Travel rods and brands advices 2024
TheFloatingTwinkie reply :
Dear all,
I have been researching for a good casting travel rod for at least 5 hours straight now (and maybe 11h in total). You all have been very useful on other persons topics. However I was unable to answer my main question which is what brand suits best?
The travel rod wanted is fast action 1/4-3/8oz lure weight casting rod with a budget of less than 240$.
I found 3 options :
- St. Croix triumph casting travel rod with very good reviews but MH instead of M, no real issue though. 140$
- Temple fork traveler casting rod (TAC TRC 704-3) which is very absent in term of review, but the brand is quite good apparently. 200$
- Daiwa Ardito (ARDT70MHF-SC) spinning and casting combo. good reviews and seems very interesting since I have a few spinning reels and if was to love it you could switch between reels. I am afraid to pay 50$ of the 140$ for that extra option though. 140$
My first question is, do you have any feedback on them ?
My second is are st.croix and temple fork rods on the same level of quality ? because the Temple fork rod is nowhere to be reviewed but is still more expensive.
Thank you for all your answers !
A-Jay reply :
Hello and Welcome to Bass Resource ~
I've been down the road you're on - it's bumpy.
My experience has been that, like may deals, you get what you pay for.
I have not used the rods you've listed.
My results -
~ On the Low end - Fenwick Methods travel rods are solid and very versatile.
~ On the High End (and the best Travel Rods I know of) the G.Loomis Escape Line.
I love these sticks and have fish the heck out of them.
They are Sweet ! (but not cheap)
Good Luck
A-Jay
Choporoz reply :
I have looked into it a little bit (nowhere near 11 hours.)
Each time, I came to the conclusion that my assumption of needing a 3-piece rod was more my problem than lack of good options. I nearly pulled the trigger on Fenwick HMG Travel a couple times, but always backed off. Turns out that my 2-piece rods from St Croix and Fenwick have been just fine....though, I admit that I haven't flown with them yet -- I always end up driving ....however, I am still debating flying next month.
Hulkster reply :
for a budget of $240, wait until american legacy puts the Loomis Escape Travel rods on sale at Black Friday for $100 off and buy one.
Thats what I did last year. the last two years they have put them on major sale for Black Friday, this year might be no different.
it will be totally worth it. they come with a nice indestructible travel tube and rod bag too. its the complete package.
TheFloatingTwinkie reply :
On 5/4/2018 at 9:07 PM, A-Jay said:Hello and Welcome to Bass Resource ~
I've been down the road you're on - it's bumpy.
My experience has been that, like may deals, you get what you pay for.
I have not used the rods you've listed.
My results -
~ On the Low end - Fenwick Methods travel rods are solid and very versatile.
~ On the High End (and the best Travel Rods I know of) the G.Loomis Escape Line.
I love these sticks and have fish the heck out of them.
They are Sweet ! (but not cheap)
Good Luck
A-Jay
Thank you !
It is Indeed.very very bumpy.
The st.croix is still a better option than the Fenwick isnt it ? You get what you pay for as you wisely said.
The Loomis looks marvellous but so expensive. I don't deserve that yet haha
TheFloatingTwinkie reply :
On 5/4/2018 at 10:04 PM, Choporoz said:I have looked into it a little bit (nowhere near 11 hours.)
Each time, I came to the conclusion that my assumption of needing a 3-piece rod was more my problem than lack of good options. I nearly pulled the trigger on Fenwick HMG Travel a couple times, but always backed off. Turns out that my 2-piece rods from St Croix and Fenwick have been just fine....though, I admit that I haven't flown with them yet -- I always end up driving ....however, I am still debating flying next month.
I thought of a 2 piece rod as well but I cannot do any other way than Travel rod, since I'm not settled (I work in hospitality). I plan on moving countries with planes a lot therefore and I surely wont have any car.
A-Jay reply :
On 5/5/2018 at 4:01 AM, TheFloatingTwinkie said:Thank you !
