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Baitcasting rods are probably the most popular choice especially when you’re looking for a travel rod. These allow for casting crank baits, spinner baits, and jigs with high accuracy. Nonetheless, people use them because they allow more precision and can launch the bait further.
Though they require some practice, they’re ideal for traveling. This type of fishing pole is excellent for distance and accuracy which means it’s also suitable for many locations that demand such qualities.Continue reading if you’re struggling to find the best travel baitcasting rod as we’ll discuss some of the best-selling models. If you can’t make up your mind about just one rod, make sure to check out our Buyer’s Guide below.
1. Fiblink Portable 3-Piece Fishing Rod
It’s divided into three sections with the handle piece being the longest one at 30-3 inches. It comes with a case that’s 35.5 inches long and makes carrying it much easier. It’s lightweight so it won’t present extra weight.
This one features stainless steel mixed with ceramic heavy-frame double foot guide. The ceramic rings allow stability as well as less friction and resistance.
If you’re into saltwater fishing, this one might be one of the best choices for you. It has a DPS reel seat with stainless steel hoods that resist salt in the water and prevent corrosion. It’s also what keeps the reel securely into place.
You can choose between a Fiblink for inshore or saltwater fishing. Both models have a hook keeper and EVA foam handle for smoother and more comfortable operation.
2. Fiblink 4 Pieces Travel Casting Rod
If you’re looking for toughness and durability, this Fiblink 4-piece rod might be one of the best choices. It has a solid carbon fiber construction and tuned action that allows excellent performance.
It’s lightweight but has maximized strength with 7+1 guides, stainless steel frames, and ceramic inserts. These materials together make its operation smooth by minimizing friction. The combo helps prevent the line from getting stuck and transfers the vibrations from the line all the way to your hand.
The Fiblink is one of the best travel rods because it features a 4-piece construction that’s easy to carry. It has a multi-purpose hook holder and an enhanced reel seat. Its stainless steel hoods are corrosion-resistant.
It’s a comfortable pole that has a non-slip high-density cork handle and foregrips. The cork grip is quite durable and provides a sure grip in all kinds of weather conditions.
3. Fenwick HMG Casting Fishing Rod
Apart from being super travel-friendly, this one is also quite powerful. It has a solid backbone as it’s constructed from carbon bound blanks. This gives you ultimate strength to fight different fish in different locations and weather conditions.
It features Fuji guides that enhance durability even more, so you’re sure it will last you a long time. Plus, these guides eliminate insert pop-out which is always a significant detail to pay attention to.
If you were wondering the type of reel to use with this one, you’d love the little perk the Fenwick has included. Precisely, the rod has a sea-guide soft touch alien reel seat that locks and keeps the reel of your choice firmly into its place.
4. JOHNCOO Portable Telescopic Fishing Rod
It’s made of high carbon fiber and E-glass composite. Plus, because it’s so lightweight, it’s perfectly balanced, so there’s no fatigue when working with different lures.
It’s a telescopic pole, so all its pieces collapse into one another. This allows you to carry it with you anywhere you want. Not only it fits into your car trunk and boat but you can also carry it in your backpack. It’s a great thing to have at hand at all times allowing you to fish wherever and whenever.
Various sizes are available, and you can choose between rods for freshwater bass trout fishing, saltwater surf fishing or inshore fishing.
5. Entsport Sirius 2-Piece 7-Feet Casting Rod
Poles this long are usually not suitable for traveling with due to their size and overall weight. Still, the Entsport built this one with high-tensile strength carbon blanks that reduce the weight but increase the strength.
Its reel seat is enhanced with a cushioned, screw-down stainless steel hood. It keeps it securely into place during all your adventures.
The 6+1 stainless steel guides and inserts are corrosion-resistant and help reduce vibrations from the line. The pole also has a multi-purpose hook holder and a high-density EVA handle.
Overall, it’s quite durable and comfortable. It’s easy to travel with which is a pleasant surprise given its total length. Still, it offers excellent sensitivity and increased comfort in all weather conditions.
Buying Guide: Travel Casting Rod
Buying a baitcasting rod can be a bit overwhelming because there are so many different models on the market. More so, it gets a bit trickier if you’re looking for a fishing pole that’s suitable for traveling.
There are plenty of models available on the market, making it hard for anglers to select just one. It gets harder if you’re a beginner since you don’t want to overspend or purchase a rod that might not be the best for you.
A good fishing pole is crucial and should help build your abilities instead of limiting them. We’ve prepared a buyer’s guide for all anglers who struggle to find the right baitcasting rod.
Continue reading to learn all the critical factors you should pay attention to. Plus, you can always come back to this article and check if you’ve missed anything.
Line Guides
Line guides inserts should be made of plastic, ceramics or metal. It’s best if you chose nickel-titanium alloy or ceramic inserts as those are the most durable. Plastic isn’t such a great choice and should be avoided if possible.
Ceramic guides are by far the best choice because they’re durable and resistant to wear. These have increased sensitivity and help achieve better casting distance.
