I've been wanting to get into fishing for a while now, but I don't want to drop 200 euros on a rod if it doesn't end up hooking me. I saw that Decathlon has some pretty cheap telescopic rods, like 30-40 euros. Has anyone tried them? Are they worth it as a first rod or should I wait and save up for something better?
What type of fishing appeals to you more, freshwater or saltwater? The Decathlon telescopic rods at that price point are honestly fine for trying things out without much risk, even though they have their limits: the action is slower and they lose sensitivity compared to rods in a higher price range, but for getting started and seeing if fishing really grabs you, they're perfect.
Decathlon's telescopic rods go for around 25-40 euros, and they're fine to start with, but the thing is they're fragile and if you drop them or close them wrong, the segments jam up and they become unusable. What almost nobody mentions is that after a few months of use, most of them start to have play in the joints and lose rigidity, so you end up replacing it anyway. If you really want to try without much risk, it's decent for that, but don't expect it to last you years - better keep in mind it's more of a toy to see if you like it or not.
The real problem with those rods at that price is that the reel usually fails first, not the rod itself. If you're fishing something that puts up a decent fight, the reel starts making weird noises after two or three outings and that's it. That said, for getting started in freshwater with small fish, it does the job and you don't lose much money if you discover fishing isn't for you. The key is not treating them like they're made of cardboard: close them properly, store them dry, and don't force them unnecessarily. If it really hooks you after a couple of months, that's when you invest in a decent rod that'll last you years.
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