Best Travel Rod and Reels for the money 2020
Image | Name | Top Choices | Latest Pricing |
---|---|---|---|
1. Okuma Voyager Spinning Travel Kit | Our Favorite | Amazon | |
2. Daiwa Minispin System | Premium Pick | Amazon | |
3. Ugly Stik Spinning Fishing Combo Kit | Great Value | Amazon | |
4. Eagle Claw Pack-It Spinning Combo | Amazon | ||
5. Sougayilang Unicorn Travel Baitcasting Fishing Rod-Reel Combo | Amazon |
Pricing of these Travel Rod and Reels Range Between $25-$70
In This Review
Okuma Voyager Spinning Travel Kit Review
The Voyager Spinning Travel Kit by Okuma is a rod-and-reel combo that disassembles and fits into a convenient nylon carrying case that measures only 17 x 9 x 3 inches. In that small space, it carries a 6-foot rod that dismantles into 5 sections.
It features a composite blank with medium light rod power, guide inserts made of durable ceramic, and hooded reel seats made of stainless steel.Also included in the Voyager Spinning Travel Kit is Okuma’s famed VS-20FT reel. At a size 20, it is perfect for bass, panfish, trout, and even walleye and catfish.
It features a corrosion-resistant graphite frame and a spool made of anodized aluminum. Also, it boasts a ball-bearing drive system and a pinion gear made of machine-cut brass. Line capacity is at 170/4, 100/6, or 80/8 yards per test. This reel can easily be configured for both left and right-handed anglers.
The Okuma Voyager Spinning Travel Kit’s nylon carrying case is lined with custom foam padding to keep the parts in place. Apart from the rod and reel, it includes a small tackle box with enough space for a handful of bait and hooks.
Pros
- Fits into 17 x 9 x 3-inch travel case
- 6-foot rod
- Dismantles into 5 sections
- Composite blank
- Medium Light rod power
- Durable ceramic guide inserts
- Stainless steel hooded reel seats
- Size 20 spinning reel
- Corrosion-resistant graphite frame
- Anodized aluminum spool
- Ball-bearing drive system
- Machine-cut brass pinion gear
- 170/4, 100/6, or 80/8 yd./lbs. line capacity
- Right and left-handed retrieve
- Includes compact tackle box
Daiwa Minispin System Review
The Daiwa Minispin System is a compact rod-and-reel combo that packs up into a hard case measuring 14 x 7.8 x 2.5 inches. That makes it incredibly convenient to lug around when you travel or even store in your car, so you’re ready to fish wherever you go. Together, the rod and reel weigh approximately 9.2 ounces. The hard case weighs an additional 12.6 ounces.
The rod included in the Daiwa Minispin System is a 5-piece 4-foot-6-inch rod with Ultralight action. It’s meant for use with 2 to 6-pound lines and 1/16 to 1/4-ounce lures. The Minispin System’s rod performs perfectly in combination with Daiwa’s Ultralight MS-S500T reel, which features an exceptionally smooth ball bearing drive. The reel also features a multi-disc drag system and a fast 5.1-to-1 retrieve.
Among its other notable features include the Twist Buster, which minimizes incidences of line twisting; and the GyroSpin, which keeps it incredibly balanced. Plus, the reel handle switches between sides easily, so it’s a good choice for both left and right-handed anglers.
Pros
- Fits into 14 x 7.8 x 2.5-inch hard case
- Weighs 9.2 oz. + 12.6 oz carrying case
- 5-piece 4’6″ rod
- Ultralight rod action
- 2-6 pound line weight
- 1/16 to 1/4-ounce lure weight
- Features Daiwa’s Ultralight MS-S500T reel
- Smooth ball bearing drive
- Multi-disc drag system
- 5.1-to-1 retrieve
- Minimizes line twisting
- GyroSpin keeps it balanced
- Switches between right and left-handed retrieve
Ugly Stik Spinning Fishing Combo Kit Review
The Ugly Stik Saltwater Spinning Combo is a rod-and-reel kit that comes in black, white, and red. It features a 2-piece telescopic 7-foot spinning rod with medium heavy rod action. The guides, which are made of stainless steel, are accompanied by ceramic inserts. The handle is layered with EVA grips that aren’t just comfortable to hold but durable as well.
