The 10 Best Travel Fishing Rods For Every Occasion

The best travel fishing rod is lightweight, portable, and easy to transport. But, does that mean you have to sacrifice important fishing rod characteristics like durability and sensitivity? 

That’s the big question I had when I started researching for this guide, and after some time, I found the answer I was looking for. Let’s check out some of the 10 top travel rods and see if you can uncover the answer for yourself! 

Comparison Table – The Best Travel Fishing Rods

Image	Product	Rating	Price
Best Overall	Plusinno Fishing Rod And Reel Combo Rod Type: Spinning Power: Medium Length: 6.9’ Weight: 6.17 oz Material: Graphite	9.9	Amazon
Best Travel Spinning Rod	Sougayilang Spinning Rod And Reel Combo Rod Type: Spinning Length: 5.91’ - 10.8’ Weight: 9.51oz - 10.89oz Material: Fiberglass/Carbon Fiber	9.8	Amazon
Best Travel Casting Rod	Goture Travel Casting Rod Rod Type: Casting Power: MH Length: 6.6’ Material: Carbon Fiber	9.7	Amazon
Best Value	Ugly Stik GX2 Spinning Rod Rod Type: Spinning Power: Medium Length: 6’ Material: Graphite and Fiberglass	9.5	Amazon
Best Telescopic Travel Fishing Rod	Kastking Telescopic Spinning Rod Rod Type: Spinning Action: Fast Length: 6.8’ Material: Carbon Fiber	9.4	Amazon
Best Travel Rod Combo	Daiwa Mini System Rod And Reel Combo Rod Type: Spinning Action: Ultralight Length: 4.5’ Weight: .05lbs Material: Synthetic	9.3	Amazon
Best 3-Piece Travel Rod	Daiwa Ardito TR Multipiece Travel Rod Rod Type: Spinning Action: Fast Length: 7.6’ Weight: 1.3lbs Material: Graphite	9.1	Amazon
Best 4-Piece Travel Rod	Jekosen Portable Travel Rod Rod Type: Spinning/Casting Length:7-9’ Weight: 4.3oz Material: Carbon Fiber	9	Amazon
Best Travel Saltwater Fishing Rod	Kastking Crixus Fishing Rod Rod Type: Casting Action: Fast Length:6.6’ Material: Graphite	8.9	Amazon
Best Travel Surf Fishing Rod	Fiblink Offshore 3-Piece Travel Baitcasting Rod Rod Type: Casting Length:8’ Power: Heavy Material: Carbon Fiber and Fiberglass	8.7	Amazon

---

In Depth Reviews Of Our Favorite Travel Fishing Rods

Plusinno Fishing Rod and Reel Combo

BEST TRAVEL FISHING ROD OVERALL

Specs

• Rod Type: Spinning
• Power: Medium
• Length: 6.9’
• Weight: 6.17 oz
• Material: Graphite

FEATURED SPECS

• Made with high-density carbon fiber mixed with fiberglass and graphite to produce a hard and durable pole that stands up against corrosion.

EXTRA FEATURES

• The reel features an instant anti-reverse aluminum spool for easy cranking and great management of the fish.

BUYING ADVICE

• The best thing about this rod and reel combo is that you can use it for both saltwater and freshwater.

Pros

• Durable materials
• Great blank construction
• High-quality reel
• Telescopic rod makes for easy travel

Cons

• Potential looseness in the reel seat

If you’re looking for a versatile and high-quality rod and reel combo for traveling, this is the one.

Telescopic rods have a bad reputation for either being so stiff that they don’t fish well or so flimsy that they break easily. 

This one is an excellent choice for durability, functionality, and high-quality materials. Plus, you get it at an affordable price, so I highly recommend checking it out.  

Sougayilang Spinning Rod and Reel Combo

BEST TRAVEL SPINNING ROD

Specs

• Rod Type: Spinning
• Length: 5.91’ – 10.8’
• Weight: 9.51oz – 10.89oz
• Material: Fiberglass/Carbon Fiber

FEATURED SPECS

• The rod is made using a high-density carbon fiber mixed with fiberglass. This construction offers a great balance of durability and flexibility, which is important for bass fishing.

