Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Backpack Hunting Rod/Reel recommendation?

What are you all using for your backcountry fishing trips? I'm ok with a fly rod, but I'm more thinking lightweight spinning rod for this application.

A 2 or 3pc. graphite in 5'6" for 2-8# test, that doesn't cost too much (packing can be hard on a rod), with a fast tip/light action to throw 1/32-1/4 oz. spinners/spinflys without splitshot if possible: http://www.basspro.com/Bass-Pro-Sho...-Spinning-Rods/product/10204877/-1645705

Shimano Symmetre 750 or 1000 series reel is nice application, but this Pflueger President at this price is today's pick IMO:
http://www.basspro.com/Pflueger-Pre...-Reel-Model-6720X/product/97000/-1207982
Comes w/ free spare spool and soft case, excellent reels!

Suggest spooling w/ a fluorocarbon line; won't absorb water/ lower stretch than mono, and sinks ever so slightly to help keep your spinners below surface.
Tight Lines!!

Digging the recommendation, and the full kit for less then a c note is a major plus. Excellent, keep them coming.

I have the 3-piece six-foot version of that Basspro rod and like it. For a reel, I'd go with a Daiwa 1500 Advantage. For line, I'd go with Fireline Crystal, and learn to tie the back-to-back uni knot and tie on a flourocarbon leader for really clear water. I abhor flourocarbon's manners on a spinning reel, ESPECIALLY a small spinning reel, it is too stiff

2nd take a knee on the flourocabon line, it's a pain in the butt
on spinning reels to many birds nests/back lashs, fireline 2 lb crystal is great in gin clear water

need to correect the above 6 lb line/2 lb diameter

need to correect the above 6 lb line/2 lb diameter

For actual eating of fish, I pack a 4pc spinning rod. Graphite, 6'6" and 5lb or 6lb line (can't remember) on a small Shimano reel. For BPing I prefer a 4-piece rod to a 3-piece rod. I think I've got $100 in both rod and reel.

Brad,

I know you said you were thinking of a spinnig rod but have you considered a Tenkara:
http://www.tenkarausa.com/

Very simple flyfishing style. I have been using a Tenkara for a couple years now and Deb is fishing with one this summer and having a blast.

Forgot to mention there is a Tenkara Fishing Summit the end of the month in West Yellowstone that we are planning on going to.

That should work great for trout waters, but if you plan to mostly tie a 4-5ft flouro leader you might be better served by 10# Fireline Crystal. The Fireline's diameter is so much smaller than the same pound test mono/flouro it can cause problems tying the knot.

I carry a one piece 5 ft light action spinning rod, a Cabelas Pro Guide and one of their 10 bearing reels. One piece rods have superior performance. I carry the rod in my hand during the walk in.

Although it is always fun catching trout on spinner, I find a clear partially flooded float and flies will actually catch more lake bound cutthroats.

I have had great lick with a Diawa Minispin combo. Cabelas and Basspro both sell it. The whole rig plus about 10 lures weighs only 10oz. I used it last year in the Wind River range on a backpacking trip and caught well over 100 trout with it in 5 days (6"-14" fish). It runs anywhere from $45-$50. It is not the sexiest set up by far, but it is a workhorse.

Has anyone here ever tried an Emmrod?

http://www.emmrod.com/

I have had this setup for a year, and I am still in love with it. Browning Safari take down with Pflueger President reel. Reel Comes with two spools. Setup feels/performs like quality.












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Buy one of these reels and put 4 lb spider wire on it:

http://www.gofastandlight.com/Okuma-UltraLITE-10-Spinning-Reel/productinfo/FI-OK-UL10/

and buy one of these rods

http://www.gofastandlight.com/Shakespeare-Telescopic-Fishing-Pack-Rod/productinfo/FI-TMXXSPT/

Then catch one of these:

I use a 4 piece St. Croix Triumph 6'0 light power fast action rod with a little Shimano 500 Sienna reel loaded with 4 lb. mono. It all goes into a 22" Cabelas rod/reel case with room for a little box of spinners, a few casting bubbles and a little box of assorted flies. I've caught everything from little cuts and brookies, big browns and small mouth on this combo.

The Tenkara thing looks really cool too.

Brian

I have a shakespeare tele/ultrlight 5.5' like Big W mentioned. Its very cheap, light and compact. With that rod and a 1/6ounce brown roostertail I've caught silver and pink salmon in AK as well as dollies and green lings. And all kinds of trout here in the NW. Plus steelies, kokanee, shad.... I've caught more fish on that rod than all my other setups combined. I have two spools of spider wire. One 8lb and one 15lb. Its a lot easier to use than a multi piece rod, because when you move from one place to another you just colapse it down(I keep it in a homemade PVC 'holster' on my backpack belt) and move to the next spot.

Its nothing fancy, but you will be hard pressed to find a lighter, more convenient, more mobile setup.

Kind of reminds me of the old cane pole days (sort of)

Dober

I like the tankara idea, but I suspect that might take a little time to master. Time to trade in my popiels pocket fisherman for a grown up kit!