Pack & Travel Fishing Rods Perfect for Outdoor Adventures

6 Compact Fishing Rods for the Mobile Outdoorsman

Getting to the vicinity of the lake was just one part of the undertaking. Now that you’re within hiking distance, you park your rig, grab your gear and head out on the trail—this time on foot. It’s a little more work, but you don’t mind it. You know that the extra effort you put into getting to your favorite hidden fishing hole is well worth it.

With so much gear already stuffed away in the truck as well as your daypack, the notion of packing and hauling a full-length fishing rod sometimes just isn’t feasible. Luckily for us, modern travel and pack rods are much improved from their ancestors.

When broken down into pieces, these compact fishing rods help make loading and packing in the limited confines of a vehicle much easier. They can be stuffed into a daypack and be deployed when needed. While hiking, they keep your hands free for balance or for hauling fish back when your day is done. Also, with a travel or pack rod stored in your vehicle, you’re never without food when you’re near a body of water.

I have always carried an emergency fishing kit in my pack. You never know when you’ll run across a lake or pond that’s teeming with fish, after all. It is nothing more than some fishing line and a few hooks, but it will do the job. Over the years, I have come to the conclusion that there might be a better and easier way to get most things done. Fishing is no different.

The pack rod is one of those tools that will help you do the job better and easier. The idea of pack rods is nothing new. The 1970s were a time when people were looking to “get back in touch with nature.” More and more people were hiking and camping in wilderness areas—often ill-prepared, but going out, nonetheless. Those who brought fishing gear soon realized how cumbersome it was while trying to hike to some remote pond or stream.

Back then, many standard rods were one-piece and made of fiberglass. Sometimes the result was a broken rod before the destination was ever reached.

Fishing rod manufacturers saw a need for a rod that could be taken apart and easily transported: the pack rod. Keep in mind that these rods were not designed as “survival” items; rather, they were intended for the weekend outdoorsperson. As a result, many of these multi-segmented rods tended to fall far short of expectations. They wouldn’t hold up, they cast poorly, and were basically little more than novelty pieces.

There have been many new improvements to fishing gear over the years, but the concept of the pack rod has never gone away. New materials and designs have made them stronger and lighter.

With that in mind, it is time to take a look at the pack rod as a viable alternative to a full-sized rod. The data for this article came from testing many different rods and reels from many different manufacturers. The rods were broken down into two categories: true pack rods and travel rods. Because of their size and weight, pack rods can be easily carried in your backpack. Travel rods are less compact but still much more compact than regular sized rods—and they’re designed to be taken on vacation by the average person.

As a result of testing these two styles, I discovered two that were great for storing with the other gear in your vehicle. The testing criteria was the same for each rod/reel combination, and included castability, strength, durability, and pack-ability. After each test, the rod/reel combination got a rating between 1 and 5, with 1 being the lowest and 5 being the highest.

To keep the testing unbiased, I enlisted the aid of hunting and fishing buddy Ryan to help with the testing. The top four pack rods were the Kayak King spinning rod by Emmrod, coupled with a Zebco Adventure spinning reel spooled with 10-pound test line; Trophy Stalker telescopic spinning rod by South Bend, coupled with a matching spinning reel spooled with 6-pound test line; Telecast telescoping spinning rod by Quantum, coupled with a Quantum Fire spinning reel spooled with 6-pound test Stren Easy Cast line; and the R2F telescoping spinning rod put out by Big Game International, coupled with a matching reel spooled with 6-pound test line.

The top two travel rods were the South Bend Raven spinning rod with matching reel spooled with 10-pound test line and the Fenwick Methods spinning rod coupled with a Pflueger Patriarch reel spooled with 8-pound test Berkley Trilene line.

Pack Rods

Kayak King: The Kayak King by Emmrod is the most unique rod we tested. This is a two-piece rod that measures only 14 inches when broken down and weighs 9 ounces—making it the ultimate pack rod. Fully assembled, the entire piece measures just 28 inches.

What really makes this rod unique and the most durable rod we tested is the stainless-steel rod portion that’s unlike any other on the market. The way the two sections fit together was impressive and made it fishable without the worry of the rod coming apart (something you need to keep in mind when fishing with any sectional rod). Unlike other rods, where the weight of the fish is absorbed in the rod’s handle, The Kayak King’s weight and power are controlled by the coils that are formed in the rod. The more coils, the more fish-fighting power in the rod. The rod we tested had eight coils.