EXTRA FEATURES

• The telescopic rod takes up less than two feet, so it’s the perfect travel spinning rod and reel combo for transporting and walking long distances to the fishing spot.

BUYING ADVICE

• The company also offers a fishing kit that comes with lures and line; I would recommend going with the rod and reel combo only because free lures thrown in like that are usually low-quality and borderline worthless anyway.

Pros

• Great material combination
• Lightweight and easy to transport
• Ultra-smooth 5.5:1 gear ratio fishing reel
• Comfortable and non-slip EVA grip handle

Cons

• The handle is a bit short
• Certain hardware rusts easily

Sougayilang is a popular Amazon brand of fishing gear, but this rod and reel combo really stands out.

It’s one of the best travel fishing rods for saltwater or freshwater, and the rod is made using high-density materials that make it affordable but more durable than fiberglass alone. 

The rod’s portability is what makes it a great option for travel, though, and for a telescopic fishing rod combo, this one really impresses. 

Goture Travel Casting Rod

BEST TRAVEL CASTING ROD

Specs

• Rod Type: Casting
• Power: MH
• Length: 6.6’
• Material: Carbon Fiber

FEATURED SPECS

• This rod contains 30-ton carbon fiber, offering some of the best balance of strength and sensitivity I’ve ever seen in a four-piece rod.

EXTRA FEATURES

• The reel seats are made using high-quality ABS material and EVA grips, which help you keep better control of the rod when you’re battling a fish.

BUYING ADVICE

• I recommend taking this rod if you’re traveling on a plane because it breaks down into four pieces, which makes it very easy to store and travel with. Plus, they include a travel case.

Pros

• Comes with a traveling case
• Comfortable seat and grips for exceptional handling
• Offers great balance for a rod of this price, and the number of pieces

Cons

• The eyes are abnormally small on this one
• Need to purchase a bass fishing reel.

If the best travel fishing rod is what you seek, the best travel fishing rod you shall find.

This rod is made for travel because it breaks down into four pieces that you can put inside the carry case they include.

While rods of this nature are almost always low-quality because they just don’t hold up, this one impressed me quite a bit. 

Ugly Stik GX2 Spinning Rod

BEST VALUE TRAVEL FISHING ROD

Specs

• Rod Type: Spinning
• Power: Medium
• Length: 6’
• Material: Graphite and Fiberglass

FEATURED SPECS

• The Ugly Stik combines graphite and fiberglass construction to produce a travel rod that is both durable, strong, and lightweight.

EXTRA FEATURES

• If you’re looking for an affordable travel bass rod for a great value, Ugly Stik is always the way to go. They have a large assortment of rods that fit the needs of each angler.

BUYING ADVICE

• I’d suggest using this travel rod if you’re looking for something for finesse fishing. These rods are not the most durable, so I wouldn’t stack anything too heavy on here.

Pros

• Great for long-distance travel
• Handles well in both salt and freshwater
• Affordable price tag

Cons

• Somewhat flimsy
• Not as great with larger fish

When you need an all-purpose rod, this is the one you turn to.

It’s designed primarily for finesse angling, which means you’ll want to keep the lures pretty light and stick to lightweight fishing lines in mostly small backwater fishing applications.

While you don’t have to limit yourself to this, that’s merely my recommendation if you want the rod to hold up.

KastKing Telescopic Spinning Rod

BEST TELESCOPIC TRAVEL FISHING ROD

Specs

• Rod Type: Spinning
• Action: Fast
• Length: 6.8’
• Material: Carbon Fiber

FEATURED SPECS

• The rod uses 24-ton carbon matrix rod blanks with a solid glass tip. The glass tip is a great feature because it helps increase sensitivity when you’re fishing for something that’s a little timid about taking the bait.

EXTRA FEATURES

• This is one of the best travel fishing rods because they offer such variety in terms of lengths, power, action, and weight. You can choose between 14 different options.