It is Indeed.very very bumpy.
The st.croix is still a better option than the Fenwick isnt it ? You get what you pay for as you wisely said.
The Loomis looks marvellous but so expensive. I don't deserve that yet haha
Like I noted above - I have not used the St Croix line you listed.
Though I am a huge St Croix fan and use several of their (non-travel) rods successfully, I did not have success with the Tidemaster line of travel rods - Every one eventually failed at the ferrule. (some sooner rather than later) Every one and I think we're taking like 6 rods. So based on that, I really can't offer a glowing recommendation on their travel rods. St Croix did replace (then then give full credit toward an upgrade) for every stick - which I certainly appreciated.
The Fenwicks are decent sticks - especially for the money.
https://www.amazon.com/fenwick-Travel-Casting-Medium-Heavy-Fishing/dp/B075DNHN8V/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1525465446&sr=8-3&keywords=fenwick+methods&dpID=310AYrm6x1L&preST=_SY300_QL70_&dpSrc=srch
A-Jay
islandbass reply :
If portability and convenience are high up on your list, I would go with a 3 piece, or if the rod is going to be greater than 7' over all. If I could get away with it, I'd go two-piece.
Also, don't forget to check with airlines as they can have different carrying policies, even within the same airline depending on whether you are exiting or entering the US.
Let me give you a personal example. Alaska Airlines allows you to take a two-piece rod as a carry on to Mexico. Awesome. I also assumed that the converse should be true. Unfortunately, it is NOT.
30 minutes before the flight (returning to the US) the checker tells me that my two piece rod was could not be taken as a carry on. It was too late to get it through non carry on. If my sister-in-law were not there, I would have lost my shimano clarus rod. I was upset but in no position to argue. I honestly felt like the checker was trying to pull a fast one on me, but researching it after the fact, it turns out he was right.
Unfortunately, the rod got "lost" with my in-law anyway so I'm out a rod, lol, but from now on, I make sure I have the room to pack it in the luggage on the way back.
This is just me, but I would go on that "low" end because it could get lost or stolen and I'd feel a lot better if and when it happened that I didn't give away something like a Loomis escape rod.
TheFloatingTwinkie reply :
On 5/4/2018 at 11:25 PM, Hulkster said:for a budget of $240, wait until american legacy puts the Loomis Escape Travel rods on sale at Black Friday for $100 off and buy one.
Thats what I did last year. the last two years they have put them on major sale for Black Friday, this year might be no different.
it will be totally worth it. they come with a nice indestructible travel tube and rod bag too. its the complete package.
This is à d**n good advice, thank you very much ! I might do that ! It will be long though
It seems Temple fork Rods are made with G.loomis advicew
A-Jay reply :
On the subject of Travel Rods -
When flying Commercial Air - the convenience of 3-piece sticks can not be over stated.
Having your gear arrive on time & INTACT is important.
Taking it as carry-on virtually assures this.
Anything else is a Krap Shoot and frankly one I choose not to participate in.
YMMV.
A-Jay
islandbass reply :
On 5/5/2018 at 4:34 AM, A-Jay said:On the subject of Travel Rods -
When flying Commercial Air - the convenience of 3-piece sticks can not be over stated.
Having your gear arrive on time & INTACT is important.
Taking it as carry-on virtually assures this.
Anything else is a Krap Shoot and frankly one I choose not to participate in.
YMMV.
A-Jay
I couldn't have said this any better. Well said!
TheFloatingTwinkie reply :
On 5/5/2018 at 4:26 AM, islandbass said:If portability and convenience are high up on your list, I would go with a 3 piece, or if the rod is going to be greater than 7' over all. If I could get away with it, I'd go two-piece.
Also, don't forget to check with airlines as they can have different carrying policies, even within the same airline depending on whether you are exiting or entering the US.
