Okay, this is technically not a telescopic fishing rod, but this Okuma setup is almost equally portable and offers far superior action than most foldable alternatives.

This is a five-piece, six-foot-long, lightweight action travel rod that comes with a decent spinning reel and a handy travel case for dandies. If you’re willing to sacrifice a bit of portability for a travel rod that looks a lot more like a traditional spinning rod, take a look at this device.

Having a five-piece rod rather than a telescoping rod creates a very comparable level of portability, but eliminates the potential problems associated with a bendable rod. Personally, I prefer traditional rod connections rather than a rod that could get stuck due to salt or corrosion. It is a matter of personal preference.

The travel case measures 17 x 9 x 3 inches, so all things considered, it’s still a pretty compact fishing setup. The padded travel case additionally has a slot to install a small tackle box so you can take everything you need for a fishing excursion.

One area where this rod gets BIG points is the fact that it has cork handles! The cork on foam really makes the combo feel like a real fishing rod and not a sticky fishing toy. No serious quarrels with the foam handles (they’re thin and honestly hold up better than cork in the long run), but any serious angler will appreciate the feel of cork.

The included reel is sized to target species like trout, bass, panfish, and walleye, and is actually fairly well reviewed. This unit should fish well for at least a season or two, but like all of the other options listed here, consider pairing the telescopic rod with even just a slightly higher quality spool (in the size range 1000 to 3000) and you will be delighted with the results.

Segments on telescopic blanks? It’s up to you, but the Okuma Voyager Travel Kit definitely gets a boost from us!