BUYING ADVICE

• This rod doesn’t come with a reel, so you’ll have to purchase one separately, but if you’re looking for a high-quality telescopic spinning rod, then this is one of the best in this price range.

Pros

• Exceptional performance
• One-piece quality performance
• Floating guides

Cons

• Issues with durability

I personally love KastKing products, I think their rods are great, and the reels that they include are usually decent for the price. You can separate this rod into six pieces, which is awesome for travel and the performance is pretty great for something so portable.

Daiwa Mini System Rod and Reel Combo

BEST TRAVEL ROD COMBO

Specs

• Rod Type: Spinning
• Action: Ultralight
• Length: 4.5’
• Weight: .05lbs
• Material: Synthetic

FEATURED SPECS

• This is an ultralight, super-compact rod and reel combo that only extends to 4.5 feet when open. It’s intended for small fishing applications such as vertical jigging for panfish.

EXTRA FEATURES

• Comes with an ultralight spinning reel with a ball-bearing drive and a 5.1:1 gear ratio. The five-piece rod is great for transportation on planes.

BUYING ADVICE

• This might make a great reel for kids who are being introduced to fishing. It’s higher-quality than “toy rods,” but it’s also not durable or long enough for the average angler.

Pros

• Great brand reputation
• Lightweight and highly portable
• Smooth reel

Cons

• Too short for most anglers

I love Daiwa, and I respect brands like Daiwa, Okuma, St. Croix, and Fenwick so I knew I had to include it in this review. It’s a unique rod and reel combo unlike anything I’ve ever seen before, but it could make a great first rod for kids. Instead of buying your kids one of those joke rods from Walmart, go with this one instead. 

It’s highly portable, breaks down into five pieces, and your kid can use it when backpacking. 

Daiwa Ardito-TR Multipiece Travel Rod

BEST 3-PIECE TRAVEL ROD

Specs

• Rod Type: Spinning
• Action: Fast
• Length: 7.6’
• Weight: 1.3lbs
• Material: Graphite

FEATURED SPECS

• This rod is made using Daiwa’s exclusive technology with high-volume graphite fiber construction for a durable but sensitive rod that allows you to feel every nibble.

EXTRA FEATURES

• The multi-piece design is made specifically for travel, but it doesn’t compromise the functionality of the rod.

BUYING ADVICE

• Three-piece rods are ideal for those who travel occasionally but still want a high-quality rod.

Pros

• Great for travel but still high-quality
• Comes with a travel carrying case
• Feels like a one-piece rod

Cons

• Higher price tag than most

If you’re a serious angler, you know that a lot of travel fishing rods simply aren’t the best quality.

I will say this one impresses me, though, because it fishes like a one-piece rod, it’s got exceptional sensitivity, and the joint system is very functional.  

I’ve had two-piece rods come apart when casting a spinning reel many times; this one should solve that problem.

Jekosen Portable Travel Rod

BEST 4-PIECE TRAVEL ROD

Specs

• Rod Type: Spinning/Casting
• Length:7-9’
• Weight: 4.3oz
• Material: Carbon Fiber

FEATURED SPECS

• The rod uses high-quality ceramic guides, which limit friction on your line resulting in a longer and more accurate cast.

EXTRA FEATURES

• It features a unique four-piece design, which is ideal for those traveling and needing to store it for a long time.

BUYING ADVICE

• While I do recommend this rod as a great travel rod, we always need to be mindful of what it’s not. This is not a power fishing rod, and I don’t recommend using it with deep cranks or anything you plan on pulling in big fish with. It will break, and you’ll be out of luck without a warranty.

Pros

• Sensitive rod rip
• Great casting distance and accuracy
• Multiple lengths and choices

Cons

• Not the most durable choice

One thing I want to be clear about; none of these rods are as durable as a one or two-piece rod from a reputable company. They never will be, so I don’t recommend using them unless you need something specific for travel. 

