fit snugly after the lower spigot has reduced in diameter due to normal wear and tear.

Below you will find a variety of different travel rods. Some are suited to heavier saltwater work and some to freshwater light spinning on rivers there are even a number of casting variants available if you prefer a baitcasting rod .

Best Travel Fishing Rod 2023

Why choose a travel rod over a telescopic fishing rod.

Although the quality of telescopic rods a has increased in recent years they still do not have the same feel through the blank.

Even though they have a regularly stepped taper due to each section fitting into the last still don't get the same feel from them.

A high quality travel rod such as the St Croix Triumph below will always outperform a telescopic rod. I have yet to find one that can compete with a well designed 3 or 4 piece travel rod. 

Now telescopic rods do have their place, they are great for keeping in the trunk of a car with a small reel and a handful of lures for the occasionally unplanned few hours after work.

However they usually never have the same backbone and always feel less than durable or capable of handling something a bit larger.

Best Travel Fishing Rods

Okuma Nomad Review

The top choice for best travel rod is the Okuma Nomad. It maintains its taper due to the spigot ferrule design described below giving an almost one piece feel to the blank.

The Okuma Nomad travel spinning rod is priced in the mid to high bracket. For the money you are getting one seriously sturdy rod. It definitely is rated on the high side when it comes to power.

So if you are looking for a light weight spinning setup then some thing like the Fenwick below might be more suitable. 

The beauty of the Nomad is if you intend to do some heavy freshwater spinning or some inshore boat work you can use one rod for both on those holiday trips to target many different species and it should have enough backbone to handle them.

The versatility of the Okuma doesn't stop there though. You get two different tips with each rod. Each with a different action meaning you have effectively two rods in one.

So if you are looking for a highly versatile saltwater spinning or heavy action freshwater spinning travel rod then the Okuma is the clear choice.

• Graphite blank with carbon outer wrap
• European spigot ferrule connection
• ALPS high rise 316 stainless steel guide frames
• ALPS two tone anodized aluminum reel seats
• Lifetime limited warranty
• Waterproof carrying case

St Croix Triumph Travel Spinning

If you are not looking for a heavy saltwater travel rod like the Okuma then take a look at the St Croix Triumph Travel spinning rod.

The range comes medium to heavy with all models having a fast action. These rods are suited to medium/light spinning.

They can happily perform spinning on small rivers and streams with smaller on 4-10 lbs line. The action is fast so you have some very quick hook setting capabilities and are pretty sensitive for a 4 piece rod.

Although this rod does come with a padded travel case it is only a soft nylon case and St Croix really could have taken the crown of top rod if they had supplied the Triumph range with a hard shell case.

That being said if you are careful about how you transport the Triumph males for one heck of a travel rod. 

There is also a casting model of the Triumph featured below.

• SCII grahite
• Extremely sensitive
• Fast action taper
• Fuji DPS reel seat
• 5 year warranty

St Croix Triumph Travel Casting

If you are not looking for a dedicated spinning travel rod and prefer a baitcasting setup then the St Croix Triumph Travel casting rod is sure to please.

Built on effectively the same rod blank sections as the spinning model above, the casting model will of course have a baitcasting reel seat and has the lower profile line guides that are usually found on a casting rod.

There is only one model available unlike the spinning series above. It is a 6'6" rod in four sections also.

The power is medium/heavy with a fast action and the line rating is 10 - 20 lbs.

With a line rating in the 10/20 pounds range and with a lure rating of between 3/8 - 1 oz you can throw some fairly decent sized lures. So, if is perfectly capable of handling crankbaits, large spoons and spinners and jerkbaits.

• 4 section travel casting rod
• Two coats of Flex-Coat slow cure finish
• Fuji ECS reel seat with silver hood

Fiblink 3-piece Spinning

These Fiblink 3 piece spinning rods are a great alternative to the Okuma if you are on a tight budget.

Similar in power to the Okuma the Fiblink are heavy rated and come in three possible lengths 6', 6'6" and 7' so pretty capable of handle some decent boat work too.

Like the Okuma these rods are certainly aimed at the saltwater fisherman. The line rating for them is in the 30-50 lbs and lure weights from 2-8 ounces. 

The Fiblink also comes with a waterproof carry case. However like any cloth based case it is not going to take too much abuse so if you intend on flying anywhere you might need an hard carry case.

• Graphite composite blanks
• Stainless steel guides with ceramic inserts
• Aluminum alloy reel seat
• One year warranty

Fenwick Methods Spinning

Fenwick are long known as a premium brand that produce some very high quality rods. Thankfully that same quality is still instilled in their travel rod range the Methods.

With the ability to change both the middle and tip section of the rods for another with a different action the Fenwick Methods travel rods are extremely versatile. 

This versatility means you can pack light but still be adaptable. Adaptability is something that is great to have when you are away on a trip to some unknown destination.

This versatility is a good thing given that there is only two rods available in the range a 6'8" and a 7 footer. The power is medium/light to medium.

Supplied with a hard case is a nice additional bonus and it really shows that Fenwick had the traveler in mind when designing the Methods.  

• 5 pieces in total
• Travel tube included
• Multiple center sections and tips included
• Spigot ferral

Piscifun Graphite 4 Piece

Priced at the lower end of the scale the Piscifun graphite 4 piece travel pole is a lot of rod for the money. 

The blanks are mare from carbon fiber using Piscifun's ArmoreCore technology resulting in a very lightweight and yet strong rod.

They probaly have the biggest range available from any of the travel rods. There are 3 sizes available 6', 6'6" and a 7'. The power is from medium/light up to extra heavy. 

The strength of the carbon fiber blanks are reinforced with 8-ton E glass. That extra layer of fiberglass makes these rods a whole lot more durable than a regular carbon fiber.

• Carbon fiber blanks
• Ceramic guides
• Medium to heavy

Daiwa Ardito-TR Spinning

The Ardito-TR from Daiwa is a 3 piece travel rod. They are available in a spinning and a casting variation.

The model featured here is the spinning edition and are available in 7' or 7'6 rod lengths.

These rods have been expertly designed by Daiwa. They have put a lot of thought into getting the rod taper to remain consistent throughout the blank. The taping blank and ferrule joint give a really clean join between each of the sections.

These are a 3 piece rod and as such have a bit more backbone than some of the other 4 piece offerings.

Slightly heavier than some of the other travel rods out there, however it is a pretty tough rod some not quite as easy to break as some of the others in this line-up.

• 3 piece travel rod
• X45 Bias graphite fiber blanks
• V-Flex Ferrule joint system
• Semi-hard travel case
• 5 year limited warranty

Choosing the right rod means knowing exactly what kind of fishing you intend on doing ahead of time. 

However, if you are on vacation and are not sure just what kind of water you may be fishing then the best bet is a spinning setup as it is generally the most versatile.

A good spinning rod can be used for almost any type of fishing assuming of course that you are not hunting large shark or marlin miles offshore.

If you are looking for a really good all round setup then the something like a travel spinning kit may suit.

The Okuma Voyager travel kit is probably the most popular travel combo available today.

No t e : it is best suited to lightweight freshwater spinning though, it is not meant for anything heavy I don't think the size 20 Voyager reel should be used in saltwater.

Best Travel Rod and Reel Combo

Okuma Voyager Travel Kit

The Okuma VS-605-20 Voyager Spinning Travel Kit combines a rod, reel, tackle box and hard shell case all into a great value for money package.

The perfect travel combo to take away on a trip the Voyager travel kit comes with one of the best hard shell cases you'll find of any travel fishing rod.

A size 20 spinning reel definitely falls into the ultralight spinning category and with a sensitive 6 foot rod you can be sure to make some very accurate casts with lightweight lures. 

You also get a small lure box included in the kit. All of the components fit snugly in the interior padding of the kit so they won't get knocked about when in transit.

• Size 20 Voyager reel
• 6 foot rod comes in 5 pieces
• Hard shell padded travel case
• Small lure box included

Do You Need a Rod Tube ?

If you have ever tried to travel with a rod any kind of serious distance that involves using some for of publicly available transport such as a bus, plane or a train then you'll know that the luggage compartment is not the place to put your rod if you still want it in one piece when you arrive at your destination.

A rod tube however can provide good protection. Rod tubes are available in either soft or hard body variations.

Without a doubt travelling on a plane will require the use of a rod hard shell tube. The checked luggage compartment on a plane is usually crammed full of heavy luggage and a soft rod tube will quite simply not be strong enough to handle all that abuse.

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Home » Gear » The BEST Travel Fishing Rods – Cast Off in 2024!

The BEST Travel Fishing Rods – Cast Off in 2024!

I love to fish all over the world. Fishing somewhere new is always fun, but the exciting uncertainty of fishing in a totally new country or biome is unbeatable.

I’ve had some of my most raw and authentic travel experiences with local fishermen in remote locations. It’s so rewarding bonding over such a primal activity and commonly shared passion, all whilst spending time in nature. Nothing beats enjoying a well-earned meal at the end of it too!

Fish of all shapes, sizes and colours can be found in each of the world’s waters. Spending time in some unbelievable and serene off-the-beaten-path spots is what makes travel and fishing such a match made in heaven.

Talking as someone with plenty of experience, travelling with bulky fishing gear isn’t ideal. The best travel fishing rods, however, bridge this great divide and allow me to combine my two favourite activities effortlessly – fishing and travel.

If you’re wondering how to travel with fishing rods, the number one piece of advice I’ll give you is to invest in a travel rod! I’m going to share with you some of my personal favourite travel rods in this post, some of which fit INSIDE my backpack.

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The 5 BEST Fishing Rods For Travel

5 more great travel fishing rods, how to travel with fishing rods, ethical and sustainable travel fishing, final thoughts on travel fishing rods.

Travel fishing rods are better for backpackers as they take up far less space than your standard rods – without compromising on quality. Fitting a rod into your bag or strapping it to the outside of your pack makes for a more realistic approach to fishing on the road.

Travelling the world with a fishing rod opens so many doors. You can catch your dinner in the smallest of streams by the roadside, or hop on a local’s boat and explore the ocean. Different fishing rods are good for different things, so here’s a list of my favourite travel rods , and what I think they’re useful for.

Overall Best Travel Fishing Rod – X5 Adventure by Rigged and Ready

Image: Rigged and Ready

• Length: 1.90m – 2.20m (41 cm transport length)

• Weight: 160g to 163g

• Price: £75 or $91 (£129 or $161 With Reels)

• Type: Spin and Fly

The X5 Adventure is my number one travel companion. The rod packs up so small it fits INSIDE of my day pack. I mean, the thing is bonkers.

For a rod so small, it packs a serious punch. It comes with five different combinations and four unbreakable rod tips. It’s my favourite travel rod because, thanks to the interchangeable rod tips, I basically have four different rods. This lets me do all my types of fishing, all with just the X5 (fly, cast, bait-cast, spin and bait).

