Most people love to go fishing during their hiking, backpacking, and camping trips. So we reviewed some of the top-rated fishing rods out there to find you the Best Backpacking Fishing Rods.
If you are in a hurry:
Okuma Voyager is the Best Backpacking Fishing Rod.
Let’s take a look at our selection.
Our Top 12 Picks
- Okuma Voyager Travel Kit (Best Overall)
- Goture Travel Fishing Rod (Best Spinning Rod)
- Dragontail Tenkara (Best Fly Fishing Rod)
- Sougayilang Travel Fishing Combo (Best Fishing Kit)
- Wild Water Fishing Starter Package (Best Fly Fishing Kit)
- Plusinno Travel Fishing Kit (Best Rod and Reel Combo)
- Eagle Claw Pack-It Travel Combo (Best Budget Rod and Reel Combo)
- High Altitude Spinning Rod (Best Telescopic Rod)
- Daiwa Minispin Fishing Combo (Best Ultralight Rod)
- St Croix Triumph Travel Rod (Best 4-Piece Rod)
- Piscifun Trout Fly Fishing Rod (Best Budget Fly Rod)
- Sougayilang Black Hawk Rod (Best Budget Spinning Rod)
12 Best Backpacking Fishing Rods
Now, let us move to our in-depth reviews.
1. Okuma Voyager Travel Kit
The Voyager travel kit comes with a 6-feet rod, a size-20 fishing reel, a tackle box, and a custom travel case for packing all the gear together.
The 6-feet rod comes with a 5-piece blank so you can take it apart and pack it up. It uses a durable composite that can withstand the test of time.
We like how this spinning kit comes with a size-20 reel included. The high-quality spinning reel makes it easy to cast further. The high-quality ceramic line guides also help make casting easy.
If you prefer stylish and sleek fishing gear, you will love the matte black color. It keeps the rod from reflecting the sun. This means you will have a better chance of catching fish as your road will not alert the fish of your presence.
The Voyager fishing kit also includes an awesome storage case. The travel case is durable, portable, lightweight, and compact. It features a nice zipper closure for easy access. The kit has an appealing design with a quality finish.
2. Goture Travel Fishing Rod
Goture is a high-quality and convenient 4-piece travel fishing rod. The 4-piece design proves to be useful. Simply take the pieces apart to create an easy-to-carry backpack fishing rod. It fits right in your backpack with ease.
During our research, we found Goture to be one of the most popular backpacking fishing rods. It’s pretty much the top option among ready-to-use fishing rods.
Goture comes with a nice protective case that should fit most hiking backpacks. On the same note, the travel case offers a lot of protection for the pole. The fishing rod stays safe even while you are traversing rough terrain.
Thanks to its carbon fiber construction, it is not likely to break or snap even by a big fish. We also like the high-quality ceramic guide sets on this rod. They offer great casting every time.
This spinning rod is ideal for hiking and backpacking as it comes apart into multiple pieces. It is a perfect pole for weekend getaways or your unexpected backpacking trips.
3. Dragontail Tenkara Fly Fishing Rod
Dragontail Tenkara is a complete fly fishing starter kit. The collapsible fishing rod offers you an opportunity to fish all day without fatigue. It is the best backpacking fishing rod for fly fishing out there.
The tenkara rod is an ideal choice for backpackers due to its 12 feet length. It can fit in any backpack as it collapses to under 24 inches. At 2.9 oz, you can hardly notice it is in your backpack.
The kit comes with a soft level line, which makes it easy and smooth to cast. Also, it has an ultra-visible flash orange color on the core and the outside for high visibility. It is, thus, an incredible tool for catching wild trout in mountain streams. The deep flex profile distributes the bending of the pole for great casting.
Dragontail tenkara rod has an ergonomic design for an efficient grip. The 11-inch handle fits in your hand to reduce fatigue and increase control. The high-quality construction creates a light feel, hence no tip heaviness.
It comes with three soft Tenkara flies suitable for both fresh and saltwater fishing. Besides that, you can use the rod to catch all types of fish.