That said, the rod is highly sensitive, which is great for the best bass fishing lakes and ponds plus, the ceramic guides are a nice premium touch that allows for more control over your cast.

KastKing Crixus Fishing Rod

BEST TRAVEL SALTWATER FISHING ROD

Specs

• Rod Type: Casting
• Action: Fast
• Length:6.6’
• Material: Graphite

FEATURED SPECS

• Out of all the rods on this list, this is the one you’ll want for saltwater. It has a high-quality IM6 graphite blank with super polymer handles to improve control over larger fish in the salt.

EXTRA FEATURES

• The stainless steel guides with zirconium oxide inserts prevent corrosion, and they offer the smoothest cast and retrieval regardless of what type of line you’re using.

BUYING ADVICE

• When it comes to saltwater fishing rods, these are the lightest on the market, so if you’re the type of person that deals with a lot of arm and wrist fatigue after a long day of fishing, these are a great choice.

Pros

• Variety of power and action combinations
• Prevents corrosion in saltwater
• Great performance on a low budget

Cons

• Issues with durability

We all know I like KastKing, but I’m also realistic with my expectations. You can’t expect a budget rod to perform like a premium saltwater rod you’d pay $400 for; you just can’t. That said, if you’re looking for something to get the job done with light offshore and inshore saltwater fishing, this is a great option for travel.

Fiblink Offshore 3-Piece Travel Baitcasting Rod

BEST TRAVEL SURF FISHING ROD

Specs

• Rod Type: Casting
• Length:8’
• Power: Heavy
• Material: Carbon Fiber and Fiberglass

FEATURED SPECS

• This long rod is a great choice for surf fishing because you need something long enough to cast over the waves. The Fiblink is one of the longest three-piece rods I’ve ever seen.

EXTRA FEATURES

• It comes with durable and smooth ceramic double foot guides that make casting long distances easy.

BUYING ADVICE

• My favorite thing about this rod would have to be the foam grip. It’s nice to handle, and it’s important to have something that grips well when you’re surf fishing.

Pros

• High-quality guides
• Comfortable EVA foam handle
• Large rod breaks into three pieces for travel

Cons

• Potential assembly issues

As you may already know, assembling rods with multiple pieces isn’t always as easy as it looks. When you break the rod down, the pieces must fit snugly together; otherwise, you won’t get the proper sensitivity and smoothness you need. This baitcasting rod has some issues with that, but they’re somewhat isolated. 

The upside is that you’re getting a long surf rod geared for travel. It comes with high-quality materials, it’s durable, and an overall solid choice for my surf anglers.

How to Choose the Perfect Travel Fishing Rod

Now that you’ve seen some great examples of the best travel fishing rods, how do you decide? How can you choose only one, what criteria should you choose on, and how do you make a final decision. 

I’m peeling back the onion here to help you find an answer to those questions. 

Size and Weight

One of the first criteria you’ll look for in the perfect travel fishing rod is the size and weight, of course.

The reason you’re not taking your standard rod is that you likely can’t fit it in your suitcase, the airline has rules against you bringing it, or you’re walking long distances to get to the fishing spot, and you need something that’s easier to bring along. 

Regardless of what way you look at it, all of these travel rods recommended above will be easier to transport than your standard fishing rod.

Some of them break down into as many as four pieces, others are telescopic, and some are just lightweight and easy to carry. 

However, you should not choose a rod that is too small, which would make it impossible for you to fish with.

The perfect example is the Daiwa Mini-Set I reviewed above.

That fishing tackle will not work for everyone, and it won’t work in all applications. 

If you fish a variety of different bodies of water for many species of fish, you’d want to go with something more versatile like one of the KastKing rods or the Ugly Stik. 

Construction and Material 

Material is critical to the success of your fishing. When you have a rod that contains a lot of low-quality materials, you’re likely to sacrifice in two areas: 

• Durability
• Sensitivity

Both of these are important for obvious reasons. You need a rod that is durable; otherwise, it will break, snap, damage, or simply not work properly. The rod needs to be sensitive because that’s how you’ll feel nibbles on the end of your line.

