Shimano: A Brand You Know, Travel Rods You Probably Don’t
I have a lot of Shimano rods and reels because I’ve found them to be of high-quality right out of the box and exceptionally durable over the long haul. While I do own one travel rod from G.Loomis, which exists under the Shimano brands umbrella, I don’t have any with an actual “Shimano” decal on them. That’s likely because their three- and four-piece selections in the U.S. market are limited. They have some four-piece centerpin rods, and quite a few two-piece models for varying techniques, but nothing much for the generalist traveling angler who needs shorter sections for packability.
Their Japanese lineup, on the other hand, is absolutely LOADED with multi-piece options, so if you’re a fan of Shimano’s quality, it’s a great place to look – with options at a wide range of price points. Numerous Japanese retailers carry them, and some ship overseas. You can also look to Ebay for a solid selection.
Here are some of your options:
Exsence MB
Shimano has only recently brought the Exsence name to North America, most notably in an enthusiast-level spinning reel. You’ll have to go online to get this “high-end mobile rod,” which comes in lengths of 8’8”-9’6”. You’ll likely pay over $500 for one.
Free Game XT
This wide-ranging series includes 13 spinning rods and five baitcasting models, everything from ultralights to boat rods, in configurations ranging from three to five pieces, all for $200, give or take 20.
World Shaula Dream Tour Edition
I’ve written about this darling of the travel rod clique already, but I had no idea that there were nine models in the lineup, five baitcasting and four spinning, each five pieces. Per the Shimano Japan catalog they built them to target everything from peacock bass to Murray Cod to sailfish to Alaskan salmon. Expect to pay a pretty penny for this level of refinement.
Nessa Limited
If you’re planning to fish from the beach while at a distant location, consider one of these three-piece surf rods.
Colt Sniper XTune
These saltwater plugging and jigging rods are super high-quality and will run you over $600 apiece.
Nessa CI4+
Just when you thought travel rods couldn’t get more specialized, Shimano offers three models of three-piece “next-generation flounder rods” with the CI4 nomenclature that will be familiar to domestic Stradic fans.
Dialuna MB
More saltwater rods with specific purposes in mind, including bay and ocean fishing with artificial minnows, pencil baits, blade baits. They’re all four pieces.
Nessa BB
This third member of the Nessa clan includes three surf rods up to 11’2”.
Trastick
The Trastick lineup offers five different saltwater models, and per Google Translate, depending on which middle piece you use each rod can be set up in multiple lengths, all for less than $200.
Borderless Casting Model
There are over 100 different specifications, blanks and configurations in this lineup, which means Shimano is serious when they say that the “door to a new borderless world is now open again.”
I’m ready for those doors to open again, and when they do there’s a pretty good chance I’ll be packing one of my Stradics, Curados or a Tranx with one of these rods. Alternatively, since this was first written, Tackle Warehouse has added numerous multi-piece rods from Shimano and other premium manufacturers.