The spinning reel that comes with the Ugly Stik Saltwater Spinning Combo is made of graphite. It is a size 50, which makes it a good option for nearshore or light offshore boat fishing. Among the common species this reel is suitable for include snapper, cod, barramundi, and morwong. This spinning reel with ball bearing comes pre-spooled with 14lb. line. It has a mono capacity of 320/12, 280/14, or 225/17 yards/pound.
This Ugly Stik combo kit is mostly recognized for its excellent performance in casting heavier baits of over 1-ounce. Nevertheless, it comes complete with bigwater tackle of all sorts of types and weights, so it’s ready to use out-of-the-box. This kit also comes in a freshwater version.
Pros
- Comes in black, white, and red
- 2-piece telescopic rod
- 7-foot rod length
- Stainless steel guides
- Ceramic inserts
- Durable EVA grips
- Size-50 graphite ball bearing reel
- Mono capacity of 320/12, 280/14, or 225/17 yards/pound
- Excellent with heavier baits
- Comes with assorted bigwater tackle
- Freshwater version available
Eagle Claw Pack-It Spinning Combo Review
The Eagle Claw Pack-It Spinning Combo is a rod-and-reel that’s suitable for both saltwater and freshwater applications. The rod included in this kit is 5 feet and 6 inches long. At its shortest, it is less than 14 inches long and, in total, it weighs less than 2 pounds. That makes it a good size for keeping in the car or bringing along with you on a trail. It is an especially good choice for impulsive bass fishing adventures.
The rod that comes with the Eagle Claw Pack-it Spinning Combo is a medium-action rod that’s rated for lines of 4 to 10 lbs. and lures of 1/8 to 1/2 oz. The blank itself is made of durable fiberglass, and the handles are covered with EVA foam grips. In all, there are four ceramic guides plus a tip.
The Eagle Claw Pack-It Spinning Combo reel is made of graphite. It has one ball bearing and can easily be switched between left and right-handed configurations. Plus, it comes pre-spooled with line, so you’re ready to fish as soon as it arrives on your doorstep.
Pros
- Saltwater and freshwater
- 5’6″ long
- Less than 14 inches when collapsed
- Weighs less than 2 pounds
- Medium-action rod
- 4 to 10 lbs. line weight
- 1/8 to 1/2 oz. lure weight
- Durable fiberglass blank construction
- EVA foam grips
- 4 ceramic guides + tip
- Graphite spinning reel
- Easily switch between left and right-handed
- Pre-spooled with line
Sougayilang Unicorn Travel Baitcasting Fishing Rod-Reel Combo Review
The Sougayilang Unicorn Travel Baitcasting Fishing Rod Reel Combo features a 6.89-foot rod that measures only 16.5 inches when dismantled. That makes it a practical choice for lugging around with you on your hikes or just keeping handy in your car.
The rod boasts a carbon fiber blank that isn’t only durable but also incredibly sensitive. It is known to perform best when used with jigs or worms. Plus, it has cork handles for a sure yet comfortable grip.
The rod of the Unicorn Travel Fishing combo offers moderate-fast action and features Sougayilang’s Power Transition System (PTS) technology, which allows it to perform like a 1-piece rod despite having 4 pieces. Plus, it has perfectly-spaced ceramic guides that further enhance sensitivity and casting ability.
As for the reel, the Sougayilang Unicorn boasts a graphite frame with a CNC aluminum spool. The handle is made of CNC aluminum as well and has an EVA knob. This reel has a gear ratio of 5.5:1 and a superior drag system with 13 + 1 corrosion-resistant bearings and superior engineered gears for quick, smooth, and reliable performance.
Apart from the rod and reel, this combo includes a carrier bag, fishing line, and other accessories including fishing lures.
Pros
- 6.89-foot rod
- 16.5 inches when dismantled
- Durable
- Sensitive
- Cork handles
- Moderate-fast action
- 4 pieces but performs like 1 piece
- Graphite reel with CNC aluminum spool
- CNC aluminum handles with EVA knob
- 5.5:1 gear ratio
- 13+1 ball bearings
- Superior engineered gears