For an improved fishing experience, the kit has a spool of tippet and a foam line holder. A storage tube is available for the protection of your fishing gear.
4. Sougayilang Travel Fishing Combo
The Sougayilang travel combo comes with a high-quality fishing rod and reel. One thing that stands out about the fishing rod is its build quality. It uses a mix of high-density carbon fiber and fiberglass. This rod is definitely very durable and built for the long haul.
The reel comes with 13 + 1 ball bearings and a 5.5:1 gear ratio. This helps make it easy to reel in big fighting fish with ease. The reel is lightweight and compact, which is a bonus when you are backpacking.
The Sougayilang fishing kit offers great specifications. Yet it is easy to use. You can pick this combo any time to go fishing, including spontaneous backpacking trips.
You can use this rod for bass, flounders, and most freshwater species. It is suitable for expert, skilled, and beginner users. Due to its lightweight design, even beginners can handle it easily.
5. Wild Water Fishing Starter Package
Wild Water is a top-rated fly fishing combo that you can pick. The rod is 100% IM10 carbon fiber. It is a mixture of five layers of carbon, including a reinforced carbon layer. This contributes to its spectacular casting strength.
Wild Water comes with a 9′ fly rod. The 4-piece collapsible fishing rod is great for long-distance casting. It casts like a rocket. The rod is very flexible; thus, you can even target the smallest fish.
For convenience, especially for beginners, the flying rod has a slim taper. The rod encompasses an AAA-grade cork grip, which is also helpful for casting.
It has a high-density reel seat with a woven graphite spacer, making it easy for you to adjust the reel.
The weight of the rod is only 15.2 ounces, which makes it very portable for backpacking. Also, it is perfect for beginner, skilled, and expert casters. You would want to keep using this flying rod even after advancing your skills as an expert.
Wild Water comes with a carbon tube protected by cotton. This is an advanced method of packaging. It keeps your rod safe for extended periods while hiking, camping, or backpacking.
6. Plusinno Travel Fishing Kit
Plusinno Travel Fishing Combo is a complete backpacking fishing kit. The kit includes a 6.9 feet fishing rod, spinning reel, fishing line, fishing tackle, and a carrier bag.
We find the telescopic rod cool and convenient. Simply expand it when you want to fish and retract it to carry in your backpack.
The rod has clean, medium action. It generates a good response and doesn’t show any resistance. The rod action is suitable for lures and jigging. You can use it to catch bass, trout, and salmon.
You can use this rod for both freshwater and saltwater fishing. It uses high-quality 30 TON carbon fiber for durability and flexibility. The lightweight rod is so durable that you could pass it to the next generation.
We like how the rod is so compact and portable. It’s one of the most packable fishing rods on the market right now. It can easily fit inside your backpack. The reel comes with 2+1 corrosion-resistant ball bearings and a 5.2:1 gear ratio.
7. Eagle Claw Pack-It Travel Combo
Eagle Claw Pack-It is a portable fishing rod and reel combo. It comes with a telescopic fishing rod, fishing reel, and preloaded fishing line.
Like the High Altitude, it has five sections to reduce the possibility of breaking your rod. The rod length extends to a reasonable 5’6″ that is easy to handle.
The medium power rod uses fiberglass which makes it both ultralight and durable. It has an EVA foam handle to reduce fatigue and makes catching fish fun rather than tiresome.
Eagle Claw comes with a reversible size-10 aluminum reel. The spinning reel has a 5:1 gear ratio. The reel comes preloaded with the fishing line so that you can start catching fish right away.
Eagle Claw Pack-It weighs only 10.9 ounces, which makes it very portable. You can carry it in a backpack or behind your seat or in the trunk. You can go on a fishing trip at any time.
It uses a combination of black and yellow which makes it very attractive. Judging by the performance, Eagle Claw Pack-It is a remarkable rod for its price.
8. High Altitude Spinning Rod
High Altitude is a telescopic fishing pole for backpacking, hiking, and camping. It is famous for catching fish in the most remote places.
