While fishing and backpacking go hand-in-hand, it’s not always easy to cram all the fishing gear you need into your backpack. Modern poles like telescopic rods and tenkara poles, however, are compact and can be collapsed to fit in any backpack with ease.
Given that there are few things sweeter than catching your own dinner on the trail, we’ve tested the best backpacking fishing poles for various budgets and styles. Overall, we loved the PLUSINNO Telescopic Reel and Rod Combo, awarding it our editor’s choice.
From our reviews, we also highly recommend the St Croix Mojo Bass, Sougayilang Telescopic Fishing Rod – Black Hawk, Daiwa Ardito, Goture Travel Fishing Rods 4Pcs, CAPACI Portable Travel Casting & Spinning Pole, DRAGONtail Tenkara Shadowfire 360 12′, Wild Water Tenkara 12′ Rod Starter Package, and the MAXIMUMCATCH Maxcatch Tenkara Rod.
Still not sure? We have all the info you need to choose the ideal rod for both your backpacking and angling styles. We cover the types of rods available and various features to look out for, including rod power, rod length, reel gear ratio, and rod weight.
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Table of Contents
- Which are the Best Backpacking Fishing Rods on the market?
- PLUSINNO Telescopic Reel and Rod Combo
- St Croix Mojo Bass
- Sougayilang Telescopic Fishing Rod – Black Hawk
- Daiwa Ardito
- Best Collapsible Backpacking Fishing Poles
- Goture Travel Fishing Rods 4Pcs
- CAPACI Portable Travel Casting & Spinning Pole
- Best Tenkara Rods
- DRAGONtail Tenkara Shadowfire 360 12′
- Wild Water Tenkara 12′ Rod Starter Package
- MAXIMUMCATCH Maxcatch Tenkara Rod
- What Types of Fishing Poles Are Available?
- How to Choose a Backpacking Fishing Rod?
- Final Thoughts on the Best Lightweight Backpacking Fishing Gear
At a Glance: Quick Recommendations
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Editor’s Choice :
PLUSINNO Telescopic Fishing Rod and Reel Combo
“The perfect, beginner-friendly telescoping rod that offers the right balance of power, action, and portability.” -
Best Backpacking Casting Rod:
St Croix Mojo Bass
“A great casting model for experienced anglers looking for both portability and power.” -
Best Budget Spinning Rod:
Sougayilang Telescopic Rod – Black Hawk
“Looking for a lightweight, compact pole comfortable enough for all-day use? This is it!” -
Best Spinning Rod:
Daiwa Ardito
“This rod has it all – power, fast action, and durability. This is our heaviest pick, so it’s more suitable for car camping.” -
Best Collapsible :
Goture Travel Rod
“This highly portable and powerful rod comes in both spinning and casting types, but it’s most suited for big fish.” -
Best Budget Collapsible :
CAPACI Portable Travel Spinning & Casting
“An ultra-compact, lightweight rod perfect for reeling in small to medium fish.” -
Best Tenkara Rod:
DRAGONtail Tenkara Shadowfire 360 12′
“This affordable starter kit is an easy-to-use and low-maintenance choice for backpackers.” -
Best Value Tenkara:
Wild Water Tenkara 12′ Rod Starter Package
“Catch and retrieve at lightning speeds with this durable and beginner-friendly slow-action rod.” -
Best Tenkara Compact Option:
MAXIMUMCATCH Maxcatch Tenkara Rod
“Lightweight, portable, and with some thoughtful features, this Tenkara pole is a solid choice for any backpacker.”
Which are the Best Backpacking Fishing Rods on the market?
After testing in the field we’ve narrowed down our top picks to the following nine fishing rods.
- PLUSINNO Telescopic Reel and Rod Combo
- St Croix Mojo Bass
- Sougayilang Telescopic Fishing Rod – Black Hawk
- Daiwa Ardito
- Goture Travel Fishing Rods 4Pcs
- CAPACI Portable Travel Casting & Spinning Pole
- DRAGONtail Tenkara Shadowfire 360 12′
- Wild Water Tenkara 12′ Rod Starter Package
- MAXIMUMCATCH Maxcatch Tenkara Rod
PLUSINNO Telescopic Reel and Rod Combo
Editor’s ChoiceThe PLUSINNO fishing rod is a compact yet powerful telescopic pole that collapses into an impressive 19–20-inch unit and at just 5.6 ounces it earns our editor’s choice award.
Adding to all that portability is its fiberglass construction and medium power, making it a well-rounded choice for any backpacker. Choose the rod and reel combos or go for the full kit and have everything you need to get started in one place.
Perhaps most impressive is its bang for your buck. At such an affordable price, this is the perfect rod for beginners or backpackers looking for a well-rounded, portable rod.
PROs
- Portability
- Easy to use
- Four different lengths
CONs
- Heavy spinning reel
Bottom-Line: The perfect beginner-friendly telescoping power rod that offers the right balance of power, action, and portability.