I recently took this rod along with me on my brief stay in Malta and had a great time. I caught lots of different fish and it fit in my easyJet carry-on luggage. Yep, it’s that small.

There is also an X5 MAX version of this rod, which I would recommend to anyone who wants a great travel rod with a bit more backbone for heavier lures, or surf/sea fishing. There is an option to get an X5 package with a great spin (RR3000) and fly reel included too which is what I did. I love it.

One of the main reasons I love Rigged and Ready products so much is their unbeatable warranty and parts replacement service . They have a no-questions-asked part replacement or money-back policy that lasts for two years! This is valid if you lose or break a part on the road, for ANY reason.

There is a five-year support system too (you basically just pay for postage) on all products which is very easy to claim too. In short, investing in a Rigged and Ready Travel is a safe bet by definition. Not only do you get multiple rods in one, but it pretty much comes insured!

Second Best Fishing Rod for Travel – Shimano STC

Image: Shimano

• Length: 2.40m (64cm transport length)

• Weight: 142g

• Price: £107 or $131

• Type: Spin

The STC series is a classic travel rod range of spinning rods with lengths from 2.4m up to 3m and casting weights from 10 to 100g. I like the 20-60 gram STC rod as a good all-rounder (stats listed as 20-60g variant).

The transport length of the rods is kept to a maximum of 65cm, ensuring that you can fit the rod in your backpack, suitcase, car or wherever you want to store it!

The Shimano STC is a great option for any traveller looking to purchase a travel rod for a specific usage such as spinning and knows the weight of lures they want to use. Shimano is a great brand, and this lightweight, ultra-strong rod is one of my favourite pieces of Shimano kit.

The rods come with a two-year manufacturer’s warranty – but it can be difficult to claim.

Best Collapsable Travel Fishing Rod – Infinite Ultimate by Rigged and Ready

• Length: 1.07m to 2.80m (49cm transport length)

• Weight: 125g to 245g

• Price: £130 or $163

• Type: All Types

The Infinite Ultimate by Rigged and Ready is essentially the most comprehensive rod package out there.

If you are looking to just buy one rod and use it for all your fishing, look no further than the infinite ultimate. This rod is a 25-in-1. Yes, there are 25 different ways to use this fishing rod – it truly is one of a kind.

The numerous parts and combinations can be a little confusing at the beginning, but that’s the only remotely negative thing I can say about this rod. It’s not as small or compact as some of the other travel rods on this list, but you won’t find a more complete travel fishing set out there, I promise. This thing is a unique piece of kit for any avid all-round angler who loves to travel.

It’s not the cheapest travel rod on the internet, but when you consider the fact that you’re buying 25 rods in one, all of a sudden, it becomes astonishing value!

Best Telescopic Travel Fishing Rod – KastKing BlackHawk II

Image: KastKing

• Length: 1.98m t0 2.84m (53.4cm transport length)

• Weight: 115g to 163g

• Price: £100 or $49 (USA Only)

• Type: Spin, Cast

The Kast King Black Hawk II sells like crazyyy on Amazon, it’s probably the most popular travel rod out there.

With 14 length options to purchase, this one-piece telescopic rod is one of the best telescopic travel rods on the market . It compresses to just one-third of its total length telescopically. I like the shortest option (6’6″ or 198cm) as I like my travel rods to be as compact as possible.

I love telescopic rods – they are so quick and easy and I would recommend them to beginners. They are not the most sturdy things though (sometimes). A multiple-piece rod could be a better option for some more keen anglers.

It’s one of the most affordable travel rods available, so I would recommend it on that alone . KastKing makes some quality stuff, and this rod is a good option for almost anyone.

There is a useful one-year ‘total peace of mind warranty’ available with this rod too which is great, but it can be tough to redeem.

Best Lightweight Travel Fishing Rod – Fish Rig 180 by Rigged and Ready

• Length: 1.60m t0 1.80m (48cm transport length)

• Weight: 90g

• Price: £67 or $84

This is my personal go-to light rod, I must have caught hundreds of fish on this thing and call it my ‘pocket rocket’. Don’t underestimate its power and capabilities because of its size.

Whilst I wouldn’t really recommend this rod for all types of fishing, this rod stays in my car… ALWAYS. I can set it up in about one minute thanks to its telescopic system, and it’s the perfect travel rod for opportunists.

The Fish Rig 180 is a super-lightweight travel rod that comes with two rod tips. It’s my favourite rod for hikes and treks due to its weight.

The thing weighs just 90 grams! That’s lighter than some lures.

I wouldn’t recommend the Fish Rig 180 for sea fishing though. It’s light and can handle some decent fish, but something with a bit more backbone is better for sea fishing in my opinion. The Fish Rig 180 is perfect for mountainous lakes, small rivers and maybe some shallow or micro jigging.

If you haven’t found what you’re looking for, here are more of the most popular travel rods out there. They are popular for a reason – they’re EPIC!

The World Traveller by Rigged and Ready

• Length: 1.90m to 2.15m (43cm transport length)

• Weight: 146g to 150g

• Price: £90 or $110

• Type: Spin, Bait-Cast and Bait.

The World Traveller is Rigged and Ready’s original travel rod. It is the perfect travel rod for an all-around fisherman who wants to combine efficiency and functionality.

This rod has been popular for a reason, and as the name suggests, this thing was made for you world travellers. The rod actually comes with a great reel too (RR3000), so it really is the full package.

The World Traveller comes with two interchangeable rod tips as part of a six-piece rod. The rod tips are a standard lure weight (10-20g) and a heavier short tip for 15-40g lures. I’ve caught pike, perch, chub, carp and a handful of saltwater fish like mackerel and sea bass when using this rod in the UK.

Abu Garcia Diplomat V2 Travel Rod

Image: Abu Garcia

• Length: 2.13m to 3.04m (58cm transport length)

• Weight: 114g to 213g

• Price: £89 or $110 (With Reel)

Abu Garcia is one of my favourite fishing brands. It is world-renowned, and their tackle has NEVER let me down after over 15 years of usage.

In the words of Abu Garcia themselves, “The famous DIPLOMAT range stands for mobility and travelling.”

Abu Garcia’s Diplomat V2 travel rod range has four different rod lengths ranging from 2.13m to 3.04m (Light-Heavy). Depending on the length you opt for, this rod can be either a four or five-piece set. It can cast lures as heavily as 55g and as light as 3g.

Whilst this flexibility does sound great, it lacks the flexibility of interchangeable rod tips offered by competitors such as Rigged and Ready rods – so you’re kind of stuck with what you choose.

It’s sold as an exclusively freshwater rod, but the heavier variants will work fine in saltwater. The 5-21g version is competitively priced at $110 WITH an Abu Garcia WFS reel which is a marvellous piece of kit.

Daiwa Travel Combo

Image: Daiwa US

• Length: 2.18m (71cm transport length)

• Weight: 450g (With Reel)

• Price: £120 or $147

This Travel Combo by Daiwa is a great option for opportunists. It’s a highly functional telescopic rod that can be set up and packed away in just minutes. It also comes with a Daiwa Crossfire 2500 spinning reel included in the price.

This is more of a freshwater combo, but it can be used in saltwater too – just don’t expect greatness.

That being said, this is a great telescopic rod, and one of the best travel rods that exists. It’s great value, Daiwa is a great and reputable brand, and the fact that this set comes with a reel makes it a great full-package option.

The thing feels great to use and it’s very strong for a telescopic rod. I would recommend it to most anglers who want to opt for a brand they trust.

My favourite thing about the Daiwa Travel Combo is the carry case. It’s compact, functional and more importantly… it looks the part.

Shakespeare Ugly Stik Travel

Image: Shakespeare UK

• Length: 1.98m (54cm transport length)

• Weight: 302g

• Price: £45 or $55

This four-piece travel rod is a classic. Shakespeare holds a special place in my heart as it is the brand that introduced me to fishing. As a kid, I owned tons of Shakespeare gear and it is ALL really good shit.

The Shakespeare Ugly Stik Travel is a four-piece travel rod which is perfect for beginners.

Shakespeare is always a great option for affordable fishing gear without compromising on quality and the Ugly Stik Travel is no exception. At £45 (under $60), this is a steal that fits in your carry-on luggage.

It’s a little heavier than the other rods out there but is still a great choice for freshwater anglers. The cast weight is 5-15g so it’s a bit optimistic to use this for most types of saltwater fishing.

Unfortunately, despite a great 7-YEAR guarantee being on offer for this rod, it’s extremely tough to claim – I wouldn’t bank on it. I would recommend this travel rod for beginners, children or as a gift.

The Predator by Rigged and Ready

• Length: 1.85m to 2.20m (65cm transport length)

• Weight: 144g to 147g

• Price: £80 or $100

• Type: Spin, Bait-Cast

The Predator by Rigged and Ready is a great option for those who fish to hunt for magnificent and marvellous beasts. It is a slightly larger travel rod than other options on this list, but it has the strength and backbone to justify its bulkiness.

This is the perfect rod for anyone who wants to do some more heavy-duty spinning or lure fishing. It has a unique spin or bait cast microtrigger handle and I have caught some MONSTERS on it. For a travel rod, this thing is strong. 

Paired with the RR3000 or a bait caster (sold separately), this thing feels so well-balanced and nice to use. I recommend the Predator to any… predator anglers… obviously.

If you want the strongest of strong travel rods, I’d recommend the S MAX by Rigged and Ready . But the Predator is my pick for the best rod that combines the convenience of travel with the ability to sea fish, cast big heavy lures, or target behemoths.

Travelling with a fishing rod can be challenging at times. You’re also gonna need some more gear, or as fishermen call it, tackle. 

You’ll need a reel, some line and other basics like some hooks, lures, baits and weights. Buying a durable and compact tackle box to fit all your gear is my advice, but a basic food storage box will do.

Compact travel rods reduce the inconvenience of travelling with long poles, but you still may run into a few issues. Theft is a minor concern, as some of the gear isn’t cheap.

Keep your eyes on your tackle and treat it as you would any other valuable belongings.

Taking rods, hooks and tackle on buses, planes and other transport shouldn’t be an issue. Big rods may have to be checked if they don’t fit in your carry-on bag. I have been stopped at airports for having MASSIVE treble hooks in my box though  – avoid this. 

When travelling with a travel rod, it still may be slightly too big (depending on what rod you choose) to fit in (or strap onto) your bag. In this case, I would recommend storing it in places such as behind hostel/hotel desks to keep it safe. Overhead lockers, under hostel beds, with bus drivers, and on balconies are all places I’ve stowed my sticks.

One final recommendation I have for travellers is to CLEAN and pack away any rods and tackle in between sessions. Avoiding fishy smells is a must. I’ve had times where I didn’t decamp my rigs and ended up breaking rod tips, hooking bus seats and snagging line on passing pedestrians. It’s just not worth it.

