Fishing rod recommendation for backpacking/survival

[Aquaneko]

As you may or may not know National Fishing Week is on right now and Canadian Tire has a sale on fishing kits.

I would like some help on finding a fishing rod/reel combo with backpacking/survival in mind. Something that is akin to an all purpose 'jack of all trades' type of setup that could be used for a wide range of fish (yes I am well aware if you use an ultralight setup and hook a 10lb carp you will need to touch and good lightly with the drag for sometime slowly to wear the fish down as opposed to if you had a heavier setup which can land the fish quicker).

I do not always have access to a car but do have a bicycle which I have kitted out for cycle touring/day touring but when off the bike I will be carrying my gear with me so everything will be in a backpack.

For those unaware I have seen Dave Canteburys 'pocket fisherman' kit which is a hand reeling kit with a tube to hold tackle. Compact and at the ready. Many videos on youtube showing it is very effective for catching fish. I have done hand reeling before with a gatorade bottle and caught a 3lb cat.

For those curious of what gear I have and am familiar with this is what I have and my experience fishing:

Quote:The kit I was using for fishing is:

-Zebco 'Just Add Water' rod/reel tackle kit. Reel rated for 4/6/8# test (but I spooled it with 10#. Spinning reel.

Reasoning is I sometimes at snags in the trees and the extra 2# strength helps when I am tugging to free the line with my bobber and float. I do however use a lighter test line as a leader.


-Garcia (pre Abu Garcia as I just found out last week) ~6'6" or 7' rod. Rod says 6-12# test. Coupled with a Daiwa EL550 Graphite IIRC the reel model right. The reel has rear drag which I like. Apparently from Bass City if they are correct Garica has lifetime warrenty on thier rods. I try hard not to bend the rods hard when fighting a fish.

-Daiwa rod ~6' model 1011 IIRC. I think and more a light action IIRC. Both the Garcia and the Diawa rod have been commented as vintage classics by the Bass City store and the staff was shocked to see it in such good working condition. Reel is a Daiwa spring loaded front drag and folding handle.

-South Bend Proton telescopic rod which I sometimes use the Zebco reel or the Daiwa reels.

-Gatorade mini bottle w/8# test, ball float, splitshot, and hook. Much like anyone that skoffs at this setup or the Zebco setup this setup has caught about a 3lb catfish using a orange wiggly tail grub lure.

http://ontarioshorefishing.com/forum/Thr...7#pid13507


Here is a link to all the fishing rod/reel combos Can.Tire has.

http://www.canadiantire.ca/en/sports-rec...-rods.html

I would like something economical. Cost hmm.... Say $30ish range if possible.

Right now I like carp fishing and use a 1oz lead weight for a multi hook drop shot rig that I am practicing with which can lead to catching catfish I hope as I gain more fishing experience. I have caught a lot of sunfish and a rock bass using a floating bobber method. I have read in the Catch Fishing pamphlet it says IIRC they recommend a meduim action rod. IIRC on some survival sites ( survivalboard.net ? ) I read something along those lines of a medium action rod or light action. I am new to all this action stuff but know the Garcia I have does have some flexible tip bending as with the Daiwa and Zebco.



Thank you kindly in advance for any help. Sorry for the long post as I was thinking the more info I give the better the help.


EDIT: I remember at Lake Aquitaine last year a guy with his friends fishing talking about rods and how an ugly stick has never let them down and I think he said it lasts forever.