Let me give you a personal example. Alaska Airlines allows you to take a two-piece rod as a carry on to Mexico. Awesome. I also assumed that the converse should be true. Unfortunately, it is NOT.
30 minutes before the flight (returning to the US) the checker tells me that my two piece rod was could not be taken as a carry on. It was too late to get it through non carry on. If my sister-in-law were not there, I would have lost my shimano clarus rod. I was upset but in no position to argue. I honestly felt like the checker was trying to pull a fast one on me, but researching it after the fact, it turns out he was right.
Unfortunately, the rod got "lost" with my in-law anyway so I'm out a rod, lol, but from now on, I make sure I have the room to pack it in the luggage on the way back.
This is just me, but I would go on that "low" end because it could get lost or stolen and I'd feel a lot better if and when it happened that I didn't give away something like a Loomis escape rod.
I did it a few time but I always had the rod in my luggage. I haven't took the overhead risk yet.
That is the only thing that makes me hesitate about hulkster advice to take loomis yet.70cm will not fit in any normal luggage and risking losing yet.
That must be so irritating, to check if it is allowed you contacted them or you have proper info on websites ?
islandbass reply :
The overhead risk isn’t so bad. I just wait until the overhead luggage is set and put my bundled 2 piece rod on top. I also keep both pieces encased in pipe insulation.
I found out by asking an alaskan airline agent when I got stateside and she confirmed it with an apology for the disconnect. Overhead okay to Mexico but not okay returning to the U.S. ... for crying outloud.
thinkingredneck reply :
I have the Fenwick in spinning. I cannot hit the wall from inside the barn with it. Just cannot control it. I have a tourney special BC by BPS that I carry in a rod tube. Not perfect, but gets it done.
I have St Croix one piece and will buy St Croix from now on. Their service is amazing.
MickD reply :
For a travel rod I would not hesitate going down the technology spectrum a bit. The "best" rods are high modulus graphite which minimizes weight to get sensitivity, but in the process, usually give up some "toughness." They are more fragile, more easily damaged. Which might lead one to go lower to get more durability and a tougher, less easily damaged rod for the rigors of travel use. For your budget I think you could get a custom rod made on the very good Rainshadow RS6 blank SB841. Don't be misled by its ML power rating as it has a very fast tip and is into the backbone very quickly allowing it to handle bigger fish than one might expect based on its description. It also can cast a wide variety of lure weights very well. It's like a short (7 feet) hot shot rod.
DogBone_384 reply :
I keep a Diawa Ardito 7’ M/F casting and an Okuma Citrix 7’2” ML spinning travel rods in my truck for those ‘just in case’ stops. The Diawa’s fit & finish is typical Daiwa and it feels like a one piece to me. The Okuma is a good ML rod and has a fairly soft tip. Both come with semi-hard cases.
They’re both good rods, and like other members, I’d stick with mid price point ‘travel’ gear.
I fly JetBlue and they’ve let me take both on as carry ons.
That’s my two cents... best of luck picking a travel rod.
Dwight Hottle reply :
Just as a heads up I can fit two Loomis Escape rods in one container. I lash two carry on tubes together carrying four rods and the airline counts it as one carry on.
TheFloatingTwinkie reply :
On 5/6/2018 at 4:48 AM, Dwight Hottle said:Just as a heads up I can fit two Loomis Escape rods in one container. I lash two carry on tubes together carrying four rods and the airline counts it as one carry on.
They dont fit in your checked luggage though, do they ?
I'm not sure how it works in europe for carry-on, I'll have to check
On 5/5/2018 at 6:59 PM, thinkingredneck said:I have the Fenwick in spinning. I cannot hit the wall from inside the barn with it. Just cannot control it. I have a tourney special BC by BPS that I carry in a rod tube. Not perfect, but gets it done.
I have St Croix one piece and will buy St Croix from now on. Their service is amazing.
