The L.L.Bean Double L Travel Spin Outfit is a very packable, travel-ready spin fishing rod and reel combo. It comes in a handy case that’s just large enough to add in some spin fishing lures and gear, which makes it perfect for keeping in your vehicle at all times.
To get us a closer look, L.L.Bean sent Man Makes Fire a review unit. After testing the L.L.Bean spin fishing combo on a river and a high-mountain lake, this is what we learned:
L.L.Bean Double L Travel Spin Outfit
The L.L.Bean Double L Travel Spin Outfit delivers an excellent price-to-value ratio in a handy combo package.I’m a big fan of easily portable and packable gear — and that includes fishing gear. Most of the fishing rod and reel combos I review are fly fishing rod and reel combos, but I do appreciate a good spinning rod when it’s the right choice for the fish or fishing conditions. Plus, spinning rods are excellent for friends and family because they’re very easy to learn how to use. I’ll often take a travel spinning rod camping, fishing or hiking . . . just in case. In fact, if you’re looking for gifts for a fishing fanatic, a travel rod can round out gaps in their gear.
Most spin fishing rods come in relatively long two-piece sections, which means a 7′ spinning rod will break down to about 3.5′. That’s not terrible, but it’s not something you can easily tuck into a well-packed vehicle or slip into a backpack on a hike.
The L.L.Bean Double L Travel Spin Outfit delivers an excellent price-to-value ratio with a surprisingly nice rod.
The L.L.Bean Double L Travel Spin Outfit fishing rod in the 7′ configuration, however, is a four-piece spinning rod with a tidy 22 5/8″ packable length. The included travel case is just under 25″. Our review unit is the 7′ medium action option with an 8-17 lb. fishing line recommendation.
L.L.Bean’s 6′ light action rod option packs down into three pieces and comes in the same travel case as the 7′ medium action option.
For a hike into a high-mountain lake in Idaho, I left the case in the pickup and simply tucked the rod and reel into my backpack.
The Travel Spinning Rod
The L.L.Bean Double L Travel Spin Outfit rod has a surprisingly good fast-action blend of power and feel.If you’re reading this review, you’re probably wondering about the L.L.Bean spin fishing rod quality and characteristics. Like all the other L.L.Bean gear I’ve reviewed over the years, the L.L.Bean rod quality is very good with an excellent price-to-value ratio. You get a graphite rod blank that’s lightweight and surprisingly stiff.
In contrast, many inexpensive packable spinning rods have much slower actions, which can make them hard to use on all but the smallest fish and shortest casting needs. While I haven’t yet taken the L.L.Bean Double L Travel Spin Outfit fishing for smallmouth bass, I have no qualms that it’ll be able to handle the job. I very much like the relatively stiff and fast action of the 7′ rod.
For small trout, it’s a bit bigger and stiffer than I need, but for a do-it-all freshwater spinning rod I tend to error on the big side. (If you’re really after small-stream trout and panfish, choose the 6′ option.)
The rod’s grips are cork, which I appreciate, especially after they get a bit dirty and worn from use. I love that traditional old-school look.
L.L.Bean uses lightweight single-foot guides with metal inserts. High-quality less-packable rods tend to use ceramic inserts, but I believe the metal inserts here are more of a benefit than a drawback because they’re more durable.
Overall, the rod quality makes it a great midrange spin-fishing rod.
The L.L.Bean Spinning Reel
The included Double L spinning reel is solid and smooth.The L.L.Bean spinning reel has a 9+1 stainless steel ball bearing system for smooth operation. Out of the box, our review unit wasn’t as smooth as I was expecting, but after an hour of fishing it was much better. The gear ratio is 5.1:1.
The reel handle is nice and stout with an excellent grippy EVA knob.
The included pre-loaded 12 lb. test monofilament is of mediocre quality — but average quality pre-loaded line is what you’re going to get with most every fishing rod and reel combo. Here’s a monofilament tip: Before your first cast, stretch your line. All you have to do is have a buddy hold the end and walk away from you when you have the bail on the reel flipped open. Or you can tie your line to a bush or tree or vehicle. When there’s a bit more line out than what you’re likely to cast, gently pull on the line and stretch it. Reel it back in, attach your lure, and you’ll cast farther, easier, and will experience fewer tangles.
