Looking for recommendations on a COMPACT fishing kit
Most likely to be used out here in AUS...something I can take with me if I am out on a trip and use as part of a survival kit.
My only constraints:
- I don't want junk
- cost really no object
- smallest possible footprint and weight
- don't worry about lures, I'll work that out.
Well, I have a very nice backpacking setup. It's not the smallest, but it's very good quality. The rod is a Browning Safari pack rod. I paid about $100 for it at either Cabelas or Bass Pro Shops. It comes with a sturdy tube for protection. The tube is 25" long by 2.5" in diameter. It's a three piece rod 5'2" UL 1-6 lb test. There were a few sizes, but for backpacking this was the best for me. The model # is SF52ULS-3. It's sensitive and strong. For a reel, I always go Shimano. I match it up with my Stradic 1000FG. I put 2lb test on one spool and 6lb on the other. I've had it for years and it still runs like silk. It's fairly light but very good quality. This might be a little larger of a setup than you're looking for, but any smaller and quality starts to fade away, in my opinion. This setup is a few years old so there may be something better out there, but I've caught largemouth, smallies, bluegill, trout, catfish, sucker, perch, and others on it. I'm very happy with it. The largest pushing 4 lbs(catfish, Delaware River), no worries. I had a Bass pro brand three piece UL and it took a shit on my when I hooked a 2 lb largemouth, snapped right in half. POS, not worth the $40. Good luck, happy fishin'.
