To telescope or not to telescope ?

[flippin and pitchin]

I would like to hear your opinions on longer rods that collapse or don't ( one piece ).  Do you or would you prefer one piece rods up to 8 feet ?  Is the inconvienence of transport worth it to go one piece ?  Thanks in advance for your thoughts.  P.S., Anyone use a one piece over 7'3" ??

[Chris W]

I have both telescoping and non telescoping flipping sticks, up to 7' 11" storage wise I like the telescoping models better. The non telescoping models are a little more sensitive and weigh a little less but, I prefer the telescoping models more because they seem to have slower actions than the non telescoping models and on flipping sticks I prefer the slower action. I mainly use the non telescoping models for Carolina rigs and stroking a jig not much for flipping.

[Dan:]

http://www.bassresource.com/bass_fishing_forums/YaBB.pl?num=1136160733/1#1

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[BassThumb]

I think it's kind of a pain to break down a telescopic rod so I tend to stay away. I always feel like there's a good chance I'll break the blank or the 1st guide by holding onto it for leverage, which is sometimes the only way to get it to slip.

Another thing to consider, telescopic flipping sticks are almost always used with lures like worms and jigs were you pay big bucks to gain sensitivity anywhere you can, as with expensive fluoro lines and tungsten sinkers, etc.

A rod being telescopic instead of one-piece is not a deal breaker, like a two-piece. I don't think you lose anywhere near the sensitivity with telescopic rods as opposed to two-piece rods, but I have no doubt that you lose a little. But I tend to stay away, as I said. Not a huge deal. I loved my old Loomis telescopic flipping stick until I foolishly snapped it. If the price is right, snag it. But otherwise I would recommend a one-piece if you can transport and store it safely.

[BigMatt]

I have started fishing some events as a co-angler and the telescopic rod helps me out a lot. They are a bit heavier, but only a little bit, and I have big hands and forearms so I like it. They travel well for sure and they help when you have to be conscious of the rods you take with you to fish. So, obviously, I like the telescopic rods. And I generally use rods up to 7' before looking to my telescopic rod. except for my flipping stik all of my rods are 7' long which is just inside my truck bed.

[dave]

I have two telescoping rods. One is only 6'10". I love both of them. I have a 7'6" one piece and it is very unwieldy to store and transport.