travel baitcasting fishing rod

Best Travel Fishing Rods for 2024

Jason sealock.

• Oct 09, 2023

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Choosing a travel rod for anglers who like to pack light and carry a fishing rod in their luggage on every where they travel requires a little planning and view of the options and fish you think you might encounter on your travels. We reviewed a wide gamut of rods and came up with a lot of options to consider as well as some great recommendations for which fishing rods we would suggest for a lot of different types of fishing and travel.

Things like size of the rod when disassembled, number of pieces, rod case, roll or bag, type of rod, how you will transport it, whether a telescoping rod makes sense and more need to be considered before choosing the best travel rod for your fishing plans.  

Travel rods can come from 2 pieces up to 5 pieces not to mention the telescoping travel rod options out there. You might want to fit the rod in a suitcase, if so more pieces will break down into a smaller foot print. Or you might carry it with you which might give you more options for rods. You might want a hard case to protect the rod if you’re worried about TSA or some other party damaging your rods in transit. Or a rod wrap may suffice if it’s tucked inside of another hard case suitcase.

OUR TOP PICKS

• Best telescoping travel combo – Buy from Tacklewarehouse
• Best travel rod for bass – Buy from FishUSA
• Runner up: Daiwa ardito travel rod – Buy from Basspro
• Best all-around / saltwater travel rod – Buy from Basspro
• Best telescopic travel rod – Buy from Basspro
• Runner up: Ugly stik cx2 4-piece travel combo – Buy from Basspro
• Ark rods genesis rods – Buy from Tacklewarehouse
• Zebco 33 spincast telescopic combo – Buy from Basspro
• Shimano Convergence D Travel 4-Piece Spinning Rods – Buy from Tacklewarehouse
• St. croix triumph travel rod – Buy from Tacklewarehouse

Know Your Travel Rods

Then there are the types of rod to consider including spinning travel rods, casting travel rods, telescoping travel rods as well as travel fly rods or specialty rods like travel swimbait rods or travel trout or panfish rods. Or any combination of the aforementioned.  

If you plan to fish with light lures and light line, then a spinning travel rod might be the best option. If you plan to look for big bluegills or crappies specifically on your travels, then a long telescoping rod might make more sense or a small spinning rod like a trout rod might give you a lot of options for trout and panfish.

If you’re going for larger quarry, you will want a beefier rod that has a reel that can hold heavier line. Usually a baitcasting travel rod makes sense for bass, or big fish like walleye, pike, musky, stripers, etc.  

Specialty rods like travel swimbait rods or extra long jigging rods might be just the ticket for probing unknown waters for specific types of fishing like jigging brush for crappie or casting oversized swimbaits for trophy bass and stripers.  

Of course if you’re in to fly fishing, then a travel fly rod is hard to beat. There are some super high end and middle of the road options that are great rods that make a 9-foot fly rod fit into an over night travel bag with the travel fly rod option.

CONSIDER TELESCOPING RODS FOR TRAVEL

For some, a telescoping rod is an easy spur of the moment travel rod option to probe some nearby waters to see if they have fish available. I have buddies that keep telescoping rods in their trucks at all times and will break it out on their travels or while taking a lunch or after work on a work trip. It’s a quick and simple option.

Most of time telescoping rods are a bit lower quality. Or at least that was the case back when the only option was a low end push button spin cast combo for small panfish. There are, however, some newer options bringing this back as a real viable option for bass and panfish.

A Travel Combo Might Make More Sense

You can buy travel rods that are a rod and reel combo. This is often the case with telescoping options. But there are some better quality options in the multi-piece travel rods with a decent spinning reel. Most of the time. I want the best rod I can get and a good reel in my bag so I’m not fighting my equipment in the limited amount of time I get to fish on my travels. Especially those spur-of-the-moment unplanned fishing trips while traveling.  

But when you get to a location and wished you had a rod and reel, a decent priced telescoping rod/reel combo can get you in the fish on an unexpected hot spot quickly and easily.

You Need a Travel Rod Case, Bag or Roll

Anymore your travel rod is going to come in a hard case, a roll or a bag. Regardless you need to take care to protect the pieces of the rod or the rod while it is compartmentalized so it’s not damaged in your travels.  

A hard case might be a cloth case with a hard shell inside of it that zips closed on the end and the multiple pieces slide into little sleeves inside of it. Or it might be a hard outer shell with a soft interior that keeps your guides and blank parts protected. These are nice when you plan to carry your travel rods separate from your luggage. Or keep them in a vehicle on your travels.

A travel rod roll is just a cloth sleeve with individual pockets for each piece of the blank and then you roll it up with flap that closes on one end and tie it off with the attached ties. These can be nice for putting a rod or two into your other travel bags or a small compartment in your vehicle.

A travel bag can be just a cloth bag or a padded foam bag that houses and protects the rod simultaneously. I’m a fan of these as they keep your pieces from falling out as sometimes happens with rolls. And they keep the blank pieces with a bit of added protection. The padded bags are ideal in my opinion.  

Best Travel Rod Brands

In the freshwater space, the best travel rod makers are often synonymous with the best rod makers. Makers like Daiwa, Shimano, St. Croix, Megabass, Ark Rods, Fenwick, and others have really solid travel rod options. Others that many don’t know offer travel rods have good options like Favorite, Bass Pro, and BnM Poles.  

Here are the travel rod brands we reviewed and liked:

• Favorite Fishing
• B’n’M Poles

Having said all that, let’s take a closer look at some of our personal favorites in various travel rod categories.

Best Telescoping Travel Combo

Daiwa travel combo.

We chose the Daiwa Travel Combo as the best combo because it comes with a good reel, telescoping rod that is better than most and it’s own sling carry bag that is big enough to put several travel rods and reels in. This combo compacts down to 26 inches making it a perfect option for any trip whether it be in a car or a plane.

The rod is a 7-foot, 2-inch Medium power fast action rod. It’s a solid rod and stayed extended as we fished with it. The reel is a 2-bearing Daiwa Crossfire LT 2500. Even though it’s only 2 bearings, it performed very smoothly and effortlessly with a very smooth drag. It’s a solid spinning combo and it’s offered in EVA or Cork grips.

The combo costs $149 but if you just want a good combo without messing around with pairing rods and reels, this is a quick easy choice.

Buy at TackleWarehouse

Best Travel Rod for Bass

Shimano zodias travel rod.

The fact that Shimano took one of their best rod lines and converted it into a high-end bass travel rod got me excited. And when I got the new rod in my hand, I was very impressed. I am a big fan of the original Zodias line and was so excited to see this level of quality in a 5-piece travel rod.  

This travel rod condenses down to 19 inches when packed, meaning you can literally take it anywhere. And when full assembled you have a very high quality rod full of all the features of the high end one-piece blanks. The 5-piece construction gives the rod more uniform bend than a 2-piece model would.  

It has so much power and a steady consistent load when casting. You will forget it’s a travel rod by your second cast. It’s a high end rod that just happens to be in 5 pieces. It has a CI4+ reel seat for lightweight strength and a full carbon monocoque grip which eliminates the use of EVA giving a light rod more sensitivity.

Hi-Power X construction which makes the blanks outermost layer wrapped with carbon tape form that X appearance on the blank that gives more precise actions to the rods with more strength.  

You can really lean into fish with this rod without worry. It’s one of the nicest travel rods we’ve tested.

Buy at FishUSA.com

Buy from Omnia

Runner Up: Daiwa Ardito Travel Rod

This is another high-end rod that has been brought down to a travel rod form factor. This rod comes with a very nice hard case and it breaks down to 30 inches (32 in its case). It features a V-flex ferrule joint system. These ferrules don’t require you to jam the rod pieces all the way together and then struggle to separate them. You simply push them until they snug together and you are all set. You can break down and put the rod together in seconds and be fishing as fast as you can thread your line.  

The rod has a high-modulus blank, Fuji Aluminum Oxide guides, unsanded micro-pitch blank, split Eva grip and machined nut hood. It’s a high quality rod that pairs nicely with your favorite bait caster. It comes in 7-foot medium, 7-foot medium heavy and 7-foot, 6-inch medium heavy.

Buy at BassPro.com

Best All-Around / Saltwater Travel Rod

St. croix avid trek rod.

This is a finely crafted American rod with incredible blanks offering uniform performance, strength and ultra-perceptive sensitivity. The premium cork full grip, and quality blanks featuring St. Croix’s IPC mandrels, SCII high modulus carbon, slim profile ART ferrules, Sea Guide Hero hi-grade guides with zirconia rings and stainless gun smoke frames, sea guide hook keeper, and a 15-year-transferable warranty.  

This rod can literally do it all. Going to Louisiana to fish the marshes for bass and redfish, this is your rod. Strong, light, smooth, sensitive and easy to pack. The 3-piece rod is 6-foot, 6-inch MH rod with a lot of power but great castability. This rod is a joy to fish with and you can expect it to last a long time with that kind of warranty.

Best Telescopic Travel Rod

Bass pro aventur1 telescoping rod.

I was pleasantly surprised by the Aventur1 telescoping rod. It features 6 sections but 8 guides for uniform castability and a nice line path while fighting fish. The unique guide system has floating guides as well as guides permanently affixed to the rod sections. So you won’t fight with line on the blank on this travel rod.  

The 7-foot medium power rod fished really well and I was pretty taken aback at how nice this rod fished for $59. A rod that will likely always be in my travel plans. With an RT2 graphite blank, Fuji aluminum oxide guides, Fuji reel seat, with EVA split grips and X-Wrap rubber cork butt cap, this is a pretty functional telescoping rod for travel fishing.

Best Big Swimbait Travel Rod

F5 departure travel rods.

The folks at F5 Custom Rods make some of the nicest big swimbait rods available today. These are custom made rods from blanks to handles to accents. They are often very selective in how they build rods and you usually have to get lucky enough to catch a rod on a drop. However, the F5 Departure Travel Rods are often in stock and I picked up a H and XH rod a year or so back.

These are two of my favorite big swimbait rods that I use for crankdowns like the Bull Shad 4×4 and the Toxic Whippersnappers, for glides like the 86 Baits Doomrider, KGB Swimbaits Chad Shad or the Deps Slide Swimmer 250 and of course for my jointed swims like the Bull Shad 8 inch.

The rods are both 3-piece rods and are custom made with a full extra long camo EVA handle. The ones the often sell are split grips. The rod blanks are solid. Even with three pieces I had no issues heaving big baits like the Slide Swimmer which weighs 6 1/2 ounces.

They are going to run you about $289 a piece for these rods. But I am so happy to have them because I can take a pack of my favorite big baits and a very high-end swimbait rod literally everywhere I go to chase trophies all over the country and out of the country for that matter.

Buy at F5 Custom Rods

Best Travel Rod on a Budget

Favorite fishing army geo rod.

This is an impressive rod not only for the price but for how well this 4-piece rod fishes and fights fish. We caught some really quality bass on this rod this spring and it is a legit fun spinning rod to fish. I love that I threw it in my suitcase, loaded up and went to Arkansas and broke it out and caught a bunch of nice bass that were moving shallow to spawn.  

Even my brother-in-law enjoyed fishing with this travel rod. And at $39, it’s a hard rod to pass up. The 4 pieces in their hard travel tube are 26 inches. The pieces are barely 23 inches. The rod is a 7-foot, 2-inch medium-heavy spinning rod. I used it to skip Senkos around shallow cover a lot this spring. And it sets a nice hook and has a ton of backbone to land big bass. Our biggest on it was 6 pounds, 4 ounces this spring.

Buy at FavoriteUSA.com

Runner up: Ugly Stik GX2 4-piece Travel Combo

At $44 at Walmart, you can’t go wrong with this nearly indestructible travel rod. The Ugly Stik has been the staple of affordable travel rods. They can take abuse and continue to catch and land fish.  

Buy from Walmart.com

Buy at Scheels

Best Trout Travel Rod

St. croix trout series pack rod  .

For the adventurer who needs a light and packable trout rod to get to remote locations, this is the Cadillac of adventure rods. This rod says trout, but it’s a dynamite bluegill, crappie and even smallmouth rod for remote streams and creeks. It’s a beautifully built rod at only 2.9 ounces and 3 pieces, it compacts down to be no added weight in your backpack.  

I paired it with a small 1000 spinning reel and 4-pound line and really enjoyed fishing this rod a lot. It will become one of my staple creek travel rods now. It throws little baits effortlessly and had a nice backbone for such a light rod. A real joy to fish with.

Buy from FishUSA.com

Best Panfish Telescoping Rod

Bnm poles little mighty telescoping rod  .

I have to admit, I’m a little blow away by this rod. I grew up crappie and bluegill fishing with my father in Florida and Arkansas with telescoping fiberglass rods from B’n’M Poles. So I have a lot of nostalgia when it comes to these types of rod. But the new Little Mighty Rod is something special.

While it’s not technically a travel rod, it’s a telescoping rod that reaches out to 20 feet and breaks down to barely 22 inches. It looks like a bright orange track baton but it extends to a masterful reach out and touch a crappie or bluegill telescoping rod quickly.

One word of caution, be sure you extend the rod small sections first. So grab the string tab on the tip and pull it out that way. Don’t slide the sections out by dumping the open end out or you will have issues with sections getting out of order and blocking each other. Same for breaking it down. Big sections first and be sure to leave the string out when you put the cap on.  

Other than that, I enjoyed testing this rod a lot. I honestly didn’t think much of it when I got it. But after using it I can think of all sorts of places I want to take and fish with this rod. Once you get the hang of maneuvering 20 feet of rod with a fish on the end it’s a pretty fun stick to fish with.

Buy at Walmart.com

Buy from BnmPoles.com

Other Travel Rod Considerations

Ark rods genesis rods.

This was my original travel rod and I’ve put a lot of miles on it. It’s caught fish in Nebraska, Arkansas, Kentucky, Tennessee, Alabama and Mississippi. This is a two piece travel rod that comes with a nice padded bag.

Read our full Ark Genesis 2-piece travel rod review

The rod joins together nicely and fishes so well. The very narrow blanks are durable and sensitive. I’ve caught fish just about every way you can on these rods. I have the 6-foot, 8-inch MH and the 7-foot, 6-inch MH rods and have flipped, frogged, spinnerbait fished, jigged, cranked, popped a topwater popper and burned a buzz bait with these rods. A great option that gives no sacrifice in performance in a 2-piece travel rod.

SixGill Argos Travel Rods

A very nicely made travel pack rod, the Argos Travel Rod is a 4-piece rod built on a 24T Toray Carbon blank. Comes with a 25 inch travel case. It fishes like your nicest bass rod but you can tuck it under a jacket and take it with you anywhere. The rod loads nicely on the cast and has enough back bone with it’s 7-foot MH frame to fight any size bass you might tangle with. A very nice travel rod option.  

Buy from Sixgillfishing.com

Zebco 33 Spincast Telescopic Combo

This is an affordable option at $25 but it’s not made to handle big fish in my opinion. It’s a great rod for catching panfish around a campsite, or of the dock on vacation. But it’s not made for fishing for larger fish. The rod bends easily at the tip under load and the line cuts across the rod to the next guide. So just be cautious with bigger fish on this setup. But for $25, you can catch the heck out of a bunch of panfish with this setup.

Buy at Amazon

Hardy Zephrus FWS Travel Fly Rod

I haven’t had a chance to review the latest offerings from Hardy yet, but one of my all time favorite travel rods is my Hardy Zephrus FWS Travel Fly Rod. It’s a 9-foot, 5-weight rod. It is the perfect pack rod for hiking into remote streams and chasing fish on the fly. This is the Ferrari of travel rods in my opinion. Everything is first class from the aluminum case, styled bag, ferrule covers, and beautiful craftsmanship on the Sintrix 440 blank.  

Buy from Hardyrodsandreels.com

Shimano Convergence Travel Rod

This 7-foot, 4-piece rod is another great do-it all travel rod. It’s a great rod for a lot of different species and lures in that 1/4 ounce to 3/4 ounce size. It breaks down to 25 inches so it will fit in almost all your bags and it comes in a nice hard case with a shoulder strap if you want to carry it on your back while you hike. It’s very well made and fished nicely with a variety of reels.

