Anyone Have Any Experience Flying With Rods And Reels?

[MainelyBASS]

Heading to Okeechobee and contemplating bringing my heavy cover setups down with me. I am renting a boat so I will need to provide my own tackle. I am sure there are plenty of horror stories when it comes to flying with rods, reels and tackle, but never the less I am planning on doing it. I will put my reels and gear in my suitcase and check the rods in at bag check. What should I put my rods in for travel? How much has it cost you to check the rods in? Any help in regards to this matter would be greatly appreciated!

[Mainebass1984]

 I would recommend mailing the rods in pvc pipes to where ever your staying.  It has worked well for me in the past. I shipped rods from Maine to Alaska, Alaska to Illinois, Illinois to Florida and Florida to Maine. I

[gr8outdoorz]

Shipping would probably be best option. I have flown with fly rods but never one piece rods. On my way back from Alaska this summer there were a few guys with 7' one peice rods in tubes as their carry-on's. You will have to check with the airlines you are flying, but you may be able to take them as a carry-on luggage.

[A-Jay]

You can purchase (or perhaps borrow) a rod tube designed for air travel or you can go with a home made job.

 

PVC is often the material of choice.

 

The fee to check a rod tube is usually reasonable and often less than the cost of the tube itself. 

 

Be sure to check with your airline in regards to any size & length limitations.

 

Good Luck

 

A-Jay

[WRB]

4" PVC tubing with end caps works well, wrap each rod with a towel to keep them from vibrating or rattling tight enoug they don't slide inside the tube. 3 rods, with 2 handle ends at one end of the tube, allow 2" end clearance to add paddling so the tips don't break.

The airlines charge $25 today.

You can also buy a rod carrier from Cabelas or BPS. E soft carry bags should not be used for airline or shipping.

Tom

[FlipnLimits]

I may have shipped 50 or more rods throughout the years and have found PVC to be the best.  It's more expensive, but so is my equipment.  Spend the money on PVC.  Rod tubes made of plastic and cardboard can bend, crack, and crush.  PVC is tougher than either of them.

 

FL

[slonezp]

 My dad no longer owns a boat and always ships his gear by UPS to his vacation destinations.

[Bluebasser86]

Bazooka rod tube is what I fly with mine in. I've flown to Mexico twice and South Carolina once and haven't had any problems except for the TSA taking the D clip that locks the tube in place, they never did give me a good explanation on why they took it 

[Oregon Native]

Bazooka rod tube is what I fly with mine in. I've flown to Mexico twice and South Carolina once and haven't had any problems except for the TSA taking the D clip that locks the tube in place, they never did give me a good explanation on why they took it 

Agree....believe Bazooka is a Plano product and I used them for years when I traveled to fishing evenents for bass. I would put duc tape over cap and lock just as a little insurense. Never had any trouble..very durable. My reels however always went in my carry on and were put right over my head on the plane. Stored these is Shimano reel covers.

Have a great trip.

[A-Jay]

Agree....believe Bazooka is a Plano product and I used them for years when I traveled to fishing evenents for bass. I would put duc tape over cap and lock just as a little insurense. Never had any trouble..very durable. My reels however always went in my carry on and were put right over my head on the plane. Stored these is Shimano reel covers.

Have a great trip.

 

We do this as well.   Solid advice.

 

A-Jay

[00 mod]

Heading to Okeechobee and contemplating bringing my heavy cover setups down with me. I am renting a boat so I will need to provide my own tackle. I am sure there are plenty of horror stories when it comes to flying with rods, reels and tackle, but never the less I am planning on doing it. I will put my reels and gear in my suitcase and check the rods in at bag check. What should I put my rods in for travel? How much has it cost you to check the rods in? Any help in regards to this matter would be greatly appreciated!

 

 

Shipping would probably be best option. I have flown with fly rods but never one piece rods. On my way back from Alaska this summer there were a few guys with 7' one peice rods in tubes as their carry-on's. You will have to check with the airlines you are flying, but you may be able to take them as a carry-on luggage.

 

 

 

I have once or twice!    And am doing so today.  Used to use a Bazooka tube.  7'6'' and could carry about 8 rods in there.  Only problem I ever had was it getting lost one time. Was VERY nervous until it finally showed up 3 days later. 

The charge was an extra $50 for most airlines, but some charge even more.  Have never done the shipping route.

 

Now I have travel rods.  All 3 piece and the longest piece is less than 32''.  So my travel tube is 35'' by 4'' round pvc with caps.  It is able to be carried on as the TSA and most airlines have a 45'' dimensional rule for carry on.  My tube is 35"+4"=4" for a total of 43''. 

 

ALWAYS have my reels in my carry on.  Close to 911 I had an instance where they made me strip my spools.  Haven't had that problem since.  If they do give you a problem ask to speak to the lead TSA agent.  It is no different than shoe laces, belt, or earphone cords........   Just sayin!

 

Jeff

[Bassintheweeds]

Be sure to pack them well... Just last week I had a plano tube and somehow the top came off during travel and my frog rod slid out just enough for the first 6 inches to be broken off. What saved me from all my rods being broken was packing all my fishing shirts in with the rods so they couldn't all slide out. Also don't be afraid to pad your tackle boxes i had one that the bottom was blown out because of them throwing the bags. Never again Jetblue.

 

Where are you renting the boat?

[MainelyBASS]

I hope to be renting a boat from Roland Martin's Marina. If I cant get one ill come up with something.

[WRB]

I hope to be renting a boat from Roland Martin's Marina. If I cant get one ill come up with something.

Make a reservation to be sure you have a boat when you get there.

Tom

PS, I use a padded reel caddy, reel wraps and put each reel in gym socks for extra pads. Don't forget, polarized sun glasses, sunscreen and wide brim hat!

Good fishing.

Tom

[Fishing Rhino]

I'm sorry, but I just cannot resist.

 

There is special fishing equipment, made for flying, known as fly rods.

 

I've been away from home too long.

[tholmes]

"Anyone Have Any Experience Flying With Rods And Reels?"

 

Not intentionally!    

 

It was a pretty short flight and the landing was rough.

 

Tom

[Bassintheweeds]

I hope to be renting a boat from Roland Martin's Marina. If I cant get one ill come up with something.

I would call if you havent left yet.. I tried to rent there last week and they were booked for a while. I ended up using http://www.lakeoboatrentals.com/boatratesrequirements.html and the boat was just what I needed. no gps on their older humminbirds but i used navionics on my phone. They are not as known so its a good backup. Go slay some hogs that I couldn't find!

[MainelyBASS]

Super ironic that you just left that message as I was on that website when I received the post. I am trying to find back up plans incase Rolands falls through, which it seems it may. Sorry to hear you didn't slay some giants. Did you catch any decent fish? To be perfectly honest I am most looking forward to slinging a frog in some gnarly grass, even if I don't catch a thing. Its been almost 6 months since ive wet a line. I am way overdue.

[Felix77]

I have two 3 piece rods which I carry on with me.  Reels also go with me on the plane.  Hooks have always been a problem with me carrying on so I check my tackle in with my bag.