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KINGS Travel Fishing Rod & Reel Combo 7’2” 4-Piece High-Performance with Storage case

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KINGS Travel Fishing Rod & Reel Combo 7’2” 4-Piece High-Performance with Storage case

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  • High-performance Japanese 4-piece graphite blank
  • Fast action rod for lure fishing with vibes, hard bodies, soft plastics, and surface lures
  • High quality genuine Fuji guides and reel seat – global leaders in fishing rod components
  • EVA grip material – durable, sensitive, and lightweight, Carry roll and PVC rod tube for easy transport and storage
  • 3000 size spinning reel included with 4.5kg drag rating, 5.2:1 gear ratio and 3+1 bearings

kings travel fishing rod

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The 5 Best Travel Fishing Rods for 2024

Whether you're going on a dedicated trip, or just want to get some casts in during the family vacation, it pays to be prepared

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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. 

  • Best Budget & Best Combo: Ugly Stik GX2 Travel Spinning Combo
  • Best for Bass: Abu Garcia IKE Signature Series Travel Spinning Rod
  • Best for Saltwater: G. Loomis Escape GLX Series
  • Best Telescopic: KastKing Blackhawk II Telescopic Fishing Rod
  • Best Fly Rod: Orvis Clearwater

How We Picked the Best 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

Best Travel Fishing Rods: Reviews & Recommendations

Ugly Stik GX2 Travel Spinning Combo is the best budget and best combo travel fishing rod.

  • 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.

Abu Garcia IKE Signature Series Travel Spinning Rod is the best travel fishing rod for 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 .

G. Loomis Escape GLX Series is the best travel fishing rod for saltwater.

  • 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.

KastKing Blackhawk II Telescopic Fishing Rod is the best telescopic travel fishing rod.

  • 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. 

Orvis Clearwater Travel Fly Rod

  • 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

Things to Consider Before Buying a Travel Fishing Rod

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. For additional thoughts on this topic, check out our in-depth breakdown of the best fly rods .

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.

Best Traveling Fishing Rods: Final Thoughts

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.

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kings travel fishing rod

Best Travel Fishing Rods for 2024

Jason sealock.

  • Oct 09, 2023

kings travel fishing rod

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

kings travel fishing rod

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.

kings travel fishing rod

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.

kings travel fishing rod

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.  

kings travel fishing rod

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.

kings travel fishing rod

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

kings travel fishing rod

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

kings travel fishing rod

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

kings travel fishing rod

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.

kings travel fishing rod

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.

kings travel fishing rod

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

kings travel fishing rod

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

kings travel fishing rod

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

kings travel fishing rod

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

kings travel fishing rod

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.

kings travel fishing 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

kings travel fishing rod

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

kings travel fishing rod

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

kings travel fishing rod

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

kings travel fishing rod

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.  

kings travel fishing rod

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:

Jason Sealock

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. Now he sets 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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Bass Fishing Experiences

Rods on the Road: Why Do You Need a Travel Rod?

Fishing idyllic lakes, creeks, and rivers can be a rewarding experience for enthusiast anglers and newcomers to the sport. Thanks to compact travel rods, you can pack one in your backpack, place it on the car seat, and head out to fishing spots near and far. In a nutshell, a travel fishing rod provides versatility and portability when you need them.

Moreover, landing a brag-worthy piece like a travel rod is never out of the question. And the market has a wide range of products to please you: introductory, mid-grade, and professional.

Find out why travel rods are a great piece of equipment to own by any fisherman.

Table of Contents

What Are Travel Fishing Rods ?

Travel Fishing Rods

Reel poles are longer, heavier, and can deal with more pressure. However, travel rods tend to be lighter and more multi-functional within their natural limitations. The main characteristic of a travel rod is that it can come as a collapsible telescope model or a multi-piece assembling model.

Standard fishing poles may come in one or two pieces, but travel fishing rods come in three, four, and up to five pieces. When packed for transport, your trusty rod can reach a length between 10 and 30 inches.

When Should You Get a Travel Fishing Rod ?

Consider purchasing a travel rod if you want to fish and move around without investing in more than one rod. Another reason to get one is if you like to fish nearby places that don’t require lugging lots of equipment.