Spinning rod

Casting rod.

Buy at Tackle Warehouse

St. Croix Triumph Travel Rod

This work-horse travel rod serves a ton of different purposes. It’s 6-foot, 6-inch size makes it a great size for tight quarters. I loved fishing some small streams near the house with this rod. A fun little rod for wading creeks or winging around on bigger waters on your travels. It’s small form factor of 24 inches makes it a great pack rod to keep in your vehicle or throw in your bag on long trips. It’s a very nice blank divided into 4 pieces. It’s strong, sensitive and light. A great travel version of their very popular Triumph line.  

Wired2fish Travel Rod Comparison Chart

We review a ton of products and while they don’t always make the best of categories there are a lot of good rods to choose from that can get the job done. We try to give you as many options as possible while identifying some that we think stand out in the array of options. The goal with our guides is to help you be as informed and aggregate as much helpful information and personal experience into helping you with your fishing gear decisions.  

Here is a quick rundown of a lot of travel rod / telescoping rod options:

Currently working as Senior Advisor to Wired2fish. Former COO and Publisher, Jason Sealock came to Wired2fish shortly after inception in January of 2010. Prior to that he was the Editor-in-Chief of FLW Outdoors Magazines. He worked up from Associate Editor to Photo Editor and finally Editor in Chief of three magazines FLW Bass, FLW Walleye and FLW Saltwater. He set the content direction for Wired2fish while also working directly with programmers, consultants and industry partners. Sealock has been an avid angler for the better part of 40 years and has been writing and shooting fishing and outdoors content for more than 25 years. He is an expert with fishing electronics and technologies and an accomplished angler, photographer, writer and editor. He has taught a lot of people to find fish with their electronics and has been instrumental in teaching these technologies to the masses. He's also the industry authority on new fishing tackle and has personally reviewed more than 10,000 products in his tenure. He has a 30-year background in information technologies and was a certified engineer for a time in Microsoft, Novell, Cisco, and HP. He mostly fishes for bass and panfish around the house. He has, however, caught fish in 42 of the 50 states in the US as well as Costa Rica, Mexico, and Canada and hopes to soon add Finland, Japan, Africa and Australia to his list.

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The Best Travel Fishing Rods of 2024

By Pete Robbins

Updated on May 24, 2023 5:36 PM EDT

Best for Bass

Abu Garcia I.K.E. Signature Series Travel Casting Rod

Best budget.

Shakespeare Ugly Stik GX2 Travel Spinning Combo

Best premium.

Megabass Triza Travel Rod

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Travel fishing rods are easy to pack for a trip, and the good ones fish like a one-piece rod. Over the past several decades, rods have gotten longer because more length typically equals better casts and more leverage on big fish. For example, the 5-foot 6-inch pistol grips that dominated bass fishing into the 1980s have been replaced almost entirely by rods that are 7 feet and up. Unfortunately, luggage costs and rules have also exploded at this same time, meaning that it’s not always feasible to take an oversized 7- or 8-foot rod tube on distant trips. That’s doubly true if you’ll be getting on a floatplane or your luggage size is otherwise restricted.

Travel rods aren’t solely for air travel, though. If you’re an urban angler getting on a subway, they may be your best choice. If you want something to keep in your car or backpack in case you pass by a tasty-looking fishery, they’re prime choices. In the past, the options were often limited. Either manufacturers took an existing blank and added rudimentary ferrules, or it was a bargain basement combo that required a staple remover to get out of the package and that couldn’t stand up to farm pond bluegills. Fortunately, many manufacturers have recognized the need for better travel tools, and they’ve heeded the call. 

I get to do a lot of traveling with fishing rods as a writer and host of exotic fishing trips. I’ve been to the Alaskan wilderness, through the Amazon jungle, and on every major bass lake in the U.S. and Mexico. Those destinations require a plane ride, and while I don’t always pack multi-piece rods, it’s given me the chance to test out many of the best. Here are my picks for the best travel fishing rods.

• Best for Bass: Abu Garcia I.K.E. Signature Series Travel Casting Rod
• Most Innovative: Daiwa Ardito-TR Travel Casting and Spinning Rod
• Best for Inshore: Falcon Traveler Coastal Spinning Rod
• Best Budget: Shakespeare Ugly Stik GX2 Travel Spinning Combo
• Best Finesse: Wild Side Light Spinning Rod
• Best Premium Casting: Megabass Triza Travel Rod  
• Most Versatile :  Toadfish Travel Spinning Rod
• Best Bait Finesse :  KastKing Kestrel 3-Piece Rods
• Best Premium Spinning : Shimano Zodias 5-Piece Travel Spinning Rods

How I Tested the Best Travel Fishing Rods

I’ve taken these travel rods all over the globe and all over the country, fishing for species both exotic and mundane. More importantly, though, I’ll admit that I’ve abused them. They’ve been shoved in suitcases, walked through dense forests, and used for lures outside of their supposed range. That’s the nature of the travel game. Coming home from Mexico, officials forced me to check a carrying case that I’d carried on for the trip South of the Border, and my rods returned in one piece—or rather in their original configurations of multiple pieces. When possible, though, I like keeping them at my side, and I’m usually able to do so. It also enables me to bring a rod and reel or the occasions when I travel for a non-fishing purpose but might be able to sneak away to make a few casts.

Best Travel Fishing Rods: Reviews & Recommendations

Key Features

• Length: 7 feet
• Packed Length: 28 inches
• Three pieces
• Comes with both medium (1/4-3/4 ounce lures) and medium-heavy (3/8-1 ounce) tip sections
• Soft travel case included
• Versatility means you only need to carry one rod
• Comfortable E.V.A. handle
• Great value
• Included case isn’t crushproof; should not be checked on airlines

Abu Garcia, worked with Bassmaster Classic champion Mike “Ike” Iaconelli, to design the Ike Signature Series Travel Rod. Ike is known for his wins on the pro bass circuit, but he’s also known for his urban angling adventures. Traveling by bus, bike, plane, and train to those urban fishing spots were the inspiration for his travel rod. 

The best feature of the rod is the included interchangeable tip sections that provide different actions. They are a tremendous value, since the rod doesn’t sacrifice on components. They include 36-ton graphite blanks, stainless steel guides, and a premium Fuji reel seat. Ike carried this rod worldwide on his television fishing exploits for a wide range of species, but his heart remains with bass, and that’s where this rod excels, for everything from soft plastics to crankbaits to spinnerbaits . Anglers who expect to use finesse presentations can buy the spinning version.

• Length: 7 feet 
• Handle converts from spinning to baitcasting
• Three-piece rod, includes six total pieces 
• Lure Weights: ¼ to 1 ounce 
• Extreme versatility
• Handles wide range of lures
• Sensitive yet strong graphite construction
• Included case not crushproof; should not be checked on airlines

Daiwa has built a rod—and specifically, a rod handle—that will accommodate both spinning and baitcasting reels when configured appropriately. That means you don’t have to choose one or the other when you’re limited to one travel rod. What’s most impressive is that they’ve somehow developed a blank that doesn’t feel awkward in either role. It includes X45 graphite construction that prevents blank twisting and truly performs like a one-piece. I took this rod to Zambia for tigerfish, where it performed admirably with a baitcasting reel, and then used it at home to skip Senkos under docks with a spinning rod. It’s not truly a finesse spinning rod, but could handle light baits with plenty of backbone to extract hard-pulling bass from gnarly cover.

• Medium action
• Lure weight: ¼ to ½ ounce 
• Bargain priced
• Durable full cork handle
• High-quality components
• Some anglers may not like the moderate action

If you’re chasing redfish or speckled trout on the Gulf Coast, or bonefish and snook in the Everglades or Keys, you need a rod that will simultaneously make pinpoint presentations that also has the heft to muscle outsized, super-strong fish away from cover. This rod is light but mighty and fits the bill. The Coastal Traveler series also has a baitcasting model in the lineup. They’ll both do double-duty in freshwater, although Falcon also provides Lowrider series travel rods for that purpose. All of them include cork handles (full in the case of the Coastal, split-grip on the Lowriders), Fuji K-Frame tangle-free guides, and a blank through reel seat. All come with a crushproof, three-section Cordura-coated case with the rod’s specifications printed on the outside.

• Lengths: 5 feet 6 inches and 6 feet 6 inches 
• Comes with matching reel
• Three or four pieces
• Rod and reel packaged together for the price of one
• Four-bearing spinning reel
• Strong guides will stand up to braided line
• Cloth rod and reel travel bag cannot be checked

The Ugly Stik brand has been synonymous with strength and value for decades, and Shakespeare continues to refine the products while keeping them at rock bottom prices. These three spinning combos—one light action, two medium action—all come with a four-bearing reel and rods that combine graphite and fiberglass construction. While the cloth carrying case may not be crushproof, this combo will stand up to just about anything you can dish out. That makes it a great option for kids or beginners, but you’ll be surprised at the wide range of species it can handle across the globe without any fear of failure.

• Length: 6 feet 3 inches
• Packed Length: 22 inches
• Action: Light
• Five pieces
• Ultra compact 
• Innovative ferrules maintain one-piece feel
• High modulus graphite

Wild Side’s U.S. distributor Arundel Tackle claims that this rod is “made for the overhead bin, NOT baggage claim.” It comes with a rectangular carrying case that weighs a mere 2 ounces and will slide easily into your carry-on. More importantly, they’ve somehow taken a five-piece rod and eliminated any traditional multi-piece imprecision. That might be because they use refined spigot ferrules that do a solid job of maintaining a one-piece flow. This has become a go-to Ned Rig rod when I’m bass fishing at home, but it has so many other uses where it’ll excel. These include stream trout fishing, pan fishing, and light saltwater use. The high-quality cork and E.V.A. split handle are comfortable for all day fishing and match up with any lightweight spinning reel.

Best Premium: Megabass Triza Travel Rod  

• Lengths (casting): 6-feet, 6-inches; 6-feet, 8-inches; 6-feet, 9-inches; 7-feet; 7-feet, 2-inches   
• Available in five baitcasting and two spinning models
• Lure Weights: 1/32 ounce to 3 ounces
• Wide range of actions for a full range of techniques
• Built one at a time for attention to detail
• Gorgeous peacock wood reel seats and hand-drawn graphics

Megabass makes everything from the best swimbaits to some of the nicest production rods available. The Triza Travel Rod has typical Megabass quality in a rod that fits in a backpack. Megabass has a lot of experience making travel rods for their Japanese customers, who are often more constrained in terms of space and transportation, and therefore demand them. These premium travel rods are now widely available in America and cover just about every bass fishing technique under the sun—while at the same time being superior for some saltwater and multi-species use. They’re a gorgeous piece of art that would look great displayed, but they’re too solid to sit on the sidelines. Megabass claims they are constructed to their “Triangle” ideal—with a tip section that maximizes tension, a belly section that maximizes torque, and a butt section that maximizes torsional rigidity. These are workhorses that present like show horses.

Most Versatile:  Toadfish Travel Spinning Rod

• 7 feet 2 inches
• Medium/Medium heavy action
• Interchangeable mid and tip sections
• Incredible versatility
• Kigan tangle free guides
• Extremely durable
• Included case is strong but quite heavy

This rod comes with one handle section, two mid-sections, and two tip sections, allowing for five different configurations, making it the most versatile travel rod on the market. That uniqueness is also a huge bonus if you slam a section in a car door or otherwise break one – you lose a bit of that trademark versatility, but you’re not completely out of luck. What’s also nice is that it comes with extremely durable components, including soft-touch rubber handle inlays and a handle that will stand up to the most you can dish out, including saltwater exposure. It’s fairly sensitive for a five-piece rod, and the spigot ferrules hold well. The case may be heavy, but you can check it through on the airlines without worrying about damage.

Best Bait Finesse:  KastKing Kestrel 3-Piece Rods

• Light-fast action
• IM8 ultra-high modulus graphite blank
• Extremely reasonable price
• One of the few rods in its category
• Very sensitive IM8 high modulus graphite blank
• No case included

The biggest problem with many travel rods is that they’re too vanilla – understandably made to cover a wide range of conditions and species. That’s fine if you just want one for random use, but it doesn’t help anglers with specific needs. KastKing has entered the market with a lot of BFS options and wisely chose to build a three-piece rod in that category. It can handle lures as light as 1/10 ounce, yet, with a balanced baitcasting reel, still has the winch-like power that spinning cannot provide. The rod comes with quality components, including American Tackle Ti forged guides with aluminum oxide Duralight rings, so whether you’re chasing panfish, Alaskan trout, stream smallmouths, or light saltwater species, it’s meant to stand up to a beating. In Asia and Japan, manufacturers have historically made a wider range of multi-piece rods than they do in North America, so it’s a good sign that KastKing is willing to take a calculated risk on this specialty stick.

Best Premium: Shimano Zodias 5-Piece Travel Spinning Rods

• Medium-Light – Fast
• 1/8 – 7/16 ounce lures
• CI4+ Reel Seat maximizes ergonomic comfort
• Fuji guides hold up to the rigors of travel and different kinds of line
• At 5 pieces, incredibly transportable
• Rod case not included

Shimano and brand partner G.Loomis have dipped in and out of the travel rod market for years, producing some top-notch products. Shimano’s bargain-priced Convergence Series is a great value and quality product, but the Zodias will fill the needs of more demanding anglers. It looks and feels like an expensive JDM product, and despite the multiple ferrules functions like a one-piece rod. I liked the Carbon Monocoque grip, and felt that it enhanced sensitivity, even with light lines. It’s also available in a baitcasting rod if that’s your stylistic preference, or if you want to use heavier lines on bigger fish.

While most standard rods are one or possibly two pieces, most travel rods are three or more pieces. Alternatively, they may be telescoping. Either way, they “collapse” or “compress” or “break down” to lengths that will fit in a suitcase or in a small separate carrying case. That makes them easy to take on a plane or stuff under the seat of your vehicle for impromptu fishing adventures.

Many anglers believe that one-piece rods are superior in all instances and will do whatever they can to take them on long-distance fishing trips. Of course that is possible, and there are hard-sided carrying cases that extend up to nearly 10-feet long to transport them. One problem, however, is that the airlines are increasingly restrictive on checking such bags. Even when they allow it, they may be costly. Furthermore, rough baggage handling may result in destruction of or damage to your valuable gear.

Typically commercial airlines will not allow you to carry full-sized rods on airplanes, but they’ll often allow you to carry properly-cased and appropriately-sized travel rods on board. In fact, the T.S.A. guidelines explicitly state that fishing rods are permitted in carry-on and checked bags but note that “passengers should check with the airline to confirm that the fishing rod fits within size limitations for carry-on items.” Some foreign airports and foreign carriers will not allow the same, so be sure to check ahead of time and carry a crushproof case that can be checked if necessary.

Things to Consider When Buying a Travel Fishing Rod

What will you be fishing for.

The same travel rod that excels for panfish might be a liability chasing big saltwater fish in the surf. Today there are enough specialized options that you should be able to cover most extremes and many technical presentations. The trouble comes when you need to do double duty. That may require the purchase of a second rod, or perhaps even making compromises—using a single rod that is a jack of all trades but a master of none.

How compact must it be?

Fewer ferrules or connectors usually (but not always) means better performance. However, the ideal travel or “pack” rod will fit into a small case, which may or may not need to fit within your suitcase. Take careful measurements of your possible dimensions, adding a slight bit for the padding of the case and any internal rod sock that protects your tool.

How will I carry my travel rod?

The best possible scenario is to keep your rod or rods with you at all times, in a padded, crushproof case. That reduces the chances of loss and breakage. However, in the instance that you need to check it, make sure it fits in your other luggage or run the risk of paying a surcharge. Many of these rods come with tubes or cases. Some are better than others, so don’t hesitate to invest in an aftermarket product for peace of mind.

