A fishing beginner, need a nudge in the right direction....

[JohnBean]

Basically I've got myself a job in Norway and a few of the guys I work with like to go for a fish twice a week in the evening and I would like to join them, unfortunately it's hard to get any good advice out of them about a rod and reel because of the language barrier.
I was just wondering if someone could give me abit of knowledge on a half tidy rod and reel set up to get.
I'm after a telescopic rod because I only take a backpack to work so the size is one of the more important things. I just need to know a suitable rod and reel size for fishing in rivers and lakes just to catch small fish, maybe something big enough for a meal one night. Nothing drastic just a tidy set up that can keep my going a few nights a week. Any help would be massively appreciated.
Thanks

 

[mick91]

http://www.force4.co.uk/fladen-wild...gclid=CJDjg4n9nscCFSgGwwodrxkOEw#.VcjW6cpwbqA
That's my backpack rod. Wouldn't go after blue marlin with it, but for little fellas in rivers it's spot on and you can get a canny fight out of smaller fish. As for how good it is, I've caught plenty on it. I work right by a river so sometimes throw a line in on lunch breaks

 

[Stevie777]

Go with them, Watch what they do and what gear they have then go buy something similar. I would buy here though as Norway is a expensive country as i'm sure you will know.

 

[Quixoticgeek]

I've heard mixed reviews of the various telescopic rods that are on the market. The advice I was given was to get one of the short section travel rods, you can get 4 and 5 section rods that pack down to around 2ft long, and should perform better than many of the telescopic sets.

This said I am no expert, I don't fish, I merely make offerings of tackle to the gods of the sea...

J

 

[Robson Valley]

Two piece rods don't fit inside a pack but then again, very few "pack" rods do, either.

If I had to pick one for most sorts of freshwater fishing, it's this:
6' 2-piece spinning rod of modest to medium price, Garcia Mitchell 300 open face spinning reel and 8lb monofilament line.
Maybe a little spool of 2lb and 4lb for more delicate leaders. Blood knots join mono just fine.

 

[mick91]

I've heard mixed reviews of the various telescopic rods that are on the market. The advice I was given was to get one of the short section travel rods, you can get 4 and 5 section rods that pack down to around 2ft long, and should perform better than many of the telescopic sets.

This said I am no expert, I don't fish, I merely make offerings of tackle to the gods of the sea...

J

One problem I admit with the fladen one I said is that the secions stick. But I just give it a rub of soap and its fine

Sent from my LG-D855 using Tapatalk

 

[Damascus]

I can't recommend the Shimano exage telescopic road and reel combo enough. I use mine all the time and it hasn't let me down, biggest fish to date is a 16lb carp and it packs really small along with the reel. One draw back, not the cheapest on the block but the good, old inter web, I'm sure there is a deal out there and a lot cheaper buying locally in Norway!

 

[nic a char]

Tele rods are cheap & you can't lose bits while backpacking! Grease the joints = no sticking probs. £1 shop ones work fine & tele down to 18".
Carbon fixed-spool reels are cheap and light - it's worth paying for something better than the £1 shop ones though + 2 spools useful for a choice of monofilament line strength.
Mepps and Toby-type spoon-spinners work everywhere & Norway is fabulous!
Tight lines!

 

[Janne]

I do not like telescopic rods as I have broken to many. But the Shimano Exage is as handy as a telescopic rod, but stronger. I have several, none broken yet. All about 15 year old now!

What I have done to two of them is to make a modification like this: I have made a short, stiff end piece that fits on the second last piece with just the top guide, no rings. This way I have basically 2 rods in one, one for light fishing ( with the original end piece) and with the short end piece a rod for heavier fishing.