Though, an ideal occasion to bring a travel rod is a vacationing spot that offers fishing opportunities. This can be any place, from oceanside towns, lagoons, cabins in creek-rich forests, and Bay of Mexico spots – the list is virtually limitless for the fishing enthusiast.

However, one of the travel rods’ practical advantages is that certain models enable you to fly-fish with lengths of up to 10ft. These can easily be disassembled to 3 ft or under for light and compact carry.

How to Travel with Fishing Rods

How to travel with Fishing rods

However, travel rods aren’t indestructible. Although their parts can be replaced, a damaged or broken rod will put you through the hassle of finding the right replacement part. And don’t even assume that a folded or disassembled rod can’t get damaged – it can!

To avoid this from happening, here is some foundational advice about how to keep your travel fishing rods safe.

Ensure to do the following before heading out:

  • Fold each rod safely and bundle its components altogether in an individual rod wrap.
  • No part is pushing against another, like a reel pushing on guides.
  • Fold the replacement blanks separately.
  • Stow away from heavy objects that can tumble or tilt.

Roof racks and rod tubes are excellent security for travel rods but are also a much costlier option. Portable storage tubes are the ideal and most affordable solution to transport your best travel fishing rod safely. These hard-cased objects can be kept nearby so that you can readily fold your rod and put it back in the tube when finished.

On another note, rod tubes though sturdy, are also prone to rolling or tilting in the car. Therefore, ensure to lodge them firmly between other equipment or backpacks.

Finding a Travel Bass Rod : What Should You Look For?

Best Travel fishing Rods

Fishing bodies of water heavy on vegetation requires a sturdier rod to sustain heavier lines. Any vast expanse of water with heavy cover presents an ideal environment for catching largemouth. Though, a lighter rod and line would come in handy when fishing on a clear surface. This is because you won’t have to yank the fish through vegetation, which can easily break the line.

Your best travel bass rod will mediate between fast action and medium-heavy power. Weight-wise, opt for the heavier option (between 9 and 42 grams), which will assist you with better casting precision. Length-wise, the ideal rod shouldn’t be under seven feet, and plenty of travel pieces fit this description.

Choose the Best Travel Bass Rod : Top Picks

The following are some of our top picks for travel rods to take bass fishing:

  • The Fenwick Eagle

The Fenwick Eagle assembles into a four-piece spinning rig with a moderate-fast response that does well for bass fishing. Its stainless steel build supported by aluminum oxide successfully includes modern tech into everyday fishing. The under-$100 price tag is welcoming to enthusiasts who aim for impeccable casting performance.

  • Kast King Travel

The New KastKing Valiant Eagle Passage Travel rods are made to go places! Available in spinning, casting, fly, and spin/fly models from 4 to 6 pcs. This performance, travel/pack rod series is ready to go anywhere that adventure takes you. From a 5’6″ Medium Light power rod to pack into high mountain lakes to an 8’6″ Heavy power rod that you can take to Alaska. There’s even a 6 pc, 8’6″ 5 wt. fly rod that will pack down to just 19″ long. Adventure awaits.

  • Temple Fork

TFO solves the globe-trotting angler’s dilemma with the Traveler Series . This series of seven-foot, 3-piece spinning, and casting rods mirror the look and feel of the legendary Tactical family of fishing rods.  And none other than Larry Dahlberg, one the greatest world-traveling anglers of all time, made sure we designed nothing less than the best.

A heads up to anglers who want to test this rod in a different setting: telescopic rods are prone to breaking if you don’t get a good sense of their limits.

Traveling with a Fishing Rod: Final Words

The past ten years have brought an unprecedented availability of traveling rods, giving the angler greater choice and versatility. With some high-end models in the range of $300 and above, you can expect the rod to perform per specification. In other words, you can test the rod’s limits by trying your hand at 40-pound saltwater predators.

If your ideal fishing outing involves hitting a nearby lake, you can rely on the more affordable models – all the same. In short, travel fishing rods allow you to turn any outdoor trip into a fishing trip .

How do you protect a fishing rod during transport?