Sainte croix Travel rod looks Amazing ! Loomis as well though
On 5/5/2018 at 10:49 PM, DogBone_384 said:I keep a Diawa Ardito 7’ M/F casting and an Okuma Citrix 7’2” ML spinning travel rods in my truck for those ‘just in case’ stops. The Diawa’s fit & finish is typical Daiwa and it feels like a one piece to me. The Okuma is a good ML rod and has a fairly soft tip. Both come with semi-hard cases.
They’re both good rods, and like other members, I’d stick with mid price point ‘travel’ gear.
I fly JetBlue and they’ve let me take both on as carry ons.
That’s my two cents... best of luck picking a travel rod.
A diawa review great thanks ! The rod seems very good indeed. I am not sure about the combo though
standman reply :
Be careful with “carry-on” and rods. I’m not sure how common it is, but a friend traveled to Dominican Republic and on the way back put his son’s 2-piece Ugly Stick in the carry on. The “friendly” customs officer from DR would not let them through (it was too late to put the rod in their checked-in luggage). So my friend did what every self-respecting traveler would do in his shoes - snapped the rod into pieces right in front of the officer and threw it in the garbage.
TheFloatingTwinkie reply :
On 5/5/2018 at 8:38 PM, MickD said:For a travel rod I would not hesitate going down the technology spectrum a bit. The "best" rods are high modulus graphite which minimizes weight to get sensitivity, but in the process, usually give up some "toughness." They are more fragile, more easily damaged. Which might lead one to go lower to get more durability and a tougher, less easily damaged rod for the rigors of travel use. For your budget I think you could get a custom rod made on the very good Rainshadow RS6 blank SB841. Don't be misled by its ML power rating as it has a very fast tip and is into the backbone very quickly allowing it to handle bigger fish than one might expect based on its description. It also can cast a wide variety of lure weights very well. It's like a short (7 feet) hot shot rod.
A custom travel rod ? That can be made ?
MickD reply :
Yes, Mudhole.com, St Croix, and Rainshadow by Batson Enterprises all offer blanks. The one I mention, just completed, and fished once, is very nice, I think it will work both for small jigs for windy day bonefish and that now and then shot at a big barracuda. I think all the travel blanks are seven feet, 3 piece, and come usually in 3 different power ratings. The Rainshadow SB841 is different than most in that it has a truly very fast action which gives it versatility with regard to lure weight and fish size control. The SB841 is designated SB841-3, the 3 meaning 3 piece, and costs $70 + shipping. Guides and other components would come to about $150 depending on what you choose, so add about $80 for labor (at the source where I bought my blank-I'm not a "selling" rod builder), and you are under , or very close to $240. If you were to contract the outfit I mention you would pay shipping only once, on the completed rod. Delaware Valley Tackle, on this forum, is highly regarded for his custom rods, so you might, if interested, contact him for a quote. I built mine with a split cork grip, Fuji slim SIC corrosion control KLH guide system, about a 3 inch fore grip intended to support the rod if fighting a big fish, and some trim that you couldn't do for $240. The Fuji corrosion control guides can be had very reasonably with Alconite rings, and would handle salt better than anything exc titanium. I would be glad to offer any other info if you wish.
Dwight Hottle reply :
I had a 7' 3 piece travel rod built on a MHX-TR844.5-3 built as a custom for crankbaits up to 1.5oz. The rod looks good & handled strike king 10XD with no problems. The MHX blanks were well accepted by the custom rod build community. The price came in under your $240 limit. Definitely an option to consider if you have the time.
MickD reply :
Keep in mind that blanks don't care whether they are built into casting or spinning rods. Any blank with the specs you want will work for either reel type.
Chris at Tech reply :
On 5/7/2018 at 12:14 AM, TheFloatingTwinkie said:A custom travel rod ? That can be made ?
Yes, and I was gonna recommend the same since your budget allows it.