St Croix Mojo Bass
Best Backpacking Casting RodThe St Croix Mojo Bass is designed primarily for catching bass, but the durability and power of this rod will help you conquer any freshwater, float-and-fly fish, winning it our best casting rod award.
Made from premium SCIII carbon, these graphite rods offer exceptional strength and durability. They are available in several lengths and power options meaning you can choose the rod that most suits your technique.
This is a fast or extra-fast-action rod, meaning it’s extra-sensitive and requires some expertise to handle.
PROs
- Fast action
- 5-year warranty
- Versatile rod power
CONs
- Expensive
- Heavy with the reel
Bottom-Line: A great casting backpacking rod for experienced anglers looking for both portability and power.
Sougayilang Telescopic Fishing Rod – Black Hawk
Best Budget Spinning RodThe Sougayilang telescopic fishing rod performs well, looks great, and is affordable, making it our top choice for a budget spinning rod.
While its high-density carbon fiber construction renders it portable and lightweight, it does lack some of the durability of other heavier, telescoping rods. At such an affordable price, it’s still a great light/medium power choice and perfect for any easy-going angler looking to catch fish while on the trail.
PROs
- Affordable
- Ergonomic handle
- Lightweight
CONs
- Less durability than other telescopic rods
Bottom-Line: Looking for a lightweight, compact pole comfortable enough for all-day use? This is it!
Daiwa Ardito
Best Backpacking Spinning RodThe Daiwa Ardito excels in power and performance, making it our favorite backpacking spinning rod. Few travel poles offer such versatility and strength in a 5-piece rod.
Thanks to its bias graphite construction, this pole offers superb flexibility, strength, and sensitivity to bites. With such an impressive backbone capable of reeling big fish, you’d never guess this was a telescopic rod.
The downside to all this power and strength? The price and the weight. It’s an expensive, weighty pole that might be better suited for car camping.
PROs
- Quality materials
- Solid performance
- Sensitive to bites
CONs
- Expensive
- Heavy
Bottom-Line: As travel spinning rods go this one has it all – power, fast action, and durability, but it’s our heaviest pick, too, so is more suitable for car camping.
Best Collapsible Backpacking Fishing Poles
Goture Travel Fishing Rods 4Pcs
Best CollapsibleThe Goture is both sensitive and strong, making it our top pick for a collapsible fishing rod. The pole collapses into 4 light pieces, making it the perfect choice for air travel and backpackers.
Thanks to its 30-ton carbon matrix, you’ll enjoy exceptional medium-power and durability without sacrificing sensitivity. To further sweeten the deal this rod features EVA split grips, a 1-year warranty, and free replacement parts only sweeten the deal.
PROs
- Portability
- Both spinning/casting rods available
- 1-year warranty
CONs
- Heavy power is not suited for all types of angling
Bottom-Line: This highly portable and powerful rod comes in both spinning and casting options, but it’s most suited for big fish.
CAPACI Portable Travel Casting & Spinning Pole
Best Budget CollapsibleIt’s hard to capture that one-piece feeling with a collapsible budget 6-piece rod, but the CAPACI comes very close!
Thanks to this innovative 6-piece collapsible design, the pole breaks down to an incredibly compact carrying size, perfect for squeezing into small packs. While it may not be the most powerful rod on our list, it should be more than enough to handle the small to medium fish you’ll be trying to catch while backpacking.
PROs
- Affordable
- Lightweight
- Portability
CONs
- Lots of pieces that can break/come loose
Bottom-Line: An ultra-compact, lightweight fishing rod perfect for reeling in small to medium fish.
Best Tenkara Rods
DRAGONtail Tenkara Shadowfire 360 12′
Best Tenkara RodFor an entry-level angler, our top choice for a Tenkara rod is the DRAGONtail Shadowfire.
Weighing in at just 2.9 ounces, it’s the lightest of all the Tenkara models on our list and provides all-day comfort and a barely-there feeling. Spend a few more bucks and invest in the full starters kit for everything you need for catching fish on your next backpacking trip.
Just remember, this rod extends out to a full 12-feet, meaning you’ll need lots of room for casting!
PROs
- Lightweight & compact
- Durable materials
- Versatile power rod
- Full beginner’s backpacking fishing kit
CONs
- Expensive
- Difficult casting due to length
Bottom-Line: This affordable starter kit is an easy-to-use and low-maintenance choice for backpackers.
Wild Water Tenkara 12′ Rod Starter Package
Best Value TenkaraThe Wild Water Tenkara is a no-nonsense pole that’s simple to use and good value for money. It’s a great first rod for learning to fish, and with over 25 pieces included in the kit, it has everything you need to get started.
This is a quality rod made from IM8 graphite that collapses into just under 20” of length and 3 ounces. Its small compact size, ease of use, and lifetime warranty make the Wild Water one of the top slow-action rods for backpacking.