Final Thoughts on the Best Travel Fishing Rods

As I’ve amassed an arsenal of travel rods over the past several years, I’ve seen a shift in my thinking. Previously, I reserved them exclusively for exotic travel to places like Zambia, Mexico, Brazil, and Alaska, and then relegated them to a garage shelf when I returned home. Increasingly, however, I’ve found myself using some of them in my day-to-day angling, in places where I could still take a 7- or 8-foot one-piece rod but now choose instead to take the multi-piece tool. 

Many of the more inexpensive multi-piece rods are still notably less fluid than their one-piece counterparts, but that’s not always the case. Furthermore, if you’re a one-piece snob, you may be surprised at how refined these options have become.

Travel Light, Fish Right: Best Travel Fishing Rods For On-The-Go Anglers

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Whether planning a week-long fishing trip or hoping to escape and do some fishing on a family vacation, travel fishing rods are essential for any angler. Due to their construction, they pack down to fit in a rucksack so you can easily carry them on a motorbike, bus, or even as a part of your checked baggage on an airplane.

Whether you are a fly, spin, carp, or saltwater angler, all have excellent travel rod choices.

In this article, I will cover the following: 

• What To Look For When Choosing A Travel Fishing Rod
• Travel fly rods
• Travel spinning rods
• Travel carp rods
• Travel sea fishing rods
• Frequently Asked Questions

What To Look For When Choosing A Travel Fishing Rod 

When purchasing a travel rod, you want to make sure you’re paying attention to a few separate essential details! 

Travel Rod Length 

Most anglers searching for travel rods aren’t hopping on an airplane and traveling worldwide to pursue a unique species. Many jump in the car or take public transportation to their favorite location. As a result, you want to make sure the rod you travel with is collapsible. If possible, ensure your rod can collapse down to 36 inches! 

Depending on the rod type, you may be able only to find one that can break down to a length of 40” or 46”. So choose wisely, as you don’t want to sacrifice quality for a smaller length.  

You’ll find that many companies are making their own versions of travel rods that are not quality. They are often affordable, but anglers pay the price when they hit the water. The rods easily break, or they aren’t as advertised. 

Stay with well-known fishing brands that can be trusted and have a warranty. You wouldn’t waste your money on a poor-quality normal rod, so follow that same protocol with your travel rod! 

Best Travel Fly Rods

Thankfully, most fly rods are “travel-ready.” Many break down into four pieces, typically around 36” in length. However, if you need even smaller rods, some good options exist! 

Orvis Clearwater 6 Piece

If you’re familiar with Orvis, you know how high-quality their fly rods are. The Clearwater 6-piece travel model is the option for intermediate anglers. It isn’t overly complicated to fish. The moderate fast action is good for streams, rivers, and lakes. 

You will likely struggle to find a travel fly rod that’s better than this! You have a 4-weight 8’, 5-weight 8’6”, 5-weight 9’, 6-weight 9’, and 8-weight 9’. These weights and lengths are great for trout, bass, steelhead, and salmon fishing. This rod will fit anywhere on a plane or in your car. 

When broken down, the six pieces break down into only 22.5 inches. This is extremely small and can fit into any carry-on or as a personal item! You’ll still have Orvis’ 25-year warranty when you purchase this rod. This is a nice warranty since travel rods get heavy usage, and there is more that can go wrong when there are six total pieces you’re working with. 

Orvis also offers a travel fly combo outfit option, including line and reel. If you aren’t interested in pairing the rig with your own equipment, you can purchase your own reel, and everything will be well-balanced. 

While Orvis isn’t known for bargain basement pricing, you’ll get one of the best travel fly fishing rods on the market for a mid-to-high price range. 

Redington Trailblazer Fly Rod 

The Redington Trailblazer is another travel fly fishing rod that will be up for any challenge that you put to the test. Redington makes both a 3-weight and 5-weight option for anglers. The 7’6” 3-weight is great if you head to backcountry mountain streams or small alpine lakes . The 9’6” 5-weight is good if you’re heading somewhere with bigger fish or more challenging conditions. 

When broken down, the rod tube is only 30”, so you should be able to fit it on a plane on your carry-on or under the backseat of your car. Wherever you use it, it’s going to store away nicely! Many anglers will choose to use this as their backcountry rod. While fly rods aren’t heavy, the Redington Trailblazer is especially light! It’ll fit nicely on your backpack, and you won’t notice it. 

The red and yellow colors look great! It’s a unique design in terms of fly rods. Don’t worry about the quality. Redington’s lifetime warranty protects it so that you can fish this hard. 

In the mid to high-priced price range, you’ll have a similar price to the Clearwater from Orvis. They’re similar rods in terms of quality! Redington is a reputable brand that has continuously flown under the radar. Don’t underestimate the quality of these rods. 

Best Travel Spinning Rods

In terms of travel rods, you will find the most options available come in the form of spinning rods. Companies that don’t even specialize in fishing equipment have found themselves in the travel spinning rod market. It’s those poor, cheap-quality travel rods you should avoid!

My two choices are far from the unknown; Shimano and Fenwick are right at the top of their game regarding fishing rods.

Shimano S.T.C. Mini-Tele Spinning Rod

Shimano has been a reputable fishing company for years. Anglers of all levels have success with these rods! The mini-tele spinning rod is a unique design that is perfect for travel. This rod comes in two pieces. The first piece includes the cork handle and reel seat. The next section of this rod is the telescopic portion. The total extended length ranges from 70 inches to 106 inches! 

Whatever rod you choose, you can choose from eight different weights and lengths to fit whatever type of fishing you’re doing. All of these models have eight line guides regardless of the weight and length of the rod you choose. 

These rods are made with Shimano’s XT60 blank material, a full cork grip, and a Shimano DPS reel seat. You have all the normal guarantees of Shimano packed into the travel rod. 

These rods break down into a case and are easily stored in a backpack or the trunk of your car. When fully broken down, the longest models are only 15 inches long! Take them with you as you bike, hike, or take public transport to a local lake or river. Trout, panfish, and even fish such as small-sized bass and pike are all catchable with this rod. However, large bass and other fish over 5 lbs are not suited for this rod. 

This is my only telescopic choice in all of my rods for travel, and I am not a big fan of telescopic rods due to their usually inferior quality and strength. However, the Shimano STC is the exception – it’s well-constructed and is a top telescopic option for a travel rod.

Fenwick HMG Travel Rod 

The HMG Travel Rod from Fenwick is another affordable and high-quality option for anglers looking to fish while traveling. If you know fishing history, you’ll remember that Fenwick rods were the first to use graphite technology. 

The rod uses Powerlux 100 resin technology, a lightweight graphite blank with stainless steel guides, and a cork handle. The Powerlux technology increases the rod’s strength by over 10 percent compared to previous models. 

Fenwick provides anglers an extra tip in case you snap or break yours. This is a great feature for travel rods. Since they’re used in challenging and tight spaces, accidents can happen. The extra tip gives you peace of mind that you can fish the rod hard without worrying about what could go wrong. 

The rod breaks down into three sections that work well for traveling. When fully broken down, it’s only around 30 inches. When packed in the rod tube, you can fit it easily in your trunk or on the side of your backpack. The most common option for anglers is the 7’6” model. Depending on your needs, this comes in medium light and a medium action. 

Both the Shimano STC Mini-Tele and the Fenwick HMG travel rods are mid-price range options. This means you’re getting a great deal choosing either of them for fishing when traveling! 

Best Carp Fishing Travel Rods

Carp rods are a prized possession for many anglers. With carp being a species easily found worldwide, it’s hard not to travel with your carp rod! You never know when you will have a chance to get away and fish a local pond or river packed with them. 

Buying a carp travel fishing rod is also a great option for stalking carp in the margin areas. Their shorter length enables them to get to the harder-to-access areas, where trees are overhanging, and it’s near impossible to cast with longer rods.

Nash Scope Rod – Full Shrink

Nash is a trusted and popular brand amongst carp anglers. The Full Shrink handle model is one that many anglers could use in various situations. It’s all one piece, but the rod telescopes into itself and packs into a nice and compact design. 

You can choose a 9-foot and 10-foot long rod option with test curves ranging from 3 lbs, 3.25 lbs, and 3.5 lbs. These options are sufficient for almost any carp; I use the 9-foot option combined with a 3.25lb test curve option. 

Many anglers can cast upwards of 150 yards with the 9ft scope. You can fish the margins or larger waters, and the rod will be at home in either place. When fully contracted, the 9-foot models fold down to 44 inches, and the 10-foot models fold down to 50 inches. No, they don’t fold down as small as other travel rods, but the longer sizes ensure high quality. You won’t find these rods breaking after two or three uses.

You can haul in 30-pound carp with no problem with the Nash Scope rod. Also, if you get the chance to target salmon, pike, steelhead, or bass, these will equally work well for those. They’re designed to tackle carp, but they can land most other freshwater species. 

This rod is suitable for any angler. If you’re an experienced angler, you’ll find that you can get more out of this rod than you would think. If you’re new to carp fishing, it is a great first travel option, lasting many years. 

The Nash Scope Rod is an affordable travel rod at a mid-point price range.  

X5 Max Travel Fishing Rod 

The X5 Max Travel rod is one of the market’s most unique fishing rod designs. Within this one rod, you have nine different length combinations that you can use. It can be used as a travel spin casting, bait casting, float fishing, carp fishing, and fly fishing rod. Twelve interchangeable sections work together to create the type of rod you need. 

Once you have determined the right combination of tips, even decent sized carp can be landed with the heavier casting weight setup. 

The four separate tips come with rod casting weights ranging from 10-20g, 15-30g, and 25-50g. It is a remarkable rod with all the different features and pieces included. Most anglers find one method that works for them and stick to it, but if you’re feeling adventurous, you can change things to be whatever you need. 

All aspects of this rod can fit in a 17” travel case when broken down. It’ll fit nicely into your backpack and is well protected with the camo color case. For a mid-range priced portable rod, you’re getting an impressive rod that’s up for whatever challenge you need. Anglers often find themselves surprised by how capable this rod is. It’s a jack of all trades that is one of the best and most versatile travel rod options. 

Best Sea Fishing Travel Rods

Travel sea fishing rods can be a point of contention for some anglers. Obviously, sea fishing rods are going to have to be extremely durable . You’re catching generally much larger fish and in a less forgiving environment. Travel saltwater fishing rods must be able to match the power and durability of a standard saltwater rod. Otherwise, you can snap your travel rod at any point.

Fiblink Portable Saltwater Offshore Travel Rod 

The Fiblink Portable Saltwater Offshore Travel Rod breaks down into three pieces and comes in four sizes. You have a 6’ heavy, 7’ medium heavy, 7’ heavy, and 8’ heavy. The heavy models can handle a 30-50 pound test, and the medium-heavy models can handle a 15-30 pound test. 

Fishing Rod Guides & Tip Tops: Why Are They Important?

The Fiblink is built for saltwater use. As a result, you don’t have to worry about saltwater corrosion. A good clean with fresh water will keep this rod in great shape once you’re done. Anglers have hauled in 80-pound sharks with this rod! Give yourself a chance to target some heavy fish and see what you find.  

This rod only breaks into three pieces, so it doesn’t lose quality or power compared to a 4-piece rod. Each piece is either 2 feet or 2.5 feet, depending on the rod size you purchase. While this isn’t the top-of-the-line sea fishing rod, it can hold its own and will last if you take good care of it. Most anglers wouldn’t use it as their primary fishing rod, but it works great for short-day trips to the sea! 

At an affordable low to mid-range pricing, you’ll get a quality rod that can fight the vast majority of saltwater fish you plan to target. 

World Traveller Travel Fishing Rod & Reel

Unlike all the other rods on the list, the World Traveller travel fishing combo comes with both the rod and the reel. This makes it my only travel combo rod and reel on this recommended list. One of the most significant challenges anglers face with travel rods is finding a reel that balances well with the weight. The World Traveller has a decent rod and gives you a properly balanced reel to match. 

The two options available for this rod are medium and heavy. The medium rod is 7’ long and can handle bass, panfish, and smaller pike. The heavy rod is 6’2” and can handle larger fish. 

One of the nice features of this rod and reel is that two additional tips come with the rod. Both are made of fiberglass and are relatively powerful. Also, this rod breaks down into six separate sections, which makes storing it especially easy. When broken down, this rod is only 16 inches long. 

The reel has a decent 5:1:1 ratio. You also receive an extra spool when you make the purchase! The spinning reel is saltwater ready. A quick rinse at the end of the day will prevent corrosion when fishing in saltwater areas. 

The pairing reel that World Traveler provides in this travel combo has an interchangeable handle for left or right-hand retrieve.

World Traveller offers anglers a two-year warranty when purchasing this brand-new rod. This is a great chance to fish this rod hard and see what it can do. You’ll struggle to find a travel rod that’s as high quality and reputable as this. At around mid-ranged pricing, you’re getting a great deal, and it even comes with a 2-year warranty! 

Best Travel Rods Summary 

There are hundreds of travel fishing rods for anglers to purchase. These decisions can be overwhelming! These packable fishing rods are typically not your regular rods, but they still should be up to the challenge of whatever fish you find. 

Again, please don’t buy cheap, inferior travel fishing rods from lesser-known manufacturers.

Travel Fishing Rods – Frequently Asked Questions 

What is the difference between a travel rod and a regular rod.

Generally, travel rods are collapsible and can be stored in smaller storage tubes. This way you can travel easily with them. Regular rods are troublesome to carry around and, in many cases, heavier and prone to damage.

Can I Take A Fishing Rod On A Plane?

Yes, airlines will allow fishing rods to be carried on a plane. If it is oversized (in length) like a normal fishing rod, you must check it separately, which could cost an additional fee. However, with short travel rods, you can easily hand carry or pack them safely into your check-in luggage. 

Check out this Jetstar Airlines notification: Can I bring my fishing rods on the plane? Most airlines will allow fishing rods on the plane.

What Are The TSA Regulations On Fishing Rods?

TSA allows fishing poles and also other tackle for carry-on and checked bags. For the most up-to-date information, check out the official TSA link!

What Is The Best Travel Fishing Rod For Bass?

There is no specific travel rod that you must use for bass fishing. The Shimano STC telescopic has all the features, strength, and versatility needed for a travel bass fishing rod. It can be used for various fishing styles in rivers or lakes, including lure fishing and when using natural baits.

Final Thoughts

Some anglers get concerned about buying a travel fishing rod. The quality is always a question for many anglers. There are always horror stories about hooking into a massive fish, but it breaks off due to one of the sectioned pieces snapping. 

All my recommended travel rod choices above will perform without worrying about them breaking. You never know when the opportunity to fish will come up on a trip, so it’s best to be prepared.

I hope this article was helpful and gave you all the information you need; check out my other posts on fishing rods covering a full range for every type of fishing style.  

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Best Travel Fishing Rods for Out-Of-State Fishing Trips

Leave your heavy and expensive one-piece fishing rod at home. For your next out-of-state fishing trips, opt for these best travel fishing rods.

They are more compact and can also provide you with the performance you need for a successful day out in the water. Some even have features comparable to a premium one-piece fishing rod! 

What You Should Consider Before Buying a Travel Fishing Rod

The price tag of a travel fishing rod is not the only factor you should consider. You should also look into the rod length, type, material, action, and power of a fishing rod for travel. 

Multiple Piece Rod vs. Telescopic Fishing Rod

A travel fishing rod can either be telescopic or a multiple-piece. 

A multiple-piece travel rod consists of several parts (mostly between 2 and four) that you connect together to form one piece of rod. On the other hand, a telescopic fishing rod is collapsible. For instance, a 10-foot telescopic rod can fold half its size, allowing you to put it inside a backpack or luggage. 

These two types of travel fishing rods are portable, durable, and perfect for out-of-state fishing trips. However, the multiple-piece fishing rod works if you are looking for a simple fishing set-up and optimal tackle load distribution.

On the other hand, the telescopic fishing rod will fit in a small fishing rod travel case and offer a comfortable grip and more flexibility.

Rod Action and Rod Power

Rod action refers to the fishing rod’s ability to bend and revert to its original shape when under pressure. Travel fishing rods can be slow, medium, or fast rod action. 

