5 Best Backpacking Fishing Rods: Things I Like & Don’t

The rods we're talking about and comparing are actually very different from each other. There are many types of fishing and I’ve included fly fishing, spinning and baitcasting rods in this review.

First of all the models from Wild Water and Orvis are fly fishing rods. Fly fishing is a different method of fishing where you don’t use a lure but an artificial fly as bait. Instead of the heavy lure you have the weight of the line when casting your fly.

It’s perfect for fishing in rivers and streams - which is where you'll likely be fishing when hiking.

Another time when a fly fishing rod while backpacking wouldn't probably be a good idea is if your goal is to catch lots of fish, impress your camp-mates and have a fish-feast at night.

In that case, your best bet is choosing bait or spin fishing rods - either Daiwa Ardito TR or Okuma Voyager respectively - which are lighter but less compact compared to fly rods Wild Water and Orvis.

Spin fishing is easier and has a higher chance of catching fish. If you want an easier tool, go for Okuma Voyager which is a spinning rod. On the flip-side, a bait-cast rod would allow you to catch much heavier fish and the model from Daiwa is quite durable bait-cast option.

Both these models are much lighter and portable than traditional fishing gear - which come in a single rod with bulkier carrying cases, whereas these models all split into pieces and fit neatly into your pack. Still, they aren't as superior as fly fishing rods Wild Water and Orvis when it comes to size.

I know Ronco Pocket Fisherman sounds and looks like a joke haha, but it's an actual fishing rod that uses lures. You'll see less success with it than the others, but it takes up significantly less space and weight.

Regardless, if you're planning to cook the fish you catch, my best backpacking frying pans and Jetboil Minimo vs MSR Pocket Rocket (1 & 2) articles can be good reads for you.

Size and Weight

Normally I'd say the lighter the better but for fishing rods it’s not that simple! Weight of the rod determines the weight of the fish you can pull. The heavier your rod is the heavier fish you can pull.

It’s not possible to catch larger fish with a small rod and it’s not fun to catch smaller fish with large rods (not to even mention it’s an overkill to use a size 10 fly rod on sea trout...).

The lengths of the rods range from 6-9 feet. This is the optimal range for beginners that aim to catch small to medium fish. Both fly rods from Wild Water and Orvis are 9 feet - longer than the others. However, they require less accessories and fancy baits. What they weigh in terms of lines and rods they make up by not having baits and lures.

Even though Wild Water is the heaviest, it’s the most compact. Ironically enough, Okuma Voyager is as light as its bulky!

In my opinion, compactness and size is more important than the weight - which is why I'd recommend most backpackers a fly rod.

The weights aren’t THAT much different unless you aren’t an ultralighter - and if you have a fishing rod and reel in your pack, you probably aren't... 

All the rods except Ronco Pocket Fisherman come in multiple pieces and can be assembled easily when you want to use them. They also come with their own cases which increases the size but is very important for protection - and you still get to choose packing it or not.

Ronco Pocket Fisherman is super-tiny (8 inches!), so there's no need to disassemble it. However, it's still 1.5 lbs which means that it isn't the lightest (heavier than Okuma Voyager).

Compactness & How to Carry

OutdoorCrunch is all about backpacking, so all the models in this list are way more compact than your average rod.

Wild Water, Orvis, Daiwa and Okuma all disassemble into pieces to fit into their cases. Obviously, Ronco Pocket Fisherman is in its own league in terms of compactness. At 6 feet, Okuma Voyager is the shortest of the rods and it disassembles to 5 pieces - making it also the shortest when packed.

If we compare the cases of the rods and sets, Wild Water is very compact and fits everything neatly into a 32 inch case with a larger bottom to fit the reel and the accessories. The case is actually very protective, so you might even be able to hang it outside your pack if the inside is already up to its brim.

