Rod and Reel Combo

**Twelve31** · 10-02-2014, 19:54

Anyone used one of these little $20 Rod and Reel combo that Wilderness Logics has on their site?
http://wildernesslogics.com/ROD-AND-REEL-COMBO-RR.htm

Been looking for a really small and light backpacking rig. Just wondering if anyone has any experience or reviews on this product.

**SwinginIt** · 10-03-2014, 04:27

I can't open the link because my internet is screwy but if that is a pen rod that you're talking about then yes I've used one and I absolutely love it. Anytime I'm gonna be near fishable water it goes with me. Sometimes I take it when I just go fishing, it's great for fishing from tight spots. You don't get as long of a cast as a longer rod but it does just fine for most of the streams I fish. That rod and an Altoids tin with some hooks, split shot, and spinners and you will have a great lil UL fishing kit. If you want to keep your tackle more organized then get a three compartment pill box. I also made an UL stringer with some Zing-it and the stake part of a regular stringer cut down shorter. My full kit weighs around 9oz or so. You can go even lighter with a Tenkara set up but I personally haven't gotten the hang of using that thing yet and am not convinced that it will outperform my penrod considering the places I can and have fished from with the penrod and the fact that I can move from spot to spot without collapsing and extending my rod every time.

**Otter1** · 10-03-2014, 09:03

I'm not sure if it's the same one, but I have used the one from gofastandlight multiple times and it is great. Just understand that it is short so all that comes along with that limitation.

The quality sure has surprised me!

**SwinginIt** · 10-03-2014, 16:11

Mine is from gofastandlight also. The only limitation from the length I've encountered is the cast length, which for me is offset by how easy it is to fish from tight overgrown spots.

**Wkerber** · 10-03-2014, 16:30

The problem with that set-up is the size of the eyes on the rod for a spinning reel. The drag of the line going through those small eyes is really going to limit distance, especially with the light lures it's designed for. I found a 2 piece 5'6" Berkley Cherrywood ultralight that I shove into some pipe insulation for protection, then I put in one of my side pockets that works pretty good. I have had it catch on low hanging limbs or brush, since it sticks up 10" above my pack, but for $25 I'm not out a whole lot if I screw it up.

**Twelve31** · 10-03-2014, 18:18

awesome info guys! Thanks a bunch!

**ScooterB** · 10-03-2014, 18:48

I own one of these pen rods and even with the shortness of length, I was still able to use it as a fly rod. I purchased mine with the mini fly reel. The reel isn't much and the guides on the rod were too small to pass the knot from the fly line to the leader. I had to drill it out. Overall, Im very satisfied with the rod and think it would work even better as a spinning combo.