Backcountry trout

[Valumpessa]

Quality graphite (IM8 or better) 5-1/2 ft ultralight (2-6 lb), 2 or 3-pc fast-action spinning rod coupled with a small UL mid-range Shimano or Diawa reel. Load it up with 4 lb test mono (2 or 3 lb if only small trout). Broken down this setup can easily strap to the ouside of your pack and not interfere with your maneuvering around.

You're golden with the Panther Martins - they tend to spin easiest (no clevis). I'd make sure you have several small 1/16th and 1/8th ouncers. Also grab some small Thomas Bouyant spoons to have on hand too... they can be deadly when all else fails.

For streams the above advice is spot on - cast upstream into pools or eddies, let sink a little and retreive just fast enough to keep lure spinning and just off the bottom.

Good luck!

 

[Ferrulewax]

It would be cool if a company made a higher end telescopic rod.

They do. But it’s pretty much a Japanese thing. I know the guy that runs tenkarabum used to sell high end JDM telescopic spinning rods

Edit- Found some:

Daiwa Ardito Premium Telescopic Travel RodsARD6106TLFS-TR

Features: The all new 2024 Daiwa Ardito Premium Telescopic Travel Rods are designed to be the companion of anglers who love to fish but don't want the hassle of carrying around a single piece stick! Constructed with the V-FLEX Ferrule Joint System, the rods have strategically placed V-Flex...

discounttackle.com

Daiwa BBB

Daiwa BBB rods, telescopic fishing rods, portable fishing rods, travel fishing rods, HVF Carbon rods, Braiding-X technology, lightweight fishing rods, compact fishing rods, freshwater fishing rods, saltwater fishing rods, baitcasting rods, spinning rods, versatile fishing rods, K-guides fishing...

www.yokitackle.com

 

[thinhorn_AK]

They do. But it’s pretty much a Japanese thing. I know the guy that runs tenkarabum used to sell high end JDM telescopic spinning rods

Edit- Found some:

Daiwa Ardito Premium Telescopic Travel RodsARD6106TLFS-TR

Features: The all new 2024 Daiwa Ardito Premium Telescopic Travel Rods are designed to be the companion of anglers who love to fish but don't want the hassle of carrying around a single piece stick! Constructed with the V-FLEX Ferrule Joint System, the rods have strategically placed V-Flex...

discounttackle.com

Daiwa BBB

Daiwa BBB rods, telescopic fishing rods, portable fishing rods, travel fishing rods, HVF Carbon rods, Braiding-X technology, lightweight fishing rods, compact fishing rods, freshwater fishing rods, saltwater fishing rods, baitcasting rods, spinning rods, versatile fishing rods, K-guides fishing...

www.yokitackle.com

That’s pretty cool, I’ve always thought those things were the best way to pack a rod into the backcountry but as mentioned, they are generally terrible for actual fishing.

 

[Ferrulewax]

That’s pretty cool, I’ve always thought those things were the best way to pack a rod into the backcountry but as mentioned, they are generally terrible for actual fishing.

I would guess that the higher end ones mitigate most of the issues the cheap ones have. My Diawa tenkara rod has a great action.

 

[wyodan]

They do. But it’s pretty much a Japanese thing. I know the guy that runs tenkarabum used to sell high end JDM telescopic spinning rods

Edit- Found some:

Daiwa Ardito Premium Telescopic Travel RodsARD6106TLFS-TR

Features: The all new 2024 Daiwa Ardito Premium Telescopic Travel Rods are designed to be the companion of anglers who love to fish but don't want the hassle of carrying around a single piece stick! Constructed with the V-FLEX Ferrule Joint System, the rods have strategically placed V-Flex...

discounttackle.com

Daiwa BBB

Daiwa BBB rods, telescopic fishing rods, portable fishing rods, travel fishing rods, HVF Carbon rods, Braiding-X technology, lightweight fishing rods, compact fishing rods, freshwater fishing rods, saltwater fishing rods, baitcasting rods, spinning rods, versatile fishing rods, K-guides fishing...

www.yokitackle.com

I think these are the way. You are more set up to fish. I have a nice 4 piece rod, but I find it a PIA to set it up and take it down by the time I restring it every time. In all honesty though, it probably only takes me 5 minutes.

