Best Travel Fishing Rods

The Daiwa Saltist Travel is a multi-section sea lure rod in 7ft, 8ft and 8ft 6in lengths. It breaks down into four or five sections and comes in a protective travel case, so it's made to go in luggage.

Its blank mixes HVF, X45 and 3DX carbon to stay slim, light and powerful, and V-Joint Alpha joints keep the curve smooth through each section. Fuji O-ring guides, a Fuji reel seat and a rubber gimbal finish it, with casting weights of 14-42g, 28-84g and 80-140g.

For me, it suits sea anglers who travel and want a lure rod that casts and bends like a two-piece. Next to the Daiwa Ninja Tele Spin, it gives up the quick telescopic set-up, but the blank, joints and fittings are a clear step up.

To be fair, it's a premium price for a travel rod. For sea anglers who want one lure rod that doesn't feel like a compromise, though, I think it's the best travel rod here for sea and lure fishing.

Built for Texas and Carolina rigs, the Westin W2 Finesse T&C Travel is a 7ft 1in four-piece spinning rod rated ML. It casts 5-15g and breaks down to a 64cm transport length.

The 24/30 tonne High Performance Carbon blank has a fast, sensitive action that transmits bottom contact and timid bites. It weighs 121g and carries a Seaguide XVS reel seat, SXOHLSG guides, a split EVA handle and a Dhook keeper.

Perch and zander anglers who crawl rigs along the bottom will get the most from it. Next to the Westin W2 Tele Spin, it's more focused and packs down as a four-piece rather than a telescopic, while the Westin W2 Deadbait Easy Travel Tele is a heavy pike rod for a different job altogether.

To be fair, one length and a 5-15g rating make it a specialist rod. For finesse rigs on the move, though, I think it's an excellent choice.

NGT's Profiler Travel Rod 9ft is a four-piece carbon all-rounder that packs down to 74.5cm. Its 20-50g casting weight covers lures, floats and light rigs in fresh or salt water.

The super-slim, low-reflection blank wears black-framed guides, with a SEAGUIDE seat over a full shrink handle. A cloth bag keeps the four sections together in a case or car boot.

For a one-rod holiday kit with a proper fishing length, it makes a lot of sense. Next to the NGT Profiler Travelmaster you get a longer rod with a heavier rating, though it won't pack anywhere near as small, while the Zebco Trophy X Tele Float is the one to choose if you mainly float fish and want far more reach.

To be fair, it's a plain rod with nothing premium in the fittings. For one carbon rod that handles most holiday fishing, though, I think it's a sound buy.

Six pieces and a 33.5cm packed length are the headline numbers on the NGT Profiler Travelmaster. This 6ft carbon travel rod is small enough for a suitcase, a rucksack or even a car glovebox.

Its 10-30g rating covers float work, small lures and light spinning from a harbour wall. A SeaGuide reel seat is a welcome surprise at this level, and a cloth bag keeps the six sections together.

For me, it's the rod for anglers who want something capable tucked away in their luggage. Next to the Zebco Trophy X Tele, which runs to longer lengths and heavier ratings, it's a lighter rod for smaller fish, and the NGT Profiler Travel Rod 9ft gives you 3ft more length if you need extra reach.

To be fair, six joints mean it won't cast or play fish like a two-piece. As a travel companion that goes anywhere, though, I think it's the best budget pick of the lot.

Everything you need for sea lure fishing, bar the lures, comes in the Daiwa Sensor Tele Sea Spin Combo. A 9ft telescopic rod rated at 30-50g arrives with a C3000B reel already loaded with 0.18mm X4 braid.

When closed, the rod measures 75cm, and a protective cap covers the tip in transit. Shore and pier lure fishing is its job, so metals and heavier spinners are its natural partners.

Families heading to the coast who want one box with everything in it will like it. Next to the Angling Pursuits Travel Max you get a reel and line included, and compared with the Daiwa Sensor Tele Float Combo it's the heavier set, made for lures in salt water rather than floats.

To be fair, the telescopic blank won't feel as smooth as a two-piece sea rod. For a quick start on a holiday pier, though, I think it's very handy.

Glass is the big difference with the Angling Pursuits Travel Max, a 9ft four-piece all-round rod. It's rated at 20-50g and breaks down to 75cm, which slips easily into a boot or a suitcase.

Compared with carbon, that blank weighs more and bends more, yet it takes knocks well and forgives a heavy hand, which suits a rod that lives in the car. Holidays, short sessions and fishing on the move are its job.

If you want a cheap, hard-wearing spare, it fits the bill. Next to the Leeda Tele Spin R you get a multi-piece blank that should bend more evenly, though it packs bigger, while the Daiwa Sensor Tele Sea Spin Combo adds a reel and braid for sea lure fishing.

To be fair, glass will feel heavy and soft if you're used to carbon. For a tough rod to keep in the boot, though, I think it's sound value.

Four telescopic spinning rods make up the Daiwa Ninja Tele Spin range, from an 8ft 10-40g model that closes to 74cm up to an 11ft 20-60g rod that closes to 89cm.

Each one has an HVF carbon blank, split EVA grips, an integrated lockdown reel seat and stainless steel guides with titanium oxide rings. The 8ft model weighs 125g, and every rod comes with a guide protector cover to keep the stacked guides safe in a bag.

Holiday anglers and anyone who keeps a rod in the car will get the most from it. Next to the Daiwa Saltist Travel, it gives up the Fuji fittings and multi-piece blank but sets up far quicker, while the Korum Opportunist XTND is a coarse rod with a test curve rather than a lure rod.

To be fair, five or six telescopic sections mean more joints than a multi-piece rod. For a light, versatile lure rod that goes everywhere, though, I think it's a very smart buy.

