Backpacking Fishing Poles Compared

Why Invest In A Backpacking Fishing Pole

If you know for sure that you’ll be using your rod after long cycles, hikes, or car journeys, then investing in a travel rod is wise from the get-go. Otherwise, you’ll end up spending a lot of money on a rod that you can’t transport.

Luckily for you, there’s a wide range of backpacking fishing poles on the market that would suit your needs. Continue reading our guide to narrow down your search even further, and take into account some of these considerations.

What Makes A Great Backpacking Fishing Rod?

Rod Length

When you’re buying your next fishing rod for the road, the technique will hugely determine the length of the rod. You’ll need to focus on your fishing environment or where you hope you'll be fishing the most to choose the right length. A good rule of thumb is as follows.

Portability

Portability is probably the most critical aspect when buying a backpacking fishing rod. If you’re unable to fit it into or onto your backpack, then it'll ultimately defeat the purpose. Most pack rods will break into 4 or 5 pieces, with each segment staying between 10-20 inches in length. Telescopic rods can go even smaller, but you’ll have to buy a carrying case yourself for many of these models.

Rod Material

Beloved brands like St. Croix, Okuma, and Daiwa are known for using high-quality materials when producing a new rod for any technique. They’ve even developed new and improved blends of materials that are lightweight yet strong when you’re out on the water.

Nowadays, rods are mainly composed of either carbon-fiber or graphite. Carbon fiber blanks are great for hast actions, and when fully assembled, you won’t lose too much sensitivity. Graphite tends to be a little cheaper but not too short on performance. The right blend of graphite will separate a good rod from a mediocre one.

Action & Power

The “action” is used to describe where a rod flexes if pressure is put on the rod. Faster action rods flex mostly near the tip, and slower actions will bend further down the line. On the other hand, the power refers to the rod's resistance when it’s being flexed.

A rods’ power rating is also designed to handle a specific range of bait weights and line sizes. Most backpacking fishing rods will have a light or ultralight power rating with a fast or medium-fast action rating. These tend to be the most common ratings in spinning and baitcasting rods.

Extra Rod Accessories

Price & Warranty

Prices and warranties will vary from the model of each rod and the manufacturer. The more 'added features' you want with your rod, the higher the price will be. The best advice we can give you is to write down some key features or accessories you want, and your budget for everything, before you start looking.

Warranties, on the other hand, are very typical of many brands. We've listed some warranties worth mentioning in our pros lists, so be sure to check how long your warranty is on your new backpacking travel fishing rod.

1. St. Croix Triumph

St. Croix has created a series of rods well-known by anglers for their durable yet sensitive performance. The Triumph Series rods are all constructed of premium-quality materials that are durable enough to withstand rough conditions.

The Triumph Series rods are also perfectly priced and design-specific to suit a ton of anglers' needs. The Triumph travel spinning rods are in a handy 4-piece design and are built for savvy anglers seeking the best in performance, value, and convenience. It a perfect companion when you’re hiking, cycling, or driving to new fishing environments. 

This perfectly crafted, SCII Graphite rod, is accompanied with a padded nylon soft case. This travel bag gives your rod added protection when traveling long distances. This mid-modulus graphite blank has a higher strain rate than common fibers. This means your rod weighs virtually nothing when it’s packed away neatly in your bag.

Having a good grip won’t be a problem. This medium-fast fishing rod has a premium cork handle that gives you an incredible grip, and even when wearing gloves. The overall design is sleek and traditional, with a Fuji DPS reel seat with frosted silver hoods, hard aluminum-oxide guides with black frames, and it’s finished with two coats of Flex-Coat slow cure finish.

This gives this rod a beautiful and professional finish. It’s hard to beat this travel spinning rod on price, performance, design, and portability, making it our top pick for the best backpacking fishing rod.

2. DRAGONtail Shadowfire 365

If you’re looking for a fly fishing rod that will serve you well for long journeys, then you're in luck! DRAGONtail has produced a complete starter kit for fly fishers who want to travel to new destinations. The Shadowfire 365 is our number one choice for the best backpacking fly fishing pole, and here’s why.

This starter kit includes everything but an angler to cast it. You’ll get 3 soft hackle flies, an ultra-premium furled Moonlit line, tippet, an EVA foam line holder, a storage tube, and a stylish rod sock for extra protection. The Tenkara fly fishing series was made with simplicity in mind. There’s no reel needed, so you can rig up quickly and hit the water as fast as you want, with DRAGONtail stating the rods need a mere 3 minutes to set up.

What we loved the most about this 6:4 action and 8 segment fly rod is that it breaks down to 23.25 inches. So sticking it into an appropriately sized backpack for traveling is a breeze. The IM 10 graphite blank can handle fishes below 18 inches. And, of course, you can land larger fishes, depending on your Tenkara skills.

From its 10-inch cork handle to it’s 2 Universal & Regular Tip caps, there’s a lot to like when it comes to this backpack friendly fly fishing rod. It’s a perfect way to get your tackle box full of supplies before hitting the water, too!

3. Okuma VS-605-20 Voyager

4. Eagle Claw PK56TS

5. Daiwa Presso

6. Sougayilang

Break Down Vs. Telescopic Fishing Rods

Telescopic and breakdown poles have their own pro’s and con’s, but one thing they do have in common, they’re great for traveling and are perfectly portable. Telescopic rods are compact, low in weight, and usually relatively cheap. But some bad models of telescopic rods have left a sour taste in many anglers’ mouths, and many just can’t shake the thought of them being unreliable and prone to breaking. 

We find that good quality, telescopic rods can be great for anglers that air travel quite frequently or that find carrying chunky travel cases a hassle. Break down rods or travel rods are known for having more precise power and action and tend to have a lot more sensitivity. They’re perfect for walking trails, long cycles, or hikes to new fishing areas. Ultimately, the decision is up to you, so consider your fishing location and environment before you choose.

Tips For Safely Carrying Fishing Rods When Backpacking

You’d hate to spend your good earned money on a top-of-the-line travel rod for it to break from falling off your backpack. Here are some tips and tricks to help you get from A to B with your fishing rod safely intact.

People Also Ask (FAQs)

Are fishing rods and fishing poles the same thing?

What are other backpacking fishing essentials?

Some other essentials you might consider taking are:

How reliable are these backpacking fishing poles?

Nowadays, brands compete against each other to create the best of the best travel rods, at affordable price points. They’ve already proved their worth to a ton of anglers that have already taken them on trips. There's no stopping you from having your new rod for seasons or years with the right care and maintenance.

Does the fishing technique really matter when deciding on a backpacking fishing rod?

What brands manufacture the best backpacking-friendly fishing rods?

New travel rods are coming onto the market every day. But some of the brands that we won’t stop hearing about are Okuma, Daiwa, Plussino, and St Croix. These brands have created some amazing technique-specific travel rods that are constructed so well that you’d never believe the price when you see it.

Where is the best place to buy these backpacking rods and other fishing gear?

Scrolling and searching through Amazon is always a great way to read other anglers' reviews and finalize your decision. You can find some great deals and have your new rod delivered straight to your door within just a few days. Or else you can try your local tackle store. They could have your favorite model in stock today.

Conclusion