The use of M6 graphite and 24 Ton carbon fiber makes this rod powerful, and sensitive. If you need a quality rod that is durable and easy to use, this should be your top pick.
The weight of the rod is only 6 ounces which is great for portability. The collapsible fishing rod is only 16 inches long and 1.25 inches wide when packed. The 5’6″ rod length is perfect for trout, bass, bluegill, and others.
The butt section has a removable cap. It makes it easy to clean the telescopic sections in case the dirt ever gets inside.
It comes with six mounting points for strapping while hiking or camping. A hard shell protects the rod while a padded pouch safeguards the reel.
The fishing pole comes with some impressive accessories. One of them is a hook keeper, which allows you to store your hook when moving from one fishing spot to another.
9. Daiwa Minispin Fishing Combo
Daiwa Minispin has some great features to make it your preferred companion. Rest assured, with this backpacking rod and reel you can fish anywhere you go. You’ll always be ready anytime, anywhere.
Daiwa Minispin is ultralight, portable, and compact. The weight of the entire ultralight fishing rod and reel combo is around one pound.
Daiwa Minispin has a clever design. It includes many great features despite it being compact. Simply combine the rod and reel and it’s ready to cast and wait for a bite. The reel comes with smooth ball bearings, multi-disc drag, and a fast 5.1:1 gear ratio.
The ultralight weight is a perk so you don’t need to haul heavy gear around. It doesn’t have all the fancy features your larger, heavier rods have, but this pole won’t weigh you down. It is perfect for camping, backpacking, hiking, or carrying in smaller vehicles.
You won’t ever have an excuse for not being able to pull over and fish because you don’t have your fishing gear. With this backpacking rod and reel combo, you’ll always be ready everywhere.
10. St Croix Triumph Travel Rod
Triumph is one of the many fishing rods by St Croix. The rods provide the highest quality performance for trout fishermen.
The ultralight rod comes in the 6’6″ size. The ultralight 4-piece design makes for easy setup and travel.
The 100% graphite blank makes it durable and sturdy. Yet the rod is easy to maneuver. The rod length and action are great for catching trout.
The sensitive IM-6 graphite rod can handle line weight from 2-8 lbs. it comes with an HTG reel seat It has an aluminum spool and an ergonomic handle.
St Croix Triumph is the best backpacking fishing pole on the market. Proven by field tests, it offers the ultimate performance for campers and backpackers.
11. Piscifun Trout Fly Fishing Rod
Piscifun Sword is the great fly fishing pole for your next camping trip. Unlike most fishing rod and reel combos out there, it comes with a PVC tube for protection. The tube is very camping, hiking, and backpacking friendly.
Piscifun Sword is portable and easy to carry. The rod comes apart into 4 pieces, so you can store it in a backpack.
It doesn’t take up much space and it’s ultralight, and portable too. And, putting it together takes a couple of minutes at the very most.
We do like the fact that this particular casting rod uses graphite. The graphite is strong, durable, and compact. The Piscifun Sword is sure to last for years and years of camping trips to come.
The high-quality ceramic guide sets for far, fast, and easy casting every time. Another thing we like here is the multi-purpose hook keeper. It allows for all kinds of baits without any loose hardware.
12. Sougayilang Black Hawk Rod
Unlike the earlier poles, we looked at, this is not a multi-piece rod. Instead, the Sougayilang Black Hawk is a telescopic fishing rod. This means that like a telescope, it can extend and retract as needed.
It comes with a plastic cap for safeguarding the guide rings on the rod. It also includes a bag for storage. The cap and bag serve storing and protection purposes while hiking or backpacking.
This telescopic fishing rod is corrosion-resistant in all types of water. Whether it be freshwater fishing, saltwater surf fishing, or inshore fishing. The aluminum spool adds to the durability.
Sougayilang Black Hawk is one of the most versatile backpacking fishing rods out there. It is suitable for freshwater or saltwater fishing. You can use this rod to catch various species during your hiking or camping trips.
