Travel Fishing Rod and Case?

[NikonF5user]

In prep for a future fly-in trip(s) where space and weight will be at a premium, I am debating getting a travel fishing rod that breaks down small enough to ship (and/or fit in duffel bag for travel). I know there are many options, so I am curious to hear from the experiences of others. Has anyone had a travel rod failure or successes? I think I am aiming for more of a collapsible spinning rod rather than a telescoping rod, and ideally a rod with a case that does not require removal of the reel (although this may be a necessity regardless with a collapsible rod). Any thoughts or suggestions are appreciated!

 

[recped]

I'm not much of a fisher, rarely take a rod on trips. ,about 20 years ago I was doing a trip in the far north where I knew that even an idiot could catch fish in Northern Quebec so I bought a mid-grade 3 piece rod and just used the plastic "case" it came in. On that trip I was a very successful "idiot" fisher.

I would measure it for you but it's buried VERY deep in my gear pile. I agree on the telescoping rods, pretty much garbage

 

[lowangle al]

I only take pack rods on trips.The ones I have came in a tube or soft case. The tubes for my 9 foot, four piece fly rods are tuff to fit horizontally in a pack, but it is no problem with shorter four piece spinning rods.

BTW, from what I have seen, good quality fly rods are either one piece or four piece. I didn't see any two piece ones, the four piece flex better. You are not stepping down in rod quality by going with a pack rod. I don't think you can say the same about the telescopic ones.

 

[RBourg]

I think Diawa still markets a very nice compact fishing rod and reel in a case.

 

[Ralph]

I have a 6 foot 6 inch, 4-piece, Ugly Stick rod that fits into a pack very well. It has proven to be very durable. It can be paired with a variety of reels. I think the odds of breaking the reel are much higher when it is attached to the rod so, depending upon the upcoming day I might take the reel off and pack it separately because but, on many days I will leave the reel attached and put the rod behind the back seat. On portages I do try to be careful when carrying the rod & reel and I'm careful where I put it down at the landings.

 

[dramey]

Depending on what I am fishing for, I take either my 5 wt fly rod or my 8 wt fly rod in a case with reel.

 

[Cruiser]

Typically, I pack the reels in a small tupperware container and the rod gets broken down and placed in a length 2" PCV tubing cut to fit, 2 end fitting and it becomes a custom case that protects the rod with minimal weight and space ... I usually just lash the rod tube with the spare paddle.

Brian

 

[scoutergriz]

Typically, I pack the reels in a small tupperware container and the rod gets broken down and placed in a length 2" PCV tubing cut to fit, 2 end fitting and it becomes a custom case that protects the rod with minimal weight and space ... I usually just lash the rod tube with the spare paddle.

Brian

most of my rods are custom made and I try to give them the best care I can, to that end I have several PVC or ABS tubes ranging in size from 2" to 6" and in length from about 2' to 7', all with one cap glued on and the other friction fit- I take a dremel and cut a shallow groove in the cap from the lip to the inner end if the gluing surface to break suction- I've seen people smash the cap when the case goes from a warm basement to a near freezing riverside- the air contracts as do the parts, making it impossible to remove, I also wipe a little vaseline in the cap to aid removal.
My reels go in individual small plastic boxes acquired over time, I learned my lesson years ago when I slipped on mossy rocks and landed on top of my rod, snapping the stem and bending the reel shaft of my cherished Cardinal 3 trout reel, I almost cried over that...

 

[Boatman53]

Remember these?

Jim

 

[Keeled Over]

These guys can take care of your needs.

https://www.clearcreek.net

 

[jdeerfoot]

Remember these?
View attachment 151882
Jim

Yes, the Popiel Pocket Fisherman. Promoted on those cheesy late night tv ads.

 

[Steve in Idaho]

Remember these?
View attachment 151882
Jim

LOL. Mom gave me one for Christmas when I was a kid. It actually went with me on some bicycle trips, and it did catch fish.... sometimes. I still have it tucked away somewhere.

 

[Steve in Idaho]

This was a safety award at my job, back in '89. Not my best or favorite spinning kit, but it's actually pretty good although not as sensitive as my good rods. It goes with me whenever I think things might get rough, and the thing has caught a lot of fish. No idea what's currently available along this line.



The only cases I have that hold a rod & reel together are for flyrods. I haven't seen anything similar for spinning gear that I like. Might have to make something if that's a requirement.

 

[Robin]

Bump

 

[lowangle al]

I like the idea of the telescoping rods because it seems that you can stay rigged up when it is compressed. It would be quick and easy to pull it from the top of a pack to take a few casts. With my pack rods packed away I don't fish while traveling if there are portages.

 

[Jmharrick]

I don’t think it’s likely you’ll find a rod tube/case that’s small enough to pack in a duffel that can also accommodate a reel.

There are a lot of good travel rods out there from reputable brands. A lot of them come with soft sided travel cases.

After I rig a rod up on a canoe trip, I never break it back down. I just tie or bungie it to the underside of the seat and a thwart during portages. This has worked for me and keeps the rod accessible and ready to go. It bounces around a bit on the portage, but I’ve never had one fall out of the canoe while carrying it.

 

[scoutergriz]

I don't derig my pack rods for travel unless it's a trip where fishing is a hit or miss proposition, I simply pull out slack, pull the sections apart, and fold it all up, then I take the slack between the hook and sinker and wrap it around the whole thing. The reel is usually unseated and put in a box taped to the rod tube with the line still threaded under the cap

 

[lowangle al]

I did a trip last summer and kept a rod rigged up and tied to the boat on portages and it worked fine. One of my goals for the trip was to check out the fishing, so it made sense.

I may be a little over sensitized to the fishing rod thing. On an early trip with a friend we broke three out of four rods. Another thing that I consider, is how long I plan to travel on a given day and if I'll have time to fish. A six hour trip can easily turn into a ten hour trip if you're fishing. That's OK if fishing is a major goal and you have the time and energy.

 

[Gamma1214]

Not that it helps the OP find space-saving gear but I consider the occasional broken rod to be part of the experience and, like having a back-up paddle, I take 2. Neither is foldable, collapsible or otherwise packable and I use the same spinning rods & reels that I use for finesse techniques on my bass boat.

I tie them inside the canoe during portages & try to be careful but I still seem to be breaking an expensive rod on about 1/2 of my trips. (I'm the reason that I can't have nice things)

I'll take a few casts below every portage and maybe more than a few if the hole is productive.

Sure, a good honey hole slows daily progress but I've never been on a tight schedule so I do very little day-to-day planning in the field. (my day job knows to figure on some unpaid leave if I run short on vacation time before I get out. While I'm not certain that they like my flippant approach to vacation timelines, they tolerate it so it's all good IMO)