Traveling Anglers: The Best Collapsible Fishing Rods

OUTDOORS

   06.24.22

Traveling Anglers: The Best Collapsible Fishing Rods

The concept of a collapsible fishing rod might seem counterintuitive. Fishing rods are supposed to be rigid and strong and capable of getting you that big fish. However, as many people have started to travel or take their fishing exploits into other outdoor activities like hiking and camping, having one of these compact rods has become more popular and companies have been slowly attempting to meet the demand of this growing fishing market. Today we’ll be going over a few great options for collapsible fishing rods that you can take with you on your next adventure where you may want to fish, but might not have the space for a full-sized fishing rod.

Traveling Anglers: The Best Collapsible Fishing Rods

Traveling Anglers: The Best Collapsible Fishing Rods

1. Calamus T1 Telescopic Fishing Rod and Reel Combo

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 Calamus T1 Telescopic Fishing Rod and Reel Combo

Author’s/Beginners Choice

I am a fairly novice angler and I don’t get a lot of opportunities to fish. However, You still want quality gear that functions when you’re first starting out so this option should be at the top of your list if you’re curious about fishing away from your normal fishing hole. The Calamus T1 Telescopic Fishing Combo is the priority for beginners who are not familiar with fishing equipment or even seasonal anglers who want a convenient to carry fishing equipment anywhere. The kit has a full lineup of accessories that you need and is suited to a range of different fishing situations. With this lightweight set, you don’t need to buy any other fishing gear and you could easily carry this carrier bag anywhere.

Pros/Affordable and ready to go out of the box

Cons/Not the highest quality gear out there in this category

Bottom Line/A great option for those who are just starting out with fishing or those who know they will only be deailing with easy fishing situations and want a compact, transportable option in a self contained package.

2. KastKing Blackhawk II Telescopic Fishing Rod

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KastKing Blackhawk II Telescopic Fishing Rod

The KastKing BlackHawk II is not only convenient; it is truly a performance telescopic fishing pole. KastKing made them with high modulus, 24-ton Toray carbon fiber blanks which are strong yet sensitive. KastKing’s unique design allows these rods to perform and feel like your favorite 1- or 2-piece fishing rod. The new solid glass tip section provides durability and strength. There are 14 different lengths and actions available in the KastKing BlackHawk II series so there is a telescopic fishing pole that will be right for your situation no matter where you are fishing.

Pros/A lot of variation in a compact, high quality package

Cons/Only features the rod, you’ll have to supply your own reel, line, and tackle

Bottom Line/One piece performance in a six-piece collapsible design

3. Quantum Embark Telescopic Fishing Rod

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Quantum Embark Telescopic Fishing Rod

A little on the shorter side but features a good blend of affordability and quality of materials, the Quantum Embark is a collapsible rod that you should be able to kit out with a decent reel and line so you can have it ready on the boat, or in the kayak for when you find a nice fishing spot. Constructed with a solid glass tip and reinforced graphite rod for unbelievable strength and extended rod life, the Quantum Embark telescopic rod is extremely durable and built to withstand the most rugged fishing conditions. Collapsing from 6’6” to 1.5’, the Embark medium-heavy casting rod is ultra-durable, compact, and hard-working. With its sensitive IM6 graphite rod and comfortable EVA handle, this telescopic rod is dependable & designed to last.

Pros/Comfortable handle design with a built in hook-keeper for more convenient storage

Cons/A little on the short side with a maximum length of 6’6″

Bottom Line/Great as a medium-heavy casting rod you can take with you

4. LEO Fishing Rod and Reel Combo

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LEO Fishing Rod and Reel Combo

LEO This fishing full package set includes a fishing rod, spinning reel, line, lures, hooks, swivels, and some other accessories needed in fishing. With a carry bag, this fishing combo is convenient to store and carry around, a great gift for both beginners and professional anglers. It’s made from a durable combination of carbon fiber and aluminum alloy and features ball bearings within its really for smooth operation and reeling. The kit comes with everything you need to head out to the lake, pond, or stream and comes in a convenient carrying case, and is also available in varying lengths so that the experienced angler can optimize for different types of fishing.