Sougayilang Black Hawk is well-balanced. This creates less fatigue when you are reeling in your catch. Combined with great flex and adjustability, it gives delivers a solid performance.
It is wonderfully engineered with precise and powerful rod action. It increases your chances of catching strong and aggressive fish and not only small ones.
Things to Consider When Choosing a Backpacking Fishing Rod
Rod Length
The length of a fishing rod is the distance from the end of the handle to the tip of the rod. Most fishing rods range from 6 to 12 feet. But, big and heavy fishing equipment can limit movement.
The ideal length for a backpack fishing rod will depend on several factors. They include the type of fish you want to catch, the location of your fishing, and your fishing.
The rod length influences your casting capabilities. For instance, short poles are better for casting shorter distances. While the longer rods are suitable for casting longer distances.
Shorter rods are easier to use when fighting fish. Fishing experts suggest 7 feet long pole for beginners. It allows you to cast with more accuracy than longer rods.
Rod Power
The power of a backpacking fishing pole is one of the most significant elements to consider. Rod power and action go hand in hand; so you should try to find the right combination of the two. The rod power refers to the amount of force needed to bend the fishing rod.
A proper combination of rod power and action lets you cast your bait or lure in the water. The rod power ratings range from ultralight to heavy.
The ultralight rods are perfect for small species of fish, while the heavy rods are suitable for big fish. Light rods are ideal for backpacking.
While checking the rod power, you will have to consider its action as well.
Slow action rods bend close to the handle. This means there is more flexibility. Fast-action rods are rigid and suitable for casting heavy baits.
Portability
The weight of your fishing pole depends on your fishing goal. If your goal is to catch smaller fish, you will have to go for an ultralight fishing rod. But if you want to catch massive fish, select heavier rods to support the weight.
Portability and storage are very important when purchasing a backpacking rod and reel. Some brands have extra boxes for storing more rods. Apart from that, you must check on the available accessories such as hooks. For example, some fishing rods come with hooks to easily store them at the back of the seat or truck.
Also, you need to check the length of the backpacking fishing pole. This will depend on the size of your backpack. The ideal strategy is to buy a rod with an adjustable length. That way, you can adjust the rod length when you need to fit it into a backpack
Skill Level
Some fishing rods are suitable for all skill levels, while some are specific. This means some may be excellent for beginners, some for more experienced anglers, and some for professionals. Ease of use also depends on the handle grip, the weight of the equipment, and casting speed, among others.
Durability
While inspecting the build quality of your fishing rod, forget about the price. The rod you shortlist may be expensive but less durable compared to the cheaper ones.
When checking the durability, pay attention to the material used. For instance, poles made of high-quality carbon fiber are more likely to last for a long period.
Keep in mind that the most expensive gear may not be durable. You will always have an opportunity to select a durable fishing rod within your set budget.
Fishing Rod Types
Many new anglers confuse spinning rods with casting rods. The benefit of spinning rods is that they are suitable for amateurs in fishing. Using such rods, beginners do not have to put in a lot of effort. This is because it has a straightforward mechanism compared to the casting rods.
The rod length, action, and power are the most significant factors to consider when buying a backpacking rod.
Casting rods need more skill, compared to spinning rods. This may be confusing, especially for amateurs. The casting rods are better for professionals because the rods bend over while the eyelets face upwards.
Fiberglass vs. Graphite
Most fishing rods come with either a fiberglass, graphite, or composite blank. The cheapest consist of fiberglass but are less sensitive. For beginners, fiberglass may be convenient as it is easy to handle. Graphite rods, are more expensive but very sensitive, thus improving the fishing experience.
Conclusion
Hope you like our pick of the top backpacking fishing rods. As per our review of all these rods, the Voyager is the Best Backpacking Fishing Rod. It is lightweight, portable, and allows fishing in the most remote places.
If you’re looking for a kit or a combo, then we recommend Travel Fishing Combo. With a superior build, a compact take-apart design, and great casting, you really can’t go wrong. That being said, Eagle Claw Pack-It also makes for a good choice.
Last Updated on January 5, 2024 by Victor Mays