Fishing ethically and looking after fish (fish care) is non-negotiable. Sport fishing is ethically questionable already, so it’s important to take extra care. Fish are living things and they’re worthy of respect.

If you are fishing for food, do so sustainably and only ever take what you need. Practice catch-and-release fishing where possible and do not target vulnerable species or fish in conservation/marine protected areas. Always follow laws and bylaws – wherever you’re fishing.

Stay prepared with a way to unhook fish quickly or cut line or hooks (plyers/wire cutters). You may also need somewhere to rest or land fish. A net, a mat, a rockpool or some wet grass will do fine.

Killing fish ethically is important. I usually give ‘em one swift and powerful strike to the back of the head before bleeding them out. Never let fish suffocate . If you are releasing the fish you catch, take your photo and get them back in the water ASAP.

Sometimes accidents happen, I’ve hooked stingrays, snapping turtles, and even birds all accidentally. In this case, it’s best to release the animal as quickly as possible, sometimes you’re able to do so easily and hassle-free. However, sadly, just cutting the line is sometimes the best option.

Don’t Forget Travel Insurance Before You Cast Off!

Fishing can be dangerous and accidents do happen – not to mention the possibility of losing gear! Some good quality travel insurance is never a bad idea – just make sure it covers fishing as a sport/activity.

ALWAYS sort out your backpacker insurance before your trip. There’s plenty to choose from in that department, but a good place to start is Safety Wing .

They offer month-to-month payments, no lock-in contracts, and require absolutely no itineraries: that’s the exact kind of insurance long-term travellers and digital nomads need.

SafetyWing is cheap, easy, and admin-free: just sign up lickety-split so you can get back to it!

Click the button below to learn more about SafetyWing’s setup or read our insider review for the full tasty scoop.

Travel fishing rods are simply amazing, they’re the perfect invention to accompany any keen angler abroad. I never travel without them now, and I go carry-on only! 

It’s important to decide which type of fishing you want to be doing BEFORE you buy a rod. 

Smaller rods will be good for dropping off piers and sussing out small rivers, lakes, ponds and streams. They are more easily transportable, but won’t be able to cast far or fight big fish.

I use the Fish Rig 180 by Rigged and Ready for my occasional, opportunistic and quick sessions.

If you want to do some beach/surf fishing or hop on a boat, I’d recommend a bigger travel rod, with a larger casting weight. The X5 MAX Adventure by Rigged and Ready is my go-to for this. The Predator or S MAX would be good for larger fish too.

If you’re not sure what type of fishing you’ll be doing, grabbing a good all-round option would be the safe shout. Something like the Shimano STC would be good . The Infinite Ultimate by Rigged and Ready will be great as it is so versatile and flexible. It just has so many rod tips, making it great for different types of fishing.

As a final note, I want to say something realistic. It’s called fishing not catching for a reason. It’s important to understand that when fishing in totally new places, (or anywhere really) it’s normal to sometimes not to catch anything (blank).

Connecting with locals, connecting with yourself and connecting with nature is what it’s really all about.

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The Best Travel Rods Reviewed: Real Performance for Serious Fishermen

Anglers who travel a lot and want to get some fishing in or who need to pack rods in carry-on luggage know that real fishing tackle that meets their needs is in short supply.

Yes, you can opt for some of the products that promise performance - Plussino comes to mind - and you’ll see these rods recommended by sites where the writers probably don’t fish themselves. 

But if you want a real rod that can perform, casting and fighting like the rods you left at home, you’ll need to look carefully.

We’re here to help, and we’ve put together a list of some our favorites, as well as buying guide to get you on the right track.

Quick glance at the best travel fishing rods:

St. Croix Triumph Travel Rod

• Excellent, sensitive blank
• Good guides
• Excellent handles
• Fishes like a premium rod should

Tackle Direct Bass Pro

Fenwick HMG Travel Spinning Rod

Goture Travel Fishing Rod

• Great price for what you get
• Good, sensitive blanks
• Nice handles
• Fishes well

Smuggler 7 Travel Fishing Rod

• Very compact
• Good, sensitive blank
• Interchangeable fiberglass tips

KastKing Blackhawk II

Table of Contents (clickable)

• 1.1 St. Croix Triumph Travel Spinning Rod - Best Light/Medium-Light Power Travel Rod
• 1.2 Fenwick HMG Travel Spinning Rod - Best Medium Power Travel Rod
• 1.3 Smuggler 7 Travel Fishing Rod
• 1.4 KastKing Blackhawk II
• 1.5 Goture Travel Fishing Rod - Best Budget Travel Rod
• 2.1 Avoid the toys
• 2.2 Modular probably beats telescopic
• 2.5 Handles
• 3 Final Thoughts

Related: 

• Best Telescopic Fishing Rod
• Best Travel Fly Rod

Best Travel Fishing Rods Reviewed

St. croix triumph travel spinning rod - best light/medium-light power travel rod.

Length: 6’ or 6’ 6” Power/action: light or medium-light/fast Line and lure weight: 6’ (4-8 lbs. 1/16 - 5/16 oz.); 6’ 6” (4-10 lbs. 1/8 - 1/2 oz.) Material: carbon fiber Handle: continuous cork Guides: Sea Guide Atlas Performance SS304 stainless steel guides Pieces: 4

Most anglers already know that St. Croix is a premium rod manufacturer, but you may be new to the sport and have no idea - and there’s nothing wrong with that!

For serious anglers looking for a “real” travel rod that can perform with the best of them, the Triumph is very hard to beat.

Available in two lengths, 6 feet or 6 feet, 6 inches, the shorter rod is light powered while the longer rod is medium-light. Both offer a fast action.

St. Croix has chosen a carbon fiber blank for these rods, and that means fantastic sensitivity. For panfish, trout, perch, flounder, specks, and the like, these rods will perform masterfully, allowing you to feel every bump, nudge, and nibble.

And when the fight does start, you’ll find the backbone of these blanks quickly, about 25% from the tip. And don’t be shy about that medium-light rod: it’s a real beast if you’re working with a good reel and a properly set drag, and you can fight any smallmouth in the world with it, as well as most largemouth.

Both rods wear premium continuous cork handles, though the shorter rod has a shorter handle.

The stainless guides that St. Croix chooses are excellent performers in the real world, especially if you skip braid, which can be abrasive to any guides.

Overall, this four-piece travel rod fishes like a premium two-piece, and that’s saying something.

Fenwick HMG Travel Spinning Rod - Best Medium Power Travel Rod

Length: 7’ Power/action: medium-light or medium/fast Line and lure weight: medium-light (8-17 lbs. 1/4 - 3/4 oz.); medium (10-20 lbs. 3/8 - 1 oz.) Material: graphite Handle: continuous cork Guides: stainless steel guides with zirconium inserts Pieces: 3

Fenwick is another brand that’s built a long-term, dedicated following by producing premium rods, and their HMG travel rod is no exception.

Where the St. Croix dominates on smaller fish, the Fenwick’s heavier power medium rod would be my choice for travel when I’m looking for species like snook, reds, blues, walleye, bass, and anything else that might test a medium-light rod to its limits.

That’s not to knock the medium-light Fenwick but rather to applaud the medium rod.

Capable with mono lines as heavy as 20 pounds, and more than able to launch a 1-ounce lure like a rocket, this is another rarity in travel rods in that it fishes like a premium rod rather than a toy.

Expect a beautiful, continuous cork handle and excellent stainless guides with zirconium inserts.

In a hard fight, you’ll appreciate those well-made guides, and you’ll find the blank’s backbone quickly, just as on the St. Croix. Sensitivity is excellent, too, making this a superb choice for the angler who travels and wants a heavier rod.

Amazon  

Length: 7’ 8” and 8’ 6” Power/action: ??? Line and lure weight: 5-20 g. or 15-40 g. Material: graphite with a fiberglass tip Handle: split EVA fam Guides: stainless steel with silicone inserts Pieces: 7

Smuggler is a British company that’s put together a very portable seven-piece rod. Innovative in many ways, if space is truly at a premium, this is a rod you’ll want to look at.

Offered in two lengths, Smuggler is shy about stating the action and power you can expect, in part because British expectations and terminology differ on this point. But given that the larger rod can cast a 40 gram, or 1.4-ounce lure, I’d guess that it’s in the medium to medium-heavy range, with a fast action given the graphite blank.

The shorter rod can cast a 20 gram, or .7-ounce lure, and I’d make that about medium-light.

In either case, graphite is very sensitive material for a blank, and these rods should allow you to feel even the lightest strikes.

In terms of innovation, they come with interchangeable fiberglass tips that alter the feel as well as the action of the rods, allowing you a bit of customization.

Expect a split EVA foam grip and stainless guides with silicone inserts.

One thing that concerns me is that customers report quality control issues, especially with guide finishing. If you do pick the smuggler, check each guide carefully for polish and finish, and definitely contact the manufacturer if you get a lemon.

• Guide finish quality can be iffy

Length: see chart Power/action: see chart Line and lure weight: see chart Material: Toray 24-Ton Carbon Matrix blank with a fiberglass tip Handle: split EVA foam Guides: ??? Pieces: telescoping

Telescoping travel rods can be a nightmare, and most are made as gimmick offerings for new anglers who don’t know better. That needn’t be the case, and KastKing delivers a real rod that’s capable of actual fishing.

Now, to be fair to its premium competitors, you’re not going to get the sensitivity, backbone, fighting power, or durability of the St. Croix or Fenwick. That’s a simple fact, and I mean no disrespect to KastKing.

By design, a telescoping rod just can’t compete with a segmented rod.

But the carbon fiber blank on the KastKing is sensitive, and guide quality seems to be OK. I personally wouldn’t put much faith in the rods of medium power and above, as the joint construction on a telescoping blank is going to be abused by a hard fight with a big fish. 

Maybe it’ll take it; maybe it won’t - but I wouldn’t bet my fishing trip on it. The segments tend to loosen with casting - but don’t collapse. That’s not confidence-inspiring, because I’m sure that places greater stress on the joints, and with a heavy power rod and big, mean fish on the other end, I wouldn’t count on the rod to survive.

Instead, I’d stick to the lighter end of the powers - medium light and medium - and try not to push this rod too hard.

If that sounds like a serious reservation, that’s because it is. 

Now keep in mind that the Blackhawk II is about 1/3rd the price of the St. Croix and Fenwick, and if you’re just looking for an easy rod to pack and want to hit the water for a few hours, there’s nothing wrong with the product.

But as serious competition for the premium rods on our list, the Blackhawk II isn’t going to make the grade.