But some fishing rods indicate the rod power rating instead. Here is a closer look:   

The ultralight action relates more to rod power or the rod’s ability to withstand pressure. Ultralight rods are bendy and can only handle pressure from smaller lures, weighing approximately a quarter of an ounce. 

Fast Action

Fast-action rods bend right below the tip and are perfect for attracting large fish in fresh and salty water. The quick action and sensitivity to bites make these rods ideal for strong hook settings, especially for single hooks. 

Slow Action

Slow action rods are incredibly flexible, bending from the tip to the butt of the rod. These rods are ideal for casting smaller lures and work well for smaller fish species.

Medium Action

As for medium or moderate action rods, they can bend from the tip to the middle of the fishing rod. This gives you a wider casting distance and impressive hook setting abilities. In addition, the rods are versatile, meaning you can use them to catch small and big fish in different waters.

Medium-Heavy

If you want to hook a catfish or bass, you will need a medium-heavy rod. Medium-heavy refers to the rod’s ability to handle weight pressure. Medium-heavy rods handle bigger fish and larger lures, weighing one to four ounces.

Many travel fishing rods are usually spinning rods because they are easier to handle, simple to use, and versatile. Moreover, they provide extra stability because the included spinning reel is just below the rod. 

You can also find fishing rods for travel with a baitcaster or fly reels. However, these rods are slightly more technical and should be used for seasoned anglers. 

Expert Tip:  A surf rod can be more suitable if you don’t intend to spend much time in the water. It has a more extended handle and a wider casting distance for shoreline fishing. 

You should also consider rod length because it determines casting distance and the type of fishing you can do. For example, you will need a longer rod for surf fishing, but a shorter rod length is ideal for accurate casts.

The average rod length for a travel fishing rod is approximately 4 to 14 feet. 

Travel fishing rods can be made from fiberglass, carbon fiber, synthetic, and graphite.

• Fiberglass  is the most common material due to its endurance, flexibility, and affordability. If you’re an amateur angler, you will enjoy using fiberglass rods for slow to medium action.
• Carbon fiber  rods   feature high-tech carbon material, contributing to their tensile properties and high price tags. In addition, the fishing rods are highly-sensitive and lightweight for travel.
• Graphite  can also detect nibble vibrations. In fact, the sensitivity and lightweight nature of this material allow you to cast farther and control movements.
• Composite  is also a fun and reliable material that combines the benefits of graphite and fiberglass materials. 

Additional materials include bamboo, hardwood, titanium, and other synthetic materials.

What Are the Best Travel Fishing Rods?

The best travel fishing rods include the St. Croix travel rod, Daiwa Procyon travel fishing rod, and Shimano travel rod. These rods score high in terms of versatility, durability, action, power, and overall performance. 

And, of course, they are more convenient to carry for your next out-of-state fishing trip.

1. St Croix Triumph Travel Spinning Rod

St Croix is known for its high-quality fishing rods, and the Triumph travel spinning rod is no different.

The company uses high-quality carbon fiber material for rod sensitivity and durability . As a matter of fact, you get a five-year warranty! 

This four-piece travel rod has a medium-heavy power and fast action rating, making it ideal for catching larger fish like largemouth bass, catfish, or pike. 

Don’t worry, though. It is also available in different variations (rod length, rod power, rod action, and the number of pieces), allowing you to have a fishing rod traveling buddy to match your preferred fishing style. 

But that doesn’t mean the St. Croix is only for seasoned anglers because it’s a travel spinning rod. 

Despite being a carbon fiber rod, we don’t recommend pushing its limit. Always stick to recommended line, drag, and lure weight to prevent the pole from breaking.

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2. Daiwa Megaforce TeleSpin Telescopic Fishing Rod

Are you fishing in freshwater bodies on your trip? Well, this Daiwa travel rod promises an all-around fishing experience. 

Like the St. Croix, this fishing rod is made from carbon fiber. But not just any type of carbon fiber. 

Daiwa opted for an HMC+ carbon fiber blank that makes the pole ultralightweight while offering a high strength-to-weight ratio. As a matter of fact, when you cast, the fish rod will quickly resile without skipping a beat.

This Daiwa fishing spinning rod also has a telescopic design that measures 7.87 feet when expanded. Surprisingly, when you fold it down, it is only 24.80 inches – over 50% less than its retracted size!

3. Okuma Voyager VS-605-20 Travel Kit

The Okuma Voyager embodies travel because you get everything you need. 

You won’t only get the rod, but you will also receive a spinning reel, an aluminum spool, and a case. Since it has a rod and reel combo, this travel rod kit is fit for first-time use and impromptu fishing expeditions. 

You also get a tackle box for your fishing lures, hooks, and other accessories. Another extra perk is its nylon travel bag! 

The spinning reel is great, but it can loosen or come off. Therefore, always check the connection and tighten the nut before you start fishing. 

Overall, the Okuma Voyager is affordable and worth the price.

4. Orvis Clearwater Fly Rod Outfit

The Orvis Clearwater is arguably one of the best automatic fly fishing rods. 

As you may know, fly fishing is challenging, especially for a beginner. You need stability and a rod that quickly recovers the line after setting the hook. 

The Orvis Clearwater Fly Rod features a strong fighting butt and an automatic fly reel that work simultaneously to make fly fishing easier.  

Since the travel rod comes as a full kit, including the fishing rod, a fly reel, fly line and backing, and carrying rod tube, you can save money on additional gear.

The downside is Orvis Clearwater rods are more expensive than most travel fishing rods, but with the  25-year warranty , you won’t worry about replacements and repairs.

5. Fiblink Offshore 3-Piece Travel Baitcasting Rod

The Fiblink Offshore is designed for surf fishing. Although it’s only a 3-piece rod, the travel rod is long (rod length can be 7ft or 8ft long). This means you can have a wider casting distance , even from the shoreline! 

You don’t even have to break the bank to get this 3-piece baitcasting rod. 

Unfortunately, the downside to this 3-piece is the reel seat tends to loosen up occasionally. One quick fix is to tighten the reel seat. If everything else fails, you can utilize the one-year warranty from Fiblink.

6. Shimano Fishing Tiralejo Surf Rod

If you want a better quality surf fishing travel rod, this Shimano travel fishing rod is what you need. 

Unlike the Fiblink, it uses a Fuji reel seat which is 100% tougher . The seat’s design is also compatible with Shimano’s well-loved reels – the Ultegra XTD and Ultegra Ci4+. 

This fishing rod is also made from graphite to keep the weight down. Its rod action is moderate fast, allowing you to target large fish species and experiment with different lure weights. 

The only downside for Tiralejo surf rods is the high retail price, but the quality and durability make it worth it.

7. Moonshine Rod Co. The Drifter Series Fly Fishing Rod

All fly fishing enthusiasts must try the drifter series rod from Moonshine Rod Company at least once. 

The drifter is a medium-action rod easy for beginners and seasoned pros. Furthermore, it comes as a lightweight five-piece rod that’s easy to assemble and disassemble during travel.

Generally, with a good fly reel and line, you will enjoy smooth loads and a wider cast. The wooden handle also gives extra grip to tackle a big catch. 

If you break the tip, Moonshine adds an extra rod tip in each package and offers a lifetime warranty.

8. PLUSINNO Fishing Rod and Reel Combo

Many anglers refer to the Plusinno rod and reel combo as the best travel fishing rod. 

It is a premium telescopic rod that features high-quality and durable fiberglass material. You can collapse the rod to two feet and fit it in your backpack, making it ideal for travel.

As a matter of fact, we’ve named the Plussino Fishing Rod and Reel Combo the  best telescopic fishing rod ! 

If you have children, they will love this fishing rod. The rod and reel combo ensure the specifications align, ensuring the child stays in control after the hook set. 

Plusinno includes a fishing line, a pack of lures, and a carrier bag, which saves you money. However, we suggest swapping the free tackles if targetting a large and aggressive fish.

Why Invest in a Travel Fishing Rod?

Travel fishing rods are often considered flimsy and subpar compared to a standard rod, but not anymore. 

The best travel fishing rods are robust and can compete head-to-head with one-piece fishing rods. Since they are designed to be more compact and portable, they are the perfect companion for your next out-of-state fishing trip by air or road!

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Valiant Eagle Passage Travel Fishing Rods

KastKing Valiant Eagle Passage Travel Fishing Rods

4 & 6 pcs Travel/Pack Rods

The New KastKing Valiant Eagle Passage Travel rods are made to go places! Available in spinning, casting, fly, and spin/fly models from 4 to 6 pcs. This performance, travel/pack rod series is ready to go anywhere that adventure takes you. From a 5'6" Medium Light power rod to pack into high mountain lakes to an 8'6" Heavy power rod that you can take to Alaska. There's even a 6 pc, 8'6" 5 wt. fly rod that will pack down to just 19" long. Adventure awaits.

KastFlex IM6 30T Graphite Blanks

These multi-piece graphite travel rods pack small but perform like 1 and 2 pc rods. Using our proprietary KastFlex IM6 30T graphite blanks, Passage rods are light and sensitive. The high carbon construction provides the power to penetrate hooks quickly and consistently and are sensitive enough to detect the lightest bites. They are perfect for most freshwater species and even some saltwater applications.

Titanium Oxide Performance Line Guides

Titanium is strong and resilient and when used to create guide rings, provides unmatched durability. This is perfect for today's super lines , that are so popular for today's anglers. LTS, Titanium Oxide guides won't groove under the pressure of powerful fish and deliver incredible casting distances. All Passage travel/pack fishing rods include premium stainless-steel guide frames with durable Titanium Oxide rings to maximize performance.

8 Different 4 & 6 pc Travel/Pack Rods

This is the "No Limits Zone". You'll never travel again without your favorite fishing rod. From the 5'6 Medium light spinning rod to a 7'6" Heavy power casting model, an 8'6" Heavy power spinning rod, and a beautiful 5 wt. fly rod. There's even a convertible, 7'6" spin/fly rod that is equally at home with a spinning or fly reel. Just reverse the handle and it's ready to fish. Passage rods are ready to go anywhere and everywhere you dare to experience.

Performance Components & Travel Tube

KastKing Valiant Eagle Passage Travel/Pack rods use premium components like cork handles and either graphite or CNC aluminum reel seats depending on the model. And every Passage travel rod includes a clear, PET tube that keeps your fishing rod safe and secure while you're on your way to your next adventure. Never leave home without a KastKing Passage Travel Rod.

Customer Reviews

Love these poles I have 4 of them now

Ordered a Spin/Fly 4 pc rod for my trip to Yellowstone. Did two days of fishing and was pleasantly surprised with the quality and performance of this rod. Fit nicely inside my checked bag.

I’m very pleased with this traveling rod, the action is like one piece rod, sensitive is not as good as one piece rod but for the price is a bargain. I used with a Shimano SLX reel with 15# FC and just perfect.

Very easy to pack and travel with rods.

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Travel Rods

of travel rods and their specifications. the best brands of travel rods in the market and their unique features. give examples of when one should use a travel rod and what to look for when buying one.

Travel rods are the perfect solution for anglers who love to go fishing but don’t want to compromise on portability and convenience. They are designed to be compact, lightweight and easy to carry, making them the ideal choice for anglers who travel or hike to their fishing spots. They are available in different sizes, lengths and types, each designed for specific fishing situations. In this article, we will discuss the advantages of travel rods in different situations, the different types of travel rods available, the best brands of travel rods in the market, and what to look for when buying one.

Advantages of Travel Rods

Portability

One of the most significant advantages of travel rods is their portability. They are designed to be compact and lightweight, making them easy to transport to different fishing spots. Some can even fit in a backpack or a suitcase, making them ideal for anglers who travel by air or road.

Convenience

Travel rods are also designed for convenience. They come with their own carrying case and can be easily assembled and disassembled, making them easy to set up and break down quickly. This means that anglers can quickly move from one fishing spot to another without wasting too much time setting up their gear.

Despite their lightweight and compact design, travel rods are incredibly durable. They are built to withstand the rugged conditions of travel, including bumps and knocks, while maintaining the same level of performance.

Versatility

Travel rods are designed for versatility. They can be used in various fishing situations, including freshwater and saltwater. Some travel rods are suitable for light fishing, while others can handle heavy fishing. There’s a travel rod for every angler, whether you’re a beginner or an experienced angler.

Different Types of Travel Rods

Spinning Travel Rods

Spinning travel rods are designed for fishing small to medium-sized fish. They are lightweight and easy to use, making them ideal for beginners and young anglers. They work well with spinning reels, and their action is fast, allowing for easy casting, even in windy conditions. They are great for freshwater fishing, and some models can also handle light saltwater fishing.

Baitcasting Travel Rods

Baitcasting travel rods are designed to target larger fish. They are sturdy and can handle heavier lures and lines. They work well with baitcasting reels, and their action is slow, allowing for precise casting and greater accuracy. They are ideal for targeting trophy fish in freshwater or saltwater.

Fly Fishing Travel Rods

Fly fishing travel rods are designed specifically for fly fishing. They have a very flexible and sensitive action, making them ideal for targeting trout, bass, and other freshwater fish. They are lightweight and compact, making them easy to carry, and their fast action allows for long distance casting.

Telescopic Travel Rods

Telescopic travel rods are designed to be ultra-compact, making them ideal for anglers who need to travel light. They can be extended and retracted as needed, allowing for easy storage and transportation. They work well with spinning or baitcasting reels and are suitable for various fishing situations.

Best Brands of Travel Rods

Shimano is a well-known brand in the fishing industry, and its travel rods are no exception. They offer a range of spinning, baitcasting and telescopic travel rods designed for different fishing situations. Their travel rods are lightweight, durable and come with their carrying case, making them ideal for travel.

Okuma is another popular brand in the fishing industry, and its travel rods are highly recommended. They offer a variety of spinning, baitcasting, fly fishing and telescopic travel rods designed for various fishing situations. Their travel rods are affordable, lightweight and durable.

St. Croix is a premium brand in the fishing industry, and its travel rods are high-quality and reliable. They offer a range of spinning, baitcasting and telescopic travel rods designed for different fishing situations. Their travel rods are lightweight, highly sensitive, and come with a 5-year warranty, making them a great investment for serious anglers.

What to Look for When Buying a Travel Rod

The length of a travel rod is an important factor to consider. Shorter rods are more compact and easy to transport, while longer rods are more comfortable to cast and can cover more water. Consider the type of fishing you will be doing and the size of the fish you are targeting when selecting the length of your travel rod.

The power of a travel rod refers to its strength and ability to handle different types of fish. The power of a rod is usually categorized as light, medium or heavy. Light rods are suitable for small fish, while heavy rods are designed for larger fish. Consider the type of fish you will be targeting and the fishing situation when selecting the power of your travel rod.

The action of a travel rod refers to the amount of flex it has. The action of a rod is usually categorized as slow, medium or fast. Slow rods have more flex and are ideal for targeting smaller, lighter fish. Fast rods have less flex and are more suitable for larger, heavier fish. Consider the type of fish you will be targeting and the fishing situation when selecting the action of your travel rod.

Travel rods are an excellent investment for any angler who loves to travel or hike to their fishing spots. They provide portability, convenience, durability, and versatility, making them ideal for different fishing situations. When selecting a travel rod, consider the length, power, and action of the rod, as well as the type of fishing you will be doing and the size of the fish you are targeting. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced angler, there’s a travel rod out there for you.

HTO N70 Labrax Special Travel Rod 9ft 4in 7-42g 4pc

Penn Squadron III Travel Boat 2.1m 30-50lb 4pc

Westin W3 Ultralight Spin 2nd Rods

Daiwa Wilderness Spinning Rods

Westin W2 Spin 9’2 275cm 7-30g 4sec

Westin W2 Spin 11’4″ 340cm 7-30g 4sec

Westin W2 Spin 10’1 303cm 7-30g 4sec

Daiwa Tournament Travel Boat Rods

Savage Gear SG2 Medium Game Tr 8’1” 15-45g 4Sec

HTO Rockfish 6’11” 1-7g Tubular Tip 4pc

Tenryu Injection SP82MH Quattro 8’2″ 12-45g 4pcs

Tenryu Rayz Integral RZI845S-MH 8’4″ Up to 25g 5pcs

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Top 10 Best Travel Fishing Rods 2024 Review (Buyer’s Guide)

• by Lance Wilkins
• October 2, 2020

One of the best things about fishing is the environments that it takes you to. The best fishing is found in the most pristine environments.

