End that long hike with a relaxing hour fishing at the top. Carry a rod with you on road trips and fish when you need a break. Just an easy to store rod.
Spinning travel rods can achieve all of these things and much more but it can be hard to choose from the hundreds out on the market, so let’s take a look at a few to see just which one is the best.
Table of Contents
What is the best travel spinning rod?
Here is a quick preview of my favorites. To learn more about each one, please keep reading below…
- Daiwa Ultralight
- Okuma Nomad Travel Spinning rod
- Okuma five-piece rod
- St. Croix Triumph
- Fiblink 4 Piece
- Okuma Citrix
Daiwa Ultralight
Features:
- 4.5 foot rod
- 5 pieces
- Includes ultralight reel 5.1:1
- Includes carrying case
A tiny rod with an ironically large name, the Daiwa Ultralight (let’s just call it that).
This is an incredibly affordable and light spinning rod and reel combo that’s designed for fishermen on the go and it certainly does what it was made to do.
Weighing in at just over 1 pound and 5 ounces (including carry case) this rod and reel combo is perfect for storing in the car or backpack for fishing on the go.
The hard carry case includes compartments for storing a variety of tackle which only adds to the versatility and efficiency of this rod.
Keep in mind that this isn’t a big rod, but doesn’t that make it even more appealing?
It’s a 4.5’ rod so it’s big enough to cast medium distances and comes with a 5.1:1 gear ratio with a nice little ball bearing reel, not too shabby at all.
While the materials and workmanship on this combo are not perfect they are certainly far from poor and this rod makes a great addition to any angler’s arsenal.
You can’t go wrong with picking up rod and reel combo that you can take with you were ever you go for under $50.
Okuma Nomad Travel
Features:
- Graphite rod blank with carbon outer wrap
- 3 pieces
- Power Rating: Medium to Medium Heavy
- Action: Medium
- 2 tip actions
- Weight: 541 grams
The Okuma Nomad Travel Spinning rod is a travel rod on the more expensive side but it’s clear that the higher price does bring a higher value.
This is about as heavy-duty as travel rods get. A sturdy and durable graphite backbone gives any angler total of control over bigger fish and the carbon outer wrap ensures that it will last many fishing seasons to come.
Quality manufacturing doesn’t stop there, however, with well attached stainless steel guides along the three beautifully crafted sections of the rod that separate for easy storage in the carry bag.
This rod comes with a lifetime warranty which shows that Okuma trusts in their product.
A high-quality travel rod of this size (7 feet long) makes for a perfect buy for frequently travelling fishermen who want to do away with the hassle of using beaten up and abused gear.
Amazingly easy to take apart and set back up and, thanks to the excellent connects between the sections, you can bring up surprisingly large fish with all the sturdiness of a one-piece rod. Absolutely astonishing.
Does the Okuma Nomad Travel Spinning rod have what it takes to be considered the best travel spinning rod? I say yes!
Okuma Voyager
Features:
- Includes nylon travel bag
- Travel case measure 17 inches long by 9 inches wide by 3 inches deep
- 6 feet long
- 5 piece travel rod
- 20 size spinning reel
- Includes a small tacklebox for light tackle
This Okuma Voyager fits all 6’ of power snugly into a small and heavily padded travel case.
Perfect to carry with you into the great outdoors this rod fits together like a dream and, thanks to the strength of the graphite, has the power to bring up just about anything you can run into on a hike.
This rod and reel combo might not be capable of bringing up a massive marlin or taking on a large tuna but it works divinely on any size fish you’re likely to come across in freshwater. It doesn’t matter if you are targeting panfish, bass, trout, catfish or walleye, you name, and this combo can haul it in with easy.
This rod breaks down into 5 pieces and can be stored in the included travel bag that also is relatively small and compact measuring 17 inches long by 9 inches wide. This makes this combo perfect to take along with you on your day (or longer) camping or hiking trips.
In addition, because the travel bag is so compact it is perfect for stowing with your checked luggage when going on a longer trip by plane.
Let’s talk a little bit about the reel that is included. The included spinning reel is size 20 and can hold 100 yards of 6-pound test. For this price point, it is not the best spinning reel on the market, but it certainly will get the job done.