Daiwa and Orvis Clearwater come with rod tubes to only fit the rod. They're very compact and could easily fit inside your pack. Daiwa can also be attached externally. Even though Orvis Clearwater Fly Outfit is sold with the reel and line, there's no place for them in the casing and you'd have to find a place for them inside your pack and try not to lose them.

However, this is actually the better option because as we see in Okuma Voyager, the case can get very bulky when everything is together. It’s case a foam filling that increases the volume unnecessarily.

The case is still relatively small at only 3 x 9 x 17 inches, but you might consider separating the pieces and storing them in your pack without the case.

On the extreme end of the compactness spectrum is Ronco Pocket Fisherman.

Its rod is only 8 inches long and it folds into the handle itself. Similarly, the reel closes into the handle and there is a storage compartment that stores the lures.

The Wild Water Fly Fishing Set is more geared towards beginners and intermediates and our top pick.

The rod is a slow action rod, meaning that it bends more [4]. This type of rods are more forgiving and won’t damage the fish even if you use it improperly.

The 5/6 in the name refers to the weight of the lines the rod can support: It's good for 5 or 6 weight lines - which translates to average to low numbers. This means that it’s great for angling for small to above-average sized fish.

Even though the full length of the rod is 9’, the rod separates into 4 pieces that are 28.75 inches each and compactly fits into its case. By the way, the hard shell case offers great protection if you want to hang the set on the outside of your pack. The case is 32 inches, which is on the long side but you can easily attach it externally to the side.

Daiwa Travel Trigger Rod is for the more experienced fishermen looking for a durable and compact rod. 

The rod is 7 feet long and comes in 3 pieces. It’s also a fast action rod, meaning that it doesn’t bend as much and bends only at the end ⅓ of the rod. They’re more sensitive than slow or moderate rods but they also require more skill to use. This rod is perfect for catching large fish as it provides more power and durability to pull the fish out of the water.

Its sleek semi-hard case is perfect for an already full pack. You’ll have to combine this rod with a reel and a line. If you’re looking for a reel that would fit this rod, you might want to check out the bait cast reels from Daiwa such as Exceller or Laguna.

This model from Orvis is my "most durable backpacking fishing rod" pick.

One thing to quickly note is that this one comes with a 25 year warranty! That’s how much Orvis trusts the durability of this rod and reel combo. Unlike the Wild Water Fly Fishing Rod, this rod is moderate action, so it'll bend less with force.

Translation: it requires a bit more experience to use but is suitable for a wider variety of fish.

Clearwater series from Orvis comes with a wide selection, the one I’ve chosen here is the 4-5 weight one with 9 feet length. This is an intermediate weight and length that can be used for a range of fish. However, if you want a rod that’s specifically for saltwater or big fish, you can still checkout the Orvis Clearwater series - they probably have what you're looking for.

Okuma Voyager, as the name implies, is geared towards travelers - but with a little too bulky case.

The rod is 6 feet in full length and separates into 5 pieces and first into its case with foam filling. The reel is a size 20 spinning reel which is easier than a bait-cast reel and more durable than a spin-cast reel.

The main advantage it has over the bait-casting rods is that it’s much easier to use and that it doesn’t backlash when used with strong winds.

Another issue with Okuma Voyager is the carrying case, as we’ve already discussed. Even though the rod is lightweight, the carrying case is bulky. It’s actually smaller than it looks with 3 x 9 x 17 inch dimensions - so beware. 

Still, you might want to consider carrying it in a different setup. However, if you'll be car camping this can be an excellent option.

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After all the other sets, the Ronco Pocket Fisherman is ridiculously small and compact compared to them but still works just fine. You aren't really sacrificing any valuable pack space/weight by tossing this into your pack. Worst case: you can even clip it to your belt or the outside of your pack from its handle, lol.

The short rod folds into the handle and the lures fit into the black compartment.

This isn't the ideal choice if you're going on a backpacking fishing trip but more if you're going to hit the trail and fishing might be an option. Also, this is an ideal tool for kids who are just getting into fishing.