I had three customs built on MHX 844, 844.5 and 845 a few years back for a trip to Baccarac. Each rod builder will be different but I ended up around $200 per rod
islandbass reply :
On 5/7/2018 at 12:04 AM, standman said:Be careful with “carry-on” and rods. I’m not sure how common it is, but a friend traveled to Dominican Republic and on the way back put his son’s 2-piece Ugly Stick in the carry on. The “friendly” customs officer from DR would not let them through (it was too late to put the rod in their checked-in luggage). So my friend did what every self-respecting traveler would do in his shoes - snapped the rod into pieces right in front of the officer and threw it in the garbage.
It is strange how the airline policy is not applicable both ways. I hate to say it, but the worker might have been doing his job. Just read my post up above for my reasoning. I initially thought the checker in my situation was a no good thief too. I shudder and cringe at the thought of having to break a higher end rod in that position.
CaptPete reply :
On 5/5/2018 at 4:34 AM, A-Jay said:On the subject of Travel Rods -
When flying Commercial Air - the convenience of 3-piece sticks can not be over stated.
Having your gear arrive on time & INTACT is important.
Taking it as carry-on virtually assures this.
Anything else is a Krap Shoot and frankly one I choose not to participate in.
YMMV.
A-Jay
What do you do for baits/hooks/etc? Check that in? but atleast you have rod and reel if things do "go missing"?? Curious what has worked best for you.
A-Jay reply :
On 5/11/2018 at 4:23 AM, CaptPete said:What do you do for baits/hooks/etc? Check that in? but atleast you have rod and reel if things do "go missing"?? Curious what has worked best for you.
I "carry-on" my reels in a small sling-pack and my rods in the home made travel tube below.
It's made from a cardboard shipping tube cut down to accommodate the travel rods length.
I can easily fit 4 travel casting rods in it.
As for the rest of my gear, I check it all. But I'm always fishing with at least one friend and unless we both or all lose our bags, there's always enough stuff for whoever needs it.
Also, when traveling internationally, we break the air travel into two days. By staying overnight the first day, it allows our luggage to 'catch-up' to us should it get lost or there is some other delay. Otherwise, I am flying out of Conus & leaving it behind. Highly undesirable. Has saved us more than once.
Finally, try not to book 'the last flight' for a day or a weekend when heading to your destination. If you miss it or they lose your bag(s), it pays to have at least one more flight behind you. That can be a real trip saver as well.
Good Luck.
A-Jay
CaptPete reply :
Thanks A-Jay!
Have you carried on line as well? or best to pack that?
A-Jay reply :
On 5/11/2018 at 5:04 AM, CaptPete said:Thanks A-Jay!
Have you carried on line as well? or best to pack that?
First few trips my reels were all spooled up and I never had a problem carrying them on like that.
Then, some of the guys I was meeting at the lodge, that were coming from different parts of the county, were forced to strip ALL the line off ALL their reels prior to boarding.
Gotta love the TSA - where inconsistency is the common bond.
So now, I pack the line and spool the reels during the first night lay over.
Just to take all the BS out of TSA's hands.
The second day of travel is now always private air.
Done deal.
A-Jay
Paul Roberts reply :
Really like my Ardito's. I now have 3 of them.
Loochy88 reply :
I own a Fiblink 4 piece casting rod I purchased of Amazon (med heavy). For 40 bucks or so I absolutely love it.
I'm considering trying the spinning rod as well.
There used to be a 7' med Piscifun spinning rod on Amazon that was a really wonderful 4 piece for 30 bucks.
Both were very nice rods. Despite their low price I wouldn't hesitate to recommend either.
Kjruiz reply :
On 5/11/2018 at 10:02 AM, Paul Roberts said:Really like my Ardito's. I now have 3 of them.
@Paul Roberts do you have the Arbito combo? It says it comes with 5+1 parts. I assume the one is the case, but it only have 4 rod pieces. Was I supposed to receive 5?
Armtx77 reply :
UPS delivered my Fenwick HMG Spinning travel rod, Monday of this week.
