Portable, travel-friendly, and easy to use; these are the qualities that endeared telescopic fishing rods to beginners and experienced anglers alike.
Our favorite is the Dragon Sport’s rod and reel combo with its superior construction and wide collection of accessories.
With the increasing popularity of collapsible rods, they are readily available online and in most local fishing stores.
While that’s a good thing, it can make choosing the best telescopic fishing rod a bit tricky.
So we’ve compiled our top five picks below to make things a tad easier for you.
Best Telescopic Fishing Rod – Reviews & Buying Guide
Best Overall: DRAGON SPORT Fishing Rod and Reel Combos
Dragon Sport engineered this telescopic fishing rod with high-density carbon fiber combined with fiberglass for increased strength and durability.
It is an incredibly lightweight rod suitable for beginners and even kids.
The rod comes with a reel that features 8+1 shielded stainless steel ball bearings.
This is a great pick if you are in the market for a saltwater telescopic fishing rod, thanks to its corrosion-resistant property.
You can hardly go wrong with this Dragon Sport model if you want everything you need for fishing in a portable bag.
This telescopic fishing rod and reel combo have just about every fishing accessory you need to start fishing right away!
From various lures to hooks, lines, and everything in between, you’ll find them all in the full kit.
To reduce fishing line friction and dissipate heat efficiently, the Dragon Sport Telescopic rod is equipped with ceramic guides. This will also allow you to cast further.
And even when you plan on spending the entire day fishing, the non-slip EVA grip is soft and comfortable to minimize fatigue.
Featured Specs
- Material: Carbon Fiber
- Size: 7.8 ft. (closed length 16.5 in.)
- Techniques: Lure Fishing
Pros
- Comes complete with a carry bag and plenty of fishing accessories
- 7-day no-questions-asked return policy
- Corrosion-resistant ball bearings
- High real gear ratio for fast reeling
- Non-slip EVA handle for increased comfort
Cons
- The reel is not very smooth compared to some other reels
Runner-Up: PLUSINNO Telescopic Fishing Rod
This medium power telescopic rod from PLUSINNO comes in four different lengths, measuring 6 feet to 8 feet.
The rod is constructed using a combination of carbon fiber and fiberglass for a strong, durable, and sensitive blank.
The reel features a deep aluminum spool with a large line capacity and a gear ratio of 5.2:1 for fast reeling. It comes with a hooded stainless steel seat and a swappable left-right handle.
It is one of the best telescopic fishing rod and reel combo models you’ll find at its current price point.
Here’s another saltwater telescopic fishing rod with a reel that features an instant anti-reverse switch.
This reel will give many similarly priced models a run for their money.
The lightweight rod is designed to withstand large pulling forces from big species.
It might not be the most expensive option available, but PLUSINNO offers anglers its best telescopic fishing rod and reel combo in this model.
Take it out to the sea or fish in freshwater, the result is nothing short of amazing for a collapsible rod in its price range.
While it does not come with a wide collection of accessories like our best overall pick, it does feature a hard-shell, compact case for convenient carrying.
Featured Specs
- Material: Carbon Fiber
- Size: 5.91 ft. (closed length 15.75 in.), 6.89 ft. (closed length 16.14 in.), 7.87 ft. (closed length 16.54 in.), 8.86 ft. (closed length 16.93 in.)
- Techniques: Sea and Boat Fishing
Pros
- Lightweight, high-quality rod
- Can hold up to large fish
- Anti-skid and sweat absorption EVA handle
- Carbon oxide guides for smooth line outlet
- Available in a variety of sizes
Cons
- Kit does not include line and lures
Alternative: Magreel Telescopic Fishing Rod
Engineered from premium-quality materials, Magreel’s travel-friendly fishing rod comes at a very low price point.
The construction material makes it a good fit for both freshwater and saltwater fishing.
While it is a budget option, it has impressive corrosion-resistant qualities.
Whether you are going after bass, trout, or salmon, the Magreel Telescopic Fishing Rod is a solid choice.
It might not come with a reel like the two previous models, but the rod is well-made from 24T carbon fiber material. Yet, it is the most affordable telescopic fishing rod on this list.
In order words, you may want to consider this option if you are on a shoestring budget or you want to test collapsible fishing rods without spending too much money.
Like other good models, it features soft and comfortable EVA handles and ceramic rings that allow for fast heat dissipation.
Featured Specs
- Material: Carbon Fiber
- Size: 5.9 ft
- Techniques: Spinning
Pros
- Very affordable
- Reel seat is designed to resist corrosion
- Comfortable EVA handle
- Hooded reel seat
- Responsive customer service
Cons
- Might have some quality control issues with the guide rings
Alternative: Sougayilang Telescopic Fishing Rod
Sougayilang put some effort into building this telescopic spinning fishing rod. It is constructed from carbon fiber and e-glass material, giving it enough strength to pull up to 10 lbs of fish.