Your first choice when transporting a travel fishing rod should be hard plastic carrying case. The next-best option is the rod’s native carrying bag (if available).

What is the best way to transport fishing rods?

For multiple one-piece rods, your vehicle should have an adequate roof rack or bed rack for pickup trucks. Multi-piece assemblable and travel fishing rods are best kept in a plastic case.

How do you store a fishing rod for travel?

This rod type may arrive with its brand-name carrying bag, which can protect to a certain point. The ideal option is to carry it in a plastic case made especially for travel rods.

People Also Ask

Should fishing rods be stored vertically or horizontally?

This vastly depends on the length of the rod, whether it’s a one-piece, two-piece, etc. Though, vertical storage is the safer option for a single rod that can be disassembled and bound together.

How do you store multiple fishing rods?

The best way to store multiple rods is to mount them on wall hooks/racks, ideally equipped with stops to prevent rolling over.

Dulce Hettinger

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Medien

Enjoyed the article, thanks!

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Anonymous

Good info I am always was ready to go fishing when I traveled

Great choice, some of the best fishing times are unexcepted stops!

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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.

posing with a sailfish in mexico

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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.

three men with fish out at sea

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

kings travel fishing rod

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.

malta fishing rod rigged and ready

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

kings travel fishing rod

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

kings travel fishing rod

• 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

kings travel fishing rod

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

kings travel fishing rod

• 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.

Fish Rig 180 Travel Rod

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.

a backpack, tent and fishing rod by a lake

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!

man with a fish

The World Traveller by Rigged and Ready

kings travel fishing rod

• 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

kings travel fishing 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

kings travel fishing rod

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

kings travel fishing rod

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

kings travel fishing rod

• 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. 

Malta Fishing Tackle Shop

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.

collection of travel fishing rods

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.

mahi mahi in mexico

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.

kings travel fishing rod

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.

Man fishing in panama

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.

Malta Fishing Rigged and Ready Joe

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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Man with a fish in mountains

And for transparency’s sake, please know that some of the links in our content are affiliate links . That means that if you book your accommodation, buy your gear, or sort your insurance through our link, we earn a small commission (at no extra cost to you). That said, we only link to the gear we trust and never recommend services we don’t believe are up to scratch. Again, thank you!

Joe Middlehurst

Joe Middlehurst

posing with a sailfish in mexico

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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.

We may earn revenue from the products available on this page and participate in affiliate programs. Learn More ›

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.

KastKing

Compass Telescopic Fishing Rods or Combo

Kastking compass telescopic fishing rods or combo.

Telescopic Travel Fishing Rod Combo – New KastKing Compass telescopic spinning combos are the perfect, go anywhere travel fishing rod combo for active anglers. Never leave home again without your favorite fishing rod and reel because you don't have space to take them with you. Compass rods collapse down to just 17" long to travel anywhere.

Lightweight, Sensitive Graphite Composite Blank – KastKing Compass Telescopic fishing rods are made using light, sensitive and durable graphite composite blanks. Graphite composite rod blanks are lighter than fiberglass fishing rod blanks and transmit energy better providing for better performance and bite sensitivity. The split rear handle design reduces weight and provides for better balance.

Spinning Combo Includes A High-Performance Spinning Reel – The Compass spinning reel is made using a lightweight and extremely strong graphite frame for durable performance. The reel includes an aluminum spool that is perfect for either mono or braided line. We use 4 stainless steel ball bearings plus an infinite anti-reverse for smooth and consistent performance. The drag delivers smooth, hesitation free drag up to 12 lbs.

Premium Components and Construction – Only high-quality components are used in the construction of the new KastKing Compass Telescopic travel rods. Lightweight graphite spinning reel seats and graphite casting reel seats with a trigger will keep fishing reels securely in place. Stainless-steel guide frames with Titanium Oxide ceramic rings are perfect for use with mono, fluorocarbon and braided fishing lines. Each travel rod also includes a Drop Shot style hook keeper.

Easy to Pack and Travel – One piece and even 2-piece rods are difficult and expensive to travel with. The KastKing Compass Travel rod series will pack easily into back packs, luggage, on an airplane, golf bag, motorcycle or just about anywhere you want to go. Never leave home without a fishing rod! You never know when you're going to come across a great place to go fishing and wish you had a telescopic fishing pole with you. They also reduce fishing rod storage space at home between trips.

