Fishing poles??

[Where~the~wind~blows]

I currently have 4 fishing poles, all full length ones, one is over 8 foot, 2 for fresh and 2 for salt water fishing.... my question is has anybody used the "mini" poles, ugly stick makes a short pole, and I was thinking it would be way more convenient to have a short pole or two.... 

 

[lampliter]

PenRodExtreme is a nice little fishing pole.

 

[VanTrekker]

<p>I don't know about the ugly stick poles but have heard good things.<br /><br />I am using a collapsible fly rods and have had the best trout fishing season of my life.&nbsp; The same goes for my collapsible river pole...&nbsp; I used to go for the $$$ but am finding that it's just as much fun catching fish on less expensive, more convenient rods.<br /><br />VT</p>

 

[josephusminimus]

Ugly stick must be after my time, but I always carried a collapsing rod backpacking to reduce the weight of food carried on long treks.&nbsp; I tended to be glad I had them.&nbsp; But that was river and mountain stream fishing.&nbsp; On salt water it might be an entirely different matter.&nbsp; I haven't fished salt water enough to know the issues involved.<br /><br />I don't recall the brands, but I do recall I had better success with the pricier ones than the cheapie from WalMart I first tried it with.

 

[VanLifeCrisis]

Ugly sticks are pretty awesome, when i was a wee kid (hmm maybe 27 years ago..can't believe i still remember this..) a guy at a fishing store delighted me by bending one from end to end, then into a tighter circle, without it breaking.<br /><br /><br />I usually use whatever is cheap and available.&nbsp; Ive fished with a kids rod from walmart, it was pretty small <img rel="lightbox" src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" class="bbc_img" />

 

[Where~the~wind~blows]

Thanks all, I ordered a pen rod last night, seems like a good investment on a few levels, may buy another if they are sturdy like the video's show. A company makes pen rods and claims to be the original but far more pricey, &nbsp;I went cheap at first.&nbsp;<br /><br /><br /><br />I was searching pan and ice fishing rods.... will do more research tonight, but I found a video with a guy who makes a really neat looking rod, then my computer froze and I had to reboot, will try to find the video to post it.... they were made for both salt and fresh water fishing.... looked promising.<br /><br />PS if the pen rod is sturdy I may just buy a better reel for it.

 

[offroad]

as a note, on the coast you can claim you are night fishing, and camp right near the beach (camp in your vehicle).&nbsp; You do have to have a pole set up, and a salt water licence, but many states accomodate the fisherman very well.&nbsp; Different rules apply, so please check by calling a fisj=hing tackle supply place, and mention you are fishing for stripped bass (aka stripers) and see what they have to say.

 

[bk2valve]

I have a question related to this. The only time I have ever fished while on the road was in BC, Yukon and Alaska and I had two kids who mostly did the fishing so we didn't need a license...this in the 70's. Incidently the best fishing we have ever done except for when my youngest was a mate on a halibut boat out of Homer, AK<br /><br />My question is how do you deal with licenses on the road?....I understand how if you stay in one state, but if you are actually traveling in your rig, the cost would seem to make it so it would hardly be worth it.<br /><br />I am taking a rod and stuff this trip, but have no idea if it is just extra weight and might as well be left home....at the least I will be in two us states not home state, and Mexico....at the most I will be in five states if I decide to go to Florida.<br />Thanks,<br />Bri

 

[gadgetMe]

Most states now have 1 or 3 day licenses you can purchase instead of a full year.<br /><br />If you check out the state wildlife web site they will indicate what is available.<br /><br /><br />Where the wind is: <img rel="lightbox" src="/images/boards/smilies/biggrin.gif" class="bbc_img" /><br /><br />I use poles that come apart in the middle, they work just fine for me. <br />I just purchased a fishing pole from Eagle claw that extends to 5 1/2 ft and collapses to 18 inches so you can carry it in a backpack<br /><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Eagle-Claw-Pack-It-Combo-Telescopic/dp/B000OWNPA6" rel="nofollow"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><span style="color: #0000ff; text-decoration: underline;">Eagle Fishing Pole</span></span></a><br /><br />Can't help with saltwater, I plan on staying away from the coasts<br /><br />Oh, I have broken 2 ugly sticks, they always replace them.<br /><br /><br />Putz

 

[Varmint]

I've stuck with cheap/used stuff. The fish can't seem to tell the difference. I've got the $20 Walmart combos, and some that are put together from broken stuff (nice and short) for tight places.

Funny how fishing works....I once talked to a fly fisher, complete with the odd clothes with flies hanging all over him. You know the kind....the "real image" of a fly fisherman. $1,000 gear, etc.... He told me I "....may as well tie a rock onto my fly line, as the fish here are too stupid to recognise a good presentation"....(what's THAT?) Seriously! He actually said that. I got all kinds of action and released everything. I used something black that floated on top of the water. I like what most folks call "ultra-light" stuff, say 2-4lb line with thin poles (3/16-1/4" at the base). That includes my fly rod, which I can't cast worth a hoot. I only cast out about 5-30 ft anyway. I can wade over to anything out of reach.

I have ugly stix, but never broke them. I don't pay enough to worry about breakage. Flea markets and yard sales are cheap. Like me. As I said....the fish don't seem to know what I'm using. If they did, I'm sure they wouldn't bite. Just ask that fly fisher I mentioned earlier!

Have fun! Varmint