If you’re surf fishing or fishing offshore with a travel surf rod, sensitivity isn’t as important because it requires more power rather than sensitivity.

That said, if you’re fishing for bass or panfish, you’ll need a sensitive rod, so that’s why most of the recommendations combine elements of carbon fiber and graphite for maximum sensitivity and durability. 

It’s also important to be realistic. I like to think I’m pretty transparent in my reviews, and I never say things just to promote a rod. 

You need to understand that multi-piece rods will never outperform one-piece rods. They’re not as sensitive, they’re more fragile, and they’re more prone to having issues.

But, when you need a rod to transport via plane, this is the only way to go. 

Rod Length

Most rods run between six and eight feet in length, and that’s the same with travel rods. When you’re deciding on the perfect rod length, you want to consider what types of fishing lures you use, where you’re fishing, how long you need to cast, and what species of fish you’re chasing. 

So, the first factor that rod length determines is how long you can cast. That’s why I recommend longer rods for surf fishing because you need to cast beyond the waves. A shorter rod will result in a shorter casting distance, which you can optimize by using a heavier lure. 

The general rule of thumb is larger lures, larger rod. But, if you’re looking for the perfect travel rod, then you’ll want to be careful with length. Since all of these rods break down into multiple pieces, the length isn’t that important in terms of travel, but you need to keep these factors in mind to make sure you get the right rod for your method of fishing. 

Rod Action

The action of your rod refers to the location on the blank where the rod flexes. If the rod has a fast action, it bends towards the top of the blank, which means you’ll get the most sensitivity but the lowest flexibility. 

If the rod has a slow action, it bends at the bottom of the blank, which means you’ll get the least sensitivity but the highest flexibility. 

So, fast action rods work with smaller fish because they help you feel more nibbles and slow action rods work best with larger fish because you’ll need that flexibility to manage them; otherwise, you’ll snap your line or your rod. 

The action you choose depends on what type of fishing you do. If you’re fishing in lakes, ponds, and rivers for bass or trout, you’ll want a fast-action rod.

If you’re doing offshore fishing or surf fishing, a medium or slow action is more ideal.

Combo or No Combo?

This is a soft spot for me because I’m a big believer in understanding what you’re buying before you do it. Now, again with the transparency.

Whenever you buy a rod and reel combo, the reel will not be the same quality as a reel you buy on its own. It never has and never will be high-quality.

So, if you’re fine with that, then proceed to buy one of the combos. Also, keep in mind that a lot of telescopic rods and reel combos are one piece, which means you can’t remove the reel from the seat, so you’re stuck with whatever reel you get. 

When it comes to travel rods, you don’t always have a choice, and sometimes you have to take it as-is.

But, if you can fit it into the budget, I would highly recommend purchasing the rod and reel separately because you’ll end up with two higher-quality pieces. 

What Lures Do You Use?

The lures you use will play a major role in the rod you choose as well.

Your technique should always drive your purchasing choices. If you fish smaller finesse-style lures such as jigs and soft plastics, you’ll want to go with a 6-7 foot ultralight spinning rod because you’ll need that sensitivity. If you’re using flies, you’ll want the best travel fly rod.

If you’re fishing deep crankbaits, you might want to opt for a 7-foot medium-action casting rod because you’ll need the extra power. You also need to pay attention to the reel because you’ll want a slower gear ratio, such as 5:1.

There are a ton of factors that determine what you should choose, so don’t let information overload take over. Read through this and don’t think about it for too long, or else you might not take action! 

FAQs

Final Thoughts 

The best travel fishing rod is out there waiting for you, and if you combine all the important buying factors we’ve discussed, you’ll be sure to find the right one for your needs.

In fact, maybe you’ve decided you don’t even need a travel rod. If that’s the case, check out some of our best standard fishing rods. 

Regardless of your reason, if you’re traveling on a plane, you’ll need a travel rod. All of these top-recommended options are the highest quality and the most portable. Safe travels and good luck out there!