Casting Travel rods for Mexico

[calikid]

For those of you who own travel rods (casting), what are you recommendations?  And any I should avoid?

 

Thinking about buying some to bring to Mexico (Baccarac).  Bringing rods down on the commercial plane is a huge pita but once the boat is launched it 

sure is nice having my comfortable Dobyns rods.  I have also rented at Lake Baccarac Lodge but that is kind of expensive for the quality there.

 

Another thing, one or 2 rods will have to be able to handle 1oz jigs, swimbaits  and deep crankbaits.  The only light rod I will need is for a popper.

[desmobob]

I have a pair of the Daiwa Ardito 3pc. travel rods, one M and one MH.  A 1 oz. bait would be at the top of the rated range for the MH, but I've never tried throwing anything that heavy with mine.

 

I think they're decent rods for the affordable price.

[Hulkster]

I have two G. Loomis Escape rods that I have used down south that are amazing but I believe they are discontinued. 

 

the next best option I would look at is the new Avid Trek rods. I believe they come in both casting and spinning but I could be wrong. Avids are awesome and St. Croix makes good stuff. 

[A-Jay]

G.Loomis Escapes are what I use.

They are good sticks but sort of short and as noted above, discontinued.

There are a couple of new options.

I have not used either but I would consider them if I needed to. 

These are not cheap either but if you're going back several times, it may be a decent investment.

https://thehookuptackle.com/products/triza-multi-piece-casting-rods?variant=38058345300135

https://thehookuptackle.com/products/valkyrie-world-expedition-multi-piece-rods?variant=40140083593383

http://tackletour.com/previewmegabassrods2021.html

Good Luck

A-Jay

[NathanDLTH]

I own and fish the Megabass Triza Dragoon, it’s 7’2 Heavy rated 1/2-3oz and comes with two tip sections: fast and regular. This would be one of the better choices out there. 
https://tackletrap.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=1066_2960&products_id=16985

 

The other rods I’d recommend looking at are the Megabass World Expedition rods, three piece rods and I think would fit what you’re looking for. 
https://tackletrap.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=1066_3286

 

Both rods are north of $300 and are premium rods. 

[calikid]

Thanks for the replies.  Most options are out of stock unfortunately. The Megabass Triza Dragoon looks like a killer rod.

 

How do ya'll bring these on the plane to Mexico?  And how many rods do you bring down there?

 

I normally use 4 or 5 rods down there.  

[islandbass]

I’ve just brought 2 piece rods as carry on to Mexico. However, coming back, from my experience, they cannot be carry on leaving Mexico. It has to come back like your luggage.   
 

On other trips I have used rod carriers that can store one piece rods and even be locked, much akin to a travel golf carrier. It worked beautifully to and from. You might want to consider that as a option. You get to bring your normal rods. 

[Chris at Tech]

When I went to Baccarac a while back, I had rods custom built on 3-piece MHX blanks and they did the job admirably.
 

I haven’t priced a build lately given current supply chain issues, but I would imagine the custom route I mentioned would come in well under the prices of the items other members mentioned previously in this thread. 

[king fisher]

I live in Mexico and own 3 Diawa Ardito travel rods.  I use the medium for most crankbaits, and the MH for everything else.  I have landed double digit bass in thick cover with all three rods.  MH will handle 1OZ lures but if I am going to use anything heavier I bring a one piece extra heavy action.   Many days I only bring the Travel Rods.  I wish they made an extra heavy Ardito, then I would never need a one piece rod.

[detroit1]

I like islandbass' idea of a carrier, much cheaper than 2 rods custom or not.

[desmobob]

The darn airlines and their ever-changing baggage rules really make things a PITA.  In the good ol' days you could carry on pretty much any length tubes and they'd stow them in a closet in the cabin.  

 

When I went to Mexico in 2012 I duct-taped my 4-pc travel fly rod tubes to my carry on bag so it was "one carry on piece" as per the rules at the time.  No problem from NY to LA and LA to Loretto and back again.

 

I was amazed how many folks were flying back to LA with coolers full of fish!

 

I would probably opt for a large, rigid checked case for rods these days.

[A-Jay]

On 10/29/2021 at 9:35 AM, calikid said:

For those of you who own travel rods (casting), what are you recommendations?  And any I should avoid?

 

Thinking about buying some to bring to Mexico (Baccarac).  Bringing rods down on the commercial plane is a huge pita but once the boat is launched it 

sure is nice having my comfortable Dobyns rods.  I have also rented at Lake Baccarac Lodge but that is kind of expensive for the quality there.

 

Another thing, one or 2 rods will have to be able to handle 1oz jigs, swimbaits  and deep crankbaits.  The only light rod I will need is for a popper.

Just as a PSA ~

There is a Private Charter Plane option from TX direct to the air strip at Lake Baccarac Lodge.  Besides making the customs experience incredibly painless and brief, you can take your full length sticks on the charter, no problem.  

It really IS the way to go.

#novanride

A-Jay

 

[txchaser]

On 11/1/2021 at 6:50 PM, A-Jay said:

Just as a PSA ~

There is a Private Charter Plane option from TX direct to the air strip at Lake Baccarac Lodge.  Besides making the customs experience incredibly painless and brief, you can take your full length sticks on the charter, no problem.  

It really IS the way to go.

#novanride

A-Jay

 

Two thumbs up on this option. Low drama and you get more fishing in.