Whether it’s the mountains of Patagonia or the flats of Seychelles, traveling to fish has no downsides. 

Here we take a look at some of the best travel fishing rods around…

Okuma Citrix Travel Spinning Rod

• Light but durable
• Great price for the quality

Goture Xceed 4 Piece Travel Fishing Rod

• Great for saltwater and freshwater
• Lightweight

Editor’s Choice

Daiwa Ardito-TR Travel Spinning Rod

• Great balance of action and power
• Excellent for small-medium species

Not all of us will have caught the fishing travel bug yet, but once it gets you, it bites down hard.

To fish in these magical locations, you’re going to need a fishing travel rod and reel to take with you, and picking the right one is not so easy. Especially considering all the different types of fishing rods out there.

This article will save you valuable time and give you everything you need to make the right buy.

In this article...

The Best From The Review

Choosing a fishing rod is a big decision, here are our top three choices from the lineup, each one in its own category.

This is so you can have a variety to choose from depending on your needs.

An excellent travel pole that can handle pretty much anything you throw it at. It has the sensitivity for trout fishing and the power for burley jacks, making it an ideal all-around travel pole for most species.

The all-round best travel fishing rod for me is the Okuma Citrix.

Designed with a lot of thought, the Citrix has the sensitivity for small species while having the power to handle some big saltwater fish too.

It’s light, durable, casts excellently, and has thoughtful features like braid-ready guide inserts.

A quality all-round travel rod with minimal flaws for such a low price.

I think the best travel fishing rod, if you’re on a budget, is the Goture Xceed.

It’s light, strong, sensitive, durable, and can handle anything from light freshwater to medium saltwater species.

The quality for the price is almost unbeatable, and it comes with a lifetime guarantee. It ticks every box.

Editor’s Choice

An awesome rod to cast with, and once your fishing hooks snag a big catch, you’ll immediately notice the power that comes with it.

The best travel fishing rod, in my opinion, is the Daiwa Ardito.

The Ardito takes things to another level compared to the rest.

Its performance outdoes the others in terms of casting distance, action, power, and sensitivity.

It’s a true all-rounder that’ll have you catching bass today and tarpon the next without any concerns.

Our Best Travel Fishing Rods

Here are all the top reels we reviewed.

Each one’s a winner in its own right and they all have their different strengths.

St Croix Triumph Travel Spinning Rod

A 4 piece travel rod weighing just 4.9 oz. that delivers excellent performance in both casting and sensitivity.

St Croix has made their name by making affordable and high-quality fishing rods, and the St Croix Triumph Travel Series is their best travel fishing rod.

This is a 4 piece travel rod weighing just 4.9 oz. that delivers excellent performance in both casting and sensitivity.

The St Croix Triumph travel rod’s low weight means you’ll be able to keep casting all day without your arm feeling any tiredness.

You’ll happily make it to that golden hour at sunset when the fish usually turn on and start feeding heavily. 

This St Croix triumph travel rod is made from premium SCII graphite, giving you excellent performance, sensitivity, and durability at a great price.

You’ll cast this rod like a dream and even better if you go with the casting rod variant.

The St Croix Triumph feels like a one-piece and has the sensitivity to feel every bite with the backbone to make a decent hook set when fishing with it. 

It comes with aluminum oxide guides to reduce friction when casting and a Fuji DPS reel seat made of graphite with stainless steel hoods. 

The reel seat does tend to come loose and your reel can drop out if you’re not consistently checking it. 

Great with the Right Reel

When paired with the right spinning reel, the St Croix fishing rod and reel combo will be an excellent set-up for small to medium-sized fish but it might be a little light for larger species, and you may need a heavier rod if you plan on going after tarpon for example. 

The St Croix Triumph comes with a padded nylon case and the 4 piece design makes it easy to travel with, but the case is nylon and padded rather than being hard, so you may have to buy a rod tube.

• Model: TRS66MF4
• Power Rating: Medium
• Length: 6’6”
• Line: 6-12 lbs
• Lure Weight: ⅛-½ oz
• Action: Fast
• A great balance of action and power for great casting and sensitivity
• Made from quality graphite that is durable and will last
• Excellent for all small to medium-sized species
• Comes with a 5-year warranty
• Packs down small into 4 pieces for portability
• The reel seat can loosen and drop your reel at important moments
• The spinning rod is a little light for larger fish
• Comes without a hard tube and only a padded nylon case

CAPACI Travel Spinning Rod

Cast amazingly well and are incredibly sensitive to any bite that comes along thanks to the fast action.

Capaci are quite unknown in the fishing rod/reel market and have yet to make a name for themselves.

So far, they are doing pretty well at making what we fishermen need in terms of quality but affordable rods. 

Available Options

This travel fishing rod of theirs comes in both a casting rod or spinning model, so for anyone who uses a spinning reel or a baitcasting reel, there is a model for you. The model we have chosen below is their spinning travel rod. 

This fishing rod kit is made from 24-ton carbon, a top material, and it’s surprising considering the low price as carbon is usually more expensive.

These rods cast amazingly well and are incredibly sensitive to any bite that comes along thanks to the fast action.

They are also extremely light fishing rods, and the low weight is something that’ll help keep you fishing for hours on end. 

The fishing rod breaks down into 6 pieces, making it awesome to travel with as the rod length is just 45cm when put away.

Unfortunately, it doesn’t come with a travel rod case and you’ll need to buy one to travel with it securely.

You might also find it tricky getting the eyes to line up when connecting all 6 pieces as there are no alignment marks on the rod to help you out.

An awesome rod to cast with, and once you hook up to a big fish, you’ll immediately notice the power that comes with it.

Daiwa are one of the most trusted spinning fishing rod and reel manufacturers the world over.

They have built a loyal following in the fishing industry and make some of the best travel fishing rods out there.

Their Ardito might be the best travel spinning rod they make and covers everything from trigger fishing to casting and spinning. 

The fishing rod below is part of their best travel fishing rod series and is a true all-rounder.

It has the gusto for some tarpon fishing in the Florida keys while being light enough to enjoy catching some bass with too, covering all the species and environments we need it to. 

It’s made from Daiwa’s exclusive HVF (High Volume Fiber) graphite, which keeps it light while ensuring maximum performance.

The blank on these travel spinning rods is specifically designed to reduce twist giving the rod extra strength and flexibility to handle some large creatures.

It’s an awesome, sturdy rod to cast with, and once you hook up to a big fish, you’ll immediately notice the power that comes with it.

The fishing rod comes in 3 pieces and a hard travel tube is also included. It’ll fit in the overhead or in your check-in luggage with your fishing accessories, and is easy to travel with. 

The only downside about this rod is the reel seat.

You need to continually tighten it while you’re fishing to make sure the fishing rod and reel combo stay together.

The last thing you want is your spinning reel by your feet while fishing or fighting a fish. 

• Model: ARDT763MHFS-TR
• Power Rating: Medium-heavy
• Length: 7’6”
• Line: 8-17 lbs
• Lure Weight: ¼-1 oz.
• Comes with a rod tube for safe travels
• Great blank construction, giving flexibility and reducing twist for extra strength
• Excellent action and responsiveness for a multi-piece rod, like a one-piece
• Great for saltwater species as well as freshwater, a true all-rounder
• Comes with an awesome 5-year warranty
• The reel seat needs constant tightening or you spinning reel may fall off

Fiblink Triomphante 3-Piece Spinning Rod

The combination of the length, power, action, and the 30-50lb fishing line rating stacks up to give you a rod that can handle boat, inshore, or surf fishing.

Fiblink are getting a name for themselves in the fishing rod and reel market.

If you need a travel rod specifically for fishing the ocean or for large freshwater species, then the Fiblink Triomphante has got your back.

Unlike other spinning rods, it’s a little too heavy for trout or bass fishing, but if it’s big cats or sailfish you’re after, this might be the best travel spinning rod to do it with.

The model below is ideal for surf fishing , boat fishing, and inshore fishing.

The combination of the length, power, action, and the 30-50lb fishing line rating stacks up to give you a rod that can handle almost any ocean species out there. 

The rod is made from solid carbon fiber and is tough as nails so you can put the pressure you need on those large species.

The reel seat and guides are all geared up for survival at sea too. Made from stainless steel and aluminum alloy, they are excellent at batting away corrosion. 

However, the guides’ inserts aren’t the best and tend to pop out from time to time

This is relatively easy to solve if they aren’t cracked; just a bit of super glue and re-inserting them should fix them up fine. 

In terms of travel, the Triomphante breaks down into 3 pieces and arrives at your door in a classy rod tube.

It’s a great packed size and perfect for any kind of transportation.

• Power Rating: Heavy
• Length: 8 ft
• Line: 30-50 lbs
• Lure Weight: 2-8 oz
• Quite a serious saltwater rod for handling large species
• Aluminum alloy & stainless steel reel seat for awesome corrosion resistance
• Strong carbon fiber construction while being light and sensitive
• Packs down into a nice rod tube for travelling
• Stainless steel guides to handle the saltwater
• A bit too heavy to enjoy light freshwater fishing
• Guide inserts on the rod can pop out easily

Goture Xceed

The Goture Xceed is a little bit too good to be true as a travel fishing rod.

I’m struggling to see how they have made such a quality all-round travel rod with minimal flaws for such a low price.

And then you find out the Xceed comes with a lifetime guarantee as well.

It baffles me, but I’m happy about it!

The model we have chosen below is the ideal set-up for fishing trout in the mountains one day and snook in Florida the next.

If you’re looking for the one rod to travel the world with, this might be it. But in case you’re looking for more trout rods, check out this guide .

Made from a 30-ton carbon blank, the rod is sensitive, strong, powerful, light, and casts like a dream.

You’ll be able to get your lure just where you want it to be, feel the bite, have the stiffness for the hook set, and the power to land a big fish.

We can’t ask for much more can we.

The Xceed is a 4 piece rod and comes delivered in its own protective tube.

It’s an ideal size to travel with, and you can happily fit it in your suitcase or in the overhead.

There is just one drawback to this rod, for a medium-heavy rod it does feel a little too bendy for some, and could do with a little stiffening up.

• Model: Xceed80MH-S
• Line: 10-20 lbs
• Lure Weight: ¼-1 oz
• Action: Medium-fast
• Comes with a lifetime guarantee at an awesome price
• Light for fatigue-less all-day casting on the water
• Strong but sensitive thanks to the carbon blank and action
• Great for use in saltwater and freshwater
• It has some serious lifting power
• It can feel a little bit bendy for some

JEKOSEN Travel Spinning Rod

Made from a solid carbon blank, making it both light and durable, while also being strong and sensitive. It has the power for some large inshore species and the delicacy for some smaller freshwater fish.

Jekosen are another budget manufacturer who seems to be knocking out some quality gear for a low price.

Their 4-piece travel pole has been compared to a one-piece, although that is probably pushing it, it’s still a good sign.

The Jekosen comes in both a spinning and casting rod model.

The model below is for spinning and is an ideal setup for both freshwater and saltwater fishing.

It has the power for some large inshore species and the delicacy for some smaller freshwater fish. 

It’s made from a solid carbon blank, making it both light and durable, while also being strong and sensitive.

The guides use frictionless ceramic inserts to assist with how far you can cast and the pole has a lovely action. 

The tip section is a little delicate and you’ll need to treat it with care, in fact, it’s so delicate that many an angler has had the tip snap within the first 10 hours of use.

It’s hard to know if this is a user error, but it seems to have happened enough to be a genuine worry.

• Line: 12-25 lbs
• Lure Weight: 0.35-0.88 oz.
• Great all-round rod for salt and freshwater species
• Light & sensitive but has some backbone for a solid hook set
• Excellent value for such quality
• Comes with a great travel tube
• The tip is pretty thin and will need a delicate touch
• In some cases, the tips can break within hours of use

KastKing Blackhawk II Telescopic Fishing Rod

An all-round pole that will be great for both freshwater and saltwater species. It sits in that ideal middle ground that means it can do almost everything.

The one and only telescopic rod to make the cut is the KastKing Blackhawk II.

I tend to avoid telescopic rods like the plague as I was bitten as a child, but I thought this one was worth talking about. 

It somehow doesn’t do the one thing I hate about a telescopic rod, collapse while you’re fishing.

Thank you KastKing for making a telescopic rod that stays together, so you can focus on fishing instead of re-building your pole and untangling everything all the time. 

The Blackhawk II collapses down to a third of its length and comes in all sorts of models, from casting and spinning to inshore, so there is certainly a version for you.

The model I have chosen below is an all-round pole that will be great for both freshwater and saltwater species. It sits in that ideal middle ground that means it can do almost everything. 

The Blackhawk pole is made from a carbon blank and is therefore light, durable, and powerful.

It comes with an excellent seat for your reel that fully locks down, making sure your reel isn’t going anywhere.

Once set up, it casts well and you’ll feel every bite thanks to the medium-fast action, missing a fish will only be due to angler error not equipment failure. 

The telescopic rod does feel a little too bendy for a medium-heavy though and there are no markers to help you align the eyes.

And even though it doesn’t collapse, the eyes tend to twist around while you’re fishing, so you’ll have to constantly re-align them.

• Great quality for a telescopic pole and priced very reasonably
• Good spinning reel seat that locks down hard
• The sections don’t collapse, great for a telescopic pole
• Excellent performance in casting and sensitivity for a telescopic
• Made from quality carbon with a glass tip for durable sensitivity
• Feels a little light for a medium-heavy, more medium
• Can be a little tricky to get the eyes straight on set up
• Guides twist while fishing and need correcting

An excellent travel pole that can handle pretty much anything you throw it at. It has the sensitivity for trout and the power for burley jacks, making it an ideal versatile fishing rod for most species.

The Okuma Citrix is a great travel fishing rod that can handle pretty much anything you throw it at.

It has the sensitivity for trout and the power for burley jacks, making it an ideal all-around travel pole for most species.

Made from an SCII graphite blank, the pole is durable and is balanced beautifully to give you great castability. The overall construction makes it quite light, and allows you to fish tirelessly all the way through to dusk. 

The guides on the Citrix use zirconium inserts that are designed for use with braid. This is the first pole in the review to have braid-ready guides, and since most of us use a braided fishing line these days, it gets extra points for that.

The zirconium reduces friction for both brain and mono, giving you the extra casting distance you’ll need in some situations. 

The tip of the Citrix has been labeled as a little delicate for some, but not for all.

There are stories of the Citrix handling large cobia and jacks without any issues, but then there are also reports of the tip snapping on a snag.

I would put it down to angler error but it’s worth noting.

• Model: CIT-S-724M
• Length: 7’2”
• Lure Weight: ¼ – ⅝ oz.
• Zirconium guide inserts are ideal for use with braid
• High-quality graphite makes it light but durable
• Ideal for small and medium-sized fish from bass to snook
• Packs down small for easy packing and travel
• Comes with a protective case
• Sensitive enough to feel the most subtle bites
• The tip can snap if you’re too bolshy with it

KastKing Crixus Travel Fishing Rods

The Crixus travel pole gives you amazing quality for a very reasonable price.

KastKing are in the game of making fishing affordable, and somehow come out with quality spinning travel rods that mean anyone can afford to fish if they want to.

The Crixus travel pole follows this trend and gives you amazing quality for a very reasonable price.

The Crixus is made from IM6 graphite and is very light.

If you fish long and hard you’ll know that every ounce counts when it comes to how tired your arm and wrist get.

The Crixus has got your back in this regard, and you will be able to keep casting and casting with minimal fatigue. 

The model chosen below is again in the middle ground. It’s sensitive enough for smaller species, yet strong enough to handle some medium size ones too.

