EOWXPEDITE Portable Telescopic Fishing Rods, Spinning & Casting, 24T Carbon Blanks & Solid Carbon Tip, Cork Handle, Travel Rod, Short Collapsible Rods

In years past, telescoping fishing rods used to be so whippy they could only be considered a slow-to-ultra-slow action. So I was surprised when a recent Outdoor Life (or Field & Stream - I can't remember which) article reviewing travel rods recommended a telescoping rod and stated it had decent enough action to be usable for more than just an occasional rod while traveling. The article didn't review this EOW rod and didn't actually provide an Amazon link to the correct product, but in reviewing a selection of travel rods here on Amazon, I found the natural cork and neutral brown rod much more appealing than the garrulous colored Chinese brands with artificial sponge handles. Plus it had decent enough reviews and an appealing enough price to be worth a shot. So I bought the 7'6" version prior to a recent vacation to use surf fishing in Southeast Asia.The package with the extra equipment seemed like a good deal for not much more money, but it only came in the shorter rod lengths and I valued the extra length of the 7'6" rod more than the accessories. To my surprise, the 7'6" rod came in a nice box with a spool of 20lb braided line. I haven't used it yet, since I normally prefer Sufix 832 braided line, which I used with this rod, but it seems of reasonable quality for a four-strand braided line.The rod was of very good quality with no noticeable functional or cosmetic defects. It came with a plastic tip cover that covered all the tops of the sections including the line guides, plus a nylon fabric bag that, unfortunately, does not provide the security of an actual case. With the tip cover in its bag, it has a retracted travel length of 17.25" and fit easily in a 19" hard-sided carryon suitcase (the more compact size that meets smaller airlines' carryon requirements). To give more protection to the rod while it was in my suitcase, I bought a pack of flexible cutting board sheets, rolled one up, and slipped in in the nylon bag to provide some rigidity and security during transit.All telescopic rods tend to be a bit thicker in the first section above the handle than a typical rod of its weight, to accommodate all of the subsequent sections that slide into the first one and this one starts off looking like a medium-heavy or even heavy powered rod for the lower 30 inches or so. It extends easily enough, thinning out toward the tip and stayed securely extended, never collapsing under use. I would characterize the power of this rod as a medium to medium-heavy powered rod. While I did not have a bite the one time I have thus far used it, I suspect it could readily handle a 12lb, maybe a 20lb fish.. Surprisingly, it had more rigidity than I expected from a telescoping rod and I would say that the rod is a fast action, bending mostly at the top 1/3 rather than throughout its length.I mounted a Daiwa Regal in 3000-size on the rod and it was a good fit size-wise for this rod. If you have a spare 2000 through 4000-size reel around, it should work fine with this rod, but if you are buying a new reel specifically to use on this rod, I would go with a 3000-sized reel. I spooled my Daiwa with 15lb Sufix 832 ocean camo braid and that seemed to work well with this rod. Aside from the extra effort of extending the individual sections and aligning the line guides, it functioned every bit the same as a typical one or two-piece spinning rod. I got good casting distance and when I snagged a spoon on a rock, the rod was plenty strong to resolve the situation with the line breaking. I had no trouble casting lures in the 1/4 to 5/8 oz. weight range, including Heddon Spook Juniors, and would be comfortable casting lures up to 1.0 oz. I don't typically use live bait, so I'm not sure how well this rod would do with heavier lead weights one would usually use with a live bait setup. It's not a 10' surf rod you would use to propel a 2-3 oz. weight out to maximum distances, though.Last year I bought an Uglystik four-piece 6'6" travel spinning rod that seemed like it would be a good all-around rod for traveling, albeit it bit short for maximizing casting distance, especially for surf fishing. However, the tip end piece of the rod simply would not stay attached to the other sections and continuously flew off the rod, ending up 30-40 feet out in the water. I discovered that many other people had the exact same problem with this rod so it was an obvious product defect, not just an isolated issue with an unexpected occasional lemon. I contacted Shakespeare/Uglystik customer service not once or twice, but three times and asked them to provide a solution under warranty to this defect that rendered the rod unusable. Uglystik categorically refused to respond. This EOW rod is of higher quality than the Uglystik and cost less, so I would recommend it very highly.I recognize that a single three-hour use of this rod is a less-than-desirable product test length. Unlike most people who post a review somewhat (or often completely) prematurely under the pretext of coming back to update the review if their experience with the product changes, I've been writing detailed product reviews on Amazon for more than 15 years and I actually do update my reviews as warranted. I can heartily recommend this travel rod as far as I have used it, but if under further use I encounter problems, I actually will come back and update the review accordingly.EDIT 12/31/24. I fished for several hours this morning in the Gulf in Florida and found that the rod had a plus and a minus. First, I found the rod just did not cast as well as I had hoped with lighter lures. I got pretty good distance with a half ounce Mirrolure lipless jerkbait, but it was less than typical casting distance with a 7 foot two-piece, medium-heavy rod throwing a 5/8 ounce Heddon Spook, shorter by at least 20 to 30 feet. Light lures such as a 1/4 ounce. Yo Zuri jerk bait really did not cast very well at all. To get decent distance I would recommend a minimum of half an ounce lure.However, I did catch a 20 inch snook and the rod had no trouble handling a tough fighting fish. I think the rod could easily handle up to about a 15-20 pound freshwater fish and a somewhat smaller ocean fish, which fight harder. I still recommend the rod.

This a nice, sturdy and light weight telescoping rod. I've used it three or four times now. It's way better than the Eagle Claw rod it replaced with I dropped off a kayak on a back country trip, LOL.

I'm a serious bass fisherman who bought this for bikebacking around the numerous lakes, rivers, and ponds we have here.I'm used to one-piece rods and Swiss reels.This rod seems like it's decent quality. I still have to fish it, but it definitely feels better than the Quantum Telecast I bought some years back. (That thing will barely work with baitcasters.)My one issue is that this isn't real cork, but rather foam dressed up to look like cork.The rod really reminds me overall of a Berkeley Cherrywood HD, albeit collapsible and maybe a little lighter. I'll evaluate its abilities and speed when I get a chance to go out.

Fishing rod is really nice and solid, smoothly telescopes and the screw for the reel keeps it tight without coming loose. I really think this is a big value for the money as I've bought more expensive rods that don't feel this nice.

Nice rod for spin casting.

I like this this pole and will install President spin cast on it!

I was expecting a stiffer rod to help fling those lures/bait out but this is NOT that. I suppose it is a decent rod for it's intended "travel" purpose. Just don't expect to aim and hit a specific spot. The lag and softness of the tip will have you using this rod as a last resort. I am used to solid graphite/carbon fiber...not even expensive ones but I can't say I appreciate this pole very much. It could use a bit more of the blue pill, if you catch my drift.

Why did you pick this product vs others?:I have bought this rod twice and it snapped twice. Both times it snapped on a small fish, and I was not even bending the pole hard.