I’m still amazed at how easy it is to store 6 feet of casting power underneath the seat of my car, never again will I miss an opportunity to fish a nice looking creek on the side of the road.
St. Croix Triumph
Features:
- Power Rating: Medium light
- Action: Fast
- Length: 6’6″
- Made with SCII graphite
- 4 piece setup
- Available in 3 different sizes: 5’6″, 6′ or 6’6″
- Comes with 5-year warranty
The next spinning rod to add to our list is the St. Croix Triumph.
This rod is available in three sizes, 5’6”, 6’0” and 6’6” so there’s certainly a variety of sizes available to suit the needs of the buyer, always good. Each of these three sizes is crafted out of SCII graphite and has immense strength and is a formidable force on the water.
The one pictured above is a medium light powered fast action 6’6″ rod. I like this option because it is good for just about any time of fishing.
This rod isn’t purely brute force though, no, the sensitivity of the tip allows you to feel each and every bite you get and it has the right mixture of flexibility and strength to really allow you to sink the hook right in. I mean, is there anything worse than the one that got away?
It’s actually incredible how sensitive this rod is for a four-piece; put together you can barely tell it even comes apart.
The cork handle really seals in just how quality the build is and for such a low price it’s practically a steal. I’d recommend this rod to anyone in need of something to take with them on medium length camping trips however
I’d recommend something smaller (like the Okuma Voyager or the Daiwa Ultralight) for hiking or keeping in the car and something larger for more regular or strenuous use (like the Okuma Nomad).
Fiblink 4 Piece
- 4 piece design
- Length: 6’6″
- Action: Fast
- Power Rating: Medium
- Line Rating: 8 – 14 pounds
- Lure weight: 1/4 – 5/8 ounces
- Includes carrying case
- Available in 7 foot and 7 feet 6-inch models as well
The Fiblink 4 Pieces Travel Spinning Rod is exactly what it says it is.
It’s a four-piece Spinning Fishing Rod made our of graphite that has been designed specifically for the traveling fisherman in mind.
This pole sports a very heavy lower backbone that’s just perfect for controlling and reeling in the heavier fish alongside an astoundingly responsive and sensitive fiberglass tip that reverberates any touch at the end of the line right through to your hands so that you remain in total control.
Once again it’s really surprising how strong some of these portable rods feel. This 6’6” pole easily fits into bags and suitcases and is a great pick for travelling. Everything about this rod just screams quality from the perfect ceramic guides to the ground-breaking modulus carbon fiber blank.
The best part is that it is available in a number of different sizes. For example, you can choose between an 6’6″, a 7’0″ option or long 7’6″.
It is truly a high-end rod that sells at a low-end price. Many users report use upwards of hundreds of catches and still say they have no reason to doubt it’s strength.
You may also enjoy reading: How To Choose The Best Telescopic Fishing Rod
Okuma Citrix
Features:
- 4 piece design
- IM8 Graphite Blank
- Medium Light action
- Line Rating: 6 – 12 pounds
- Lure Rating: 1/8 – 3/8 ounces
- Weight: 122 grams
If you are looking for a premium travel rod then you might want to check out what the Okuma Citrix has to offer.
First, let’s talk about the materials used. The Citrix blank was constructed with IM8 graphite which is usually used in higher end blanks. This IM8 graphite helps to contribute to its sensitivity and durability.
In addition, the premium graphite helps to keep it lightweight, in fact, it only weighs 122 grams or 4.3 ounces.
The rod pictured above has a medium light action and is designed with a line rating between 6- 12 pounds meaning that it can handle just about any type of freshwater fish.
However, if you are looking for something a little beefier they also offer a medium action 7 foot 2 inches model. You can find that option here.
Lastly, it includes a carrying case that you can store your fishing pole and tranport it with ease.
Final Thoughts….
So, what is the best travel spinning rod?
That depends on your fishing needs and the type of fishing you will be doing. However, in my opinion, I really like the St. Croix Triumph.
It is available in a number of different sizes so you can choose the one that best fits your fishing needs. I also like that it breaks down into several pieces, making it extremely portable.
There you have it! Our list of the best travel spinning rods on the market. Share with us your thoughts in the comments below.
Great post! Thanks for sharing. I also really like the St. Croix Traveling. Since I have bought it I have caught several fish with no problems. It is extremely easy to transport.