It does feel a little bendy for a medium-heavy though and may struggle if you hook something quite big. 

The Crixus is beautifully balanced and a joy to cast with.

You’ll be able to hit your desired spot time and time again without any concerns, and even if the grip is wet, it stays in your hands. 

The grip is a little short in front of the seat; this does get annoying for some anglers who like to use the front grip for extra leverage, so bear that in mind.

It also comes in two pieces, so is a little long in the case for traveling with. It’ll be fine to go in the overhead but it might not fit in your suitcase.

• Model: KRDSPNCX-76MH2
• Line: 10-17 lbs
• Lure Weight: ⅜ – ¾ oz
• Light for easy all-day casting
• Comes in a bulletproof travel case
• Excellent grip never slips even when wet
• Sensitive with great casting action for hitting cover and feeling subtle bites
• Awesome quality for the price point
• Very short grip in front of the reel seat
• Feels a little light for a medium-heavy and may not manage larger fish
• Comes in two pieces and may not fit in your luggage

Okuma Nomad Spinning Travel Rod

This is one of the best travel rods and performs excellently when targeting larger species, but is a bit too blunt for light freshwater fishing.

The Okuma Fishing Tackle Nomad is designed for the ocean and is the perfect travel companion for bouncing from the Florida Keys to Costa Rica and beyond.

The Okuma Nomad travel rods are described as the 3-piece that feels like a one-piece.

This is one of the best spinning travel rods and performs excellently when targeting larger species, but is a bit too blunt for light freshwater fishing. 

The Okuma Nomad is made from a high-quality graphite blank that is wrapped in carbon for extra strength.

The Okuma Nomad is durable as hell as far as travel fishing rods go and has the power to handle some serious creatures, especially when the fishing rod and reel combo are matched correctly. 

The Nomad comes with two tips, a light tip, and a heavy tip, giving you almost two different rods. You can drop down to the light tip for small species and slip on the heavy tip when you’re going after those monsters. 

The Okuma Nomad uses stainless steel guides with zirconium inserts that are designed to reduce friction when fishing braid. This not only looks after your braid but also gives you some extra casting distance when spinning. 

It also comes with a protective carrying case that is waterproof, so no matter what happens, you know your rod will be living in a salt-free environment.

Unfortunately, there isn’t space for your fishing reel in the carrying case.

• Model: NT-S-703L-ML
• Power Rating: Medium-light
• Length: 7 ft
• Line: 10-30 lbs
• Comes with two tips, one light and one heavy
• Great for medium-sized saltwater fishing
• Sturdy and powerful rod for putting the heat on large fish
• Comes in a protective, waterproof carrying case
• Made from quality materials that can handle saltwater with ease
• Uses braid ready zirconium guides
• A little too heavy for any light fishing
• The case won’t fit both your fishing rod and reel combo inside

What Is A Travel Fishing Rod

Traveling fishing rods can be spinning rods or fly rods, any kind of rod for that matter. You can travel with a 7 weight setup but it might be considerably more tedious.

The only difference is that the rod is designed to make traveling with it more convenient. 

A travel fishing rod will either be a multiple piece rod or a telescopic fishing rod, reducing it’s length significantly when broken down.

The length reduction means it’ll be small enough to fit in your check-in luggage or maybe even your tackle box, making it a good fishing rod for travel. If you need rods specifically for backpacking, you might want to check out this best backpacking fly rods review .

It’ll come with a protective rod case too, which you’ll just slot into your suitcase for check-in or take as a carry-on along with your reel and fishing accessories..

It’s much more comfortable than showing up to the airport with a one-piece 12ft spinning rod and hoping it’ll survive the journey, although it is fun to look at the flight staff’s face when they wonder, “what the hell is that thing”! 

Travel Rod V’s Normal Rod – What’s The Difference? 

The only real difference between a travel rod and a standard rod is its length when packed away.

Instead of being a two-piece spinning rod and being 7ft long when packed away, it’ll be a 4 piece travel spinning rod and only be 3.5ft when packed away.

A travel spinning rod can also be telescopic , meaning the rod’s sections collapse into each other and when stored, can be as small as only a foot long. 

The short length means you can take the rod and reel combo on the plane or pack your rod and reel in your main luggage. 

Can Normal Rods Still Travel? 

Yes, of course, but they are quite inconvenient to travel with.

I remember trotting around the globe with my two-piece fishing rod and reel combo and having to put it in a PVC case to check it in as a separate piece of luggage every time I flew.

It got expensive checking in my fishing gear and tackle box and I would always be worried on the flight if my rod would make it safely; one day it didn’t. 

You don’t have to own a travel fishing kit but it will make your life a little less expensive and your fishing trips a little more stress-free. 

Are Fishing Rods Allowed On A Plane? 

This depends on the country you’re traveling in.

In the USA, yes they are, and so is a reel, as long as they fit in the overhead or under your seat, basically the standard carry-on rules.

Depends on Size

A standard travel spinning rod will fit in the overhead lockers no problem.

If the fishing pole is too long, you’ll have to check them in.

Depends on Destination

In other countries, the rules differ quite considerably from place to place.

I have fished all over the world and had many long conversations with flight staff as to why my best travel fishing rods weren’t dangerous.

In the end, I couldn’t be bothered with the hassle, so every time I fly, my best travel fishing rods and reel go in my cart or check-in bag with the rest of my fishing gear. 

A Multiple Piece Rod Or Telescopic Fishing Rod, Which Is Best? 

As we have discussed, there are two types of travel fishing rods to choose from; a multiple piece spinning travel rod or a telescopic fishing rod, so which is best? 

Personal Preference

In my opinion, a multiple piece travel spinning rod is always going to be better than a telescopic fishing rod.

A telescopic fishing rod is prone to issues and doesn’t usually have a multiple piece rod’s quality. 

They tend to collapse while you’re fishing and due to the inferior quality, little annoying things like the guides popping out or the mechanism breaking end up affecting your fishing.

This is especially annoying if you have traveled around the globe to fish an amazing spot. 

To Each Their Own

That being said, telescopic rods are useful as backpacking fishing tackle , as they pack down a bit smaller than multiple piece rods and will slot into your backpack or tackle box easier.

In the end, it’s a personal choice.

What Makes The Best Travel Fishing Rod? 

There are several factors that make up the best travel fishing rods and we’ll run through them below. If you only plan on owning one, the key is versatility, and here is why. 

What Are You Fishing For? 

If the world was your oyster and money no object, where would you take your fishing trip?

The list is probably growing in your head as you dream of all the species you’d love to experience and the beautiful places they live in.

In the end, it’s a long list and the last thing you want is your fishing gear to hold you back.

Versatility

With this in mind, you’re going to want a travel fishing rod that can handle your fishing style and a solid variety of species and environments.

This means it needs to be light enough to enjoy catching smaller fish and heavy enough to target some bigger ones and handle saltwater too.

What we are looking for is a travel fishing kit that sits in the middle of the spectrum and will survive in saltwater. 

Materials 

Like all other rods, travel rods are can come in carbon fiber, graphite, and fiberglass construction or.perhaps a combination of these.

Fiberglass construction in travel rods is rare and most of the travel fishing rods you’ll find will be made of graphite or carbon fiber. 

Carbon Fiber and Graphite

Both carbon fiber and graphite are excellent rod materials for a travel fishing rod.

They are light, strong, cast well, and give a great all-round performance when you’re fishing. High density carbon fiber is a little bit more expensive and responsive than graphite but it is a little hard to tell when you’re using them, so the difference is negligible. If you’re a pro you may notice and want to go for carbon over graphite. 

Rod Length 

The ideal length of a good travel fishing rod kit depends on what you’re looking to catch and where your fishing trip is.

But when it comes to looking for an all-rounder which you can fish for multiple species with, you’ll want to look for a fishing rod kit around 8ft long.

This will give your spinning travel rod enough gusto to cast a few lures far and handle larger fish while still being delicate enough to fish for any smaller species. 

Rod Action 

The action of a fishing rod describes where the pole will bend under pressure.

Slow action rods bend near the butt, medium action rods in the middle, and fast action near the tip. 

Ideal Action

The top travel fishing poles are fast action or medium-fast action rods.

They not only increase your casting distance and accuracy but are also much more sensitive. The extra sensitivity allows you to feel how your fishing lures are doing and notice every little bite that comes along, making your fishing more successful. 

Power 

The power rating of a fishing pole dictates how thick and robust the rod is, and therefore how stiff the rod is.

The rating scale goes from ultralight to extra-heavy, ultralight for very small fish and extra-heavy for monsters or casting heavy fishing lures. A spinnerbait rod will, quite obviously, work best with a spinnerbait lure as that particular rods power will be designed with those lures in mind.

Ideal Power

The best travel rod will have a medium or medium-heavy power rating.

This will give it the strength to catch larger fish while still letting you feel the pull of smaller species, giving you the all-around option we are looking for. 

The weight of any rod has an impact on your fishing. Heavy rods make you tired when you’re casting all day.

You can feel the ache in your arm and notice your patience and enthusiasm start to dwindle. As a rule, you want to choose the lightest rod possible for your specific needs. 

Consider Other Factors First

The weight of a travel fishing pole should be the last thing you look at.

It is best to try to tick all the boxes we have mentioned above first, and then use the weight to make your final decision.

This way, you get a rod that will get the job done, and the lightest version of it, saving your casting arm and maintaining both your patience and enthusiasm. 

The best travel fishing kit will come with a rod case that the rod slots neatly into and protects it on its journey to new adventurous fishing grounds.

Going on fishing adventures without a rod case is suicide for your travel fishing rod, as it will break unless you’re cuddling on the plane.

In case you have plans to bring kids along with you on your fishing travels. These rods for kids are great to start learning the basics with.

TIP If the rod you choose doesn’t come with a rod tube, not to worry, you can buy a case that will fit to give you peace of mind while you’re traveling with it.

Let’s have a quick recap of the top three picks…

Best All-Rounder

If you’re looking for a great all-round travel pole that you can rely on and doesn’t break the bank, then the Okuma Citrix is the way to go.

Strong, durable, sensitive with the capacity to target everything from small freshwater species to punchy inshore ones too, it’s one of the best travel spinning rods to take on your fishing trip around the world.

If good value is your game and you’re on a budget, the Goture Exceed is the best travel spinning rod for you. Incredibly affordable while being high-quality, it truly is a bargain. It’ll go far if you practice proper fishing rod maintenance .

The Exceed does all the basics well and can handle both saltwater and freshwater fishing, making the world your oyster.

If it was me, I’d buy the Daiwa Ardito spinning fishing rod.

The Ardito is the best travel performer out of all the rods in the review and for this reason is one of the most expensive travel rods.

The balance of power and sensitivity with the Ardito is second to none, along with its awesome casting action and versatility, it’s hard to go wrong with this and if you pair it with the right gear, you’ll have a great rod and reel combo.

Thanks for reading my review and I hope you like it.

Please share this review to your fishing buddies who might find this helpful.

And don’t forget to read my other articles. There are many to choose from, like the “ Best Pen Fishing Rods “, “ Best Flipping Poles “, or “Bass Fishing Tips”. Feel free to check them out.

Lance Wilkins

Editor @ CallOutdoors. Outdoor gear-head and adventure addict. I fish, camp and enjoy to writing about my adventures.

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Rigged and Ready Predator Series Spin-Baitcast Fishing Rods. Compact hi-Carbon rods. Unique Spin/cast Micro Trigger. 4 Rod Sections, 2 Tips, case for Mobile Travel Rod Angling. Max 15Kg 33lbs Fish

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• ROD SPEC Predator Spin-Baitcast Travel Fishing Rod. Hi-Carbon Cast Spinning pole Unique Micro Trigger + 2 tips 220+185cm (6’+7’3”) angling options. Max Cast Weight 30g (1oz) 80g (2.7oz) for fish unto 10kg 22lbs
• UNIQUE MULT-FUNCTION ROD. Unique Micro-trigger handle. The only lure rod with a micro trigger to change from spin casting to bait-casting on the same rod. The 4 section travel rod has hybrid steel/ceramic eyes allow for spin fishing and bait-cast fishing methodsn the same rod. The 4 section travel rod has hybrid steel/ceramic eyes allow for spin fishing and bait-cast fishing methods
• PREMIUM MATERIALS + COMPACT Hi module carbon top quality 4 section fishing rod blank, with spigot ferrule rod joints in a compact travel rod carry tube size 65cm (25.5’). Compact rod size 60cm 23.5”. Travel rod weight 147g (5.2oz). Rod & travel case 506g (18oz)
• FISHING TECHNIQUE Spin fishing, lure fishing, bait fishing, bait-cast fishing, carp fishing, bass fishing, coarse fishing, game fishing, float fishing, carp fishing, LTR fishing, light sea fishing. Ideal reel size 3000 or baitcaster
• 2 YEAR GUARANTEE Full replacement, spare parts or money back. Feel every nibble and strike with confidence, knowing that you're using a top-tier fishing rod crafted to deliver outstanding results to help you Go Anywhere and Fish Everywhere

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Rigged and Ready is the world’s leading travel fishing brand based in the English Lake District. Our extensive range of unique travel rods are very compact and multi-purpose, uniquely designed for the travelling angler; or anyone that favors a different approach to traditional fishing tackle. As well as our rods, we also design and manufacture innovative travel fishing accessories.

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Micro trigger spin & bait-cast fishing rod

The Predator isn't your typical rod. It's a true anglers' rod, made for those fishing on the go. As the only lure rod with micro trigger, The Predator allows you to switch between bait casting and spin casting in one rod.

Our Predator fishing rod series is designed with a high quality carbon top fishing blank, hybrid cast-spin silicone eyes and a unique cast-spin handle with a micro trigger for flexibility, durability, and versatility. Each Predator rod extends up to 220cm and comes equipped with a case and 4 sections with 2 tips.

Compact & Innovative Travel Fishing Rods

• COMPACT - All our rods collapse under 66cm to sit every mobile travel fishing situation
• MULTI USE - Our rods have interchangeable tips for different styles of light or heavy fishing.
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We make compact and travel fishing rods for active anglers. All are multi-purpose rods, with 2 or more tips , offering flexible fishing rod options to target different fish and fishing styles.

All our travel rods are guaranteed, made to the highest standards, and designed to fit rucksacks, airline cabin baggage, bikes, motorhomes, cars or caravans. Unique, durable, innovative, affordable travel rods, created in the English Lake District.

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Travel Tips to Kabardino-Balkaria: More than Mt. Elbrus!

If you’ve traveled to the North Caucasus before, there is a good chance you’ve already been to Kabardino-Balkaria, and you didn’t even know it!  Kabardino-Balkaria lies in the center of the North Caucasus region, is home to Mt. Elbrus, but more than that is a treasure chest of travel possibilities.  Here is our guide to traveling through the republic of Kabardino-Balkaria, or 9 travel tips to this beautiful land:

1. How do I get there?

Kabardino-Balkaria hosts a large number of both foreign and Russian travelers every year, and has an improving infrastructure able to handle the incoming masses.  Let’s start with the obvious.  You might be a mountain climber or skier coming to enjoy the slopes of Mt. Elbrus.  That means you’re likely arriving on an airplane to Russia.  Here are your travel options:

A. Plane – We advise you fly into the Mineralni Vodi (MRV) airport in the Stavropol Region, which is about 45 minutes from the border of Kabardino-Balkaria.  MRV is the largest airport in the North Caucasus, and has daily direct flights to and from all 3 airpots in Moscow (SVO, DME, and VKO), direct flights from St. Petersburg, and several international flight routes as well, including from Istanbul, Dubai, Greece, Tel Aviv, and Bishkek.  The MRV airport has a growing infrastructure and is the most obvious choice to fly into if going to Elbrus.  From MRV, it’s a 2 hr. drive to Nalchik, and a 3.5 hr. drive to Mt. Elbrus.

