Originally Posted By: Am_Fear_Liath_Mor
Quote:
Although I don't consider it a survival rod


Perhaps a Bushcrafter rod would be a better description.

http://www.gofishing.co.uk/Angling-Times...with-Ray-Mears/

The Shimano Rod and reel seem to be well regarded, but the maximum test line for the diminutive Symetre 500FJ is around 60 yards of 6lb or 100 yards of 4lb whereas the slightly heavier Diawa Baitcaster reel (around 2 oz heavier) will take around 180 yards of 12 lb test line so may be more suitable for lightweight sea loch fishing as well as general course fishing.

Even a 2lb sea trout makes for a substantial meal.

There are of course more energy efficient ways of fishing such as the use of trot lines and gill nets for survival techniques but many of the commercial and home made pocket sized survival fishing kits leave a lot to be desired.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vz0pVyzTAoI

These miniture rods and reels are very effective and are certainly more easy to handle and efficient than hobo type metal can reels i.e the cast can be pinged out to 50-100 yards to where the fish might actually be feeding. The 14-16 oz fishing kit weight could be a worthwhile investment to carry for a longer term survival resource of a return of many lbs of high protein food.

Although this kit will have trouble dealing with a fish like this even with some beginners luck. wink

http://www.thecourier.co.uk/Living/Outdo...8lb-salmon.html



My remark on the survival rod meant that I don't carry a fishing rod for the express purpose of using it in a survival situation, rather it is carried for the purpose of leisurely fishing if the opportunity presents itself when out hiking.
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Earth and sky, woods and fields, lakes and rivers, the mountain and the sea, are excellent schoolmasters, and teach some of us more than we can ever learn from books.

John Lubbock