Both Ryan and I were amazed at the casting distance of such a small rod, although it did take some getting used to. Once we adjusted to it, we were able to cast a ¼-ounce Little Cleo spoon with no problem. The Zebco reel that came with the rod was extremely smooth, and neither of us could find any flaws.

With a price point at around $80, this rod is a good investment—especially when Emmrod offers a lifetime warranty.

Trophy Stalker: The Trophy Stalker is a great rod-and-reel setup for those looking for right-out-of-the-box type of gear. I am not one of those people, but with that said, I really liked the feel of this rod. This telescoping rod measures 5 feet when fully extended but only 17 inches when collapsed. The fiberglass rod makes the entire system extremely light, although it does compromise its overall strength.

The only flaw I found with this setup (besides that it is made of fiberglass) was the pre-spooled reel that came with the rod. If you buy this or any pre-spooled reel, I would highly recommend re-spooling it. The line came off the Trophy Stalker’s reel in huge coils, resulting in a tangled mess. Other than that, the reel is perfectly matched to the rod, making it feel balanced in your hand.

Once the line situation was dealt with, this light-action rod made casting a ¼-ounce Acme Kastmaster spoon almost effortless. The rod’s small size and light weight make up for any shortcomings it might have. With a price point at around $30, this is a great rod for those on a tight budget.

R2F Spinning: This rod was a joy to use, although it was one of the longer rods we tested. It is a medium-light-action rod that measures 66 inches when fully extended and 21 inches when fully collapsed. This, combined with the added weight of the larger reel, made this rod/reel combination borderline in regard to being a “survival” pack rod.

Where this rod exceled was in its castability and its strength when fighting a fish—despite its fiberglass construction. During the testing, while using a worm as bait, I caught a 16-inch, 2-pound rainbow trout. This heavier rod had no problem handling the fish.

Besides the increased weight and length, the biggest drawback to this rod-and-reel combination was that it was made out of fiberglass. However, I really liked it.

With a price of around $30, I would overlook the size and weight and put it in my pack.

Telecast: Of all the telescopic rods tested, the Quantum’s Telecast was one of my favorites. This light-action rod measures 5 feet, 6 inches when fully extended and only about 18 inches when collapsed, thus making it a great option for a survival pack rod. Extremely light, even with the reel, this rod has great casting ability.

The Telecast is also the only graphite pack rod we tested, combining light weight with strength in its graphite construction. Coupled with the Quantum Fire 10 reel, the price point is around $75, which is not bad for what you get.

Travel Rods

While pack rods are good when you are carrying everything on your back, if you’re like me, you also have your vehicle equipped with supplies. This is where travel rods really shine. Most travel rods come with a protective case and are small enough to be easily stored with your other gear.

Raven: The Raven by South Bend is a six-piece, medium-action, fiberglass rod that comes with a matching reel pre-spooled with 10-pound test line. When fully assembled, the rod is 6 feet long. The entire rod/reel combination comes in a foam-lined case that is easily stored.

With any multipiece rod, you will compromise something. It may be strength or castability, but the bottom line is that something will be lost. That being said, I really like the Raven. Its fiberglass construction didn’t concern me very much, because it travels protected in the case. The rod and reel are perfectly matched. As a result, the castability of this combination is pretty good, despite the many rod segments. With a price in the $30 range, it is a good, inexpensive rod.

Methods: The Methods rod by Fenwick is a three-piece graphite, medium-light-action rod. It measures 80 inches when fully assembled and weighs only 5.87 ounces (without a reel). The Pflueger Patriarch reel adds another 5.6 ounces to the package. When broken down, the rod fits neatly into a protective carrying tube.

The Methods rod has two things going for it. First is the number of segments; second is its graphite construction. These two factors increase strength, durability and casting.

By far, this was one of the best rods tested, but its price may hard for some to justify. The Methods rod sells for about $150, and the Pflueger Patriarch reel runs around $200.

The Rod That Fits Your Needs

The quality of tools available to anglers has progressed light years since the 1970s. The bottom line isn’t what I think—it is what you think.

My father always said to get the very best tools you can afford. The best tool is not always the most expensive one. It is the one that best fits your needs. Before investing in a rod to add to your camping gear, weigh everything out. Ask yourself some pertinent questions: Is it easy to use? Is it too large? Does it weigh too much? Cost too much?

Ultimately, this particular tool—a fishing rod—might be used to help feed you and your family, so get the proper one that works the best for you. There is a great deal of information out there. Gather it all so you can make the right choice.