Further to several recent posts on travel rods I've been looking around for an Avon type rod to take abroad. This is one I like the look of:-

http://www.tackleshop.co.uk/tackleshopcouk...avel_rod_system

Only problem - the transport length of 31" is too long for my medium-sized suitcase. The longest it will take is 29" and that is squeezed in diagonally. All of the other travel Avons I've seen are over 30" in length. Can't believe that you need to take a large suitcase to accommodate these "travel" rods.

Another option could be the Shimano Exage which does pack down short:-

http://www.wmac.co.uk/index.php?main_page=...roducts_id=2799

Has anyone seen any other travel Avon style rods(pref twin tip) which pack down under 29"? Failing that if anyone has the Exage would it be suitable for float fishing with 4-5lb. mainline?

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Yes - not ideal, but workable.

Why put it in a suitcase?
Take it on board as hand luggage!

That just about sums up the exage.
Not a great lure rod but it'll manage.
Not a great float rod but it'll manage.
Not a great ledgering rod but it'll manage.

Not really great at anything other than being incredibly versitile - which is a boon in a travel rod.

The cabin baggage limit is 22" - I have a Shakespeare Expedition travel fly rod which packs shorter than this.

Just need to find a similarly short Avon....

Sounds like a reasonable make-do solution - after all just how many travel rods do you need? Think the longest Exage travel is around 11' so that would be the one I'd go for. Have a couple of weeks before trip so if I can't find the short Avon I'm looking for will go for the Shimano.

Err...Do you really want me to answer that ?

Go on Ken, enlighten us

Could buying a cheapy over there be an option?

Jim,

I have this rod - Shimano Exage AXS TC telespin (2.10m), which I used for the first time today.

I've had it for a while, but somehow managed to break the top two sections before I'd even used it (a problem with me and terminal clumsiness, not the rod!) One of my fishing friends kindly repaired it for me, so today was the big day when I got chance to try it out.

Now I know it's supposed to be a spinning rod, but I got it for float fishing! Call me contrary, but I simply couldn't find a short float rod that I liked. My Shimano float rod is 12', and I love it, but as I really like fishing very close in to the margins, it's a bit too long at times. Fishing two feet out from the bank with a twelve foot rod seems a bit daft! I also needed something compact for our boating holidays, and this seemed like the best option.

The result? I absolutely love it! I paired it with my little Catana reel, and using 5lb mainline, I landed several decent fish, including a 4lb bream and a 4.5lb common that fought like a demon and really put the rod through its paces. I was worried that it wouldn't cope after having the repair, but it's an absolute delight to use. I'm chuffed to bits!

Janet