That being said, the capital of Kabardino-Balkaria, Nalchik (NAL), also has a small regional airport with a daily flight to/from Moscow as well as weekly flights to Istanbul. As is to be expected in most smaller, regional airports around Russia, the service standard at a small airport like this will be minimal.  As a result, we recommend you flying in and out of MRV if able.  It’s a 2 hr. drive to Elbrus from Nalchik.  You can also fly into other regional airports which are 2 hrs. from Nalchik, such as OGZ in North Ossetia (Vladikavkaz) or IGT in Ingushetia (Magas).

B.  Car/Public Transport – If you have a car, are using a taxi, or are hitch-hiking your way to Kabardino-Balkaria, the region is accessible by a variety of roads and vehicles.  A major Russian federal highway E50 runs through Pyatigorsk into Kabardino-Balkaria, and can take you towards Mt. Elbrus, Nalchik, and deeper into the North Caucasus.  There are daily mini-buses, or “marshrutkas”, that travel to Nalchik from Pyatigorsk, Vladikavkaz, Grozny, and Magas, if you’re coming from a neighboring republic.  From the main Nalchik bus station, there is a marshrutka that goes to Terskol (i.e. Mt. Elbrus) daily around 12:30 pm; for that matter,  marshrutkas run daily into every valley of this beautiful republic.  For the seasoned international traveler, you can drive from the country of Georgia up the famed “Georgian Military Highway” through the heart of the Caucasus Mountains, cross the border into Russia at the “Verkhni Lars” border stop, and be in Nalchik in about 2.5 hours as well. 

Anyone traveling on their own should download the “Yandex” taxi app, which is Russia’s version of Uber, and has a very user-friendly app with affordable prices.  In smaller villages/towns where Yandex’s service doesn’t reach, just ask a local and they’ll direct you to a friend or relative who can taxi you where you need to go!

C.  Train – Kabardino-Balkaria is also very accessible by the famous cross-country Russian train system if that’s your preferred method of travel.  Almost all trains to the North Caucasus pass through Mineralni Vodi in the Stavropol region to the north, so make sure wherever you are coming from, Mineralni Vodi is one of the stops.  Despite Nalchik having a train station, the city is about 45 minutes from the main railway route that runs diagonal through the North Caucasus, and as a result it’s a bit convoluted to get a train directly to Nalchik.  That being said, the town Prokhladni is a regular stop on trains going to/coming from Baku, Makhachkala, Grozny, Nazran, and Vladikavkaz, so you can always hop off there and find your way by public transport or taxi.

2.  What are the best places to stay?

This list could get exhaustive, fast. 🙂  Let’s first look at an overview of the republic’s geography, followed by hotel recommendations:

A. Nalchik – This is the capital city of Kabardino-Balkaria, with a population of around 250,000.  Nalchik is growing and new, modern hotels are being built regularly.  Here are some of our recommendations:

-Modern and comfortable:  Azimut , Butik Otel

-Budget with less frills:  Hotel Rossia , Korona

You could comfortably spend a week in Nalchik, while doing day trips into Kabardino-Balkaria’s beautiful mountain valleys.

B.  Baksan Valley – This is the most traveled road in Kabardino-Balkaria, the road to Mt. Elbrus.  If you have questions about its safety because of travel warnings, please see our detailed blog here of the drive to erase any doubts or fears.  Needless to say, because of the draw of Mt. Elbrus, there are a huge variety of lodging options at the end of this valley, from 4-star to mid-range to budget to hostel.  Here are just a few we’ll recommend from our experience:

-Modern and comfortable 4-star-ish:  Azau Star , Kristall 139

-Budget with less frills 3-star-ish:   Laguna , Povorot

If you’re a mountain climber with your sites set on the summit of Elbrus, you’ll have to spend at least 3-4 nights at Elbrus’s famous base camp at 13,000 feet.  The “barrel huts” are not easy to book directly with, and we highly recommend you do your climb (and hence, have your bookings handled) through a trusted climbing company.  Here are two shelters at base camp we recommend:

-Modern and comfortable:  Leaprus

-Budget with less frills:  Heart of Elbrus Lodge

If you’re interested in climbing Mt. Elbrus and staying in these barrel huts, click  here  to see our climbing itineraries, pricing, and group dates.

C.  Chegem Valley – Chegem Valley is the adjacent valley to Elbrus’s Baksan Valley, and is famous for its beautiful waterfalls as well as being Russia’s top paragliding location.  The “ Paradrome ” has modest accommodations for those wanting to get to know this beautiful valley for a longer period of time.

D.  Upper Balkaria, or Cherek Valley – This is another beautiful mountain gorge not too far from Nalchik.  There is an authentic lodging complex in Upper Balkaria called Tau-El, with amazing local food for meals as well.

E.  Border Zone lodging – Several of Kabardino-Balkaria’s mountain gorges run into the border zone with neighboring country Georgia, i.e. an area that foreigners cannot enter without a special permit from the local government (often taking 2 months to receive).  There is a famous mountaineering lodge in Bezengi Valley, where several generations of Russian mountain climbers have honed their craft in the Caucasus Mountains.  Perpendicular to Baksan Valley (about 25 minutes from the base of Mt. Elbrus) is Adyr-Suu Valley, where there is a lodge for back-country skiers to stay, while trying their hands (and feet!) on the untouched snow of that valley.  Both these valleys require border permits for foreigners, but are possible to access for the more adventurous!

3.  Top cities to visit?

Most locals would agree that Nalchik is the main city of significance to visit in Kabardino-Balkaria, but let’s be honest, even more would say, “Just go to the mountains!”  Tirnauz is the capital of the Elbrus district, and is an interesting town to spend some time in, with its unique location in the mountains and place in Soviet history as a once-booming mining town.  The main thing to consider in visiting Nalchik and other cities in the lowlands, is the chance to experience Kabardian culture and food.  Whereas the deeper you go into the valleys, the more you’ll encounter Balkar culture and food.

4.  Best local foods to try?

There are 3 types of food that come to mind, when spending time in Kabardino-Balkaria:

A. Khychiny – This is one of the staple national dishes of the Balkar people, and what you’ll inevitably be served if guests of local Balkars.  It’s a thin buttery flat bread, sometimes cooked with fillings of cottage cheese, fresh greens, or potatoes.  It is often slathered in butter, but wow is that some tasty greasy goodness! 🙂

B.  Shashlik – Shashlik is a MUST for any visit anywhere in the North Caucasus!  Most people would agree that it’s the national food of the entire region.  Shashlik is meat shish kabobs; while pork and turkey can be found in some parts of the Caucasus, lamb or chicken are the preferred shashlik meats of choice in Kabardino-Balkaria. 

C.  Soup – No matter where you are in Russia, you’re sure to find a local soup that people love.  Kabardino-Balkaria is no different.  Especially in the winter months in the mountain valleys, there’s nothing better than to come inside from the cold weather and warm your body up to a bowl of hearty Caucasus soup.  Whether Georgian kharcho or local Balkar lakhman, make sure to try your hand at one of these soups with a side of fresh baked bread/lavash!

5.  Top Hole-In-The-Wall restaurants:

Of course, for a republic of this size, we’re bound to leave at least a few great local joints off our list, but here are a few to get you started. ***Note:  Restaurants in the North Caucasus are much better known for their food than their service, so prepare for tasty food, but manage your expectations about service:

-Elbrus – Kogutai Restaurant at Mt. Cheget – While this isn’t a hole-in-the-wall restaurant per se, it’s one of many to choose from in the Cheget tourist village, and we have found them to provide consistently good food and service.  Kogutai has a nice interior, and maybe most important, an English-language menu with good pictures. 🙂  There also is a nice outdoor patio with fantastic views of the surrounding mountains.

-Nalchik #1 – Tameris Restaurant – This is a cafe with a relaxed atmosphere in the capital Nalchik.  Local tour company Elbrus Elevation has taken foreign groups there on multiple occasions and always had good experiences.  Address is ul. Kuliyeva 3. 

-Nalchik #2 – Cafe-Bar Oasis – You have to know where this restaurant is to find it, but once inside, you won’t regret it!  There is a unique cafeteria-style ordering process, that includes several dishes being cooked on the spot once ordered.  You can sample local Kabardian dishes here.  The seating area is very modern and a pleasant atmosphere to have a meal in.  Address is ul. Kuliyeva 2. 

-Upper Balkaria – Tau-El Restaurant – This is the restaurant part of the Tau-El Tourist Complex in Upper Balkaria.  Whether spending the night or just passing through, make sure to stop here for a meal!

6.  Must-See Sites

This republic is so chock full of “must-see” destinations, it’s impossible to narrow the list down.  Here are just a few suggestions to get you started: (***Mt. Elbrus is a no-brainer and we’re assuming that’s on your list)

A. El-Tyubu and Paradrome – This is an amazing area towards the end of Chegem Valley.  Many tourists visit the famous Chegem Waterfalls and don’t drive any further down this gorge, which really is a shame.  El-Tyubu is a picturesque Balkar village with several historical sites to see, including some ancient mausoleums.  The real gem of the area, though, is the Paradrome , which is Russia’s premier paragliding destination.  The combination of the scenic surrounding mountains and constant winds produces almost daily conditions to sail through the beautiful Caucasus sky.  Highly recommend!

B.  Upper Balkaria – Also known as Cherek Valley, the entire drive to the actual village of Upper Balkaria is one big destination.  First, you can spend time at the 3 consecutive “ Blue Lakes ”, one of which is one of Russia’s deepest lakes with an underground spring.  Then, the drive itself becomes an adventure, as you pass by steep rock walls with a huge drop-off on the other side.  If you’re able to walk this part of the road, that is a bonus!  Once you’ve made your way through the valley walls, the region opens up into a beautiful panoramic view.  Many years ago, there were multiple villages in this region, but they’ve since been condensed into one main village.  You can see some of the ancient Balkar towers that their ancestors used to live in as well.

C.  Djili-Suu – Although hard to pronounce and not easy to get to, Djili-Suu is one of those places in the North Caucasus that people rave about that you “have to” visit.  It’s actually on the North side of Mt. Elbrus, and more accessible from the Mineral Waters region (2 hrs. from Kislovodsk).  The base camp for Elbrus climbers summiting the mountain from the North side is at Djili-Suu.  This area is famous in Russia for its numerous natural healing springs, as well as unique climate conditions that make for beneficial, long holidays for seeking a respite from their daily grind.  There are wide swaths of land available for camping, with probably the most unrivaled views of Mt. Elbrus in the North Caucasus.  Make sure to check this out!

7.  Off-the-beaten path destinations

A. King’s Waterfalls (Tsarskie), or Gedmisht – Probably the valley in Kabardino-Balkaria with the least amount of hype is the Malka Valley, which is the northernmost valley and mainly runs through the Kabardian lowlands.  At the point where the villages end, though (Khabas), the asphalt turns into dirt and the hills start to rise, culminating with the incredible King’s Waterfalls, or as one friend put it, Avatar Waterfalls.  These stunning waterfalls are best visited in the early summer, when everything is lush green and the water flow is strong, with many streams of water flowing down the earth’s surface.  The different colors are incredible and it’s hard to look away.  Once you’ve enjoyed the waterfalls, enjoy a meal of shashlik at one of the nearby lunch huts.  Having an off-road vehicle is ideal to visit these falls, but worth the time and effort!

B.  One-seater chair lift at Elbrus – As the infrastructure at Mt. Elbrus has modernized, some of the more “authentic” experiences have gone to the way-side.  This is one experience still available, though!  From the 2nd (11,000 ft.) to 3rd level (12,500 ft.) of Mt. Elbrus (whether skiing, going to base camp, or just touring), there is a single-seater chair lift for 100 rubles each way (less than $2).  This is an amazing experience if you have the time.  It’s 8-10 minutes each way, and a surreal experience of the majestic Caucasus mountain range surrounding you, skiers silently passing you by underneath, and in general enjoying the silent expanse of nature all around.  The chair lifts are from the Soviet times and so it feels like something from a different era.  For mountain climbers, the newer group cable car gives better access to most of base camp, but several huts are pretty close to this chair lift, so it still may be a good option for you.

C.  Abandoned Mines above Tirnauz – Tirnauz is about 1 hr. from Mt. Elbrus, and a town everyone drives through to and from the mountain.  Although today it looks old and half-abandoned, it was a booming mining town in the 20th century.  About a 45-minute drive above the city with an off-road vehicle, you can see the remains of the mining operations.  Learning about this history combined with the breath-taking views of the Baksan Valley and even into Georgia, you’ll wonder why more people aren’t visiting this place.  This is a great spot to see eagles soaring in the sky, as well as admire the Soviet city plan of Tirnauz from above.

8.  What do I need border zone passes to visit?

In Russia, any area within 5-10 km of a neighboring country, without a clearly delineated border (i.e. in the mountains) is considered a special border zone, and patrolled by Russian border guards.  This area IS accessible to all Russian citizens with their passports, but is NOT legally accessible to foreign citizens UNLESS you have a special permit from the FSB (Federal Security Bureau).  These permits are accessible, either through a tour operator or local friend, but require you to submit your application 45-60 days in advance.

Areas in Kabardino-Balkaria that are worth a visit if you have a border zone pass:

A.  Bezengi Wall – This is at the end of the Bezengi Valley, and holds a place of lore among Russian mountain climbers.  Many mountain guides go through training in this valley.  Five of the Caucasus Mountain’ range’s highest seven peaks are a part of the Bezengi Wall, so you can imagine the draw it has for climbers. There are great areas for trekking and camping in this area. 

B.  Adyr-Suu Gorge – This remote valley runs perpendicular to Baksan Valley and is about 25 minutes from the base of Mt. Elbrus.  It’s marked at the entrance by a relic of the past, a car lift from Soviet days that auto-cranks your car (and you) about 50 meters up the mountain.  After 45-60 minutes of driving on gravel road, the gorge opens up into a flat valley with a beautiful view of the surrounding mountains.  The Adyr-Suu Alpine Lodge is at the end of this valley and where back-country skiers base out of during the acclimatization phase of their Mt. Elbrus ski tours.  This is truly a place where you can experience untouched powder!

C.  Mt. Cheget (Elbrus) – Cheget is a neighboring mountain to Mt. Elbrus and where many climbers will acclimatize, both at its base and while doing some hikes.  It also is famous in Russia for its free-ride terrain for more experienced skiers.  Standard access to the chair lifts and mountain are available to all (i.e. mountain climbers don’t need to worry about accidentally crossing into the zone), but anyone wanting to summit the peak of Cheget OR visit the beautiful Cheget Lake needs a border permit. 

Foreigners violating the border zone areas is considered a serious offense in Russia; make sure to do your due diligence if wanting to visit one of these areas!  We highly recommend using a local tour operator and always traveling with a local person if visiting one of these areas.

9.  Any cultural “do’s” or “don’t’s” to be aware of

Kabardino-Balkaria is a fascinating republic with a combination of traditional and modern society.  The more you interact with local people, the more you’ll see a mixture of Muslim faith, post-Soviet mentality, and ancient local traditions all wrapped together.   

Kabardians mainly live in the lowlands (Nalchik, Baksan, and lowland villages), while Balkars primarily live in the mountain valleys (Elbrus, Chegem, Upper Balkaria, etc.).  There is a large population of Russians in the region as well.  Foreigners visit every area of the region regularly, and so local people are used to and will welcome your presence.

Come with an open mind to learn about these peoples, their traditions, and their land.  You won’t regret your trip to Kabardino-Balkaria!

