Are Telescopic Rods Bad? Pros, Cons, and Uses
It’s important for any angler to be armed with the best and highest-quality fishing rod. Telescopic rods are popular for their portability and affordability. Yet, many anglers seem to think that telescopic rods are a bad choice. Don’t worry, I’ll help you get the right idea about telescopic rods.
So, are telescopic rods bad? No, telescopic rods are not bad. Telescopic Fishing Rods may have some drawbacks when it comes to quality but they have many more benefits. They’re affordable, easy to use and transport, and don’t take up a lot of space. This makes them an ideal choice for beginners or for anglers who like to travel.
Keep reading to learn more about telescopic rods and what are their advantages and disadvantages. You can also check my picks for the best telescopic fishing rods here.
Table of Contents
What Are the Characteristics of Telescopic Rods?
A telescopic rod is a collapsible fishing rod, which means that it can fold into itself.
Its length is typically about 12 feet, however, when it’s collapsed its length can go down to 1 or 2 feet.
Telescope rods are made of strong materials, which makes them fairly durable and capable of handling heavier fish.
When to Use Telescopic Rods?
The compact size of telescopic rods makes it ideal for travel, such as long fishing and camping trips, or even air travel. So, telescopic fishing rods are mostly popular among avid travelers, backcountry fishermen, and surf fishermen
Telescopic fishing rods can be used for fishing in any setting. They work for both saltwater and freshwater fishing.
You can also use telescopic rods to target any kind of fish. You will only need to adjust your bait and reel accordingly.
Here’s a quick list of some of the fish species you can target using telescopic rods:
| Freshwater Species | Saltwater Species |
|---|---|
| Trout (small to medium specimens) | Mullet |
| Salmon (small to medium specimens) | Common Pandora |
| Bream | Black scorpionfish |
| Carp (small to medium specimens) | Gilt Headed Bream |
| Bluegill | European Bass |
| Panfish | Atlantic Mackerel |
What Material Is Used in Manufacturing Telescopic Fishing Rods?
Telescopic rods are usually manufactured using two main kinds of materials, which are graphite or fiberglass. Sometimes they can consist of a combination of the two.
Fiberglass is the most common material used. It offers more durability as well as flexibility. Graphite on the other hand, is considered to be a lot weaker than fiberglass rods.
However, it offers extra sensitivity, so you will be able to feel even the slightest vibration along the length of the rod.
A rod with a combination of the two would offer the perfect balance, with enough sensitivity paired with flexibility and durability.
There are other parts that go into making a fishing rod such as:
- Reel seats are generally made out of aluminum, stainless steel, or glass.
- Eyelets are small guides or rings that are used to guide your fishing line along your rod and to strengthen each section. They are usually made out of a type of metal like stainless steel.
- Tip covers are made out of hard plastic to protect the eyes when the rod is in a collapsed position.
- Inserts are made out of a variety of different materials.
The material used generally depends on the line weight and where you plan on fishing.
What Are the Pros and Cons of Telescopic Fishing Rods?
Now let’s take a closer look at the pros and cons of telescopic fishing rods:
Pros
They’re portable
- This is probably the most prominent appeal for using a telescopic rod which cannot be offered by any other road.
- The way they can be easily carried in your car or boat, or packed into a small suitcase, a briefcase, or even a backpack makes it the perfect choice for travel.
They’re collapsible
- The collapsible design of this rod can significantly reduce the risk of damage because the way the rods fold in specific places will prevent them from snapping.
- Anglers with little storage space will also find this very helpful because this way the rod will be easily stored and won’t take up much space.
They’re affordable
- There is a range of prices when it comes to fishing rods, but typically a telescopic rod is a lot cheaper than your average fishing rod. This can be a huge perk for beginners.
They’re fairly strong
- Telescopic rods are hard to break, and they are often stronger than traditional fishing poles.
- That is because the rod is divided into sections which means that the weight is evenly distributed along the rod allowing for extra strength.
Cons
They can be damaged due to user error
- The main disadvantage of telescopic rods is because of user error. The design of the rod can make it confusing and more likely to be accidentally damaged by anglers who do not know the proper way of using it.
- Opening and closing the rod quickly can cause it to break.
- Another user error is not securely fastening the sections into place before casting which can cause them to rotate or slip around on you, resulting in many issues with reeling and casting accuracy.
They can wear easily
- Telescopic rods have many moving parts, so wear and tear can unfortunately easily happen. Collapsing and expanding the rod over time can cause the rod to weaken and fail.
- That is mainly because things like sand, dirt, and other debris can get stuck within the joints area which will make them deteriorate faster.
- Keeping the joints in good condition would require extra maintenance which can be a hassle for some anglers.
How to Choose the Best Telescopic Fishing rod?
There are a lot of factors you need to keep in mind when you’re choosing a telescopic rod and you need to put in some effort in learning more about these factors and how they can impact your fishing experience.
Here are a few key factors to consider:
Length
- You would need to consider the length of the telescopic rod when it’s collapsed and also when it’s extended.
- Its length when collapsed length should be small enough to fit in your bag or backpack and when extended length it should be long enough to fish effectively
Eyelets
- You need to choose a rod with a good number of eyelets to increase its strength because the more eyelets you have, the more evenly the weight of a fish will be distributed along your rod.
Material
- As mentioned before Telescopic rods are typically made of graphite and/ or fiberglass.
- A combination of both graphite and fiberglass is the best option to go for but it may be more expensive.
The best telescopic fishing rod you can go for is Plusinno Telescopic Fishing Rod, here’s what makes it so popular:
- It can be used in both saltwater and freshwater, so it gives you more possibilities.
- It is made from graphite and fiberglass, so you will get the best of both of their properties in one rod. Its reel seat is made from stainless steel, which makes it resistant to corrosion.
- It is a medium power rod, suitable for catching various species. You can also choose between different lengths (5.9 and 8.8 ft.)
- It is affordable as well, and available in combo kit with a matching reel.
Related Questions
How to Maintain Telescopic Fishing Rods?
You will need to clean each section of your telescopic rod frequently to avoid having dirt, sand, or other debris stuck in the joints. You also need to be careful of the way you’re opening and closing your rod and avoid doing it quickly to prevent it from snapping.
Do Fishing Rods Wear Out?
Yes, fishing rods do wear out after a certain period because of corrosion or rust. Some fishing rods can last for almost 20-30 years. This depends mainly on the material of the fishing rod and how you store it.
How to Recycle Fishing Rods?
You can recycle fishing rods by turning them into decorative wall pieces or by using them for gardening as stakes because of their flexibility. You can also use them as spare parts. Lastly, you can donate them to organizations that accept old fishing rods.
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