"Executive" Fly/Spin Combos- any good?

[Boatless]

As my fly fishing obsession escalates, I've been wondering about getting one of these to accompany me on my trips. I'm sure the spinning reel is so-so but how is the fly set-up? And I've seen one by daiwa and one other brand. Any others?

[Ken]

I started fly fishing with a Shakespeare/Pflueger travel combo similar to the Daiwa you've described.

They are okay. But I would much prefer a 4-piece travel fly rod instead.

When you collapse a 4-piece 9' fly rod, each piece is 27" long. It should fit nicely in a suitcase.

I have a TFO NXT travel combo. It includes a 4-piece 9' fly rod (there are 4 different weight to choose from), a disc drag cast aluminum reel, backing, fly line, a rod/reel case and a No-Fault Lifetime Guarantee. The case is 30" long. The combo cost under $200 which is a great deal considering everything you get for it.

If you want a cheap combo to fish and not have to worry about damaging it, go ahead with the Daiwa. Just make sure you can choose a rod that is at least 7' long. A longer rod cast better.

[kahuna bass]

Ken, Boatless,

I've tried for years to set up a combo for both spinning/fly, it nevers seems to workout. It may work great for spinning, but not have the backbone for fly. It may have the flexbility of a fly rod, but not for spinning. You get the picture.

Worse thing is, I work for a fishing rod company!

I do agree with Ken, a 4-piece setup is the only way to go. Easier for packing and traveling.

Good luck boys in finding the perfect combo

Bass regards, Mel

[Ken]

Hey Mel,

Yeah, I've realized that there is no perfect solution to a spin/fly combo...since then, I bought my travel fly rod (and I'll buy all my fly rods in 4-piece model from now on), as well as my travel spinning rod.

My current travel spinning rod is a TFO TiCR2. For $100, this 3-piece rod is very nice with quite some back bone and a quick tip. Plus...the wonderful No-Fault Lifetime Warranty.

I'm planning to sell all my 2-piece spinning rods and replace them with these 3-piece rods in different action. I might also sell my casting rods and replace them with these 3-piece.

Of course, I still have to put the TiCR2 to the real world test before I go and sell all my rods

We'll see how it performs in CA in roughly a month...oh my...so soon...can't wait! I'm feeling all the excitement just like when I was anticipating the Hawaii trip. I love it when my heart races like this.

[Stan Wright]

I have only 4 piece travel rods for my fly fishing. Now I've started buying a few spinning and bait casting travel rods. We're traveling to Mexico for bass fishing this fall and using travel rods will sure make it a lot easier than having to deal with that big 8 foot rod case. I think the airlines have started charging $50 for for that second piece of luggage. (rod case)

I wish there was a "one size combo fits all".... but I'm afraid your just going to have to spring for a fly rod and a spinning rod. At least they should both fit in the same small rod case.

[Ken]

Hey Stan, just curious, which travel rods are in your arsenal of deadly weapons?

[Stan Wright]

All my fly rods ar the 4 piece Sage. The casting and spinning rods range from Bass Pro, to Finwick, to Master, to Sage travel rods.

[Ken]

I see. I check out the BassPro travel rods in person at our Ontario location...they are nice...but I didn't like that metal ring at the top of the grip where the blank enters the grip. I can see disaster happening when the blank is loaded under the strain of a big fish and that metal ring touches the blank.

I think most of my rods in the future will be TFO's the way it is going right now Not sure if that's a good thing of bad thing in a long run...but it's the best thing right now for my future traveling needs

Hey, when you visit, we can go to BassPro in Ontario and you can stock up on some Roadrunners and other goodies. It's just 20min from my apartment