• The Segments loosen after casting, and I wouldn’t trust this rod in medium-heavy or heavy actions with big fish and hard fights

Goture Travel Fishing Rod - Best Budget Travel Rod

Length: see chart Power/action: see chart Line and lure weight: see chart Material: carbon fiber Handle: split EVA foam Guides: stainless with ceramic inserts Pieces: 4

For anglers on a budget too tight for the St. Croix or Fenwick, Goture offers a nice travel rod at a reasonable price. Available in powers ranging from ultralight to medium-heavy, and actions that vary from medium, to medium-fast, to fast, these are dependable travel rods that won’t break the bank.

The blank on every rod in this lineup is made from carbon fiber, promising great sensitivity and plenty of backbone. Powers and actions are matched well, and there are some great surprises in this series, like a light rod with a medium action that would be just perfect for small crankbaits.

Expect well-made, split EVA foam handles that provide plenty of territory, even for big hands.

The guides are stainless steel with ceramic inserts and clearly designed more for fresh-water fishing than the salt. They’re small - I’d say a bit undersized for salt - but perfect for enhancing sensitivity for species like bass when using a worm.

One word of caution: the ferrules are meant for a .6” gap, meaning that they should not be tightened down till they touch.

The carbon fiber blanks prove plenty sensitive and strong, and these are really good rods for the money. Anglers on a tighter budget should definitely give these rods a close look.

• Not going to compete head-to-head with premium alternatives like St. Croix and Fenwick

What to Look for in a Good Travel Rod

Avoid the toys.

When angling sites recommend products, there’s a real difference between content farms and those where the researchers and writers are fishermen themselves.

That’s a fact.

And just because a product is popular on Amazon doesn’t make it good.

Many of the telescoping travel rods with awesome reviews are disappointing if you’re more than a once-a-year angler, and you can chalk up the positive responses to people who really don’t fish a lot not using these rods much or knowing what they’re missing out on.

That’s not to insult anyone, and if you just need a rod for a few days a year and space is tight, go ahead: you probably won’t be disappointed.

But if you’re a serious angler and you try one of these out, I promise you, you’ll burn with frustration.

That’s why our list is populated with real rods that are high on performance, especially the St. Croix, Fenwick, and Goture.

Modular probably beats telescopic

On that front, modular rods are almost always better than telescoping designs. 

Being more mechanically simple, there’s much less to go wrong, and as ferrule technology has improved since the 80s, you’re not sacrificing sensitivity much at all by increasing that number to three, four, or even five.

And to be painfully honest, companies like St. Croix and Fenwick have hard-earned reputations that they’re not going to sacrifice by offering underperforming designs.

What this all adds up to in the real world is that modular is usually the way to go.

There are a variety of blank materials on the market, ranging from fiberglass and fiberglass composites to graphite to carbon fiber.

Let’s look at the strengths and weaknesses of each choice:

• Fiberglass and fiberglass composites - are well known for being heavy but very, very durable. They tend to be very flexible as well, but they can be made stiffer through the introduction of carbon fiber or graphite.
• Carbon fiber - is a common blank material, combining light weight with awesome stiffness and sensitivity. Not as durable to hard knocks as fiberglass, it’s still prized for its strength to weight ratio and its reliable backbone for hard fights.
• Graphite - is the lightest and stiffest of the rod materials out there, but it’s also the most fragile. A hard knock against a piling or rail can result in micro-fractures, so blanks made from graphite need some care in handling. But they’re awesomely sensitive and very strong, offering a fantastic performance.

Good guides are essential.

When you have a fish on your line, the stress on the line and rod is transferred through the guides, meaning that they need to be strong. But they also need to be as smooth as they can be, protecting your line from the heat caused by friction. 

If your line gets hot, it will fail!

An easy test of guide quality is to take a length of the line, pass it through the guide, and saw like mad against the guide. Excellent guides will leave your line intact.

Whether you prefer the warm feel of cork or the durability of EVA foam, look for handles that are long enough to give you a two-handed grip and really put some muscle into a fight.

That’s a tall order on a travel rod, but the best ones deliver just that.

Final Thoughts

Good travel rods are in short supply, and if you’re a serious angler, it can be a frustratingly difficult task to find one that fishes well.

What we can promise is that if you pick one of the rods we recommend, you’ll be more than happy with your purchase. The St. Croix , Fenwick , and Goture rods fall at different price points and quality levels, and the premium rods are definitely better choices if you can afford them, but all three of these products are real tackle designed for real-world fishermen.

We can’t tell you which one is best for you - only you can do that - but we can guarantee that these three will put a smile on your face.

As always, we’d love to hear from you, so please leave a comment below.

• Rods & Reels
• Fishing Rods
• Travel & Pack Rods

Travel & Pack Fishing Rods

Travel & pack fishing rods: adventure awaits with compact convenience.

Travel and pack fishing rods are engineered for the angler on the go, breaking down into shorter sections or collapsing to a fraction of their assembled size for easy packing in luggage, backpacks , or even under a car seat. Whether you're jet-setting to exotic destinations, hiking into remote backcountry waters, or simply want to be prepared for impromptu fishing opportunities, these rods provide the convenience and reliability needed for diverse fishing adventures.

Shop our Travel & Pack Rod Reel Combos !

Our collection features a wide array of travel and pack fishing rods, including telescopic models that extend and collapse with ease, as well as multi-piece rods that offer the feel and performance of traditional one-piece rods. Constructed from durable, high-quality materials and available in a range of lengths, actions, and power ratings, our travel rods are suited for everything from light freshwater applications to more robust saltwater challenges.

The effectiveness of our travel and pack fishing rods lies in their innovative design, which ensures that portability doesn't come at the expense of performance. Advanced materials and construction techniques maintain sensitivity, strength, and flexibility, allowing you to enjoy the same quality fishing experience you'd expect from standard rods. With features like secure and easy-to-use connection points, comfortable grips, and balanced actions, these rods are ready to perform whenever and wherever the fishing bug bites.

At FishUSA, we understand the allure of exploring new waters and the importance of having the right gear to make the most of every fishing opportunity. That's why our selection of travel and pack fishing rods includes options from the most trusted and adventurous brands in the industry. Whether you're a seasoned globe-trotter looking for the ultimate travel companion or an angler seeking a convenient option for spontaneous fishing trips, our travel and pack fishing rods are designed to meet your needs, offering the portability, durability, and performance required for successful angling adventures.

Explore our full collection of Fishing Rods !

Best Travel Fishing Rods 2024: Expert Reviews & Picks

Traveling anglers often face the conundrum of wanting to fish wherever they go without the hassle of transporting bulky equipment. Travel fishing rods offer the perfect solution, boasting portability without compromising on the quality of the fishing experience. Designed to fit compactly into backpacks, suitcases, or even glove compartments, these rods enable fishing enthusiasts to seize every opportunity to cast a line, regardless of their location.

A travel fishing rod typically breaks down into smaller segments or collapses into a shorter length, making it a practical choice for on-the-go fishing adventures. Some might wonder if these segmented rods compromise on strength and sensitivity, but advancements in materials and design ensure that the best travel fishing rods now rival their standard counterparts. Modern travel rods are crafted from durable materials like graphite or composite blends, maintaining the rod’s sensitivity to bites and overall sturdiness.

When purchasing a travel fishing rod, key considerations should include its material, weight, collapsed size, and ease of assembly, which directly affect its convenience and performance. The rod choice also depends on the type of fishing you plan to do, with different rods optimized for freshwater, saltwater, fly fishing, or other specific angling disciplines.

We’ve dedicated our efforts to evaluating various models and styles to recommend the best travel fishing rods that merge portability with reliability. Our analyses focus on balancing a rod’s compact design and fishing efficacy to ensure that your travel gear doesn’t compromise your following catch.

Top Travel Fishing Rods

We’ve scoured the market for the finest travel fishing rods that combine portability with performance. Our selection promises quality and convenience for anglers who love to explore and fish wherever they go. The rods we’ve chosen are compact, durable, and versatile, catering to various fishing techniques and species. Discover our top picks that ensure you’ll never miss an opportunity to cast a line, no matter where your adventures take you.

KastKing Valiant Eagle Rod

We believe the KastKing Valiant Eagle Rod is a reliable companion for any angler’s travel adventures, offering a blend of portability and quality performance.

• Breaks down easily for travel without sacrificing rod action
• Highly durable titanium oxide guide rings
• Versatile for both freshwater and some saltwater fishing
• May not match the sensitivity of a high-end one-piece rod
• Potential for connection points to weaken over time
• The included travel tube is protective but can be bulky

After spending an entire weekend navigating remote streams with the KastKing Valiant Eagle, it’s no wonder this travel fishing rod has become a permanent fixture in our gear. Its collapsibility into a compact form makes trekking through dense foliage a breeze, especially when space is a premium.

The rod casts smoother than expected for a multi-piece, with responsive action that allowed us to feel subtle nibbles. Given its robust construction, it confidently handled the unexpected tug of larger catches without showing signs of stress.

We must admit, though we were initially skeptical about the joint strength of a travel rod, the Valiant Eagle has proved us wrong. The sections fit snugly, and even after repeated assembling and disassembling, there was no noticeable play or weakening.

Lastly, the sleek design and cork handles not only add to its aesthetic but also provide a comfortable and firm grip during long hours by the water. While the rod’s sensitivity is commendable for a travel model, hard-core anglers might notice a slight difference compared to single-piece counterparts. Overall, the KastKing Valiant Eagle is a worthy investment for those looking to fish on the go.

Goture 4-Piece Travel Rod

If you’re in search of a reliable travel companion to reel in those memorable catches, the Goture Travel Fishing Rods are a catch worth considering.

• Remarkably sensitive yet strong enough to fight larger fish
• Comfortable grip and durable reel seat for extended fishing sessions
• Impressively portable for travel with a lightweight and compact design
• Some may find it less stiff compared to higher-priced alternatives
• The segments can be challenging to separate after use
• Warranty process may be cumbersome for some

On our recent fishing escapade, we were thoroughly impressed with the Goture Travel Fishing Rod’s performance. It’s sensitive to the slightest nibbles yet has enough backbone to haul in the fighters. The 30-ton carbon matrix technology is not just marketing fluff; it translates to an impressive balance between strength and sensitivity.

The grip is another aspect we love. After hours by the water, comfort becomes critical, and the EVA split grips ensure that your palms and fingers don’t bear the brunt of a long fishing session. Also, the high-quality ABS material used in the reel seat held up without any issues, giving us the confidence to cast and retrieve all day.

Transporting your rod can often be cumbersome, but this rod’s 4-piece design made it a non-issue for us. It’s not only a breeze to carry around but when assembled, it feels satisfyingly well-balanced in hand. We whisked it away on a flight and had no trouble fitting it in our luggage, which is a testament to its travel-friendly design.

While our experience was predominantly positive, it’s fair to note that some anglers used to stiffer rods might find this one a bit too flexible. Additionally, disassembling the rod after use required a tad extra effort; the pieces fit snugly, typically a good thing, but they might stick after a day’s use. Finally, although it comes with the reassurance of a one-year warranty, actually leveraging the warranty could entail some bureaucratic hoops, though this is common with many products.