Product Description

KastKing Compass

KastKing Compass Telescopic Spinning Rods/Combo and Casting Rods

KastKing Compass telescopic travel fishing rods and combo are the perfect solution for active anglers. They are easy to pack, take up only a small amount of space and store easily when you get home. The new KastKing Compass Telescopic spinning rods/combo and casting rods are expertly made and are the best value today in Telescopic fishing rods and they collapse easily to only 17" in overall length.

Each Compass spinning rod/combo or casting rod is made using a graphite composite blank that is light, sensitive and extremely durable. Graphite composite blanks provide more sensitivity and performance than 100% glass rod b lanks  and are much lighter and thinner. All Compass rods are designed with a split rear handle design which helps to reduce weight even further and allows the rods to be perfectly balanced. Plus, there's a KastKing Compass Telescopic travel combo that will be perfect for your next trip.

KastKing uses only high-quality components in the construction of the Compass rod series including graphite spinning and casting reel seats. Guides frames are all stainless steel which are light and strong and feature Titanium Oxide ceramic rings so they are perfectly suited for mono, fluorocarbon or braided fishing lines.

KastKing Compass 2

Customer Reviews

Thought I was ordering a combo. But your company did a flip flop on the site. I went back and tried it again and I saw the trick. I kept the rod it is not verygood for casting small lures and that is the reason I was going to buy the combo. I had a Lews combo and I broke off the tip stepping on it by accident. It was excellent and they quit making it. I like to crappie fish and panfish often. I do not recommend the rod to buy alone maybe as a combo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

No used now

I never received it. I did call the company but I haven’t headed back.

Great product for a great price.

I was worried that the segments would misalign while I was fishing, but it’s been rock solid through dozens of casts and a couple of catches. Super happy with its performance so far!

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Kingswell

Kingswell 6'9" Telescopic Fishing Rod Only

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Our flagship all purpose telescopic travel fishing rod extends to 6'9" and collapses down to 21.5". The rod is designed with a rigid base that becomes...

Kingswell 5'7" All in One Telescopic Combo

Kingswell 5'7" All in One Telescopic Combo

$79.99 $114.98

This Kingswell 5'7" all in one telescopic travel rod combo is designed as an all around fishing kit. It's our shortest model, collapsing down to 19", making...

kings travel fishing rod

Kingswell 5'7" Telescopic Fishing Rod Only

This Kingswell telescopic fishing rod extends to 5'7" and collapses down to 19". It's a shorter version of our flagship 6'9" rod. This rod features a strong...

Kingswell S3000 Spinning Reel

Kingswell S3000 Spinning Reel

The S3000 spinning reel is our freshwater spinning reel. It's equipped with stainless steel ball bearings for a smooth retrieve and long lasting performance. The...

Kingswell 6'9" All in One Telescopic Combo

Kingswell 6'9" All in One Telescopic Combo

Our flagship 6'9" telescopic pole all in one travel rod combo is designed as an all around travel pole. It collapses down to 22" making...

Kingswell 7'10" All in One Telescopic Combo

Kingswell 7'10" All in One Telescopic Combo

$79.99 – Sold Out

Our 7'10" (7.90ft) telescopic pole is our longest rod yet. It was inspired by our adventures in Alaska and Pacific Northwest looking for salmon. It collapses down...

Kingswell 7'10" Telescopic Fishing Rod Only

Kingswell 7'10" Telescopic Fishing Rod Only

$54.99 – Sold Out

Our flagship all purpose telescopic travel fishing rod extends to 7'10" and collapses down to 24". The rod is designed with a rigid base that becomes...

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kings travel fishing rod

Kings Travel Fishing Rod & Reel Combo + Tackle Box

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High-performance Japanese 4-piece graphite blank

kings travel fishing rod

Fast action rod for lure fishing with vibes, hard bodies, soft plastics, and surface lures

kings travel fishing rod

High quality genuine Fuji guides and reel seat – global leaders in fishing rod components

2-fold out trays for ultimate convenience, 7-inch fishing pliers included, 200m spool of 10lb mono fishing line, how does adventure kings offer top quality products at better prices.

