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Angling enthusiasts know how hassling it is to carry long rods, especially when traveling around. Forgetting your favorite activity would vanish all the enjoyment of your vacation and this is where you should think about a tool like a telescopic fishing rod. Yes, we know the allure of catching fish with traditional rods, but you don’t want to miss the opportunity of catching a big fish by not having the appropriate equipment for the task as well.
Keeping all these elements in mind, we thought to bring you a comprehensive buying guide about the best telescopic fishing rods. Let’s do this.
What is a telescopic fishing rod?
First thing first, let’s define a telescopic fishing rod. In the simplest of forms, a telescopic fishing rod is a fishing rod that can be collapsed in order to store in limited storage space. To use these rods, you have to pull out the rod more or less similar to how you do it with an umbrella. Typically, people use these rods for freshwater fishing, but if you know how to pick the best one, you even can use telescopic fishing rods even for saltwater fishing.
These foldable fishing rods come in different styles and shapes, and people call them various names such as portable rods, collapsing rods, and slide-able rods. Since they are collapsible up to less than a quarter of their usual size, a telescopic fishing rod can be a great addition when you are backpacking stuff for your next vacation. Even you can put it in your pocket while you are cycling!
Considering the materials, most of these rods are made of fiberglass, which makes them durable and sturdy similar to regular rods. However, you have to understand that telescopic fishing rods are foldable and made with various compartments; so, expecting them to last as long as regular rods is not realistic.
That said, following the instruction below will help you to buy a high-quality and durable product.
Factors to Consider For The Best Telescopic Fishing Rod
The collapsible nature of telescopic rods means you will have to consider certain imperative factors before you make up your mind to buy them. We have listed them below for your observation.
Materials
For enhanced durability, it would be ideal to go with a product made of carbon fiber or fiberglass; also, it should be marginally heavy as well. However, it doesn’t necessarily suggest that you have to opt for a heavy unit and sacrifice the traveling comfort. It’s a sort of a balancing act as heavy rods won’t suit if you are a frequent traveller.
Weight
Actually, weight is a separate factor that needs more explanation. People tend to buy light-weighted telescopic rods, which is good and bad as well. With lighter products, you will run into trouble when something heavy strikes your bait. Yes, it must have the capability to bend adequately to prevent damages for which the rod has to be light-weighted. If you happen to buy a super light-weighted one, stay away from heavy catches, and there is no point of commenting bad after you commit and fail something that is out of the rod’s reach.
Number of sections
The fewer the number of sections, is better. Most rods come with 3 to 6 sections, and more sections will weaken the overall strength of the rod irrespective of the quality of the materials used. It would be ideal to opt for a product with fewer sections, having said that the long sections have a say when concerning the storage.
Length of the rod
This element is very much related to the above-mentioned point as the length of the rod plays a huge role when traveling as well as on the water. So, have clarity on what you are going to do with your rod and where you intend to use it. There is no issue in choosing a shorter rod for those who want to fish in relatively small places. However, an activity like surf fishing does demand a telescopic fishing rod that is at least 8 feet long. And, the length of the rod goes hand-in-hand with weight; so, be mindful of that factor too.
When it comes to telescopic fishing rods, most people want to compare them to traditional fishing rods to see which one best suits their needs. Let’s focus on that as well.
Telescopic rods vs traditional rods
Let’s take a few of the essential factors to make a fair comparison between telescopic and traditional fishing rods.
Performance
Performance-wise, traditional rods have the upper hand over their counterpart because telescopic rods lose a considerable amount of force because there are divided into several sections. Literally, there is hardly a competition between the two in terms of performance.
Convenience
As you would know by now, telescopic rods are super easy to transport, and you can use them on the go without much of an issue. Further, most of these products come with lures and reels; so, you don’t have to purchase them separately as well.
Durability
Obviously, the winner is traditional rods. In telescopic rods, you are making a tool with multiple pieces to get the job of a one-piece machine which definitely has an impact on longevity. If you are planning to use the telescopic rod every day of the week, inevitably, it will cause problems along the way. Remember, these rods are specifically designed for those who travel a lot, so don’t expect them to last or do the same job as regular fishing rods.
Price
Still, the market for telescopic rods is not huge compared to traditional kind of fishing rods. This means the available choices are limited, especially for the high-quality products; thus, the price can be a little high. However, if you are planning to use it only on your next vacation or a couple of times a year, you can own one without having to rob a bank.
Top 5 best telescopic fishing rods in 2024
1. Sougayilang Fishing Rod Combos
The Sougayilang rods have three lengths to choose from; 1.8M, 2.1M, and 2.4M. These rods are made of durable carbon fiber and come with a fishing reel. Talking about the reel, it has 13 + 1 corrosion-resistant smooth bearings and a powerful 5:5:1 gear ratio to work with. This product is super light-weighted, and you can take it wherever you go, thanks to the carrier case you get with the rod.
Further, you will get 1 spare spool, 110yds fishing line, 3 fishing lures, and 12 fishing accessories other than the rod, reel and carrier case. The valuable part of this product is that the manufacturer Sougayilang grants a worry-free one year service which is hugely beneficial for the rookies to protect their telescopic fishing rod.