Considering the balance of pros and cons, we found the Goture Travel Fishing Rod to be a terrific addition to our fishing gear. Whether we were casting into surf or jigging in a lake, it felt right at home. For those who prioritize portability, comfort, and overall functionality without splurging excessively, this rod should not disappoint.

PLUSINNO Telescopic Fishing Kit

We recommend this fishing rod and reel combo for its versatility and ease of use, making it a solid choice for anglers on the go.

• Compact, portable design that collapses easily for travel
• Robust construction with a blend of carbon fiber and fiberglass
• Reel seat is built with stainless steel and offers strong anti-corrosion properties
• Can feel slightly heavier compared to some high-end models
• The enclosed reel may not suit all fishing styles or preferences
• Durability may be an issue with frequent saltwater exposure

When we took the PLUSINNO Telescopic Fishing Kit out for a spin, the immediate benefit was its portability. The rod’s collapsible design made it a breeze to store in our backpack, which was especially appreciated on a tight-packed hiking trip. It’s the type of rod we could stash in the car for impromptu fishing sessions whenever the mood strikes.

Strength and flexibility are crucial out on the water, and this rod offers plenty of both. During a recent fishing trip, the rod held up to the challenge, securing a lively catch without a hiccup. It mixed sturdiness with pliability in a way that inspires confidence, a testament to its carbon fiber and fiberglass construction.

Handling this setup felt comfortable thanks to the EVA grip, which was especially noticeable during longer fishing forays. However, after several encounters with saltwater, we noted a bit of strain on the materials. Regular maintenance is key to keep it in prime condition. Overall, the PLUSINNO Telescopic Fishing Kit provided us with what we needed—no frills, just efficient, functional fishing.

Fiblink Travel Rod

We recommend the Fiblink Travel Rod for any angler looking for a balance of portability and performance on their outdoor adventures.

• Remarkably lightweight, enhancing our casting comfort throughout the day
• Holds up well under pressure with its solid carbon fiber construction
• Cork handle design provided us with an excellent grip, even in wet conditions
• The stiffness may not appeal to those seeking more flex for certain fishing techniques
• Only one configuration is available, which may limit versatility for some anglers
• The hook keeper’s position seemed less than ideal when we needed rapid accessibility

Casting my line with the Fiblink Travel Rod felt almost effortless, as the rod’s lightness really stood out. It was also satisfying to feel the solid responsiveness when setting the hook, partly thanks to the rod’s sturdy carbon construction which managed to impress with both its strength and sensitivity.

The extended use during my last trip didn’t wear on my hands or arms, a testament to the ultra-premium-grade cork grip. As someone who appreciates a comfortable handle, this feature made my fishing sessions much more enjoyable, especially during long days on the water.

Despite its rigid form, which was initially a concern, the rod performed exceptionally well with various lures. However, I noted the precision in the rod’s functionality, evident in how effectively it conveyed even the slightest nibbles right to my fingertips. The only minor snag was the hook keeper, which, while practical, could be optimally placed to avoid interfering with the action on the retrieve.

In conclusion, our experience with the Fiblink Travel Rod has been positive. Its portability didn’t compromise on power, and fishing felt both smooth and controlled. While it may not be the perfect fit for every fishing style, for us, it proved to be a valuable tool that enhanced our travel fishing experiences.

Sougayilang Travel Fishing Kit

We recommend this travel fishing kit for any angler looking for a versatile and compact combo for on-the-go fishing.

• Highly portable and easily fits into tight spaces
• It comes with a complete set including accessories and carrier bag
• Constructed with durable carbon fiber, offering longevity
• Some components may require adjustments or fixes over time
• The included line could be of better quality
• Drag cap on reel may require frequent tightening

Outdoor adventures often lead us to tranquil waters, and having the Sougayilang Travel Fishing Kit on hand ensures we’re always ready to cast. The portability is a game-changer—this rod fits in our car’s trunk with ease, and we appreciate how the compact size doesn’t compromise its strength. Out on the lake, it has proven exceptional for catching bass and trout, and we notice it comfortably fits in our hands.

The smoothness of the reel in action is notable. It glides seamlessly, and the 13 + 1 ball bearings contribute to its fluid performance. The ease of use becomes apparent when casting lines and reeling in catches. We’re particularly impressed with the ceramic guide rings, which enhance the rod’s durability—a feature that’s usually reserved for higher-end models.

There’s something to be said for the convenience of having a ready-to-go kit. We’ve found the included carrier bag useful for keeping all fishing accessories organized, facilitating a spontaneous trip to the water whenever the mood strikes. It’s the kind of all-inclusive set that works well for beginners and seasoned fishers alike, sparing us from the need to purchase additional gear.

When the day’s journey ends and it’s time to pack up, collapsing the rod back down is a breeze. It’s reassuring to know that next time we stumble upon a hidden creek or see the sun reflecting off a peaceful pond, the Sougayilang Travel Fishing Kit will be with us, ready to turn the moment into a memorable fishing experience.

Buying Guide

Understanding rod length.

The length of a fishing rod directly influences casting distance and maneuverability. For travel rods, we typically consider lengths from 6 to 9 feet. Shorter rods offer better control and are ideal for tight spaces, while longer rods provide increased casting distance.

• Short (6-7 feet): Superior control for tight spaces
• Medium (7-8 feet): Balanced control and casting distance
• Long (8-9 feet): Enhanced casting distance

Focusing on Portability

Portability is key for a travel fishing rod. We look for compact, lightweight designs that can easily fit into luggage or backpacks.

• Multiple Sections : Rods that break down into several pieces
• Compact Length : Measure the rod’s length when fully collapsed

Material Matters

The material of a rod affects its sensitivity, strength, and weight. Common materials include graphite, fiberglass, and composite blends. We prioritize durability along with a balance between flexibility and sensitivity.

• Graphite: Sensitive and lightweight, but potentially less durable
• Fiberglass: Heavier and more durable, with a slower action
• Composite: A blend, offering a mix of sensitivity and durability

Action and Power

Rod action and power influence how much and where the rod will flex when casting or fighting a fish. Actions range from slow to fast, while power ranges from light to heavy. We match action and power to the fishing conditions and the species we target.

Reel Compatibility

Ensuring the chosen rod is compatible with the type of reel we plan to use is essential. We constantly compare the reel seat size and design to ensure a secure and functional fit with our reel.

Great Travel Gear Reviews

Best premium leather travel backpacks.

For those who prioritize elegance and durability in their travel gear, our selection of Best Premium Leather Travel Backpacks is designed with you in mind. These backpacks not only secure your belongings but also add a touch of sophistication to your travel ensemble. Perfect for city explorers and adventure seekers alike, discover how you can combine style with functionality on your next journey.

Best Travel Guitar

Music enthusiasts who can’t imagine leaving their instrument behind will find our Best Travel Guitar guide invaluable. We’ve explored the top options that ensure you don’t have to sacrifice quality for portability. Whether you’re performing by the campfire or practicing in your hotel room, these guitars are made to move with you, ensuring the music never stops, no matter where you are in the world.

Best Nomad Travel Insurance

Traveling without insurance is a risk no modern nomad should take. Our in-depth review of the Best Nomad Travel Insurance offers will guide you through selecting the right coverage for your lifestyle. From medical emergencies to trip cancellations, we’ve covered all the essentials to help you travel with peace of mind. Explore our recommendations and find the insurance that best fits your adventurous spirit.

Frequently Asked Questions

In this section, we address some of the most common inquiries regarding travel fishing rods, focusing on their functionality, quality, and transport considerations.

What are the top-rated travel fishing rods for saltwater fishing?

The top-rated travel rods for saltwater fishing include the Okuma Nomad Xpress Inshore Rod, St. Croix Triumph Travel Spinning Rods, and Daiwa Ardito-TR. These models exemplify strong construction and corrosion resistance, essential for saltwater conditions.

Which travel rod and reel combo offers the best performance?

The Penn Battle II Spinning Combo and the Ugly Stik GX2 Travel Spinning Combo are renowned for their exceptional performance. They balance sensitivity and strength, making them a favorite among seasoned anglers.

What are the advantages of four-piece travel spinning rods?

Four-piece travel spinning rods offer enhanced portability and convenience without compromising rod action and sensitivity. They fit easily into luggage or backpacks, making them ideal for trips that require light packing.

How do Shimano travel rods compare to other brands?

Shimano travel rods are respected for their innovative design and quality materials. Compared to other brands, they often feature more advanced technology such as the Shimano Spiral X construction which enhances rod strength and reduces twist.

Can you provide tips for safely transporting fishing rods on an airplane?

To transport fishing rods on an airplane, use a hard rod case or tube, and secure all latches or closures. If possible, carry them as hand luggage or ensure they’re labeled as ‘Fragile’ when checked in.

What should I look for in a telescopic fishing rod to ensure quality and durability?

When selecting a telescopic rod, look for high-quality guides, a sturdy reel seat, and a consistent finish along the rod. Brands like KastKing and Sougayilang offer models with these features that ensure longevity and reliable performance.

Traveler and blogger Living in Guadalajara, Mexico

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The 5 Best Travel Fishing Rods of 2023

Geoff Stadnyk in Fishing Rods on January 3, 2023 January 3, 2023

Traveling fishing rods are all about convenience.

A traveling fishing rod should be portable, lightweight, and easy to transport without taking up much space.

Slipping the best travel fishing rod, reel, and a hand full of lures into your backpack when venturing into the great outdoors is how great memories are made.

True travel fishing rods generally follow two designs with the most recognizable being the telescopic fishing rod.

The second option is the take-down multi-piece designs.

The number of pieces can range between two to six sections with four-piece rods fairly common.

Best Travel Fishing Rod

A myriad of travel fishing rods is available today.

Amazon’s online store offers over three hundred options for various angling disciplines.

Some possibilities include rod and reel combos, including a few lures and hooks.

Prices vary widely, ranging from as low as twenty dollars to four hundred and fifty dollars.

Let’s look at a few popular travel fishing rod options from Amazon for your convenience.

Best Designed Travel Fishing Rod

Smuggler 7 – rigged & ready review.

In my opinion, Rigged & Ready has struck gold with the design of the Smuggler 7 range of travel rods. It offers great value in a decent length, increasing the versatility of the rig.

Fishing Rod Length

The Smuggler 7 travel fishing rod is a seven-piece, well eight, if you include the two rod tips fishing gear.

The tips are interchangeable, which changes the length of the rod from 7.8 feet to 8.6 feet.

Fishing Rod Material

The rod blank is made from high-performance, powerful nano carbon called SRF Zylon-Carbon-HighGlass.

A unique selling point is a claim that it has unbreakable rod tips.