Since starting Adventure Kings we have offered enthusiasts great products at affordable prices. Sounds too good to be true, right? So how do we do it? It's actually very simple. We remove the middlemen. That's it! By reducing the supply chain, this allows us to charge less and still maintain top quality products!

  • Kings Travel Fishing Rod & Reel Combo Please select Quantity: 0
  • Kings 300+ Piece Complete Fishing Tackle Box Kings 300+ Piece Complete Fishing Tackle Box | 2 Fold-Out Trays | Includes lures, hooks, floats, sinkers & more Quantity: 1

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  2. Kings Travel Fishing Rod & Reel Combo

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  3. Kings Travel Fishing Rod & Reel Combo

    kings travel fishing rod

  4. Kings Travel Fishing Rod & Reel Combo

    kings travel fishing rod

  5. Kings Travel Fishing Rod & Reel Combo

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  6. Kings Travel Fishing Rod & Reel Combo

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COMMENTS

  1. Kingswell

    Kingswell 6'9" All in One Telescopic Combo. 37 Reviews. $79.99 $114.98. Our flagship 6'9" telescopic pole all in one travel rod combo is designed as an all around travel pole. It collapses down to 22" making it portable and easy to carry. It's comprised of a medium heavy spine that provides a strong backbone needed when fighting larger fish and ...

  2. Kingswell 6'9" All in One Telescopic Combo

    37 Reviews. $79.99 $114.98. Our flagship 6'9" telescopic pole all in one travel rod combo is designed as an all around travel pole. It collapses down to 22" making it portable and easy to carry. It's comprised of a medium heavy spine that provides a strong backbone needed when fighting larger fish and a sensitive tip for crankbaits, worms, and ...

  3. KINGS Travel Fishing Rod & Reel Combo 7'2" 4-Piece High-Performance

    This item: KINGS Travel Fishing Rod & Reel Combo 7'2" 4-Piece High-Performance with Storage case . $129.00 $ 129. 00. Only 2 left in stock. Sold by 4WD SUPACENTRE and ships from Amazon Fulfillment. +

  4. Kingswell 6'9" Telescopic Fishing Rod

    6 Reviews. $54.99. Our flagship all purpose telescopic travel fishing rod extends to 6'9" and collapses down to 21.5". The rod is designed with a rigid base that becomes more sensitive and lighter at the tip. The strong backbone helps fighting bigger fish while the fast action tip is designed for jigging lures, crank baits, worms, etc.

  5. Kings Travel Fishing Rod & Reel Combo

    Your 7'2" Traveller rod fits neatly inside a fabric roll (to stop rattling in transit) which then slides into the included hard-shell case. Safe to store in your 4WD cabin, Titan drawers, luggage when flying, as a spare in your boat's rod locker or strapped to your backpack when hiking. REEL INCLUDED. 3000 size spin reel is the ultimate ...

  6. The 5 Best Travel Fishing Rods for 2024

    Best Budget & Best Combo: Ugly Stik GX2 Travel Spinning Combo. Best for Bass: Abu Garcia IKE Signature Series Travel Spinning Rod. Best for Saltwater: G. Loomis Escape GLX Series. Best Telescopic ...

  7. Adventure Kings Travel Rod and Reel Combo

    Fishing is Dave's absolute passion so listen in as he walks us through some quality pointers. To get the most out of your Adventure Kings Travel Rod and Reel...

  8. Best Travel Fishing Rods for 2024

    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.

  9. Adventure-Ready: Travel Fishing Rods For On-the-Go Angling!

    This performance, travel/pack rod series is ready to go anywhere that adventure takes you. From a 5'6″ Medium Light power rod to pack into high mountain lakes to an 8'6″ Heavy power rod that you can take to Alaska. There's even a 6 pc, 8'6″ 5 wt. fly rod that will pack down to just 19″ long. Adventure awaits.

  10. The BEST Travel Fishing Rods

    Second Best Fishing Rod for Travel - Shimano STC. 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).

  11. The 9 Best Travel Fishing Rods of 2024

    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.

