"Survival" fishing rod?

Ebbtide, knows his stuff, a fishing pole is not what I consider survival gear. If you want a compact outfit to use as opportunity presents itself cabelas makes a very nice telescoping outfit that feels like a real fishing pole.

In a SHTF situation limb lines and trot lines get the nod for me. Chris
 
That's the reason I put "survival" in quotes. What I was really asking about are super small, portable rods that work well. Throwing a line off a pop can is not as much fun (to me) as using a rod and reel.

I was wondering about the FishPen as well as breakdown or telescoping pack rods.
 
How is that better than one of the multi-piece pack rods? Seems like a lot of trouble vs. $20-30.
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I would have to look, but I believe even the smallest pack rods (usually fly rod outfits) have longer individual pieces. Just depends on what you like. Trouble? Perhaps. Look at it as a wintertime project.
 
I saw a FishingPen today at Sportsman's Warehouse and they are total junk. I ended up popping for Daiwa's Mini-Spin pack rod and reel. For $35, it seems close to what I was thinking of. Very small and looks like half-decent quality. They get mixed reviews but some people may be expecting too much from them.
 
i have a very small ultra-lite 5 peice shakespear alpha spinning rod that fits in a tiny sleeve pouch. i also have about 8 or 9 yo-yo automatic fishing reels that i hang from tree branches. i think that in a SHTF event, you wont want to spend valuable time just sitting there fishing. the yo-yo's do it for you while you cut wood, tend fire, reenfoce your shelter, get water... you get the idea.

if you dont have automatic reels, you can use innertubes or surgical tubing as they stretch to play the fish and or set the hook. - Eric
 
SHTF fishing is not what this thread was about but thanks anyway.
 
OK, survival aside, why skimp with a gimmick when you can get a perfectly good 4 piece rod from any of the big outfitters?
Major brand names all have travel rods.
Usually spinning or fly, or spin/fly combo rods.
A good small reel and you are set.
One could make a lightweight tube to store the rod in while in/on your pack.

Chris, all I know about survival is that I avoid survival situations...
But fishing....I could go on for pages and pages :D
 
Like I said, after looking around at some various pack rods the Daiwa Mini-Spin combo impressed me. I wanted something decent enough that I wouldn't hate using it but *small* enough that it could always ride in the pack (I've got a travel fly rod but wouldn't toss that into a pack unless I was going fly-fishing specifically as it's too long like most pack rods for this purpose). I really wanted an ultra-light spin outfit that I could fish bait or lures, including wet and dry flies. The Mini-Spin seems to fit the bill very well. It was exactly the size I was looking for.
 
CSG said:
Like I said, after looking around at some various pack rods the Daiwa Mini-Spin combo impressed me. I wanted something decent enough that I wouldn't hate using it but *small* enough that it could always ride in the pack (I've got a travel fly rod but wouldn't toss that into a pack unless I was going fly-fishing specifically as it's too long like most pack rods for this purpose). I really wanted an ultra-light spin outfit that I could fish bait or lures, including wet and dry flies. The Mini-Spin seems to fit the bill very well. It was exactly the size I was looking for.
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My great-uncle has kept one of those in his trunk for something close to 30 years. If he is near water and has a free moment, he's fishing. I have never once heard him complain about the quality of the rod and reel.

Rick
 
Even though they have their place I am not a fan of either telescoping rods or multi piece rods. The cabelas telescoping rods are very nice as I mentioned before, both me and my son had one, and for panfish and trout would probably do great, but IMO they are a bit fragile. And the truly good 4 piece rods are, unfortunately, out of my price range the ones I can afford I can't find one that I like the action on, most are much to slow. My compromise is a two piece rod and an aluminum rod tube, I realize compromise is what we are talking about with any "pack" rod and this is what works for me.

6' Shimano Convergence medium weight rod.
Pflueger president 6730 reel spooled with powerpro 8# test.

I carry this in an old eagle claw aluminum tube, I realize that this is not the smallest, lightest rod I can find to pack but it is about as much as I am willing to sacrifice. And it is hell on the river bass I like to stalk, in this pic I had not discovered the powerpro, now I am addicted to the stuff. :D

Picture099.jpg
 
I'm also not a big fan of multi-piece rods. I have several one piece graphites between 5 and 6 feet long. I use the 6 footer for larger water with an ultra-light or light open face reel. I don't do salt water however. That reminds me, I need to find another reel for the 6 footer. I hate to switch reels on rods. Plus now I have little ones that want to go fishing, but I got them their own rigs.

CSG: Glad you found the Diawa outfit that meets your needs. Like you said, you were looking for something that you are going to use (vs hate to use) and I believe you found it.
 
I think the idea of a mini pack rod is that you have *something* when you otherwise might have nothing. I think most people would agree that the best multi-piece rod is nowhere near as good as a proper 1-2 piece rod. My 4 piece Sage 9' 6wt. is pretty damn nice though. Just too long and bulky to *always* have.
 
My friend had one of those Diawa minispins when they came out in the early 80's.
Pretty nice for what it is.
Just like knives, everything is a compromise.
If there is a chance I'm going fishing, I'll suffer along with carrying a 'proper' fishing rod.
Fishing is way to serious for me to do other wise :D
If the chance is really small, I'll do without and just gaze longingly at the water.

Power Pro, eh?
I just got my Christmas present (Shimano Spheros 6000) spooled with Suffix.
Can't wait to hang it on the new 9 footer and give it a try.
Guy in the tackle shop said "Welcome to the 21st century."

Maybe it's time to shop a pack rod.
:D
 
Originally posted by roughedges:

I just found the link that I was thinking of. Its also a good bit larger than the fishpen seems to be. http://www.emmrod.com/ And more expensive as well. But, I may end up purchasing one of these somewhere down the road.
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I have the Emmrod Mountaineer and I love it. It is my main fishing rod. It's very compact, lightweigth and quite sturdy. It's dificult to believe that something so short can give you such great casting distance. The Emmrod design also allows you to "shoot" instead of casting; think of a slingshot for fishing. That's usefull if you have tree branches overhead or close to where you are aiming for.
 
Thanks for chiming in on the emmrod fishing poles, Preacher Man. Though it is not my thread, I was hoping to hear from someone who owns and uses one. :) Now I'll definitely be picking one up soon!
 
Little hint for the shorebound angler.
If there is only a little gap in the shoreline undergrowth/bushes/etc, don't stand in the gap and attempt to cast.
Stand to the side so that your rod tip is in the gap.
After the cast is made, step in and carry on :D
 
Those Emmrods seem so gimmicky but what an interesting and unconventional approach. I may have to order one although they seem a bit heavy.
 
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