I’ve tried and owned quite a few telescopic rods over the years, generally speaking the cheap ones are garbage and will fall apart or sections stick together in no time at all. The only one I’ve ever had worth having was a shimano exage stc. It was only 6′ and for very light spinning duties only (I got it for small hill loch brownies) but I broke it fairly shortly after I got it through my own fault for over exerting it. I would try a 7′ or 8′ one if I were ever to replace.
I much prefer the multiple section travel rods. The don’t pack down quite as compact as the telescopic ones but I find they have a better action, are better quality and more reliable. Again my favourite here is the shimano stc travel rods. I have two spining rods, an 8′ or 9′ foot one (it can be setup as either) and a 10′ or 11′ foot one (again can be setup as either). Between the two of them I can cover 90% of the fishing I do.
I also have a 7 section Shakespeare 9′ expedition fly rod which wasn’t very expensive but good quality and a really nice rod. Based on that I wouldn’t hesitate to try out the equivalent spinning version.
