I'm looking for a solid, well built, 4 piece, medium strength, in-shore, spinning travel rod that can handle repeated saltwater use and that will fit in a carry-on bag. Don't appear to be many options. I'm wondering if you have any suggestions? Thanks.

My old man needed one that fits those specs when he went to Costa Rica a few years ago, and I bought him this one:

http://brettsplaceonthebay.com/okuma-citrix-cit-s-724m-spinning-fishing-rod-4-piece-travel-pack/

He seemed to think it was fairly bulletproof and even caught a few something or others off the beach with it.

Fish on...

Todd

P.S. Shop around for it, though...I think I bought his off the shelf at OE for about $80.

I bought a 4-pc, med. strength 7 1/2' Fenwick spinning rod a year or so ago on STP closeout for just this purpose, super cheap. You might look and see if they have any left. However, according to the $500 rod thread, it might be a pos rod because I think I paid less than $30.

I have 4-pc fly rods in all the weights I travel with, but don't often see spin or casting rods available in more than 2-pc. I've had two trips compromised by high winds, and thought this might be a good contingency investment.

Sg

You might look at this seven foot telescoping rod. It is made in China and not what I would call a high quality, but I have fished it for three years and it has held up from several trips. I have landed a silver in the ten pound range and it handled the fish well. Priced at under $18 it has served me well and you could get two or three of them.

http://www.ogeecheeoutdoors.com/?page_id=18

http://www.amazon.com/Ogeechee-Outdoors-Verdes-Telescopic-Spinning/dp/B000UTCG1C

Another option which has worked extremely well for me was to have my old Fenglas rods from the early 1980's that were two piece rods cut down to four pieces and had metal ferrals attached by Gregg's in Lake Steven's to make a four piece rod. I think any good quality 7 to 8 foot fiberglass rod could be converted in this manner. I have caught dozens of Silvers in Alaska with my spinning and casting converted rods.

Just a thought.

Might check out TFO's travel rods.
http://www.tforods.com/conventional-rods...ml#.Uu2sr6N5mK0

It looks like there are several options for travel rods, I would recommend that a four piece rod that is less than 20 inches per section so it can fit in a carry-on bag or a small backpack. Any rod should be carried in a protective case.

If one does not come with a case, PVC pipe of various diameters can be used.

I have a three inch diameter tube that carries an 8 WT fly rod, a light telescopic spinning rod and my two Fenglas rods that Gregg's converted for me.

Most of the time I check the tube in checked baggage since I am also checking my knives, lures, which aren't allowed in carry-on luggage.

I would recommend having one travel rod capable of handling lures up to
2 OZ. for jigging. My converted Fenglas rods handle these well.

I have purchased several (too many some people say) inshore and offshore travel rods in the last year, and it's very difficult to find much info on them.

For inshore the Okumas are a very good buy in either spinning or casting. I've used them in AK and FL and I'm pleased with the feel. They are better than many others that cost more than double the price.


If you get one, go for the lower price model that comes with only one tip section, I have the model with different tips and although they say there is a difference, it's very hard to detect. It's not worth the extra cost.

I can either carry them on, or put them in a suitcase (large suitcase). I don't use a hard case (tube) because it's difficult to put very many rods in one, the zip up Okuma case can hold 5 or more rods and takes up less room. I only carry my reels on the plane.

There is the Nomad and Xpress, I have couple of Nomads, but would buy the Xpress next time.

http://www.okumafishing.com/product/view/rods/inshore/nomad-inshore-travel

For travel I like the telescopic rods. They have some pretty nice Japanese made ones on Ebay for pretty cheap.
I have been given some Okuma tackle as gifts, totally unimpressed. The rods are basic, the reels are garbage. Two times I have used them and had them break during, or after there first use!

Thanks for your suggestions.

Buy a 4 pc. Fly blank and build it in a spinning config. I did one for a friend.