 

[thinhorn_AK]

I think these are the way. You are more set up to fish. I have a nice 4 piece rod, but I find it a PIA to set it up and take it down by the time I restring it every time. In all honesty though, it probably only takes me 5 minutes.

That can be annoying though. I spin fished for like 2 solid years because I could just toss the rig in the backcountry of my truck or into my boat and go vs. putting fly rods together.

 

[mtnwrunner]

Save yourself a bunch of grief and money......get yourself a 4 piece ugly stick with a decent reel. As in an older mitchell 308.
Practically any panther Martin or rooster tail will work.

 

[thinhorn_AK]

I’d use a silver vibrax. They also make one that’s red and blue that works well. I’m partial to the silver though, I’ve absolutely cleaned up with those.

 

[9487329]

I know you said you don't fly fish, but tenkara is really the lowest barrier to entry and the most fun after just a few outings. For around $200, you can be set up with everything you need for a couple ounces total.

 

[thinhorn_AK]

I know you said you don't fly fish, but tenkara is really the lowest barrier to entry and the most fun after just a few outings. For around $200, you can be set up with everything you need for a couple ounces total.

Tenkara is not fun and there’s absolutely nothing cool about it.

 

[9487329]

Tenkara is not fun and there’s absolutely nothing cool about it.

Oh I never said it's cool haha. Some of the most fun I've ever had fishing

 

[flyfisher117]

Walmart has a little 3’ ugly stick pocket rocket. It’s great to lash to the outside of a pack and carry. You won’t cast far though. For $25 if it’s break oh well. Though ugly sticks are silly durable for their price.

 

[thinhorn_AK]

Walmart has a little 3’ ugly stick pocket rocket. It’s great to lash to the outside of a pack and carry. You won’t cast far though. For $25 if it’s break oh well. Though ugly sticks are silly durable for their price.

Ugly stick also makes a solid 4 piece take down rod. I have one but I’ve never ended up using it. I think it was like 40 bucks.

 

[thinhorn_AK]

Save yourself a bunch of grief and money......get yourself a 4 piece ugly stick with a decent reel. As in an older mitchell 308.
Practically any panther Martin or rooster tail will work.

For sure. I was in cabelas a few weeks ago and they had a pile of shimano Sahara reels for 39.99 marked down from 109.99. We got a few of them. Keep your eyes open for sales.

 

[IDElkmagnet]

Forgive my ignorance here. I found a backcountry beaver pond that looked full of trout last spring. I plan on hitting it this spring. As well as the small creek that feeds it.

Can you recommend me a decent backcountry rod and reel combo. And also what size color jigs? I had access to a lot of panther martins from my brother.

Thanks.

These guys have you pretty set.
What species of trout?
I carry different gear for cuts/rainbow brook.
We always carry a few cheep telescoping rod/reels quality 4lb line and a plethora of spinners.
My little rod is one of these and it works fine.

Eagle Claw Pack-It Pro Travel Combo

Embrace the call of the wild with Eagle Claw's Pack-It Pro, the next evolution in our trusted Pack-It series. This telescoping rod & ree

www.scheels.com

 

[Pacific27]

I've been using an Eagle Claw Trailmaster TR602-6-1/2' (198cm) Spin/Fly rod since 1983. Came with a nice lightweight aluminum tube for travel.

Could not easily count how many trout this rod has caught. Still going strong.

I've always been partial to Luhr Jensen "Super Duper" as my trout lure of choice

 

[flyfisher117]

Ugly stick also makes a solid 4 piece take down rod. I have one but I’ve never ended up using it. I think it was like 40 bucks.

I’ll have to keep my eyes open for that one. Never seen it but that would be better for carrying on the dirt bikes.

 

[sivart]

These guys have you pretty set.
What species of trout?
I carry different gear for cuts/rainbow brook.
We always carry a few cheep telescoping rod/reels quality 4lb line and a plethora of spinners.
My little rod is one of these and it works fine.

Eagle Claw Pack-It Pro Travel Combo

Embrace the call of the wild with Eagle Claw's Pack-It Pro, the next evolution in our trusted Pack-It series. This telescoping rod & ree

www.scheels.com

this is exactly what I've been looking for