Three More Swimbait-Ready Travel Rods
Despite the fact that we continue to identify more and more travel rods available in the US and abroad, there continues to be a massive search for the perfect three-, four- or five-piece swimbait stick. I see the messages on social media and message boards almost weekly. The small scale manufacturers tend to discontinue them or make them in limited batches. Companies like Okuma, whose 7’11” Nomad Xpress sticks were for a time the most accessible entry point into this genre, remain in the pack rod game, but often discontinue their swimbait-worthy sticks. Fortunately there are still some domestic and Asian companies making rods that you can throw into your luggage, or your vehicle, and be ready to sling the big baits. Here are three recent entrants. None are inexpensive, but they’re all ready for battle.
F5 Mini Mag Conceal Carry
Key Features:
5 pieces
7’6” total
1/2-4 ounce lure lure weights
Padded neoprene roll-up case
Full cork handle
$329.99
Why It Matters: American-made rod made specifically with swimbaiting in mind, and packs down to fit in a suitcase or backpack
Pros and Cons
Pros
F5 knows the swimbait game in and out
Packs down to 24 inches
Top tier Fuji components
Cons
Often sells out quickly after becoming available
Product Description: The F5 three-piece Departure was my first specialized travel rod, and it has quickly become my go-to swimbait rod even at home, when portability is not an issue. It’s built rock solid, with premium components, and F5 owner/builder Brad Vanderpool is a swimbaiter himself, so he’s made these rods with that in mind. The only downside is that at 8 feet long it requires a travel tube of 33” or more to take it with you. That makes it slightly less viable as a carry-on, or for storing in most luggage. This rod solves that problem. They’ve swapped out the EVA for cork, which may be a pro or a con depending on your preferences, but everything about the components remains premium. When they go up on the site, grab one quickly if you want it because they sell out in a hurry.
DEPS Huge Custom Monster Hunting Rod H2N-77R
Key Features:
4 pieces
7’7”
Split grip EVA handle
½-4 ounce lures
Approximately $496 (at August 2022 exchange rate)
Why It Matters: Deps makes a premium product across all of their lineups, including swimbaits, so they know what big bait fanatics like and want
Pros and Cons
Pros
Packs down to 25 inches
Includes three 10g screw-in balancers to adjust rod balance for different reels
Comes with padded carrying case
Cons
May be tough to find in the US
Product Description: This is the newest rod among the three listed here, set to be introduced September of 2022, but the overall lineup is not new. In fact, their 6’4”, 3-piece model (H2N-64R) has long been my dream rod for throwing woodchoppers in the Amazon. If I ever head back to the Rio Negro I will likely treat myself to one, but in the meantime this stick is more likely to enter my arsenal. It comes with super-strong double-footed guides to withstand the rigors of travel, and a padded carrying case to protect it (although a hard-sided tube is almost always better).
Hearty Rise Slash Monster Travel SMC-745HH
Key Features:
5 pieces
7’3”
Rated for lures up to 2.8 ounces
Split grip EVA contoured handle
Approximate retail price of $325
Why It Matters: Another five piece premium rod, this one available in three actions for different levels of presentations
Pros and Cons
Pros
Super-lightweight
Packs down to fit in luggage
Premium components
Cons
May not handle swimbaits over 3 ounces
Product Description:
These rods may not be made specifically for smallmouths, but they are made for big, strong fish like peacock bass. They come with premium components, including Hearty Rise’s best graphite, and Fuji components throughout. It may be tough to source. Several US retailers, including Chartbait.com and JDMSlowJigging.com, carry some of the Hearty Rise lineup.
For more information about multi-piece rods, check out our Travel Rod Resource Library.
