Customer Reviews

Shakespeare Medium Action Travel Mate Spinning Rod (6-Feet 6-Inch)

5 star:		(18)
4 star:		(10)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Unlike all telescopic rods, this one is a sensitive enough to be fished with. It has a decent quality, and the only warning I have for the future buyers is to assemble it tightly, otherwise it may fall apart during a strong cast. It happened to me once, but I was lucky having strong braided line, so I did not lose a fallen piece in the river. After I snugged it in more tightly, I never had a problem with it. When disassembled, it fits in the smallest backpack. The clear case is a bit tight, but it is needed to protect it from other objects in your backpack, and I also use rubber rings to secure pieces together.
The rod is strong enough to pull several pounds fish (or piece of wood, if you are less lucky) with some precautions.
Overall, you can't find better rod for the price! Don't buy those telescopic rods - you would not feel a single bite!

I owned an older version of this rod for several years and had purchased a different make and model for my wife to backpacking. After two years of disappointment, I sought out the Shakespeare and to my delight it the same design as the one I have loved and fished with for serveral years. It has great action, easily assembled and for those who like to get away from the rest of the fishing public to find the good spots, this is a great rod to have along.

I have used this rod for many years. I pack it right in the bottom of my tackle box. So it's ready to go any where any time, long as it's Rocky Mountain beaver ponds fishing for brook and rainbow trout.
A common misconception about these rods, that I often hear from friends and family, is that these sectional rods often come apart when casting, well that has not been the case for me. I have never had a problem casting with this rod, or any other problems with it for that matter. But the part I love the most is being able to pack it down into my tackle box with very little effort.

I just got back from the Florida Keys... Took this rod
along in my suitcase.. Used it for 3 days pier fishing
and caught fish all day long.... It performed
great....

I was so happy with my new rod. I grabbed a reel and tried to attach it to the rod. The reel holding device snapped like a peanut shell. The reel holder is 1/4" thick plastic. Not one to be so easily deterred I used a hose clamp to hold the reel and went fishing. After a few casts, the smallest rod section sailed into the lake along with my lure. OK. Reel in, grab pole, insert tip again, this time very firmly. While I was holding the pole to re-insert the tip a lower section of the pole separated. Teeth gently grinding I put everything together and kept on fishing. 15 minutes later there was a repeat of the above. This time I stuck everything together with some force. 15 minutes later it happened a third time, and then a fourth time. After an hour of fishing I quit, and I wondered how many pieces this rod might be reduced to. Two dozen? The only redeeming feature is that the rod didn't snap when I got stuck on a snag.

I recently purchased two of these rods for a Wilderness Expedition to Manitoba, Canada with a Boy Scout troop. We traveled by canoe and the fact that this rod could be taken apart and put in a backpack was great. It was perfect for the type fishing that we did (Walleye, Northern Pike, and Small Mouth bass). I landed several large fish and was very pleased with the performance of this rod. This was probably the best gear purchase that I made! There were others in our party that tried to fish with smaller packable equipment but it didn't hold up to the environment or the size fish that we were after. I would strongly recommend this product for most any Wilderness Expedition.

Only drawback is the packaging that it is shipped in is not enough protection if packed and handled roughly (air travel/backpack in canoe). I made my own carrying case out of a 2.5" rigid cardboard mailing tube that I cut to length with a good wrapping of duct tape to protect from coming apart if it got wet and had no problems.

This rod packs easily into a carry-on when travelling. I use it when I travel to any coastal water as I love to surf fish. Packing this rod, a reel and some basic surf fishing tackle takes up minimal space. For travelling purposes, the rod action is quite acceptable. Good fishing!

this is the ideal pole for someone who travels. The only drawback might be that it might loosens up on a cast. I found the solution in using some electrical tape. The pole is responsive and stiff enough to feel a nibble.

I recently purchased this pole and I absolutely love it. I'm new to fishing and I feel that this rod is a great way to begin. Assembling the rod takes a few minutes to line up each part with the reel. (Make sure you tighten the whole pole every few casts just in case) I ordered this with a shimano 1000 reel and a 8lb line and so far have caught several fish. I have used in a saltwater pier with no problems.

The rod feels and is fairly sturdy and it seems that in almost all cases if anything were to break it would be the line. The whole product is compact and easily to put away and store. Overall I am satisfied with this project and hope that future buyers will enjoy their time as much as I have and I will.

Good rod. A little too much flex for my taste but good nonetheless. My only issue is that with all the pieces, if you don't periodically push the pieces back together, they come apart after several casts. This isn't an issue if you use the rod for bobber fishing or fishing off the bottom where you won't be casting repeatedly. Overall, I'm happy with this purchase.