Your post prompted me to look up the Pocket Fisherman - the same gizmo that started the "As Seen on TV" products.

Amazon.com has 272 reviews for the Ronco Pocket Fisherman that are surprisingly good!! Not that I've used it myself.

I have brought along an Eagle Claw Pack-It Telescoping Rod-Reel Combo when camping with my son's Scout troop. Overall it worked quite well. I always worried about the tip getting damaged but it never did. Its as basic a setup as I can imagine - beyond the Pocket Fisherman (which gets better reviews than the telescoping rod!!)