Are collapsible fishing rods actually any good? Telescopic fishing rods are known to provide the ultimate versatility and portability.
They’re excellent options if you’re on the lookout for affordable fishing poles that you can simply throw in your bag. As they’re collapsible, telescopic or foldable fishing rods are easier to carry around.
But, they’re often doubted in terms of their durability and longevity. This is why we constantly get questions such as are collapsible rods any good.
Before we address the concern of anglers, let’s first discuss…
What Exactly Are Telescopic Fishing Rods?
In the simplest terms, telescopic fishing rods are rods that can collapse for storage in a limited space. In order to use the rods, they are pulled out similar to how you open an umbrella.
Most anglers that have telescopic rods use the poles for freshwater fishing as they think the rods aren’t able to withstand the effects of saltwater.
If you know what to look for in a telescopic fishing rod, then you can use it for saltwater fishing from its durability. Don’t worry as we’ll also provide you with buying tips on how to choose a collapsible fishing rod.
Foldable fishing rods are available in different shapes and types. People refer to them in various names like slide-able rods, collapsing rods, and portable rods among others.
As they’re collapsible up to a quarter of the actual size of the rods, they make great additions to your fishing gear. There are even models that you can place in your pocket as you cycle!
Pros of Using Collapsible Fishing Rods
So, are collapsible fishing rods any good? The answer will depend on various factors.
Given the rod is of high quality from its superior material construction, you as the user can enjoy the following benefits:
Strong and Durable
As it’s built with multiple sections, it’s possible that it’s weaker in comparison to a one-piece rod.
However, telescopic rods that are beefy enough and made of high-quality materials can have a long lifespan and ensure users of their efficacy. You’ll be able to find foldable or collapsible rods that can handle the smallest of panfish to the largest of lunkers.
The majority of the best collapsible rods for sale on the market right now can handle species that weigh more than 10 lbs.
Compact and Lightweight
The small footprint of a telescopic rod is among the primary advantages of using this kind of fishing pole.
You can take your collapsible rod to places where you can’t haul full-size one-piece rods. You can also pack your foldable rod on your backpack and bring it for a trip while eliminating oversized luggage fees.
Cost-Effective
Even the highest quality collapsible rods aren’t going to put a hole in your pocket. Considering the fact that a rod is a crucial component of your fishing gear, it’s best to invest in one that’s of good quality.
Cons of Using Collapsible Fishing Rods
Collapsible rods are awesome but they also have downsides, such as:
Prone to Break from Human Error
The biggest downfall of telescopic fishing rods is misuse. Misuse and improper care i.e. whipping the rod open can damage or break the components.
Dirt and Debris
Sand, dirt, and debris can potentially get caught in between a telescopic rod’s many sections. In such a case, you’ll muck up your gear.
Only choose a durable, quality foldable rod as it will allow you to do a quick reset just by washing the rod with water.
How to Choose a Telescopic Fishing Rod
The collapsible or foldable nature of the rods means you’ll have to consider some crucial factors prior to making up your mind on what to buy.
Here are some of them:
Material
For enhanced durability, opt for a rod made of either fiberglass or carbon fiber. Also, your rod has to be marginally heavy.
But, this doesn’t necessarily mean that you should just choose the unit that’s heaviest as you’ll also be sacrificing your comfort. You’ll have to do some balancing in terms of the weight and durability or quality.
Weight
The weight of a telescopic rod has to be taken into careful consideration. There are those that gravitate towards lightweight telescopic rods.
Although this can be good, you should know that lighter products can cause trouble when there’s something heavy that strikes your bait.
If you want a lightweight telescopic rod, it must be able to bend to prevent damage unless you will stick to small catches.
Number of Sections
The fewer the sections of a telescopic rod, the better. The majority of the rods available on Amazon come with 3-6 sections.
Having more sections can weaken a rod’s overall strength regardless of how strong the materials used are. Opt for fewer sections, while ensuring the rod is still compact.
Length of the Collapsible Rod
This element is related to the aforementioned point as the length of a rod will play a crucial role when you’re traveling, and while you’re on the water.
Decide on what you’re going to do and where you’ll be using the rod. There’s no problem in choosing a short rod if you won’t be surf fishing. If you’ll be surf fishing with the best surf fishing rigs, however, the activity will demand a longer rod that’s at least 8 ft long.
Conclusion
Collapsible rods are worth giving a try. They can be as good as traditional rods while having the added benefit of being lightweight and travel-friendly.
In general, collapsible and foldable fishing rods are able to handle species that are 10 lbs. or less. They allow for use on various fishing applications, including saltwater fishing.
If you get a stronger collapsible fishing rod, it will be able to handle more than 10 lbs. even up to 20! Remember to learn your fishing rod’s limits so you can avoid breaking your gear when targeting a trophy catch.
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