The pocket fisherman?

[Dilligafbp]

Anyone ever use a “pocket fisherman” on a back pack hunt? Heading to Alaska for caribou next month and the streams around my hunt area should have some grayling. Wondering if one of these rigs would be worth the hassle.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[ODB]

They still make those? I used to use one when I was a kid, and still have one almost new in the package from that era. Have a pic from probably 1978 or so using one.

As I remember they weren’t great casters but damn skippy i caught bass from my grandfathers pond.

 

[FLATHEAD]

Those things were the stuff back in the day.
At least when I was 12,

 

[dtrkyman]

I would bring a 4 piece travel spinning rod or fly rod personally. No experience recently with that thing, but I remember it sucking when I was a kid!

 

[Wrench]

I had one. Mine was about as heavy as a store full of fly rods. I'd go multi piece rod and never look back.

 

[ODB]

Found my original one from 1973 if you are in the market ;-)

 

[JustSomeGuy35]

I've never used a pocket fisherman but I can tell you that the Dock Demons (sold at walmart) are legit. I've caught a ton of perch, bluegill and eating sized channel cats over the last 4 years. The spinning reel that comes with it isn't bad either. It's good enough that I haven't swapped it for one of my higher end reels yet. I can get decent casting distances using 1/16 oz - 1/8 oz jigs or weighted bobbers. The rod is very durable and would likely hold up to any abuse thrown at it. If you're gonna be somewhere remote, it'd be worthwhile to put a better reel on it though.

 

[JustSomeGuy35]

I also have an ugly stik 6'6" 4 piece travel rod that I keep in my truck with the dock demon. I've only used it once though. It's supposed to be a Medium power rod but its so whippy that it feels like an ultralight. I prefer rods with more backbone to them since I'm mostly a bass fisherman. In other words, if you decide to get a travel rod, you might skip the ugly stik unless an UL is preferred for your situation.

 

[Loper]

I second the recommendation by[mention]JustSomeGuy35 [/mention]on the dock demon. I bought one for my kids a few years back and the thing is great. It’s small, lightweight, portable and reliable. I use full size rods 95% I’m fishing, but wouldn’t hesitate to take the dock demon on a backpacking trip or just keep one in the truck.

 

[thinhorn_AK]

Just get an eagle claw pack rod.

 

[Dilligafbp]

Thanks for the feedback guys. I’ll look into the dock demons or a packable rod. Glad I could bring back a bit of nostalgia for a couple of you.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[zacattack]

Anyone ever use a “pocket fisherman” on a back pack hunt? Heading to Alaska for caribou next month and the streams around my hunt area should have some grayling. Wondering if one of these rigs would be worth the hassle.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Pretty sure I got one of those when I was a kid, I remember it being heavy and bulky and probably not the best option for backpacking in.

 

[Mike Islander]

Living on the Mokelumne River as a teen, we used collapsible telescoping rods, since we would cover lots of ground on the river. Lots of rock scrambling over elevation changes between pools put the rod at risk. Being able to just collapse the tubes down to about 18" with reel and line staying rigged was a game changer.

For a backpack fishing rig I currently use a Quantum Embark. 6'6" and 5 - 20 pound line capability. Penn Battle III 1000 is about 8 oz. 3/4 pounds for entire rig isn't ultralight, but it is fully capable in a reasonably light package.

 

[FLATHEAD]

I do love an Ultralight. I have a couple Pflueger Presidents on 2 piece rods
and 4lb test.
For really lightweight backpack fishing, look at the collapsible Tenkara rods (tenkarabum.com). I have one
of those that I believe weighs 1 ounce. Perfect for Mtn. streams with smallish fish up to a pound
or so.

 

[LandYacht]

I’ll second the tenkara.

Those pocket fisherman have gotten a ton of use ice fishing with my kids however


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Voyageur]

@thinhorn_AK is this the rod you are referring to?

https://www.amazon.com/Eagle-Claw-TMML70SF6-Trailmaster-Spin-Fly/dp/B003L45X68/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1O3H2C2Z67VP3&keywords=eagle+claw+pack+rod&qid=1657980850&sprefix=eagle+claw+pack+rod%2Caps%2C111&sr=8-1

 

[Wrench]

I have the above eagle claw setup and a redington 7 piece fly rod. The redington is about 14" long and feather light. Their warranty sucks though. Eagle claw has been in my lineup since the late 80's. I broke it once in the 90s and they sent me a new section.

 

[JustSomeGuy35]

I second the recommendation by[mention]JustSomeGuy35 [/mention]on the dock demon. I bought one for my kids a few years back and the thing is great. It’s small, lightweight, portable and reliable. I use full size rods 95% I’m fishing, but wouldn’t hesitate to take the dock demon on a backpacking trip or just keep one in the truck.

Yup, it's a perfect setup to keep in the truck since I doubt it can be broken by anything falling on it or someone stepping on it. I strap it to my backpack, rigged with a bobber and size 8 hook, for when the bass and pike aren't biting or when I need live bait.

 

[JustSomeGuy35]

Living on the Mokelumne River as a teen, we used collapsible telescoping rods, since we would cover lots of ground on the river. Lots of rock scrambling over elevation changes between pools put the rod at risk. Being able to just collapse the tubes down to about 18" with reel and line staying rigged was a game changer.

For a backpack fishing rig I currently use a Quantum Embark. 6'6" and 5 - 20 pound line capability. Penn Battle III 1000 is about 8 oz. 3/4 pounds for entire rig isn't ultralight, but it is fully capable in a reasonably light package.

Man, now I'm getting nostalgic! As a kid, me and my buddies loved telescoping rods. We'd ride our bikes down to this blueberry farm that had a big pond filled with panfish and bullheads. The collapsible rods would go in our backpacks with tackle and worms. I still have both of the rods and now my youngest daughter uses them, 30 something years later!

 

[thinhorn_AK]

@thinhorn_AK is this the rod you are referring to?

https://www.amazon.com/Eagle-Claw-TMML70SF6-Trailmaster-Spin-Fly/dp/B003L45X68/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1O3H2C2Z67VP3&keywords=eagle+claw+pack+rod&qid=1657980850&sprefix=eagle+claw+pack+rod%2Caps%2C111&sr=8-1

No, they make a 4 piece spinning rod that comes with a reel and a decent case to hold it all, it’s about a hundred bucks but they are pretty perfect for something to take along hunting. Ugly stick also makes a 4 piece. Eagle claw even makes a telescoping rod, those generally suck but to take along ona. Moose hunt they would fit the bull.