***Want to learn more?  Here are several self-published resources from the podcast “ CaucasTalk ” related to Kabardino-Balkaria:

– Travel Tips to Kabardino-Balkaria (audio version of this blog)

– History of Mt. Elbrus (Part 1)

– History of Mt. Elbrus (Part 2)

– Interview with Local Elbrus guide

– Climbing Elbrus: Interview with American guide

– Who are the Kabardians? (Part 1)

– Who are the Kabardians? (Part 2)

– Skiing in the North Caucasus (Elbrus and more)

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St. Croix Triumph Travel 4-Piece Spinning Rods

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Delivering durability, sensitivity, and power in a compact package, the St. Croix Triumph Travel 4-Piece Spinning Rods are able to accommodate anglers wherever they choose to roam and fish. Featuring premium quality 4-piece SCII carbon blanks with two coats of Flex-Coat slow cure finish, they are an ideal option for targeting backcountry ponds and streams. Securely seated to the blank are Sea Guide Atlas Performance slim aluminum-oxide guides with a sleek black finish for long, quiet casts. Building on their quality blank and guides, the St. Croix Triumph Travel 4-Piece Spinning Rods incorporate Sea Guide XDPS reel seats with eco-friendly sandblasted hoods for a secure reel attachment point that won’t let you down. Bordering the reel seats are premium-grade cork handles for a superior grip perfect for casting a line in any pond or stream you discover during your travels. Completed with a padded nylon soft case for safe-keeping while stowed, the St. Croix Triumph Travel 4-Piece Spinning Rods are a perfect solution to the challenge of traveling with a rod. -4-Piece Blank Construction -Premium SCII Carbon Blanks -Sea Guide Atlas Performance Slim Aluminum-Oxide Guides -Sea Guide XDPS Reel Seats -Premium-Grade Cork Handles -Two Coats of Flex-Coat Slow Cure Finish -Limited 5-Year Warranty with $60 Fee

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Comments: Flew all the way to Alaska only to have the tip section break in two while assembling the rod on the very first day. Never even got to cast it. A cheap Ugly Stick far out performed this rod and saved my fishing trip.

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Comments: I bought 2 of these rods for a recent trip for some shore fishing. BOTH rods broke at almost exactly the same location. One of them also broke near the tip (that happened first but was still 'sort of' able to use the rod until the main section broke. The connection sleeves are too thin and/or horribly designed for any force. I can't imagine how a 2-3lb fish could snap a normal rod- but that size fish was easily able to snap 2 of these rods. Luckily for me, Tackle Warehouse said I can return them.

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Comments: LOVE this rod. Finally, a travel rod that is short enough for today's carry-on requirements. Awesome casting, limber tip with stiff butt and sensitive blank.

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Comments:  Casts very easily, no compromise between strength of the rod and the ability to break it down. The guides get skewed pretty easily, but that comes with it being a travel rod. Overall, it's great!

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Kabardino – balkaria : travel itinerary suggestions in the north caucasus.

For sure you know one of the biggest attraction for foreign and local tourists in the whole North Caucasus : mount Elbrus ! Yes, the twin peaks is located in Kabardino – Balkaria but there’s so much more than Europe’s highest mountain to see over there ! Here you will meet hospitable (and some very curious!) locals, learn a bit of dodgy Soviet history, and hike to serious jawdropping mountain views. I have spent about 3 weeks roaming around (yeah I’m a slow traveler), and here’s a list of places to visit in Kabardino – Balkaria . Last updated : 02 /01/2024

It’s mandatory to have an insurance to travel in Russia and apply for a russian visa (including the e-visa) I recommend Attollo Assistance (24/7 assistance, medical expenses up to 35 000 €, repatriation)

Good to know

There are three main ethnic groups in Kabardino – Balkaria :

• The Kabards, one tribe of Circassians living mostly in the lowlands like Nalchik, Baksan & other villages down the mountains.
• The Balkars living in the mountain areas like in the villages of Elbrus, Chegem and Upper Balkaria.
• There is a quite large population of ethnic Russians as well.

Locals are used to see tourists coming to climb mount Elbrus, including foreigners, but don’t expect much English there if your backpacking on your own. However, locals are super friendly, and even with a few broken words of Russian and Google Translate you will be fine. Special mention about Balkar : they are very curious, don’t be suprised to get some quite personal questions, especially if you’re a solo female traveler : “Why are you alone ?? Why aren’t you married yet ??”

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9 places in Kabardino-Balkaria every adventurer needs to visit (PHOTOS)

An amazing journey through the mountains of Kabardino-Balkaria.

Together with local tour guide Artyem Babaritsky, we show you why this is one of the most underrated regions of Russia. According to Artem, the nature on the territory of Kabardino Balkaria is more “rigid” and “serious” than in the neighboring republics of the Caucasus. This is comparable to a human face: one moment it is kind and smiling (while we are in the Karachay-Cherkessia) and then suddenly this kind face starts to frown and becomes more severe.

The most famous attraction of the republic – and the Caucasus in general – is Mount Elbrus, the highest peak of the European continent. With a mighty height of 5,642 meters above sea level, Elbrus is actually a dormant volcano. Its permanent icecap feeds 22 glaciers, which, in turn, give rise to the Baksan, Kuban and Malka rivers.

Naturally, if you’re into mountain climbing, this is a peak that you will want to conquer at least once in your lifetime. Here are some detailed accounts of what it entails.

And this is what you’ll see along the way.

Not into mountain climbing? Not to worry! In summer, you can still reach an altitude of 3,658 meters from the bottom of the Azau Valley, thanks to a small network of cable cars and ski lifts. This will give you a bird’s eye view of the entire Main Caucasus Ridge – an extremely impressive sight to behold. And, of course, you’ll be right at the foot of the Elbrus glacier.

In winter, skiers and snowboarders can shred some sweet gnar on 23 kilometers of slopes serviced by 6 ski lifts. The winter sports area is situated between the elevations of 2,350 and 3,840 meters. There are plenty of accommodation options for a comfortable stay and a good selection of cafes and restaurants to refuel your energy supplies.

2. Dzhily-su

Translated from the local language, “Dzhily-su” means “warm waters”. The Tract is located on the slopes of the heart of the Caucasus at an altitude of about 2,400 meters above sea level, where you can enjoy the breathtaking view of Mount Elbrus on a clear day. On the territory of Dzhily-su, there are many unique mineral springs that aid in healing from various diseases and strengthening the body.

“It’s an amazing sensation when you lie in a warm mineral bath and dozens of small bubbles rise around you. Also, Dzhily-su is the land of waterfalls that bear beautiful male names like Sultan, Emir and Shah. Thanks to the unusual energy, esoterics are particularly fond of this place, because there are natural sand castles, amazing stone mushrooms and the energetic mountains Sirkh and Tuzluk,” Artyem says.

The road to Dzhily-su is considered one of the most beautiful in all of Russia: It’s a serpentine-like asphalt mountain road that follows along a huge cliff, over which you will see many eagles circling. If you decide to do the trip on your own, Artyem warns that you must get hold of an off road vehicle, because many of the roads that you will need to take are dusty gravel roads. 

3. Chegem Canyon, Gorge, Waterfalls and Paragliding 

This is one of the main tourist attractions of Kabardino-Balkaria and it’s not hard to see why.

“The views that stretch along the Chegem gorge are simply amazing. The Chegem gorge is quite big. You will begin your encounter with this area with the beautiful Chegem waterfalls that cascade down the rocky slope. Right at the foot of the rocks, there is a small market where local women sell various hand woven wool products. There is a ‘ladder of happiness’ consisting of two 222 steps, leading to the source of the waterfalls at the top of the cliff. Climbing it is not at all difficult, the views are amazing and there is a cozy cafe at the top, as well as at the bottom, where you can enjoy dishes of national cuisine,” Artyem says.

In winter, the Chegem waterfalls freeze and have a certain wild beauty to them. Some locals say that, perhaps, they are even more beautiful than in the summer. Ice pillars and columns of frozen jets and streams of water, like giant twisted candles, or stalactites, hang down all the way to the river.

There is no more asphalt road beyond the waterfalls, but you can still continue along the gorge on gravel, along the turbulent Chegem River. The road is very dusty, so Artyem advises visitors to drive along it in a car with closed windows and the air conditioning on. After about 30 kilometers, you will arrive at a paragliding station.

According to Artyem, the Chegem paragliding station is famous for its powerful, ascending wind currents. Thanks to them, paragliders can soar in the sky from morning to evening. On the territory of the station, there is also a zip line and a few other adrenaline-filled activities for those looking for some thrills. 

4. El-TyuByu

If time permits, you can continue moving along the Chegem gorge and arrive at the village of El-TuByu, a place with enormous history. This mysterious ancient Balkarian village is the focal point of the history of the entire Balkaria. Ancient watchtowers, remains of Greek temples and anomalous phenomena attract both adventure seekers and connoisseurs of beauty. The main highrise, the Balkarukov Tower, is also dubbed the ‘Tower of Love’. Legend has it that Akhtugan Balkarukov built it to defend against the relatives of the beautiful Kerime, stolen by him from Dagestan.

Not far from the village, two ancient defensive Greek stairs go up a rocky wall. They rise to a height of about 30 meters and lead to a small area surrounded by walls up to two meters high and about half a meter thick. A bit above the Greek stairs are the ancient Balkar mausoleums, where local nobility were buried in the VIII-XVIII centuries. Artyem advises to go with a tour guide, because there is just so much incredible history in this village. 

5. Valley of the Narzans

The Valley of the Narzans is a balneoclimatic resort area. It is located in the foothills of the northern slope of the Skalisty Ridge of the Greater Caucasus, in the Khasaut River valley, at an altitude of 1,300 meters above sea level (near the border with Karachay-Cherkessia).

What is Narzan water? It takes six years for the water from the melting snow in the mountains to become Narzan water. It needs this time to find its way through the fissures and cracks in the underground rocks, become enriched by more than 20 minerals and salts, congregate in the underground lakes and then appear on the surface as a spring. In the local language, its name sounds like “Nart-san-e”, which means “a drink of brave warriors”.

Visitors can come with empty bottles and fill them with different kinds of mineral water. The territory of the valley also has cafes with local delicacies and plenty of souvenir stands, where the local women sell traditional knitwear, mountain honey and other arts and crafts and delicacies from the region. 

6. Shadkhurei Karst Lakes

The two lakes - Lower and Upper Shadkhuei - are still little researched. Underwater currents, turmoils and a large network of underwater canals prevent scientists from doing deeper research. The estimated depth of each lake is more than 200 meters, though there is no data yet on the actual depth.

“This is a great place to spend some time, especially during the summer months. The water temperature is kept at the same level all year round – about +15 degrees Celsius. The two lakes are located close to each other and fascinate visitors with their magical colors, luring them into their emerald water,” Artyem says.

In Artyem’s experience, only with rare exceptions, no visitor can resist the urge to plunge into the water. Even without bathing accessories, both ladies and gents make it their priority to jump into the turquoise waters. Around the lakes there are a few gazebos so you can easily stay for the whole day, have a picnic and swim in the lakes to your heart’s content.

7. Chateau Erken

A little piece of Europe in the middle of the Caucasus Mountains, Chateau Erken is a majestic pseudo castle in the Romanesque style (it was actually built in the 1990s) surrounded by about 1,000 hectares of vineyards.

“If you want to have a relaxing day, try experiencing the fairy tale that is Chateau Erken. It stands right on the water and is absolutely stunning. There is also the option to do some wine tasting inside,” Artyem says. 

8. Upper Balkaria, Blue Lake and Aushiger Thermal Springs

These three places make for an easy day trip, because of their proximity to one another. Start your journey at the Blue Lake . The deep blue waters of this stunning lake, hidden in Russia’s Caucasus mountains, are shrouded in mystery. It’s uninhabited by fish and avoided by locals, but, in recent years, it’s become a popular site for tourists.

After soaking in the lake’s beauty, continue onwards to Upper Balkaria, which is just several kilometers away along the Cherek gorge. This is a small ancient village that almost seems like it’s hiding from the outside world. Architectural monuments, defensive towers, graves and ground crypts have been preserved there. Upper Balkaria serves as an excellent example of Balkarian life and culture. You’ll learn a lot about the ancient auls (Caucasian mountain or desert settlements) and Balkarian settlements from different historical periods. 

On the left bank of the Cherek River, in the village of Aushiger, there are a few healing hot springs. The territory of the health resort includes a healing lake, an open reservoir and indoor baths.

9. Adyr-su Gorge

“This place can be reached by car, mostly by asphalt road. Then, the car drives into a special lift, together with people and climbs up along the cliff. What a sight this is! There is a border control here, so it’s a good idea to have some ID on you,” Artyem cautions.

After driving along a relatively easy dirt road, you will get to a mountain climbing base. From there, you can take part in some light trekking, 4 kilometers there and back. Adventurers also have the opportunity to make a wish in the Valley of Desires, see waterfalls, go to the glacier and the huge, magical mountain Ulu Tau, which means “Mother Mountain”. Finish up the hike at the Silver Spring.

“Here, you can always encounter wild mustangs, they always come to graze on the beautiful meadows of lush grass and drink the healing water from the spring. The spring is the source of incredible strength - locals say that whoever plunges into it three times will be healed of many diseases,” Artyem boasts.

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Travel to Nalchik, Kabardino-Balkaria, Elbrus region

Your personal travel guide in nalchik, kabardino-balkaria, elbrus region, mount elbrus.

Mount Elbrus isn’t technically a mountain — it is an inactive volcano located in the western Caucasus mountain range, near the Georgian border in Kabardino-Balkaria and Karachay–Cherkessia, Russia.

With an elevation of 18,510 feet (5,642 meters), it is part of the Caucasus Range that straddles Asia and Europe, although most geographers place it in Europe. This makes it the tallest mountain in Europe and one of the Seven Summits, the highest mountains in each of the continents and elite climbers aspire to summit all of them.

Mount Elbrus’ prominence —a measure of how distinct a mountainis from nearby peaks — is 15,554 feet (4,741 m), making it the 10th most prominent mountain in the world. The east summit is slightly lower at 18,442 feet (5,621 m). Meaning of the name «Mingi-Tau» is the name given Elbrus by the Balkars, the Turkic people of the Caucasus region. This translates to «resembling a thousand mountains,» as a homage to the mountain’s size.

Before the Balkars, the mountain was known as Sobilus, which is Latin for «pine cone» This is a variation of strobilos, meaning «a twisted object,» which is an apt description of the mountain’s summit.

The mountain also has a mythological history. In Greek mythology. Zeus chained Prometheus to the mountain as punishment for stealing fire from Zeus and sharing it with mankind. The name also has Persian origins, a derivation of Harā Bərəzaitī, a mountain in Persian mythology.

Elbrus’ climate

The climate is most conducive to climbing in July and August, when the weather is at its most stable.

Even in the summer, nighttime temperatures average 18 F (minus 8 C). Temperatures above the snowline can fall as low as minus 22 F (minus 30 C) during the day during the winter.

Winter is coldest in the western part. It lasts from October to April above 6,562 feet (2,000 m). While the mountain is inland, it is positioned between the Caspian Sea and the Black Sea. These two large bodies of water have an impact on wind and precipitation.

Climbing Elbrus

Elbrus has a unique cable car system, which was built on the south side of the mountain from 1959 to 1976. The cable car reaches 12,500 feet (3,658 m). From there, most climbers take the Standard Route up the south side to the summit.

While the lack of crevasses can lull climbers into a false sense of safety, the Standard Route is challenging due to the snow, high winds and a high elevation. About 15 to 30 climbers die each year, which is a fairly high ratio of climbers to climber deaths when compared to other mountains.

Another unique feature of Elbrus is the system of huts for resting, including the Barrel Huts, which are located at 13,600 feet (3,962 m). There is also a snow-cat to take climbers up to 15,750 feet (48,000 m). Mount Elbrus has 22 glaciers that feed three rivers — Baksan, Malka and Kuban. The mountain is covered with snow year-round.

While it can be a dangerous climb, it is considered among the easiest of the Seven Summits. The typical climbing season is May to September. The harsh winter conditions keep all but the most experienced climbers off the mountain.

It takes most climbers less than a week to summit, which is short compared to the other Seven Summits.

Another high point in Europe

Mount Elbrus gets the title of highest in Europe. Another, perhaps better known, peak is Mont Blanc. It is the highest mountain in the Alps and the European Union. Its elevation is 15,781 feet (4,810 m) above sea level.

To get more information about traveling around Nalchik,Elbrus, Kabardino-Balkaria, and taking part in my tours, follow my instagram @guidetonalchik ( https://www.instagram.com/guidetonalchik /) and write an email ⇒ [email protected]