Pros
- High-density carbon fiber-made rod
- Light-weighted and portable
- Non-slip EVA knob
- Eye-catching carrier case
- One-year service period
Cons
- The rod is slightly difficult to collapse
2. PLUSINNO Fishing Rod and Reel Combos
The first benefit of this product is that it comes with a reel, so you don’t have to wander around the city to find matching reels for the rod. Also, it has an aluminum spool, and we like the high tensile strength plastic core. The pole is made of graphite and fiberglass, which makes the rod sensitive and strong.
Although PLUSINNO telescopic fishing rod is constructed with high quality and durable materials, it is a light-weighted product and a tool every fishing enthusiast should consider when traveling to a destination with angling facilities.
The EVA foam grips won’t bring fatigue into your hands, and you can enjoy fishing for long hours without any discomfort. To blend more value into your purchase, PLUSINNO provides a convenient carrier bag as well.
Pros
- Stainless steel hooded reel seat
- Four sizes to choose from
- EVA foam comfortable grip
- Saltwater compatible rod
- sensitive graphite blank construction
Cons
- The long units are a little heavy to work with
3. PLUSINNO Fishing Rod and Reel Combos – Carbon Fiber Telescopic Fishing Pole
Another high-quality product from a well-known giant in the industry, and it basically covers every aspect you are looking for in a telescopic fishing rod. This particular product is made of high-density 24-Ton carbon fiber and reinforced with fiberglass composite for an added elasticity and longevity. Some of its features include HA 3000 fishing reel, collapsible handle, 12+1 corrosion resistant smooth ball bearings and a gear ratio of 5:2:1.
Similar to the previous two products of PLUSINNO, this one also comes with various supportive accessories; fishing line, fishing lures, fishing hooks, carrier bag and some other must-have accessories for the anglers. You can choose one of the four sizes depending on your requirement, and if you are looking for a gift for your father, son, or boyfriend, this is an option we provide you to consider with utter confidence.
Pros
- Built with High-Density 24-Ton Carbon Fiber
- HA 3000 Fishing Reel
- Comes with lots of fishing accessories
- A superb gift item
Cons
- Not ideal for heavy catches
4. CLORIS Fishing Rod and Reel Combo
This versatile telescopic fishing rod can fit with freshwater bass trout fishing, inshore fishing, and saltwater fishing. Once collapsed, it becomes only 1 ½ feet long, and you can expand it up to 12ft which is one of the main reasons why it works well regardless of the water you are fishing. Speaking of the reel, it is well-equipped with 13+1 corrosion-resistant smooth ball bearings and an efficient 5:5:1 gear ratio.
Another notable point of this product is rods’ advanced Epoxy Resin Adhesive, which makes the guide ring sturdy, not to mention the high-density carbon fiber made pole. Moreover, it has more than 80% of five-star ratings from previous users, and in our view, it’s always better to listen to people’s voice before you opt for a product like this.
Pros
- All water-compatible product
- Durable, light-weighted and portable
- Designed with low friction coefficients
- A top-rated product
Cons
- Only one size is available
5. PLUSINNO Fiber Telescopic Fishing Rod with Reel
Are you looking for the best value fishing kit? If so, you must have a look at this second product from PLUSINNO. This includes crankbaits, float bobbers, jig heads, soft lures, and sinkers to help you with different fishing requirements and situations. It provides incredible performance, control, sensitivity and power because of the IM6 carbon matrix technology, and the non-slip EVA and cork handle is another reason why this product stays head and shoulders above the competition.
The assembling and disassembling is made easy by a sturdy plastic reel seat with a double locking structure; even your kids can do the task without needing your assistance. Considering the price and these features, you hardly find better telescopic fishing rods better than this PLUSINNO product.
Pros
• The double-locking reel seat
• IM6 carbon matrix technology
• Non-slip EVA and cork handle
• An affordable product
Cons
• Longevity is questionable
FAQ’s
- What is the purpose of using a telescopic fishing rod?
The main purpose of a telescopic fishing rod is to help anglers who travel a lot as these rods are so easy to collapse and store even inside of backpacks. However, you must understand the limitations that come as well. Simply, if you are looking for a rod to use on the go, this is the easiest option you have.
- What are the disadvantages of telescopic fishing rods?
The main drawback is that they are not the most comfortable tools to work with in terms of handling. The opening and closing nature makes the rod vulnerable to breaking. To prevent this from happening, you have to make sure that all the sections are properly locked before you use it and line guides are perfectly aligned. Also, it is mandatory to clean the rod regularly as dirt and sand can help erosion and weaken the sections.
- Can I use these rods to catch big fish?
Yes, you can. Some of the high-quality telescopic fishing rods can even grab catches of more than five pounds. But, we must emphasize you these rods are not tailor-made to catch larger fish mainly because of the build.
- Should I buy a rod with a reel?
It depends on the work you are getting from the rods. If you are a newbie who doesn’t have any fishing gear, yes, you would want to buy a telescopic fishing rod with a reel. Also, it will deny you from searching for matching reels, especially if you lack experience on the subject.
As you now know most of the must-know details let’s see five of the best telescopic fishing rods going around these days.
- What are telescopic fishing rods used for?
Naturally, people use telescopic fishing rods to fish. But most of the time, fishermen buy the rods because of their compactness. For example, if you go on a camping tour, fishing is more like a secondary activity, a telescopic fishing rod is available.
Telescopic fishing rods are therefore ideal for fishing on the go; but they do not limit themselves to hiking, kayaking, boating, or road trips.