The tips are of fiberglass construction and are white in color compared to the rest of the travel fishing rod, which is carbon black.

The fishing rod’s grip is made from quality EVA while the reel seat is the traditional graphite screw type.

The slimline rod guides or eyes are silicon lined, making the sturdy rod suitable for use with whatever type of fishing line is available.

Fishing Rod Action

This travel fishing rod is capable of various baitcasting weights depending on the rod tip used.

The blank is a medium action blank for use in many inland and sea fishing adventures.

0.17 ounce to 0.70 ounce (5-20 + gram) for the 8.6 feet rod (2.60 meter)

0.52 ounce to 1.41 ounce (15-40 gram) for the 7.8 feet rod (2.35 meter)

What type of fishing is the rod suited to?

The travel spinning rod fitted with an ultralight spinning reel makes this a cut above other spinning rods.

It is best to use with a bass fishing reel and is also great for catching carp, pike, and salmon.

Keeping in mind that this rod is made for use as a stand-by or non-primary fishing rod with the ability to get the job done in a variety of situations, the Smuggler 7 is a great choice.

The slightly more robust build with super-strong tips of this travel rod, when compared to all the rods, gives the angler the confidence to look forward to the best travel fishing experience.

The pricing of the affordable rods, which falls into the lower to mid-range spectrum, makes this a great option when buying matching rod sets for family members.

The length of the Smuggler 7 makes the rod easily managed by anglers of slight build.

It does not require a large fishing reel that helps in keeping the weight of the rod down.

Lines in the six to fifteen-pound class are well suited with the Smuggler 7 travel rod.

When used with fluorocarbon or braided lines, the rod is capable of far casts.

Best for Freshwater Fishing

Xceed 704m-s goture spinning rod review.

The Goture Exceed spinning rod is a great travel fishing rod for freshwater fishing.

The rods are made in four sections that push together to form the travel rod.

This series of rods are available in five different models, of which the Xceed 704M-S is my favorite.

The Xceed 704M-S travel rod is a four-piece device that slides into each other to make up the Goture travel fishing rod.

The total length of the assembled rod is seven feet.

The rod blank is made from 30T carbon fiber, while the handles are made from quality EVA material for a comfortable hold regardless of fishing style.

The reel seat is the traditional screw type and forms part of the middle EVA handle, which is turned to adjust the reel seat.

The rod sports eight stainless steel guides with ceramic inserts, making the rod suitable for use with any fishing pole line that you will pick .

The blank is medium to heavy with a fast to medium-fast action making this one of the best travel spinning rods.

The lure weight rating is 3/16 to 5/8 of an ounce.

The outfit fitted with the appropriate spinning reel makes a perfect travel spinning rod and is suitable for mainly plastic baits when bass fishing.

Of course, the rod is ideal for bait fishing, float fishing, and many applications.

The sturdy but light rod at barely 5 ounces is an excellent choice when taking a rod along on a hike or camping trip, especially if one doesn’t want to bother with a traditional one-piece rod that can be a pain to lug around.

The sticker price of the rod, which falls into the lower to mid-range pricing, makes this a great buy.

Suitable lines for this class of fishing rod are six to fourteen pounds, allowing you to land most inland fish species successfully.

Best Premium Quality Materials

St. croix avid trek 3-piece 7ft review.

The St Croix triumph travel series consists of seven models offering both spinning and casting configurations.

The brand is aimed at those anglers who demand top-quality travel fishing rods.

St Croix rods are handmade and constructed from premium quality materials.

The St. Croix 7Ft is my choice for fishing trips.

The seven-foot length strikes a good compromise between the rod’s portability when disassembled and practical rod length for most inland fishing purposes.

The rod blank is made from high-modulus SCIII carbon fiber material using IPC (Integrated poly curve technology) and ART technology.

The fishing rod handles are made from quality cork, while the reel seat is a screw-type supplied by Fuji for whole day fishing.

The slimline rod guides or eyes are zirconia lined, making the rod suitable for all types of fishing lines.

The ferrules or joints on the rod’s blank are slim line and reinforced to ensure the rod feels and performs like a one-piece rod and avoids dead spots in the rod’s action.

The rod is classed under medium action rods but is perfectly capable of heavy action as well.

Suitability for the casting of baits is between ½ ounce to 1 ¼ ounce.

Given its robust construction, this travel rod fitted with the appropriate spinning reel makes for an excellent spinning rig suitable for lure and baitcasting of the most common fish species.

The Xceed 70 is an excellent choice for use in most waterways.

The light construction, compactness, and high sensitivity make the rod versatile for various fishing situations.

The pricing of the rod falls into the higher pricing bracket and is backed by St. Croix triumph travel warranties – a transferable fifteen-year warranty which is one of the best in the industry.

Slightly built anglers can easily manage the length of the Exceed 70 and also will not require the use of a large reel which helps in keeping the weight of the rod down.

The ten to twenty-pound class lines are well suited for use with the St. Croix Xceed 70.

Best Build Quality and Materials

Angryfish telescopic spinning rod review.

The Angryfish telescopic fishing rod impressed me with its build quality and materials.

Many of the features found on the rod are often found on many higher-priced telescopic rods.

The rods are churned out in great numbers, but the quality is good.

All told, this telescopic rod is an excellent buy.

The Angryfish telescopic fishing rod is available in two lengths, 6.8 feet or 7.8 feet.

My choice is the 6.8 feet due to its slightly smaller dimensions when folded.

The rod blank, consisting of six sections sporting very low dimension ferrules, is made of carbon fiber.

The reel seat is an ABS screw-type molded part that allows your finder to rest on the rod blank for added sensitivity.

The rod handles are made of EVA material, ensuring a firm but comfortable hold on the rod without causing fatigue.

The rod guides, of which there are six, are stainless steel with ceramic inserts to make the rod suitable for use with all types of fishing lines.

The blank is medium to heavy with a medium-fast action, making this a great spinning model.

The lure weight rating is 0.2 ounces to 0.7 ounces (5 to 20 grams).

The Angryfish telescopic fishing rod is an excellent option for the weekend recreational angler.

Fitted with the appropriate spinning reel, the rod makes for a great spinning rig.

The rod is well suited for casting plastic baits when bass fishing.

Of course, the rod is suitable for most travel fishing applications where smaller fish species are targeted.

The sturdy but light rod at barely 4 ½ ounces in weight is a great choice when going along on an outing where a fishing opportunity might present itself.

The pricing of the telescopic rod falls in the lower range and is excellent value for money.

Suitable lines for this class of fishing rod are ten to twenty pounds, allowing you to catch most inland fish species successfully.

Best Priced

Sougayilang 6.9ft blue - telescopic spinning fishing rod review.

The Sougayilang telescopic spinning rod is amazingly low priced for its quality.

Available in combo form which includes some basic fishing lures and hooks and a spinning reel, I picked the 6.9 feet rod.

The Sougayilang telescopic rods are available in five lengths ranging from 5.9 feet to 10.9 feet.

My choice is the 6.9 feet due to its practical size for a travel fishing kit.

The rod blank consists of five sections sporting stainless steel ferrules to which the guides are attached.

The rod blank is made from high-density 24-ton carbon fiber and E-Glass composite.

The reel seat is CNC machined aluminum and appears of great quality.

The blank is a medium-fast action, making this a great all-purpose spinning rod for any fishing trip.

The lure weight rating is 0.3 ounces to 0.8 ounces.

A telescopic spinning rod is an excellent option for the average recreational angler.

The travel rod is fitted with the appropriate spinning reel to make a great spinning and general-purpose device.

The rod falls in the lower pricing range and is great value for money.

Suitable lines for this class of telescopic rods are six to fifteen pounds, allowing you to land most inland fish species.

And The Best Travel Fishing Rod Is…

My choice for the best fishing rod for the average recreational angler and traveler is the Rigged & Ready Smuggler 7!

The small dimensions when folded, nice storage tube, multi-tip option, price, and great build quality makes this rod a top-class product.

Factors to Consider When Choosing the Best Travel Fishing Rods

In order to choose the best rods, you need to consider a few things before buying a certain model.

1. Length of the Rod

You need to choose the right rod length for your specific fishing application or what you plan to fish.

It’s best to start with a short rod if you are a beginner since this size is easy to master, and can be used for many different applications.

A medium travel rod is helpful for catching species like beam, golden perch, trout, whiting, and other small fish.

A larger fish, of course, like kingfish, mackerel, queenfish, trevally, and others will require a longer travel fishing rod.

2. Number of Rod Pieces

Multi-piece rods can be broken down into two, three, four, or even up to eight pieces.

This makes them easier to carry in your luggage or fishing rod case when it is time to pack.

The parts are also easier to replace when you break or lose one because you only have to buy one section and not the whole rod.

The downside is you have several pieces to look after and you have to secure each segment tightly or they might break under strain.

Multi-piece rods are also more expensive than one-piece rods.

3. Fishing Rod Material

The material from which the rod is made will play a big role in its durability, and price .

Fiberglass rods have been around for ages because they are durable and affordable but their lower sensitivity makes it harder to detect lighter bites.

Graphite rods have high tensile strength and sensitivity but it is an expensive material for those on a budget.

A composite rod combines the best features of both fiberglass and graphite but is more expensive than pure fiberglass rods and less sensitive than pure graphite ones.

You may also want to look at the other rod components like the rod guide which is best with a ceramic coating and the rod handle which comes in cork or EVA foam.

4. Rod Power

Power is a measure of how strong a rod is and its capability to withstand pressure when catching fish.

Rod power ratings are classified as light, medium, or heavy, or medium/light or medium/heavy in some cases.

A light power rating means the rod can only handle small fish species like crappie, trout, bluegill, and other panfish.

A medium power rating is fine for, well, medium-sized fish such as bass, catfish, pike, or walleye.

For big fish such as musky and tuna, a heavy power rod is a must.

Medium-light bridges light to medium and is capable against smallmouth bass and steelhead trout.

Medium-heavy, on the other hand, has excellent power for flounder, pompano, and salmon.

Fishing rods are available in a mind-boggling variety and quality.

The critical requirements for a travel rod are portability and convenience.

The Smuggler 7 fishing rod kit fits the bill of the best travel rod superbly by offering a two-in-one rod option with interchangeable tip sections that make it a great buy.

Geoff started fishing as a child in the gorgeous lakes of Mammoth, while on family vacations. His fishing experience includes the use of fly rod and reel. Guided trips along the Madison and Gallatin rivers in Montana, the Frying Pan and Animus in Colorado, and the Deschutes river in Oregon have all paid off and helped make Geoff the angler and writer that he is today.

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Travel Fishing Rods

We make buying travel rods online easy. A travel fishing rod is ideal for the frequent traveler who makes fishing part of their escape whenever he or she can. The problem is most rods are too big to fit on an airplane. If you’re flying, bringing a dedicated travel rod makes a lot of sense. There are versions that are cheap, relatively inexpensive and high end. Travel rod prices are not as high as you think and they come in their own case that can fit in your suitcase or be stored in the overhead compartment.

Travel rods for sale at J & H include major brands: St. Croix, Dark Matter and Okuma. Each of these manufacturers offers travel rods at prices that won’t break the bank.

If you're buying a travel rod online or in the store you should know that they come in three or four pieces that you can easily put together. No tools necessary! These three pieces are designed in such a way that, irrespective of the price of the travel rod, cheap or expensive, they will feel great in your hand as if they are a one-piece rod.

Of course, travel rods are sold without reels so make sure you factor that into the price. You might think the price seems cheap but adding. Most reels are sold without a case so make sure you buy a protective neoprene case. This can then be stored in a carry-on bag or in your luggage. Before traveling make sure the airline lets you bring a reel with line on it onto the plane. There have been instances where they have not. In this case you will have to put it in your suitcase.

St Croix Avid Trek Travel Spinning Rods

St Croix Triumph Surf Travel Spinning Rods

St Croix Triumph Travel Spinning Rods

St Croix Legend Trek Travel Casting Rods

Dark Matter Bonefish Plus Travel Spinning Rods

St Croix Legend Trek Travel Spinning Rods

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We carry travel surf and spin rods for a variety of fishing situations.

Some crazy fishing adventures need portability that a one or two-piece rod can't provide, and that's where travel rods step in.

Whether saltwater or freshwater, modern multi-piece travel rods vastly out perform rods from not that long ago. Advanced ferrule technology keeps tapers and action smooth as well as light and strong.

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St. Croix Triumph Travel 4-Piece Spinning Rods

Free return shipping is available for all orders shipped within the 48 contiguous United States. These orders will include a complimentary pre-paid UPS Ground return label in the box when the order is delivered. If you use the pre-paid return label provided, please allow 7-10 business days for the return package to arrive back at Tackle Warehouse.

Orders shipped to international, APO/FPO, Alaskan or Hawaiian addresses or U.S. territories are not eligible for the free return shipping offer. Drop Ship and Oversized Items are not eligible for the free return shipping offer.

Please use our Returns & Exchange form found on the back of your printed invoice. If you don't have your original invoice you can download our Tackle Warehouse Return Form .

Contact us with any questions or concerns!

Phone: 1.800.300.4916 Email: [email protected]

Tackle Warehouse wants you to be completely satisfied with your purchase. Items can be returned at any point in new condition within 365-days of the original invoice date.

Products returned in new, store-bought condition are eligible for exchange, refund, or Tackle Warehouse store credit for the full value of your purchase.

Please note that while we want you to be happy with your purchases, an excessive number of returns within a twelve-month period may limit your eligibility for refund or store credit.

Products returned beyond 365-days from the original invoice date or that are unable to be returned to stock may be eligible for store credit at the sole discretion of Tackle Warehouse.

Original shipping charges are non-refundable.

Used baits & tackle are not eligible for return.

Delivering durability, sensitivity, and power in a compact package, the St. Croix Triumph Travel 4-Piece Spinning Rods are able to accommodate anglers wherever they choose to roam and fish. Featuring premium quality 4-piece SCII carbon blanks with two coats of Flex-Coat slow cure finish, they are an ideal option for targeting backcountry ponds and streams. Securely seated to the blank are Sea Guide Atlas Performance slim aluminum-oxide guides with a sleek black finish for long, quiet casts. Building on their quality blank and guides, the St. Croix Triumph Travel 4-Piece Spinning Rods incorporate Sea Guide XDPS reel seats with eco-friendly sandblasted hoods for a secure reel attachment point that won’t let you down. Bordering the reel seats are premium-grade cork handles for a superior grip perfect for casting a line in any pond or stream you discover during your travels. Completed with a padded nylon soft case for safe-keeping while stowed, the St. Croix Triumph Travel 4-Piece Spinning Rods are a perfect solution to the challenge of traveling with a rod. -4-Piece Blank Construction -Premium SCII Carbon Blanks -Sea Guide Atlas Performance Slim Aluminum-Oxide Guides -Sea Guide XDPS Reel Seats -Premium-Grade Cork Handles -Two Coats of Flex-Coat Slow Cure Finish -Limited 5-Year Warranty with $60 Fee

Specifications

More from st. croix.

Customer Reviews

Previous feedback  .

Comments: Flew all the way to Alaska only to have the tip section break in two while assembling the rod on the very first day. Never even got to cast it. A cheap Ugly Stick far out performed this rod and saved my fishing trip.

From: Moe: Michigan 8/21/23

Comments: I bought 2 of these rods for a recent trip for some shore fishing. BOTH rods broke at almost exactly the same location. One of them also broke near the tip (that happened first but was still 'sort of' able to use the rod until the main section broke. The connection sleeves are too thin and/or horribly designed for any force. I can't imagine how a 2-3lb fish could snap a normal rod- but that size fish was easily able to snap 2 of these rods. Luckily for me, Tackle Warehouse said I can return them.

From: RP: Ohio 12/15/22

Comments: LOVE this rod. Finally, a travel rod that is short enough for today's carry-on requirements. Awesome casting, limber tip with stiff butt and sensitive blank.

From: Derek: Unknown 8/24/22

Comments:  Casts very easily, no compromise between strength of the rod and the ability to break it down. The guides get skewed pretty easily, but that comes with it being a travel rod. Overall, it's great!

From: Ben: 6/6/21

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How Do I Choose a Fly Rod?

Start by determining which weight of fly rod you need, based on your target species. If you’re interested in mid-sized or larger trout, look for a 4-, 5-, or 6-weight fly rod. For bass, look at a 6- or 7- weight fly rod. Steelhead and salmon will require a 7-, 8-, or 9-weight fly rod.

Then think about length. Rods in the 8’6” and 9’ range are the most versatile and most common. But small stream anglers tend to like easy-to-maneuver rods in the 6’ to 7’ range.

Finally, consider other aspects of your fishing to determine which rod will suit you best. Orvis designs and produces fly rods that fulfill the specific needs of expert anglers, as well as affordable, incredibly well-made fly rods that welcome newcomers to the sport.

What Does the Weight of a Fly Rod Mean?

The weight of a fly rod is the size of the fly line that rod is designed to cast. Heavier lines can be cast farther; can cut through wind on open saltwater flats and big rivers; and can help punch bigger and heavier flies through the air. Heavier lines put more force on a rod, and thus require a sturdier fly rod. Lighter-weight lines allow for delicate presentations of smaller flies, and so lightweight fly rods are built with precision presentation in mind. Choose your rod weight and fly line weight based on which type of water you’ll primarily be fishing. You can get by within 1 to 2 weights of the ideal rod/line weight for a piece of water. So if you’re fishing a big river for big trout and should be using a 6-weight rod and line, for example, you could get away with a 5- or 7-weight.

What Is the Best All-Around Fly Rod Weight?

The best all-around fly rod weight for freshwater is a 4-, 5-, or 6-weight in 8’ 6” or 9’ lengths, and for saltwater an 8- or a 9-weight in a 9’ length. A tremendous variety of fishing can be accomplished with these options.

Which Orvis Fly Rod Should I Use?

• Helios: If you’re an experienced angler who demands precision and accuracy, explore our Helios line of fly rods. We engineered the Helios rods to reduce the variables and harness the energy behind each cast—translating to impressive accuracy. No window is too small for this precise rod, thanks to the increased hoop strength that reduces vibration for a truly accurate cast. Place flies right where you want them—every time—with the enhanced power and pinpoint accuracy of our Helios fly rods. Cast the Helios D if you’re looking for reliably easy distance; it blends unmatched power with incredible accuracy. For tricky water, spooky fish, and tiny dries, rely on the finesse-focused Helios F , which will consistently present a fly at 60 feet, with a delicate presentation and surprising sensitivity. The Helios fly rod offers power, accuracy, and feel, whether you’re fishing a stream or the flats.
• Clearwater: In our bestselling Clearwater series , you’ll find the ideal weight and flex for any application. Our budget-friendly Clearwater Switch & Spey rods put the world of two-handed casting within reach.
• Recon: Our Recon series of fly rods is designed with the adventure angler in mind. Four-piece construction allows for easy storage, and convenient straps secure the rod to a backpack when trekking deep into parts unknown. This rod is incredibly lightweight, yet stands ready to tackle the toughest fish on the greatest adventures.
• Superfine : Our Superfine fly rods have the power and precision to accurately present flies with a delicate touch to avoid spooking fish. You’ll crave the crisp, clean cast and slow action offered by this fiberglass rod. Superfine glass boasts modern technology that mingles with a decidedly classic look in a fly rod you’ll want to show off.
• Encounter: Our affordable Encounter fly rod outfits are armed with high-grade components perfect for new anglers, and for seasoned anglers looking for a bargain on a spare. The Encounter fly rod outfit comes equipped with a large arbor Encounter reel, weight-forward floating fly line, backing, and leader.

Our fly rod selector tool can help narrow your search to specific rods of the right series, weight, and length, based on your fishing environment, target species, fly box, and other variables that are important to you.

How Do I Choose a Fly Rod Weight?

Choose your fly rod weight based on your target species. The size of what you’re fishing for determines the weight fly line you’ll need, and your line weight matches your fly rod weight. For example, if you’re heading to a local stream for brook trout, a 5-weight rod with a 5-weight line will do. For chasing barracuda or permit in saltwater, you’ll need a 10-weight rod and line. Generally, 1- to 4-weight rods suit smaller trout. A 5-weight rod is a great all-around option, and a 6-weight is suitable for larger trout, bass, or smaller steelhead. Seven- to 9-weight rods are at the top of the freshwater spectrum, and rods weighted from 10 upwards are reserved for bigger saltwater species.

What Weight of Fly Rod Should I Use?

Use the fly rod weight that best supports the fly line that will handle your target species. In other words, you should choose your fly rod weight based on the type of fish you hope to catch. Here are some general guidelines for fish size and fight with the corresponding rod weight:

• 1–4 WT rod:  smaller trout, panfish
• 4–6 WT rod:  bass, average-to-larger trout
• 6–8 WT rod:  carp, salmon, bass, monster trout, some smaller saltwater species like bonefish or redfish, steelhead
• 9–10 WT rod:  big salmon, steelhead, striped bass, muskie
• 10–14 WT rod:  tarpon, mahi-mahi, bluefin, giant trevally, sailfish

Do Heavier-Weight Fly Rods Cast Farther?

A heavier-weight fly rod does not guarantee a farther cast. As a rule of thumb and all things being equal, a longer rod will cast farther than a shorter rod, and a heavier weight line can go farther than a lighter weight line. A long 5-weight rod is capable of swinging as far as 90 feet, although most anglers will need to cast only to about 50 feet. In the end, what matters most for longer casts is proper technique.