Some of its noteworthy features include stainless steel guide rings, soft EVA handle, and stainless steel hooded reel seat.
You can confidently buy this model, knowing that you get a one-year after-sales service.
Looking for a good telescopic surf fishing rod? Sougayilang’s model might be worth checking out.
It is also a great pick for freshwater, saltwater, and inshore fishing.
Made from carbon fiber, the rod comes fitted with a stainless steel hooded reel seat, so you don’t have to worry about corrosion and rust even when you use it for saltwater fishing.
You can spend the whole day fishing with this telescopic rod, thanks to the comfortable EVA handle designed to minimize fatigue.
Featured Specs
- Material: Carbon Fiber
- Size: 5.9 ft
- Techniques: Inshore, Freshwater, and Saltwater Fishing
Pros
- Strong and sturdy rod
- Comfortable EVA handle
- Suitable for a variety of applications
- Gorgeous, eye-catching appearance
- One year worry-free after-sale service
Cons
- Slightly on the heavy side
Alternative: EOW Light Calvary Telescopic Fishing Rod
The Light Calvary is an exceptionally light rod that’s great for both saltwater and freshwater fishing.
It features reinforced aluminum reel seats that are easy to assemble and disassemble.
The telescopic rod comes with high-quality, stainless steel guides, EVA split-grip handle, and a stylish hook keeper for holding weights and lures in place between casts.
Consider this model from EOW if you want an ultralight telescopic fishing rod.
It is constructed using 24T carbon fiber material, giving it superior sensitivity, lightness, and high performance.
In addition to this, the tip is made from solid carbon to make it very flexible. It’s not difficult to see why the Light Calvary performs just like a one-piece traditional rod.
This rod is easy to use, even a complete novice can quickly assemble and take it apart.
And to make things a lot smoother, the stainless steel guides reduce friction during line release.
Featured Specs
- Material: Carbon Fiber
- Size: 6 ft.
- Techniques: Casting
Pros
- Ultralight telescopic rod
- Easy to use
- Smooth line release
- Suitable for use in various fishing conditions
- Great after-sales service
Cons
- Split grip handle design might not be suitable for catching stubborn fish
Telescopic Fishing Rod FAQ
What is a Telescoping Fishing Rod?
A telescoping fishing rod is a collapsible rod designed for easy transport and storage.
The different sections of the rod shrink into each other to make a small, compact fishing tool that’s about 1 to 2 feet long on average.
Telescopic fishing rods are available in different lengths sizes or lengths, but they are convenient to carry about since they are collapsible.
These types of rods are also easy to use and usually more affordable than traditional fishing rods and poles.
This makes them a go-to choice for many beginners who prefer something less complicated as well as experienced anglers who want a more travel-friendly rod.
The best telescopic fishing rod models usually come in carbon fiber or fiberglass construction.
They are fitted with guides, eyelets, and just about the same features that you’ll find on regular fishing rods.
Collapsible fishing rods are great for freshwater fishing, especially in small water bodies.
But you can get good-quality options that will work excellently for saltwater fishing.
Consider a telescoping fishing rod if you want an ideal rod for backpacking, biking, or traveling by air to your fishing location.
Is a Collapsible Fishing Rod Right For You?
As with most things angling, there is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question. It all depends on what you want out of a fishing rod.
In order words, your personal preference is a huge factor in whether a collapsible fishing rod would be a good fit for you.
Collapsible fishing rods are gaining a lot of popularity for obvious reasons. First, they are very affordable, making them accessible to more people.
Secondly, beginner anglers can quickly learn how to fish using these rods because of their simplicity.
And lastly, collapsible fishing rods are travel-friendly. That means you don’t have to worry about carrying them around or storage space.
They can fold down to a short length so you can bring them along everywhere.
If these benefits appeal to you, then yes, a collapsible fishing rod will probably be I great choice for you.
On the other hand, if you are an experienced angler looking for a high-end and extremely precise rod, even the best telescopic fishing rod might not be a good choice.
That’s not to say that experienced anglers don’t use collapsible or telescopic fishing rods.
The more experience you have, the more fish you can catch with just about any rod.
Although people who prioritize simplicity will find a telescopic fishing rod more appealing, both newbies and advanced fishermen can enjoy the benefits of these rods.
But you need to know what to expect from them so you know exactly what to expect when you buy one.
Here’s another way to look at this: an all-round angler should have more than one type of fishing rod in their fishing arsenal.
Of course, some anglers tend to live-and-die-by a specific fishing rod.
But think about it; wouldn’t it be great to have options with the type of rod you use?
