I've fished several travel rods. Current two are Loomis Escape and Cabela's salt striker. Really like both. If I grabbed another it would be the new Fenwick HMG or Falcon Lowrider that was recently released. Loomis Escape can be found but they are discontinued. Loomis need to make another 3 piece stat!

My favorite right now is a 7' mf st. croix Avid. I throw it with a Daiwa BG 2500.

 

I’ve been hiking and fishing a lot lately and outifitted then kids too so have invested some time in the telescopic market. I’ve tested out more than a half dozen. Here’s my impressions at a glance and some

notes about my favorite.

Eagle claw: wet noodle

Soujiliyang: stiff as a board

Daiwa Megaforce: Too few guides, breaks

Kastking Blackhawk 2: now were getting somewhere. Tip is flimsy and broke on me because floating guides friction fit has no gasket. 
Daiwa Blazon Mobile: (6106TMB) My favorite thus far. Responsive casting rod, solid construction, slick look. 8 guides. 

My Daiwa Triple B spinning is in the mail. Can’t wait to try it out. Should be the gold standard but the Blazon is newer and may be better. Will keep you posted. 

On 7/18/2020 at 10:39 AM, Ksam1234 said:

So I started hiking a lot more and along all these trails are nice little ponds or rivers etc and I use a backpack and want to know the best travel rod in your experience ? Doesn’t have to be anything crazy expensive. 150$ is fine, but something I can use to throw some baits around! Also your input on your best fishing backpack , not just for lures but in general, to hold tackle box and other essentials while hiking.  

I have the Fenwick HMG in spinning and casting. Both come with two different tips. Nothing to complain about, and plenty sensitive. I'd buy them again, and if I had to buy something else it would be the Daiwa, I think it is an Ardito.

 

I have the Ardito spinning rod and I like it.  It’s 3 piece and pretty solid.  They are pricey compared to some of the others but I think I paid $80 for mine.  They are worth a look.

On 7/20/2020 at 6:39 AM, Kjruiz said:

I have the ardito and I absolutely love it. Never thought I would get such sensitivity on a travel rod. 

Update to say that I have snapped the tip on them twice. Once my fault, once defect. 

On 11/21/2020 at 10:50 AM, Kjruiz said:

Update to say that I have snapped the tip on them twice. Once my fault, once defect. 

Second update to note that while I have snapped the tip twice, both times Daiwa fixed it expeditiously no questions asked. That is some commitment to their warranty.

On 11/14/2020 at 10:31 PM, txchaser said:

I have the Fenwick HMG in spinning and casting. Both come with two different tips. Nothing to complain about, and plenty sensitive. I'd buy them again, and if I had to buy something else it would be the Daiwa, I think it is an Ardito.

 

How is the spinning model guides? Read a few reviews saying the guides are small. Can they handle 20lb braid to leader? Can't decide between the spinning and casting, they both seem very versatile. 

On 1/16/2021 at 2:55 PM, LCG said:

How is the spinning model guides? Read a few reviews saying the guides are small. Can they handle 20lb braid to leader? Can't decide between the spinning and casting, they both seem very versatile. 

If they are small, I didn't notice. I fish 20lb braid to leader on it.