Pros/Durable construction and wide bait selection included

Cons/Glued eyelets – they will break eventually

Bottom Line/Great for an out of state fishing trip or to stow in the bush plane or off road vehicle for surprise fishing opportunities

5. ODDSPRO Kids Rod

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ODDSPRO Kids Rod

An option for the littleones

Kids like to fish just like dad and mom do and if you’ve got a budding future Bassmaster angler on your hands then you should probably do your best to foster their interest while you have it. The ODDSPRO Kids rod comes with everything your miniature angler needs to start fishing with you on the go and this is another great option for those surprise fishing opportunities that you and your family may come across while camping or hiking this mini collapsible rod is small enough and durable enough to fish for perch and smaller fish. The best part about it is that it comes pre-equipped with a Zebco reel which are widely considered to be the easiest to pick up for beginner anglers.

Pros/Fun qulaity construction and sized perfectly for young children who want to fish with the rest of the gang

Cons/A little limited on bait types in its tackle box so the kids may have to share with the adults

Bottom Line/A great kid-friendly all-in-one compact fishing kit

6. Lixada Pen Fishing Rod Reel Combo Set

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Lixada Pen Fishing Rod Reel Combo Set

The Pocket Sized Option

It may not look like it but the Lixada Pen Fish Rod Reel Combo set is honestly the most compact option out there. However, it does come at a price. While this tiny little telescopic rod can expand out to nearly 8 feet depending on the model picked but they do have even more compact models that extend out to only 3 feet for an ultra-compact design. However, what all of them share across the board is the super compact reel which can fit in the palm of your hand and probably even in your pocket.

Pros/Ultra compact and unique design

Cons/The rod and reel are kind of weak and will be destroyed if not carefully used or used improperly

Bottom Line/Great for small or medium sized fish like bluegill, crappy – basically anything under 6lbs

In what situations is a collapsible fishing rod better than a one or two-piece rod?

When space or convenience is paramount. Collapsible fishing rods have a lot of disadvantages and tend to be a little more complex to collapse properly the first few times. However, if you fly a bush plane, have a side-by-side, or a small kayak and want to be able to fish, a collapsible rod is a way to go due to its efficient use of space and ability to snag you medium-sized fish without much of a hassle. They won’t win you a fishing tournament but if you’re looking to catch yourself a meal they can do the job perfectly without bulking out your gearset.

What is the importance of rod lenth when it comes to fishing?

Aside from space concerns, longer rods tend to give you a greater range to cast with. Shorter rods will no doubt be stronger and more durable, but longer rods will give you access to hard-to-reach locations if you’re fishing from a bank, spillway, or on the shore. If you’re fishing in waders or have access to a small boat,  you could probably optimize your setup for a much smaller rod and capitalize on your space-saving abilities.

What are the pros and cons of mini fishing reels?

Any smart person is going to pair their collapsible fishing rod with a mini fishing reel. These compact reels can be perfect for hiking or camping due to their lightweight nature, compact size, and ability to still catch fish large enough to feed yourself on the trail. The biggest disadvantage of small reels like this is that they are quite limited on the diameter and strength of lines you can field and the smaller diameter reel also means that a fighting fish will feel like it is giving you a tougher battle as you’re trying to reel it in.

Avatar Author ID 693 - 676085899

Luke is currently a full-time writer for TheFirearmBlog.com, OvertDefense.com, AllOutdoor.com, and of course, OutdoorHub.com. Luke is a competitive shooter, firearms enthusiast, reloader, outdoorsman, and generally takes an interest in anything that has to do with the great outdoors.
Luke is also a private certified pilot and is currently pursuing his commercial pilot’s license in the hopes of becoming a professional pilot. Some of Luke’s other interests include anything to do with aviation, aerospace and military technology, and American Conservancy efforts.
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