When packing for your summer vacation, a travel fishing kit will help make sure you have the basic fishing equipment for fun once you reach your destination. There are many types of travel fishing kits on the market depending on the kind of fish and type of journey. You could also build your own.

A travel fishing rod and reels are the central ingredients of any travel fishing kit. Some of these handy travel fishing rods are telescopic but most come in three to five easily assembled pieces. More pieces mean shorter sections that take up less room. In general, the rod action may decrease with more sections but this certainly is better than the possible alternative of not having a rod at all!

When selecting a travel reel, keep in mind that although baitcasters are more compact, spinning reels are more versatile and forgiving if casting a range of lures or bait. Many spinning reel handles also can hinge to create additional much needed space. If you are putting together your own travel fishing kit, make sure the rod and reel are a decent match with the line/lure weight recommendations.

Additional travel fishing kit components are hooks, weights, floats, and lures. Take a range of each to allow for various types of fish bites but to save space, try to keep to a minimum. You’ll also want to make sure there is room for a pair of long-nosed pliers or similar tool for unhooking, cutting line, pinching barbs, and such.

Some travel fishing kits come in their own case, but fishing starter kits also make great travel fishing kits. The packaging helps contain and protect all the fishing gear, not just on the shelf, but also at least one way when stuffed in the back of the family SUV. And don’t forget the most important element: the fishing license.