Light and slim, the Westin W2 Tele Spin is a telescopic spinning rod in 210cm, 240cm and 270cm lengths, with casting weights of 3-15g, 5-25g, 7-30g or 20-50g.

A 24/30 tonne High Performance Carbon blank gives it a fast, responsive action across nine to eleven sections. Seaguide SXOHLSG guides, a VSS reel seat, an AAA cork handle and a Dhook keeper are fitted, and a rod case comes with it.

For me, it suits lure anglers who want a slim rod for spontaneous sessions, from perch on the lightest model to pike on the 20-50g with a wire trace. Next to the Korum Opportunist XTND, it's a lure rod rather than a coarse rod, and the Westin W2 Finesse T&C Travel is the four-piece option for rigs.

To be fair, it's one of the dearer telescopics, and eleven sections is a lot of joints. For a light, well-finished lure rod that goes everywhere, though, I think it's a lovely choice.

Zebco's long-running Trophy range goes telescopic with the Trophy X Tele, which comes in seven versions from 2.7m to 3.6m and casting weights from 10-40g up to 30-100g.

It has a quality carbon blank with the established Trophy action, an ergonomic reel seat and modern components, and one model weighs 215g. The 2.7m and 3m rods suit lighter lure work, while the 3.3m and 3.6m lengths add reach.

Budget anglers who want one tele for spinning and lure fishing on holiday or in the car will get plenty from it. Next to the Westin W2 Deadbait Easy Travel Tele, it's the all-rounder rather than the pike specialist, and against the NGT Profiler Travelmaster it's longer and more powerful but won't fit a suitcase as easily.

To be fair, long teles have lots of joints, and only one model's weight is given. For a cheap, versatile telescopic with real length, though, I think it's a very good buy.

At just 58cm closed, the Leeda Tele Spin R is one of the most packable rods in the guide. There's an 8ft and a 10ft version, and both are built for lures in fresh or salt water.

Light to medium lure fishing is its job, in fresh or salt water, and the sections slide inside each other so there are no loose pieces to lose. Leeda gives few build details, so expect a simple budget finish.

Holidaymakers and anglers on the move who want a cheap lure rod will get the most from it. Next to the Zebco Trophy X Tele Float it's a short spinning rod rather than a long float rod, and it packs smaller than the Angling Pursuits Travel Max, though that four-piece glass rod gives you a full 9ft and a 20-50g rating.

To be fair, the build and fittings are pretty basic. For a cheap lure rod to keep in a suitcase, though, I think it's hard to argue with.

Coarse anglers who travel light get a 10ft full carbon telescopic in the Korum Opportunist XTND, offered in 1.75lb and 2.5lb test curves for 6-12lb and 8-15lb line.

Its K Flex blank has a progressive, responsive action without the flat spots telescopics are known for. Ceramic-free guides, an anti-frap tip ring, a full cork handle and a matt black finish complete a neat, understated build that looks at home on any bank.

Roving anglers on a bike or public transport will get the most from it. Next to the Daiwa Ninja Tele Spin, it's a bait and rig rod rather than a lure rod, and against the Westin W2 Tele Spin you trade lure casting weights for a proper test curve.

To be fair, there's only one length, so it's a touch long for the tightest swims. For chub, tench, barbel or carp on the move, though, I think it's a cracking travel rod.

Long float rods rarely travel well, but the Zebco Trophy X Tele Float closes down small enough for a suitcase, rucksack or car. You can have it at 4m or 5m, and either length handles 5-35g.

Underneath, there's a quality carbon blank with the established Trophy action, an ergonomic reel seat and updated components. At 220g, it's light enough to hold all day while you watch a float.

It's for float anglers who want proper reach without a long rod tube. Next to the NGT Profiler Travel Rod 9ft you trade lure and light-rig versatility for far more length, and it's a much longer, float-only alternative to the Leeda Tele Spin R, which is a short lure rod.

To be fair, all those telescopic joints won't match the smooth curve of a three-piece match rod. For float fishing on holiday or from the car, though, I think it's a smart choice.

Few pike rods pack down like the Westin W2 Deadbait Easy Travel Tele, a 3.25m four-section telescopic that collapses to 115cm, so it fits on a bike, on public transport or in a car that's already full.

It has a 24/30T carbon blank with a medium action and a 2.75lb test curve, rated to cast 150g. A SeaGuide IPSA reel seat, S-TLSG guides and a full EVA split handle are fitted, and a line clip holds the line when it's collapsed.

Mobile pike anglers fishing drains, canals and estate lakes with float or leger deadbaits on a wire trace are who it's for. Next to the Westin W2 Finesse T&C Travel, it's a far heavier rod for a different job, and against the Zebco Trophy X Tele you get a dedicated deadbait blank instead of a general telescopic lure rod.

To be fair, at 358g it's heavy for a travel rod, although it'll spend most of its time on a rest. For pike anglers who travel light, though, I think it's a sensible specialist buy.

Think of the Daiwa Sensor Tele Float Combo as the float fishing twin of the Sensor Tele Sea Spin set. A 9ft telescopic rod rated for 1 to 15g comes with a C2500B reel already filled with 0.25mm mono.

Seven sections slide down to just 60cm, and a cap protects the tip in transit, so there's no need for a separate rod tube or holdall on holiday.

A newcomer, a youngster or a family wanting everything in one box will find it an easy start. Next to the Daiwa Sensor Tele Sea Spin Combo it's the lighter set, made for floats and mono rather than sea lures, while the Zebco Trophy X Tele Float gives you far more length but no reel.

To be fair, seven joints and a light rating limit it with bigger fish. For a first float set or a spare in the boot, though, I think it's a sensible buy.