  12. Kings Travel Fishing Rod & Reel Combo

    Kings Travel Fishing Rod & Reel Combo | 7'2"-inch 4-Piece Rod +61 1800 88 39 64. 30 Day Change Of Mind Guarantee^ (^Conditions Apply) Track My Order.

  13. Valiant Eagle Passage Travel Fishing Rods

    4 & 6 pc Travel/Pack Rods- The New KastKing Valiant Eagle Passage Travel rods are made to go places! Available in spinning, casting, fly, and spin/fly models from 4 to 6 pcs. This performance, travel/pack rod series is ready to go anywhere that adventure takes you. From a 5'6" Medium Light power rod to pack into high mountain lakes to an 8'6 ...

  14. KastKing Valiant Eagle Passage Travel Fishing Rods, 4 & 6 Pc Pack Rods

    About this item. 【4 & 6 pc Travel/Pack Rods】 - The New KastKing Valiant Eagle Passage Travel rods are made to go places! Available in spinning, casting, fly, and spin/fly models from 4 to 6 pcs. This performance, travel/pack rod series is ready to go anywhere that adventure takes you. From a 5'6" Medium Light power rod to pack into ...

  15. Blackhawk II Telescopic Fishing Rods

    To collapse the telescopic fishing rod to its travel rod length, start at the bottom of the rod and collapse each section with a simple twist as you work your way to the tip of the fishing rod. ... HO KING COMM CTR 2-16 FAYUEN ST MONGKOK KL Shenzhen Branch. Room 1001, Building E, Bantian International Central, Shenzhen, CN 518129 +86-755 ...

  16. Collections

    Save 10% Off. Search. Kingswell telescopic fishing rod. All in one travel rod and reel. Kingswell 609MH is lightweight, portable, and easy to use. Our flagship 609MH fishing rod and reel kit measures 6'9" fully extended and compacts to 22 inches.

  17. Compass Telescopic Fishing Rods or Combo

    Telescopic Travel Fishing Rod Combo - New KastKing Compass telescopic spinning combos are the perfect, go anywhere travel fishing rod combo for active anglers. Never leave home again without your favorite fishing rod and reel because you don't have space to take them with you. ... HO KING COMM CTR 2-16 FAYUEN ST MONGKOK KL Shenzhen Branch ...

  18. Kings Travel Fishing Rod & Reel Combo + Vacuum Sealer

    Travel Fishing Rod & Reel + Vacuum Sealer 1800 88 39 64. 30 Day Change Of Mind Guarantee^ (^Conditions Apply) Track My Order. Stores Open: Open 7 days a week - view trading hours. Login/Signup. Home / Specials & New / Kings Travel Fishing Rod & Reel Combo + Vacuum Sealer. Kings Travel Fishing Rod & Reel Combo + Vacuum Sealer. SC-CO-FRTRVL-VACSEAL

  19. Kings Travel Fishing Rod & Reel Combo + Tackle Box , Outdoor Products

    Travel Fishing Rod & Reel + Tackle Box +61 1800 88 39 64. 30 Day Change Of Mind Guarantee^ (^Conditions Apply) Track My Order. Login/Signup ...

  20. Fishing Tackle Box

    Kings Travel Fishing Rod & Reel Combo + Throne Camp Chair + Tackle Box. From $ 133. 90 + P&H $ 26. 75 * Details Sold Out. Delivered * BUNDLE N SAVE. Travel Fishing Rod + Tackle Box + 45L Tough Front Opening Storage Box. From $ 177. 95 + P&H $ 23. 00 * Details Sold Out. Delivered * BUNDLE N SAVE. Kings 300+ Piece Complete Fishing Tackle Box ...

  21. Featured Collection

    Home Featured Collection Page 1 of 1. Kingswell 6'9" Telescopic Fishing Rod Only $54.99. Sale. Kingswell 5'7" All in One Telescopic Combo from $79.99 $114.98. Kingswell 5'7" Telescopic Fishing Rod Only $59.99. Kingswell S3000 Spinning Reel $54.99. Sale. Kingswell 6'9" All in One Telescopic Combo from $79.99 $114.98. Sale.

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