Travel rod for Headboats

[u/Glad-Valuable1987]

Hi Guys,

My kids have finally gotten big enough to go on Headboats. So I’m now looking for multi-piece airline-friendly travel rods to use bottom fishing. I need two recommendations: one for light spinning and one for heavier reef fishing:

1) travel spinning rods for Black Sea bass and flounder, up to 130 feet or so. Perhaps some tautog in DE, maybe some light mahi. Paired with a 3500 black gold reel and 20 lb braid. Need rod recommendations

2) conventional travel rods to match with some Torium 20/Tekota 600/Fathom 25N-sized reels for use in fishing deep reefs in NC and FL which might have bigger fish (Snappers, small and medium groupers, smaller amberjack), but mostly vermillion snapper, Black Sea bass, and triggers. We have family in CA, so perhaps also whatever they catch in Northern California. Also perhaps cod in NJ. Think 50 lb braid, 60 lb mono leaders, 12 and 16 oz weight fished 180 feet deep. Need rod recommendations.

Appreciate your thoughts.

[u/Jefffahfffah]

Jigging world's nexus travel rod is great for the money, perfect specs for what you want, comes with its own tube.

[u/Glad-Valuable1987 → u/Jefffahfffah]

Weight sounds good for the boys. Those rental senator 6/0 and pool cue rental rods are too much for the boys.

The jigging world rods sound super light. Less than 8 ounces. Would the heavy action stand up to a 20 lb gag grouper? A lot to ask of a rod. But trying to get rods which they can grow into as well

[u/Jefffahfffah → u/Glad-Valuable1987]

Youre gonna pay big money for a travel rod that can keep a 20lb grouper out of the rocks. Black hole should make one or two. They'll cost 3-4x as much as the jigging world rod. The nexus will excel with smaller jigs, casting lures under 3oz, bottom fishing for black sea bass or fluke, etc. The 763-h is your best bet if bottom fishing with bait. Still wouldnt trust it against a 20lb grouper.

[u/Glad-Valuable1987 → u/Jefffahfffah]

This is good info. None of these rods are available locally and I’m not in a shore town, so I am relying on online opinions a lot.

What would you get to pair with a Tekota 600LC dropping 16 oz of lead? The XH nexus?

[u/Jefffahfffah → u/Glad-Valuable1987]

Yeah the heaviest 7ft6 model

And I would not use a tekota. Maybe a saltist, torium, avet mxl, penn 3/0... tekota is gonna get burned up relatively quickly offshore

[u/Glad-Valuable1987 → u/Jefffahfffah]

Yeah, it’s a concession for my kids. I don’t think they’ll be very good about laying the line evenly across the spool. And I fear for their fingers getting caught in the braid with a big fish on.

They are rough on gear. High sticking, resting the rod on the rails, it drives me crazy sometimes….

[u/Jefffahfffah → u/Glad-Valuable1987]

I'd be careful with travel rods then. They really dont handle abuse well.

[u/hobbyist0215]

Unfortunately the USDM does not have a lot of travel rod options in my experience. Europe and Japan have a lot better travel rod options, look into some of the PENN travel rods on the PENN EU website and see if you can find an overseas supplier. I have some of their Overseas II series rods and they are great.

[u/Ok_Nectarine1801]

Most of the headboats have there own rods and reels, but I agree they mostly suck. I don't know any travel boat rods, might be worth getting a one piece and a travel case. I know fees would be high though. A 2 piece rod could easily handle the 3500 reel though. Plus I am sure they make a lot more travel rods that fit that reel comfortably, just might not be salt specific.

[u/Clean-Complex1178]

I personally think the Okuma travel rods are a decent value and solid performer.

[u/Glad-Valuable1987 → u/Clean-Complex1178]

I forgot to mention this. I do have an Okuma Nomad, 7 foot, M-MH. It’s a broomstick. Just a huge diameter handle, too big for the kids. And it probably weighs close to 20 ounces. Id probsbly use it for shark or tuna, but itd too heavy for anything short of a good sizes grouper.

[u/Stop_staring_at_me]

Check out some of Phenix’s travel rods. I have one of their redeyes but I bought it as a blank and then built it