Consumer Reports

The top spot in our review goes to the St. Croix Triumph Travel fishing rod due to its winning combination of versatility, features, and balance. The great feel of this rod allowed us to sense the tiniest bites and easily set the hook. This rod cast further and with more accuracy than other models in our test. It's also portable, breaking into four pieces and packing into a travel case, which is a big plus for those who like to travel with their rods. The cork composition of the handle offered a comfortable feel in hand and allowed for notable balance.  No question, the St. Croix is an unmistakably high-quality product. 
So what's the catch? To be honest, we don't have many gripes with this rod. Disassembling and reassembling it definitely isn't as intuitive as some of the other contenders. Still, we think this is a pretty minor issue overall, and the St. Croix Triumph Travel still proves to be an excellent all-around rod and our top recommendation. 

OutdoorGearLab

amazon.com

walmart

shopify

bazaarvoice

You have to go to far lengths at times to find fish, so having a rod that travels well pays off. We found that is exactly where the Daiwa Megaforce Telescopic shines. This fishing rod stores down to a minimum size of 1'10" and extends all the way up to a 6'8" rod, quickly assembled and ready for action or broken down in just a few seconds. It has a great, sensitive feel for a telescoping rod, and we had little trouble sensing the lure in the water and detecting bites. The rod was excellent when casting, going farther than other rods with each cast—something we appreciated when chasing after fish that jumped nearby.  
The only real complaint we have about this rod is its lack of features. While it covered all the basics, it didn't have some of the other rods' unique features, like hook holders. Overall though, if you want a highly portable rod that casts well, look no further than the Daiwa Megaforce Telescopic rod.  

You have to go to far lengths at times to find fish, so having a rod that travels well pays off. We found that is exactly where the Daiwa Megaforce Tele Spin shines. This fishing rod stores down to a minimum size of 1'10" and extends all the way up to a 6'8" rod, quickly assembled and ready for action or broken down in just a few seconds. It has a great, sensitive feel for a telescoping rod, and we had little trouble sensing the lure in the water and detecting bites. The rod was excellent when casting, going farther than other rods with each cast—something we appreciated when chasing after fish that jumped nearby.  
Our only real complaint with this rod is its lack of features. While it covered all the basics, it didn't have some of the other rods' unique features, like hook holders. However, if you're seeking a highly portable rod that casts well, look no further than the Daiwa Megaforce Telescopic rod.  

Fishing Rod Comparison