You may love the precision of standard fishing rods, but if the situation demands traveling with a compact rod you won’t be stranded if you already have a collapsible rod in your collection.
What to Look For When Shopping For a Telescopic Rod
Telescopic rods might all appear the same to a complete novice. But when shopping for these collapsible fishing rods, it is important to look out for the following features:
Material
The best telescopic fishing rod models are often constructed using fiberglass or graphite (carbon fiber). Both materials make for excellent resistance.
But fiberglass models generally offer slightly better durability and are more suitable for targeting bigger fish.
On the other hand, carbon fiber models are usually lighter and have better flex, giving them increased sensitivity.
When choosing the best telescopic fishing rod and reel combo, you are better off staying away from models constructed using cheap thin steel or aluminum.
These are not durable and can quickly get damaged.
Components
Eyelets and guides made from ceramic are good because they are lightweight and offer extra smoothness.
But you may want to consider going with stainless steel or metal options if you are concerned about the guides becoming damaged due to the collapsible design of telescopic rods.
Rod handles come down to personal preference. EVA handles are generally great picks because they are comfortable and durable.
However, cork handles are excellent, too! That’s because they are usually lighter than EVA handles and cork handles are better suited to the small form factor of collapsible fishing rods.
Besides, cork handles usually have higher sensitivity, thanks to their lower damping effect.
Aluminum might be durable but will get hot when you are fishing under the sun and can get slippery in wet conditions. Plastic handles usually don’t stand up to prolonged use.
Length
When it comes to length, choose longer collapsible rods if you plan to fish in large water bodies.
A saltwater telescopic fishing rod will also be a long one. It will offer greater casting distance as well as allow you to catch larger species.
On the other hand, a short telescopic rod is an ideal pick if you plan to fish in small waters or areas with dense vegetation.
Price
As with most things in life, you get what you pay for when it comes to telescopic fishing rods.
Of course, these rods are generally more affordable than most other rods. But you won’t expect a rod that goes for under $20 to perform as well as one that costs up to $80.
Several of the best telescopic fishing rod reviews recommend getting a model within the range of $25 to $80.
Models in this range usually represent the ideal quality you can expect from these types of rods.
This will allow you to determine whether they are a good fit for you without spending too much.
Buying a collapsible fishing rod below this price range is usually a hit-or-miss proposition because significant tradeoffs go into cutting down the price.
Telescopic Fishing Rods Versus Telescopic Fishing Poles
Most people, including anglers, use “fishing rod” and “fishing pole” interchangeably. In general everyday conversation, there is nothing much to it.
But when you are looking to pick a specific fishing tool, there is a world of difference between rods and poles.
It probably doesn’t matter if you have always said fishing rod all your life, even when you mean to say fishing pole.
But when these two are marketed using the same terms, you could end up buying the wrong tool.
One of the biggest differences between the two is the construction material.
Fishing rods are built from man-made materials, such as carbon fiber, boron, fiberglass, and graphite.
These are modern fishing tools with eyes and guides to improve the performance of anglers.
Rods come in a few different types, designed to suit different fishing techniques. Examples include:
- Casting rod
- Spinning rod
- Surf rod
- Ice rod
- Fly rod
- Trolling rods
On the other hand, fishing poles are made from natural materials, including bamboo, wood, cane, and reed.
Typically, a fishing pole is a simple tube with a line attached for catching fish. It doesn’t come with any bells and whistles such as eyes and guides.
Essentially the various types of fishing poles are grouped into two main categories, depending on where you want to fish (saltwater or freshwater).
Both fishing rods and poles are used to catch fish but each has its purpose, advantages, and disadvantages.
With fishing rods, you have the benefit of greater casting distance. This is true as long as you use the correct type of lure for the rod’s weight and set up your reel properly.
Also, you can better explore the water column and cover more water.
However, fishing rods have a lot of moving parts. This means something is bound to go wrong sooner or later. Plus, you have more maintenance work to do.
Also, compared to poles, rods are less accurate when it comes to presenting lures or bait.
Fishing poles are excellent for presenting bait in a stealthy and more precise fashion.
But they don’t offer plenty of maneuverability compared to fishing rods because they are a bit more difficult to wield.
And depending on where you live, it might not be easy to find a fishing pole.
Bottom line: don’t split hairs over a petty thing as saying rod instead of a pole. It is okay to say fishing rod when you mean fishing pole.
Not very many people will notice unless they are fishing snobs! But it is important to know the difference, especially when you plan to go shopping for a specific fishing tool.
Conclusion
There you have it; five of the top models to choose from if you want the best telescopic fishing rod.
We highly recommend Dragon Sport’s rod and reel combo for its superior construction and wide collection of accessories.
Of course, other models on this list are great too, especially if you want something more affordable.
Resources:
