Good travel rod under $100?

[ThrowinPlugs]

Hey guys, had a question for anyone who air travels a lot with a rod. Im looking for a good travel rod that can be a carry on (3 piece would be ideal). Ill be traveling to the Elizabeth City NC area in August (will be moving there in a few months) and wanted to test the waters down there. I'd like to spend no more than $100 on it if possible. Thanks!

[microotter]

This is an annoying answer bc it is slightly above your budget, but I am really impressed with the Daiwa Ardito and it comes in a nice little case/tube. I think it retails for $130. If you look around you may be able to find it for under $100, I did a couple of years ago. 

[ThrowinPlugs]

Nah man not annoying! Its an option, just wanted to see if there's any options for a little less. I'm more concerned about getting my reels there with line on them.

[QED]

You didn't mention if you wanted spinning vs casting or action type.  For an ultralight spinning rod, the Daiwa Presso line includes some great travel/pack rod options within the price constraint.

 

https://daiwa.us/products/presso-ultralight-rods

[new2BC4bass]

Spinning or casting?  Seems to be more spinning options.  Fenwick has the HMG Medium or Medium Heavy Fast action casting 4-piece for $120 new.  You can get the 6'6" Fenwick Eagle spinning rod in Light, Medium Light or Medium in 3-piece for $70 or the 7' ML 4-piece for $80.

 

I don't have any traveling models, but do have several HMG 1-piece rods in casting and spinning and I like them a lot for the price.

 

Also you can look at JDM rods.  Many are offered in 2-piece.  I picked up a used 6' 9" MHF Olympic GraphiteLeader 2-piece casting rod and a used 2-piece Major Craft Benkei 6' 7" LF spinning rod for carrying in my trunk.  Pretty sure they were around your $100 budget (used price).  Both are very nice rods for what I paid for them.

[David 7]

Just get a two piece Ugly Stick, hard to beat the durability at that price.

[microotter]

He mentioned air travel. 2 piece rods are a lot more difficult to fly with than rods with more (shorter) pieces. 

[ThrowinPlugs]

Spinning! Sorry guys!

[FryDog62]

I tried to figure out the travel rod thing a few years back. I actually ended up buying an Abu Garcia Vengeance rod. $50 qualifies for free shipping to my destination. I just left it with a relative of mine. Done this in a couple locations now, great rod! Just bring a reel and a couple lures with me when I go ?

[new2BC4bass]

1 hour ago, microotter said:

He mentioned air travel. 2 piece rods are a lot more difficult to fly with than rods with more (shorter) pieces. 

I missed the 'air travel' part.  Or I ignored it.  Sorry.  But I did mention 3 and 4 piece rods as well.

2 minutes ago, FryDog62 said:

I tried to figure out the travel rod thing a few years back. I actually ended up buying an Abu Garcia Vengeance rod. $50 qualifies for free shipping to my destination. I just left it with a relative of mine. Done this in a couple locations now, great rod! Just bring a reel and a couple lures with me when I go ?

That's great if the OP has somewhere to store them.  I keep a spinning rod and 6 baitcast rods in Florida at a brother-in-law's home.  I carry the reels back and forth with me.  Rods were either shipped down or purchased locally.

[CrankFate]

Got 2 of these for the kids for travel. Thinking of getting a third for me. These are real rods. Worth triple the price.

 

https://www.amazon.com/KastKing-Compass-Telescopic-Fishing-Spinning/dp/B088R33Q9Q/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?dchild=1&gclid=EAIaIQobChMImIeXy4fk8QIVC5WGCh25HA9oEAAYASAAEgKWlvD_BwE&hvadid=178115762838&hvdev=c&hvlocphy=9004156&hvnetw=g&hvqmt=e&hvrand=13253960409894240314&hvtargid=kwd-457029030152&hydadcr=9714_9896908&keywords=kastking+telescopic+fishing+rod&qid=1626317177&sr=8-1-spons&psc=1&smid=A2IJQ4TEEM9I9E&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUFLWVZaTzVQMjlNMUUmZW5jcnlwdGVkSWQ9QTA4MjI1NzAyMjVWSlhSQjJOODdSJmVuY3J5cHRlZEFkSWQ9QTAyNTE0ODIxUEsyVjFGVzUwVFgmd2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9hdGYmYWN0aW9uPWNsaWNrUmVkaXJlY3QmZG9Ob3RMb2dDbGljaz10cnVl

[JS8588]

Buy a good travel rod & you'll find yourself fishing with it a lot more than just for travel. I keep 2 setups in my car at all times.

7'6 ML XF Daiwa Ardito

Penn Clash 2 2000

Spooled with 6lb Stren Magnathin

 

7'0 ML F TFO Traveler

Penn Battle III DX 2500

Spooled with 8lb Stren Magnathin

 

Funny thing happens when you keep fishing gear in your car. You find a lot of time to fish all of a sudden.

 

Spend the extra $30 & get the Ardito. You'll enjoy it.

 

[Born 2 fish]

I bought this and take it to Florida bass fishing it works great.

 

https://www.amazon.com/Fiblink-Graphite-Baitcasting-Portable-Baitcaster/dp/B019TWHQVU/ref=mp_s_a_1_5?dchild=1&keywords=fiblink+travel+rod&qid=1626382229&sprefix=fablink+tr&sr=8-5

[walleyecrazy]

3 hours ago, JS8588 said:

Buy a good travel rod & you'll find yourself fishing with it a lot more than just for travel. I keep 2 setups in my car at all times.

7'6 ML XF Daiwa Ardito

Penn Clash 2 2000

Spooled with 6lb Stren Magnathin

 

7'0 ML F TFO Traveler

Penn Battle III DX 2500

Spooled with 8lb Stren Magnathin

 

Funny thing happens when you keep fishing gear in your car. You find a lot of time to fish all of a sudden.

 

Spend the extra $30 & get the Ardito. You'll enjoy it.

 

 

How does that TFO Traveler compare to the Ardito? I was actually just looking at the exact model that you have a couple hours ago, and almost pulled the trigger on it. I can’t find a ton of feedback on them though so I hesitated. 

[JS8588]

4 hours ago, walleyecrazy said:

 

How does that TFO Traveler compare to the Ardito? I was actually just looking at the exact model that you have a couple hours ago, and almost pulled the trigger on it. I can’t find a ton of feedback on them though so I hesitated. 

 

It's a very good rod. Better guides & a better reel seat than the Ardito. The Ardito is definitely a lighter medium light & casts a little better & is a bit more sensitive blank.

 

Made in S. Korea vs the Ardito Made in China.

 

Caught a half dozen bass & 2 bluegill on the Traveler Thursday morning. Buy it. You'll be happy.