Consider your preferences when choosing between these materials but keep in mind what’s the most durable option. Poor quality of line guides will inevitably make your experience hard and unpleasant.
Reel Seats
These have the reel on the top right above a trigger grip. The seat enables you to maintain control when casting for big fish that fights back aggressively. Modern reel seat designs have increased sensitivity, so you’re able to take on pretty much any fish.
You should pay particular attention to this factor since it can help your performance. More so, a quality reel seat accepts most of the big brands of reels but make sure it fits tightly.
Power
Power really depends on the kind of fish you’re after so you should consider this prior purchase. What defines the power is its ability to fight that fish you’re after.
You can choose from ultra-light, light, medium-heavy and heavy. Those that are ultra-light and light are ideal for smaller fish while medium-heavy and heavy baitcasting rods are best for larger fish.
Action
The action is where a fishing pole bends and/or flexes or in other words, where the bend starts to stiffen up. It’s usually categorized as:
- Fast action – these rods are sensitive and usually have an easy hook setting.
- Moderate action – these are best for middleweight crankbaits.
- Slow action – these poles are suitable for long and gentle casts with live bait and are also great for fighting fish.
Fast-action rods flex near the tip, while those with moderate action flex close to the mid-section. Rods with slower action flex into the lower section.
Material
If you’ve researched the market at least a little bit, you’ve probably noticed that there are plenty of different materials to choose from. However, quality poles are always made of fiberglass, graphite or the combination of the two materials.
Graphite is the best for flexibility, sensitivity, and power. Fiberglass offers durability, but it’s not the best choice if you’re looking for a flexible rod. These are also somewhat heavier than graphite rods.
If you opt for a combination of the two, you’ll get a sturdy, lightweight and sensitive rod that should really bring the best from the two materials.
Handle & Grip
The handle and grip are what determines the overall level of comfort. Usually made of cork or EVA foam, it should provide a solid, non-slip grip.
EVA foam is probably the preferable choice because it’s slightly more resistant to stains. It’s quite durable, so it’s more resistant to temperature changes as well.
A grip that’s made of cork is usually mounted on a metal frame for more control. Another important thing to pay attention to is the size of the handle. If you prefer two-handed casting, you want to look for a stretch length of the rear grip. It gives you more space and control to fight your catch.
It’s hard to tell which of the two is better, but most anglers do prefer EVA foam on their handle.
Frame Quality
Frame quality is essential if you want a durable rod that can withstand different conditions. Look for a frame that can handle heavy fish as well as various conditions.
Also, note that some fishing rods are for saltwater while others are for freshwater. This is important to remember because a quality freshwater rod might not be able to withstand saltwater and vice versa.
How To Cast Your Baitcaster – 2, 3, & 4 Piece Travel Rods
There are two ways to explain how to cast your baitcaster. The basic version is best for beginners since it tells you how to cast the baitcaster and then retrieve it.
Check out below as we explain the basic technique, casting and ending your cast.
Basic Technique
Your thumb is the main thing you should focus on when learning how to use a baitcaster. It doesn’t matter whether you’re left or right handed as long as you keep the thumb on the spool of the baitcaster.
It’s about getting used to that because it’s where your thumb will be most of the time. The only time you’ll move it from that position is when you’re retrieving line or fighting your catch.
Casting
Place your thumb on the spool right when you pick up the baitcasting rod and reel. You should use your dominant hand so make sure to check if your rod is for left or right-handed people.
Once your thumb is in place, flip the bail lever to take the reel out of gear. Move your thumb away to allow the spool to spin. Now you’re ready to cast.
It might take some time to learn when is the exact moment to release the line. Still, make sure to use that thumb to slow the spool just enough. Unless you do this, the spool will spin much faster than the release of the line.
Ending Your Cast
Use your thumb to control the speed of the spool as soon as your line hits the water. Though there are such things as control systems, most people will use their thumb to slow the spool at some point.
Follow the line with your thumb but be careful about when you’ll take it off. You should wait for the line to hit the water because taking it off to soon will cause the line to backlash.
Once you feel the weight or lure hitting the water, stop the spool with your thumb. Flip the bail lever back and start reeling the baitcaster back in gear.
Final Thoughts on the Best Travel Baitcasting Rod
Travel baitcasting rods are something all anglers should own at some point. It’s a collapsible pole that makes fishing on the go much easier than ever before.
However, beginners often struggle to choose one as there are so many available on the market. Our favorite is the Fiblink 4 Pieces Travel Casting Rod. It has solid carbon fiber construction with maximized strength and minimized friction.
Though it’s the one we prefer, it’s up to you to choose the casting travel rod you like the most. These five are the best that the market has to offer so you can’t go wrong as long as you consider all your needs and preferences.
Brett Freese
I've always had a passion for fishing ever since I was young. I started fishing with my grandpa at 6, and he taught me everything I needed to know! I love sharing my knowledge with the community, as well as learning from other anglers. We only get better if we help each other!
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