Algonquin Adventures / Telescopic rods?

**Posted by liddle_loodle** 8/19/2018 4:16 pm

Just wondering if anybody has tried any of the telescopic rods out there. I'm relatively new to fishing and was looking to purchase a rod that was portable and compact (not a lot of storage in my condo) to take on my next trip to the park in September.

**Posted by Marko_Mrko** 8/19/2018 5:08 pm

With a telescopic rod your action won't be as good, and the rod strength will not be as good.

A rod is really really compact. If you really need the space, take the reel off while storing.

If length is an issue, consider a 4-piece rod. But again, I don't see this being a problem in an apartment. The 4piece rods are more for cycling trips, maybe backpacking trips.

Cheers
Marko

**Posted by BivouacBradley** 8/20/2018 1:51 pm

I use one I got at walmart for $20 that works pretty well. Just dont use the ones at the Dollarama, those will break the first time you catch a fish

**Posted by DanPM** 8/20/2018 9:26 pm

Yeah I also use a $20 telescopic rod. There are better telescopic rods on the market for sure. I'm sure a lot of serious anglers would consider what I use an abomination, and have valid reasons. But the fish don't seem to care too much.

**Posted by Marko_Mrko** 8/21/2018 6:19 am

Nothing wrong with a $20 rod. But a regular $20 rod (ie 2-piece) will be far more durable/better than a $20 telescopic rod.

**Posted by RCShevalier** 8/21/2018 8:15 am

Though it's not telescopic, something like this might fit your needs:

https://www.cabelas.ca/product/47058/eagleclaw-trailmaster-travel-spinning-rod

I've never used one myself, but I've had my eye on it for a while. Does anyone have any impressions of the 4 or 6 piece travel rods?

**Posted by ShawnD** 8/21/2018 8:53 am

RCShevalier wrote:
Does anyone have any impressions of the 4 or 6 piece travel rods?

I use this 4 piece rod. No complaints..I'm no expert though.

https://www.cabelas.ca/product/37574/cabelas-xml-travel-spinning-rods

I like something like this that packs small as I don't usually fish on travel days.Prefer to get where I'm going then fish from there. So something that packs down and slides in my bag has worked well.

**Posted by Marko_Mrko** 8/21/2018 9:19 am

I have a similar 4-piece, paid around the same ($80-90). Medium action. I almost never break it down into 4 pieces, generally leave as a 2-piece rod on portages. Having said that, I do really like it.

I think a 4-piece or telescopic would be more handy if backpacking (vs. canoeing).

M

Last edited by Marko_Mrko (8/21/2018 9:19 am)

**Posted by Algonquintripper** 8/21/2018 3:21 pm

DanPM wrote:
Yeah I also use a $20 telescopic rod. There are better telescopic rods on the market for sure. I'm sure a lot of serious anglers would consider what I use an abomination, and have valid reasons. But the fish don't seem to care too much.

+1

**Posted by dontgroandaddy** 8/23/2018 8:36 am

Generally I use a telescopic rod and find a way to cram it into the pack with the reel on it. I can't stand taking the reel off because clip/lead that is almost always just slightly too large to fit through the first ferrule, and that makes the whole thing a pain in the rear. The result is it becomes difficult to shove in a pack, stuff gets caught on it, etc.. This year I'm thinking of tying the rods of in the boat, un-telescoped, and just leaving them there. The telescoping feature is probably very helpful for storage in the condo, but maybe you'd find it easier to leave it extended during the trip.

**Posted by vanslyke** 8/24/2018 9:21 am

I'm a pretty avid angler so I like to have the strength and feel of a two piece rod.
When I go to Algonquin I bring two 2-piece rods. 1 is a medium/light power for brookies, and the other is a medium/heavy for lake trout and small mouth.
I use elastic to tie them together. I usually have one strapped to my pack and one is ready to go in the canoe to troll on the way to a campsite.