I have two HMG one piece rods in ML-F and when I compare the travel rod, with the ML tip on, it feels more like a M-F and to be honest, I can not see much difference in the M-F tip either.
Not a deal breaker by any means and maybe a "fish on" experience, will help sort things out.
As far as fit and finish, spot on Fenwick. Exactly what you expect for a 100.00 rod.
The carry case is very good. I have to take the handle off on by BG 1500, but you can easily get a 3000 sized reel into the integrated reel pouch. When Fenwick says the case is semi ridged, they mean 80% ridged.
My only real beef, the rod parts are loose in the carry bag, but the bag appears to be pretty crush proof. I gave it to my 2 1/2 YO son(EMPTY) and let him put it through his paces...standing on it, chasing the dog while banging it off the walls and than a toss down a flight of stairs. I would pay 40-50 bucks for the case as a stand alone, if I decide to have a custom travel rod made, sometime down the road.
Im heading to Northern Arkansas for a 5 day fish/float trip tomorrow and will post up my experience with the rod next week.
Paul Roberts reply :
On 5/24/2018 at 7:19 AM, Kjruiz said:@Paul Roberts do you have the Arbito combo? It says it comes with 5+1 parts. I assume the one is the case, but it only have 4 rod pieces. Was I supposed to receive 5?
No, I have three the 3pcers, bought separately. I can tell you that I found the tips interchangeable across my 3pcers. In fact, I found that the M spin and M casting appear to be the exact same blanks. They are interchangeable across handles.
Looks like the 5+1 should have:
-spinning handle
-casting handle
-middle section
-and 2 tips, a M and MH.
If the rod is supposed to be a 7fter, it appears Daiwa only makes two tips, the M and MH. That would add up to 5pcs: two handles, one middle section, and two tips = 5
Would be nice to have the ML tip in there too, but that tip is for a 7'6" model. Might need a different middle piece for that?
Call 'em.
A CORRECTION: The tips on my three (awesome) Ardito's are NOT interchangeable (See my post below for the details). The M cast and M spin tips are very close, but not exact. Being ferruled, and quite powerful rods, interchanging the tips would not be recommended.
Edited by Paul RobertsCORRECTION!
Kjruiz reply :
On 5/25/2018 at 10:50 PM, Paul Roberts said:No, I have three the 3pcers, bought separately. I can tell you that I found the tips interchangeable across my 3pcers. In fact, I found that the M spin and M casting appear to be the exact same blanks. They are interchangeable across handles.
Looks like the 5+1 should have:
-spinning handle
-casting handle
-middle section
-and 2 tips, a M and MH.
If the rod is supposed to be a 7fter, it appears Daiwa only makes two tips, the M and MH. That would add up to 5pcs: two handles, one middle section, and two tips = 5
Would be nice to have the ML tip in there too, but that tip is for a 7'6" model. Might need a different middle piece for that?
Call 'em.
As per Daiwa customer service agent “The handle is actually three pieces. With the 3 handle pieces, you should have 6 pieces in the tube.” They even included a photo, I guess I was wrong about handle breaking being on piece. Thanks so much for your answer.
Paul Roberts reply :
Interesting. So... it's one tip, 2 mid-sections (cast and spin), one butt section, and a two piece handle: convertible reel seat (cast and spin) and a "fighting butt". Is that what I'm seeing? So, that makes two rods: a casting and spinning in... M? MH?
So... I put a caliper to my three Ardito's. It appears the M spin and M casting share the same handle and mid section blanks (different guides and spacing). However, the two tips are different; The spin being very slightly lighter (about a 0.5mm thinner at the tip-tip). On the M casting and MH casting rods, all three sections are different, differing by less than a mm in diameter from each other. Oddly, from a production standpoint, the rods all feel very similar in action and power. I can tell, but not easily, which is the M and which is the MH casting, just by giving them a shake. Same between the M spin and M cast. All three appear to be are powerful XF rods.
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