Shop all fishing rod and reel combos at L.L.Bean and get FREE Shipping on orders over $75!
The Travel Case
The included case has enough room to add some tackle and fishing gear.I appreciate the lightweight included travel case. The foam insert gives you pre-cut spots for some tackle. The top lid includes a zippered mesh pocket that gives you quite a bit more room — it’s about 2″ deep.
L.L.Bean’s product photos show the reel attached to the rod inside the case, but that’s the 6′ version. The 7′ version doesn’t fit precisely in the reel and rod spot when the reel is attached to the rod. To make that work, you’ll need to cut a bit of the foam opening to make it larger. Or just don’t leave the reel attached to the reel seat on the rod.
Ultimately, the case is lightweight, which I like, and it gives you enough space to add quite a bit of fishing gear. If you wanted you could likely fit in a 6-piece travel fly rod and reel, too. However, L.L.Bean does offer a Spin/Fly Outfit that has both a spinning rod and a fly fishing rod included if that’s what you’re really after.
Competitive Alternatives & Options
There are a handful of good travel-ready, multi-piece packable spin fishing rod and reel combos available; however, some of the better options require you to buy a rod and reel separately — or play close attention to the options offered. If you’re interested in the L.L.Bean Double L Travel Spin Outfit, you might consider these competitive options:
L.L.Bean Quest Travel Spinning Outfits — The L.L.Bean ‘Quest’ Travel Spinning Outfits are L.L.Bean’s entry-level series. They offer a great price-to-value ratio. For instance, the L.L.Bean Quest Fly Rod Outfit (Quest outfit review here) represents the fly fishing ‘Quest’ line. One benefit of the Quest series is they come in smaller segments. The 5’6″ and 6′ options come in five pieces while the medium action 6’6″ rod option comes in six pieces.
Bass Pro Shops Quick Draw Telescopic Spinning Combo — The Bass Pro Shops Quick Draw Telescopic Spinning Combo is a low-price option that packs down very small. The biggest benefit is the increased packability. The biggest drawback is the lower quality components compared to the L.L.Bean Double L Travel Spin Outfit.
If you’re willing to create your own highly packable spin fishing outfit, consider pairing these rods and reels — just be sure that when you’re ordering online that you choose the rod version with the appropriate number of pieces, i.e. 3, 4, or 5-pieces:
Ugly Stik GX2 Spinning Pack Rod — The Ugly Stick GX2 Spinning Pack Rod comes in three or four piece options. It doesn’t have the classic spinning rod good looks as the L.L.Bean Double L Travel Spin Outfit, but it’s super durable and comes in three size choices. (Consider the Bass Pro Shops Micro Lite Graphite Spinning Pack Rod if you prefer a cork-handled option.)
St. Croix Triumph Travel Spinning Rod — If you want a high-performing, higher quality packable spinning rod, check out the sweet St. Croix Triumph Travel Spinning Rod. You get a great blend of feel and power and it comes with a padded nylon case.
Pflueger President Spinning Reel — It’s hard to go wrong with the affordable and solid Pflueger President Spinning Reel. Pflueger offers multiple size options to choose from, but for most trout and small bass, the midrange PRESSP30X version is tough to beat.
Shimano Sedona FL Spinning Reel — Like the Pflueger President, Shimano offers the popular and smooth Sedona FL in lots of size options. Choose the versatile SE2500HGFI size for trout but consider sizing up to the SEC3000HG with a 20-pound drag for bass.
L.L.Bean uses durable, lightweight single-foot guides with a metal liner.The Bottom Line
All-in-all, the L.L.Bean Double L Travel Spin Outfit offers a great blend of quality and value. We’re pleased with the overall fit and finish, along with the fast-action stiffness of the 7′ version we tested. The included carry case has plenty of room for a bit of tackle and gear, and if you want to customize it to your needs, you can remove or cut the foam to fit what you want to carry. Very highly recommended.
Get the Gear:
