Portable Rod & Reel combos

Question
I was wondering if you knew anything about some of the portable fishing rods they have on the market. I have seen a few ranging in different prices such as the NGC Mini Rod and the Eagle Claw Telescoping Fishing Rod and was wondering which kind or brand might be one of the better ones out there, or if these type of fishing rod combos were just a pointless gimmick? Thanks

Answer
Hi Mike,

No, pack and travel rods have a specific purpose and not all of them are a gimmick.  The NGC mini rod, ok, that one is kind of a novelty.

I have been using travel rods my whole life since 1980 when I had one stashed in my college locker and would sneak off to Lake Michigan (1/2 mile away) between classes.  Ah, the good old days.  

The multi piece ones are better than the telescoping ones.  In fact the ones being made today are so good that you can hardly tell that they are three or four or five piece rods.  The old ones were a little clunky and heavy, but not any more.

The Eagle Claw Trail Masters have been around a long time and are very popular amongst back packers and campers.  

The Daiwa minispin travel kits have also been around a long time and are very good.

Browning makes Safari travel rods that are very good.  

One that I have seen that seems very nice for the money ($40) is the Okuma Voyager Kit.  It is a 5 piece 6 foot rod, reel, and case.  I have bought a few Okuma products in the past 5 years and they have held up very well.

Most of these rods are light or ultra light and designed for trout or panfish (maybe a bass).  If you want to get something heavier, St. Croix has a complete lineup of travel rods that will handle everything.

I was faced with this same dilemma last winter.  Our family vacation took us to Florida and Disney.  Being the kind of guy who cant go anywhere without a rod, I had to find something to take along.  I knew I would need something heavier.  Our condo was on a lake full of Bass and I also wanted to hit an ocean pier at Port Canaveral a couple times on our off days.  I bought a Bass Pro Shops XPS three piece, 7 foot, med. heavy.  It was outstanding.  The sensitivity was great, it was light in weight and the sections fit together like a glove.  I ended up catching a 25" Bass with it in the lake and a bunch of Jack Cravelle (3-6 pounds) and Spanish mackerel on it.  Those Jacks pull about as hard as anything I have ever hooked and the rod preformed beautifully.  

I hope this helps you.

Good fishing.

Marc