PROs
- Lightweight
- Complete, beginner-friendly kit
- Lifetime warranty
CONs
- Slightly heavier than other Tenkara rods
Bottom-Line: Catch and retrieve at lightning speeds with this durable and beginner-friendly slow-action rod.
MAXIMUMCATCH Maxcatch Tenkara Rod
Best Tenkara Compact OptionThe Maxcatch is our top choice for a more compact Tenkara option.
Don’t let the light weight and portability of this pole fool you, its 100% carbon fiber material lets it put up quite a fight! A soft-touch cork handle helps with casting while the rotating lillian will keep your line from getting tangled.
It’s also one of the longest rods on our list at 13 feet, making it perfect for fly fishing but a little hard to cast. A lifetime warranty just seals the deal.
PROs
- Light yet durable carbon fiber
- High gear ratio
- Lifetime warranty
CONs
- Difficult to cast due to length
Bottom-Line: Lightweight, portable, and with some thoughtful features, this Tenkara model is a solid choice for any backpacker.
What Types of Fishing Poles Are Available?
Rods come in a variety of styles with each suited for a different technique. We describe the main types in the list below.
- Spinning Rod
- Fly Rod
- Baitcasting Rod
- Telescoping or Collapsible Rod
Spinning Rod
Spinning reels are located “upside-down” or on the backside of the rod. This is the perfect rod for beginners since they’re easy to use and allow for long casts. Spinning rods are not always the most appropriate for backpackers since they tend to be heavy and bulky.
Fly Rod
Fly fishing rods are built specifically for fly fishing, and while they look like normal poles, they have different features. The fly used with a fly rod is practically weightless, requiring a different casting technique than spin fishing.
Baitcasting Rod
The reel on a baitcasting rod sits on top of the pole, allowing for a stronger line to catch bigger specimens. As its name implies, baitcasting rods are used for casting bait into the water. The downside is the pole’s limited ability to cast lighter lures and use lighter lines.
Telescoping or Collapsible Rod
Both telescoping and collapsible fishing rods are great for travel thanks to their compact size, but which is better for catching fish? In general terms, beginners may prefer a telescoping version, while those with more experience may prefer a collapsible option.
Every angler or backpacker will have their own opinion, but it all comes down to preference. A collapsible fishing rod for backpacking will be bulkier and require more setup, but they’re usually stronger and more durable, making them a better choice for avid fishermen.
Tenkara or telescopic fishing rods are easier to set up and more portable since they collapse down to just a few feet. Beginners or backpackers short on space will find them to be the most convenient choice.
How to Choose a Backpacking Fishing Rod?
Now that you know the type of fishing pole you’d prefer for backpacking, we’ve described the various features to consider in the list below.
- Rod Power
- Rod Length
- Reel Gear Ratio
- Rod Weight
Rod Power
Simply put, a rod’s power relates to how much pressure it takes to make the rod bend. You want the rod to bend as that provides the tension needed to reel in the fish. A rod’s power can range from ultralight to heavy, sometimes depicted with a rating from 1 to 5. As a rule of thumb, the lighter the rod, the smaller the fish it will be suited for catching.
For backpacking, it’s advised to stick to a light to medium-power rod. You won’t need any more power than that for the fish you’ll encounter, so avoid the extra weight.
Rod Length
A rod’s length is measured from the tip to the grip, with most rods ranging from 6 to 12 feet. Longer rods are great for long casts and overcoming dense vegetation but are bulkier and heavier. Shorter rods have a shorter reach but are lightweight and easier to work with in trees or vegetation.
For backpackers, length is one of your biggest considerations for a rod. The length you choose will determine where you can fish and if the rod will fit into your pack.
Reel Gear Ratio
Simply put, the reel gear ratio is about how quickly the fishing line is pulled back in when you’re turning the reel. In general, low ratios are used for big baits and larger fish, while higher ratios are required to reel in fast fish. For example, a 6.0:1 ratio means that for every revolution of the reel handle, the spool will spin 6 times.
This balanced retrieve is the perfect middle ground for backpackers as it allows you to use a variety of baits and try your hand at fish caught in both the “slow” and “fast” ratios as well, and is ideal for both freshwater fishing and saltwater fishing.
The reel gear ratio is a fairly technical subject that requires some background science to grasp, so those who want to deep dive into the subject can do so here.
Rod Weight
Backpackers know that every gram matters, so choosing a lightweight rod will be important. If you go too light, however, you’ll limit the type of fish you can catch. Consider choosing a rod that’s light to medium weight to allow yourself the opportunity for a variety of catches without being too weighed down.
Final Thoughts on the Best Lightweight Backpacking Fishing Gear
When backpacking, weight and size are always top priorities, and backpacking fishing gear is no different! We hope we’ve shown you there are lots of great compact choices available to allow you to enjoy a spot of angling even while on the trail. Choose any backpacking fishing rod on our list and you won’t be disappointed!
Be sure to let us know in the comments if you have any questions about choosing the best fishing rod for your upcoming backpacking trips!