Best Backpacking Fishing Rod Buyers Guide


If you love the outdoor lifestyle, the chances are that you have spent some time backpacking or hiking. Backpacking’s main goal is to reduce the weight of your gear and allow you to explore without having to carry too much gear. The best backpacking fishing rod is ideal for reducing weight provides you a way to have some fun. However, many people have been asking, what is the best backpacking fishing rod?

You definitely want to consider one of the following backpacking fishing rods:

  1. FISHOAKY Fishing Rod Kit
  2. Goture Travel Fishing Rods
  3. CAPACI Portable Travel Fishing Rods
  4. DRAGONtail Shadowfire 365  Tenkara Fly Fishing Rod
  5. Wild Water Fly Fishing 12′ Tenkara Fly Rod

To determine the best backpacking fishing rod, you will need to understand the different features. However, these rods tend to be lightweight and foldable. Therefore, they will not take up too much space in your backpack either.

In the following guide, we will explore the best backpacking fishing rods and look at the main features that make them useful. The guide is designed to help you choose the right fishing rod for your needs. First, however, you can look at some of the features and determine whether your current fishing rod is ideal for backpacking.

What Is The Best Backpacking Fishing Rod?

There are tons of different backpacking fishing rods, but the FISHOAKY Fishing Rod kit is one of the best options on the market today. It features a carbon fiber frame and numerous features that make it lightweight and easy to carry.

While this might be one of the top options, there are many more options than you could consider and find the best backpacking fishing rod for your needs. All of these rods can be considered the best backpacking fishing rod in their way.

What Do You Need To Look For When Buying A Backpacking Fishing Rod?

Before looking at some of the top fishing rods, the features we used to select these products will ensure you have all the knowledge to find your backpacking fishing rods. While searching for the top options, we also used these features to ensure we bring you the best options available on the market today.

Reels

One of the first options to consider is the different reels. The spinning reel is one of the lightest and smaller reels. They look like they are upside down but can be easy to use. A baitcasting reel is one of the larger options. While it could add a little more weight, the reel is perfect for gaining additional distance.

Fishing Line

You will need to consider the fishing line as well. While most of these reels have a fishing line included, it is recommended that you replace these fishing lines. Occasionally, you will buy a high-end fishing rod but a cheap line. The different fishing lines will range from a smooth line to a braided line that gives you more visibility.

Rod Types

Much like the reels, there are numerous different fishing rods. The baitcasting reels often have a casting rod, which means it is much more durable to help you reach farther distances. The spinning reel is perfect for backpacking due to its lightweight. However, you might want to consider the fly rod if you are into fly fishing.

Gear Ratio

One of the most important aspects is the gear ratio of the rod. You might not choose all the different features, but the gear ratio directly affects how long the rod takes to be reeled in. Here is a small breakdown of the different gear ratios:

  • 0:1: Slow retrieving for larger fish
  • 0:1: Balanced retrieving and recommended for most anglers
  • 0:1: Found in most fly rods for ft retrieving and smaller fish

Top 5 Backpacking Fishing Rods

Now that you have seen all the different features, you must have some guidelines for the top backpacking fishing rods. The following options will offer you great value for your money:

FISHOAKY Fishing Rod Kit

Where to Get It – Check it out on Amazon

Price: $48.99

Pros:

  • Complete kit
  • Made from carbon fiber
  • Lightweight and portable
  • Easy to fold

Cons:

  • Basic Fishing Line

Bottom Line: If you are looking for a top-of-the-range fishing rod, the FISHOAKY Fishing Rod kit is one of the top options to consider. It features a complete kit with all the bait you might need and different portability features. However, the carbon fiber design is one of the most important parts of the fishing rod kit.

Goture Travel Fishing Rods

Where to Get It – Check it out on Amazon

Price: $46.99

Pros:

  • It folds into four pieces
  • Carbon fiber
  • Corrosion-resistant
  • Affordable
  • Includes a carry case

Cons:

  • Tip Lacks Durability

Bottom Line: The Goture Travel Fishing Rod is one of the best options for saving some weight. The rod is made from carbon fiber. However, the main feature is the folding design. Once you are done, you can fold it into 4 distinct pieces. This fishing rod is useful and should offer you great value for your money.

CAPACI Portable Travel Fishing Rods

Where to Get It – Check it out on Amazon

Price: $26.99

Pros:

  • Folds into 6 pieces
  • Affordable
  • EVA Handle
  • It fits into your backpack

Cons:

  • Only for small fish

Bottom Line: If you are strapped to a budget, you might want to consider the CAPACI Portable Travel Fishing Rod. It can be folded into 6-pieces, and due to the foldability, it is one of the longer options. Additionally, due to the longer design, you should be able to cast it much farther. However, the affordable price is the best feature.

DRAGONtail Shadowfire 365  Tenkara Fly Fishing Rod

Where to Get It – Check it out on Amazon

Price: $99.99

Pros:

  • 12-inch length
  • Easy to fold for beginners
  • Lightweight graphite construction
  • EVA molded handles

Cons:

  • Expensive

Bottom Line: If you are serious about fly fishing, you might consider the Tenkara rods. While we have not added them, the DRAGONtail Shadowfire 365 Tenkara Fly Fishing Rod is one of the top options on the market today. Due to the graphite handle, it is durable and will remain lightweight. It is great for bass fishing.

Wild Water Fly Fishing 12′ Tenkara Fly Rod

Where to Get It – Check it out on Amazon

Price: $85.00

Pros:

  • Tenkara Rod
  • Durable Construction
  • Adjustable and removable features
  • Includes a carry case
  • Complete kit

Cons:

  • Hard to get the grip of

Bottom Line: The Wild Water Fly Fishing 12′ Tenkara Fly Rod is one of the top options on the market today. It is made for backpacking, but the 3.2-ounce weight makes it one of the best options. In addition, this rod is 12-inches long, which means you can gain a lot of distance. It is also great for bass fishing, and with the complete kit, you have all the needed accessories.

Need Help Preparing for a Hike or Backpacking Trip?

Check out our Hiking Equipment Guide for Beginners.  It’s a complete list of gear that every beginner should have!

Best Backpacking Fishing Rod Summary

The best backpacking fishing rod is perfect for fishing the outdoors and having some fun. Due to the small design, you will carry these rods with a lot of ease. We have recommended most of these rods due to their usability and functionality. Let us know in the comment section if we missed any of your favorites.

Lee G.

I love the outdoors! Everything from hiking, climbing, rappelling, and caving.

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