What Is a 5-Weight Fly Rod Good For?

A useful all-around fly rod, the 5-weight is good for trout, grayling, and bass.

What Is a 7-Weight Fly Rod Good For?

A 7-weight fly rod is good for huge trout, carp, salmon, and bass.

What Length of Fly Rod Do I Need?

Rod lengths vary greatly, but there are only a few variables to consider when deciding which length you need. Shorter rods between 6 and 8 feet perform well on small creeks with obstacles you’ll have to cast around, such as logs or rocks. Longer rods between 8 and 10 feet suit larger bodies of water where you need to make lengthier casts to reach fish, or gain added reach to avoid drag. If you’re a beginning fly fisher, any rod with the right line weight between 8 and 9 feet long is probably a reliable choice.

The Best Fly-Fishing Rods in the Industry

Browse our large selection of premium fly rods, fly rod combos, and fly-fishing outfits to find the perfect setup for any species or budget. With more than 150 years of rod building experience, it’s no wonder anglers look to Orvis for the highest-quality fly rods in the industry. Our fly rods are the best on the market, the culmination of cutting-edge technology, precision, and expertise. Explore our collection and find exactly what you're looking for to equip your next fly-fishing adventure. Discover a fly rod for every excursion—saltwater, freshwater, Spey casting, small creeks, and warm-water adventures. When you’re ready to choose a new fly rod, start by determining which weight of fly rod you need, based on your target species. If you’re interested in mid-sized or larger trout, look for a 4-, 5-, or 6-weight fly rod. For bass, look at a 6- or 7- weight fly rod. Steelhead and salmon will require a 7-, 8-, or 9-weight fly rod. Then think about length. Rods in the 8’6” and 9’ range are the most versatile and most common. But small stream anglers tend to like easy-to-maneuver rods in the 6’ to 7’ range. Finally, consider other aspects of your fishing to determine which rod will suit you best. Or start with our handy fly rod selector to get an idea of the best option for you. Orvis designs and produces fly rods that fulfill the specific needs of expert anglers, as well as affordable, incredibly well-made fly rods that welcome newcomers to the sport. We take great pride in outfitting fly fishermen and women around the globe, as we have for well over a century. Our goal remains the same as it was in the beginning—providing a superior collection of quality fly rods at reasonable prices for the discerning angler.

Legendary Sanibel fly fisherman Norm Zeigler passes at 75

Norm Zeigler had no secret fishing spots.

Inventor of one of the most used flies in the history of fly fishing, Zeigler was known for passing on his free fishing knowledge in a sport that's often thought of an exclusive extension of angling reserved for the rich and retired.

The famous Sanibel Island angler and businessman died early Monday at his partially rebuilt home on Sanibel Island from complications related to Parkinson's.

Born on July 10, 1948 on Cape Cod, Zeigler, 75, worked as a travel and outdoors writer and editor for most of his life, and he was known locally as the forefather and big promoter of fly fishing for snook, especially from beaches like Sanibel Island.

"He was so king and big-hearted and that's why he was so successful," said his wife of 39 years, Libby Grimm. "He believed in no secret spots, even before he opened the fly shop."

He is survived by Libby, son Travis Zeigler of Sanibel, daughter, Katrina Sherman (Hunter), and three grandchildren, of Austin, Texas. He is also survived by his sister and three brothers, and many nieces and nephews.

Zeigler spent much of his professional life as an outdoors and travel writer and editor for Stars and Stripes, a military publication based in Germany.

There, he roamed across much of Europe, hunting and fishing some of the most beautiful landscapes the continent has to offer.

Zeigler came down with Lyme disease, and in 1994 his doctor advised that he move to an area like Florida for its temperate climate and clean air.

He did, but he also lost trout fishing, which had become an obsession over the decades.

Norm Zeigler's Fly Shop on Sanibel Island

"He was so sick he would cast from the beach, and then he realized he could catch snook from the beach," Libby said. "Then he wrote the book that revolutionized the fly fishing industry because you didn't need money to pay for a guide."

Norm Zeigler's Fly Shop opened in 2009 along Periwinkle Drive, and the fly fishing atmosphere there inspired a generation of guides in Lee County to follow Zeigler's lead.

He sold the shop in 2021 after being diagnosed with Parkinson's.

"He didn't make it three years and (Hurricane) Ian didn't help because we lost everything in the world," Libby said. "It was a 6-minute walk to the Gulf, and it was a great house until Ian."

Hurricane Ian made landfall on their 38th wedding anniversary, Libby said.

Daniel Andrews, co-founder of Captains for Clean Water, worked at Zeigler's fly shop for several years while he was in high school.

"I met Norm before I had my driver's license," Andrews said. "I must have been 13 or 14 years old."

He said Zeigler was an advocate for fly fishing and he fought to break down economic barriers that keep many people from enjoying the sport.

'Anybody can pick up a fly rod'

"The thing about Norm was he was incredibly empowering to people: Anybody can pick up a fly rod and you don't need the fanciest setup out there," Andrews said. "The most notable thing about his is he worked to remove boundaries and he wanted people to find the peace and connection to nature."

Andrews described Zeigler as a serious fisherman who wanted his friends and guests to experience the joys he had come to know on Sanibel.

"When you were on the water with him, he had a sense of seriousness and there wasn't a lot of words said," Andrews said. "He just wanted you to have the same experience he did. The real drive for that was the peace and serenity that he had while fly fishing the beaches."

Long-time friend and fellow fly fisherman Bob Brooks said Zeigler's shop was key to starting a unique fishery on Sanibel.

"There were a few people who were doing it but they were very quiet about it," Brooks said. "Norm was the one who started writing about it and developed the Schminnow and he was probably the first people who really went after it and told people about it. Then people started to come to Sanibel just to do that and they still do."

Zeigler was featured in a recent Flyfisherman.com article on his life and passing.

Zeigler helped create Southwest Florida's beach fly fishery

Calusa Watekeeper and fishing guide Codty Pierce, 33, worked at Zeigler's shop as a teenager, and he credited Zeigler with making Southwest Florida waters famous.

"He's really the one who bridged the gap and told normal people they could sight fish for tropical gamefish on Sanibel Island," Pierce said. Sight fishing is a visual method where fish are spotted and then cast to. "Not only was it his business but he went out of his way to give casting lessons and encouraged people to go out and try it. He founded the Sanibel Fly Club and they really are a staple of the community." Pierce said Zeigler was a leader in the fishing community and just a genuinely good person.

"What started as hanging out on a dirty old couch turned into a group that got together for fly fishing because we were passionate about it, but that turned into more beautiful things like helping Boy Scouts and doing work inside Ding Darling and that was all the brainchild of Norm," Pierce said. "His book was a gamechanger for this area because it really put us on the map. The only thing that's rivaled his book is the tarpon fishing at Boca Grande."

But Zeigler's health failed him in the past few years.

"He certainly had his share of health issues with the chronic Lyme disease and the prostate cancer and this Parkinson's was more than enough, but fly fishing was his Zen, his yoga and his religion," Libby said.

Donations in Norm’s memory may go to Captains for Clean Water, or organizations supporting Parkinson’s research. In late fall, a memorial service will be held on Sanibel, Libby said.

Connect with this reporter: Chad Gillis on Facebook.

• The Top Attractions In Rostov...

The Top Attractions in Rostov-on-Don

Contributor / Journalist

Rostov-On-Don city is a port and the administrative center of Southern Federal District of Russia. It lies to the southeast of the East European Plain, on the Don River. The city stands on the banks of the Don River, about 46 kilometres east of the Azov Sea and 1,070 kilometres south of Moscow. The climate is temperate continental. Rostov-on-Don has a specific unique outlook because of its rich historical and cultural heritage.

There are more than 1,000 objects of cultural heritage in the city, among them 482 architectural monuments, 70 archaeological monuments, eight large memorial complexes and 106 monuments. It is a major transport hub of the southern part of European Russia and a large educational and scientific center of Russia. So take a look at the city’s major points of interest. Our tips will make your trip to Rostov-On-Don unforgettable and full of interesting activities. https://www.instagram.com/p/BXex-Lzh8uV/?taken-at=213270263 Pushkin Street Take a look at this landscaped boulevard, lined with thousands of trees, flowers, restaurants, food kiosks, benches, memorials and statues. Pushkin Street leads into both the City Park and October Revolution Park. The biggest street of the city is always crowded and you can find a lot of activities there as a tourist. Undoubtedly the first place to go upon arrival, especially if you’re hungry. https://www.instagram.com/p/BYVR7KrHPyl/?tagged=%D1%80%D0%B5%D0%BA%D0%B0%D0%B4%D0%BE%D0%BD Don River Lookout Right after a visit to Pushkin Street, move to Don River lookout (aka, the Embankment) where you’ll enjoy a stroll along the riverside. The Embankment is lined with several restaurants, statues, fountains and a few souvenir shops; it also has an outstanding picturesque view. Yet it is considered to be the centre of Rostov’s nightlife. https://www.instagram.com/p/BYQtspxHtsu/?taken-at=1092801284125416 Rostov Zoo If you’re in travelling with children, then this zoo is well worth a visit. One of the largest zoos in Russia, it is home to a huge variety of animals, including giraffes, camels, polar bears, falcons, reptiles, fish and tigers. Located right in the city centre. https://www.instagram.com/p/BYQDpiIAGEU/?taken-at=879146942 Maxim Gorky Academic Drama Theatre. This theatre is a famous venue for dramatic plays, comedies and concerts in the Rostov area. It is located on the eastern end of Bolshaya Sadovaya Street (Teatralnaya Square 1), directly across the street from the monument known as ‘Stella’. Maxim Gorky Theatre operates even in summer when all other venues are closed. https://www.instagram.com/p/BNCnw_DA4Lo/?tagged=%D1%80%D0%BE%D1%81%D1%82%D0%BE%D0%B2%D1%80%D1%8B%D0%BD%D0%BE%D0%BA Central Market This massive outdoor and indoor market, which consists of many tiny shops and kiosks, can be both exciting and intimidating for tourists. Market shopping is one of the most memorable experiences that Russia has to offer for an adventurous tourist who just arrived here. You can buy anything here. The market is located in the downtown area, on Stanislavskovo Street, just four blocks south of the central intersection of Bolshaya Sadovaya Street. https://www.instagram.com/p/BYXMs9Xjcsk/?tagged=%D1%80%D0%B5%D0%BA%D0%B0%D0%B4%D0%BE%D0%BD Bridges Over the Don River & Embankment This city network of bridges and overpasses was constructed between 2007 and 2010, and it consists of a steel and a concrete composite structures across the River Don. Almost all the bridges were designed by the St ­Petersburg engineering firm TransMost and constructed by the Moscow contractor MostoTrest.

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