Gear On An Airplane?

[buzzed bait]

Question about taking gear on an airplane, flying Delta if that helps.

Is it an additional fee to take rods since they are so long, and how do most people transport a 7' rod safely/cost effectively.

Do the reels have to be stored separately, must they be in the checked baggage?

And I'm just going to assume lures and all that have to be checked as well? 

Wanting to take some rods with me to NY this coming weekend, but I'm just not sure at all what the process is.

Thanks!

[RF813]

Maybe an odd question, but have you considered shipping them to wherever you're going?  Probably safer.

[Wayne P.]

Shipping is the best way to have a chance of getting your rods in whole condition.

The baggage gorillas are not very gentle with any package.

[OntarioFishingGuy]

If the reels have line on them they would have to be in your check baggage.

[buzzed bait]

Shipping is the best way to have a chance of getting your rods in whole condition.

The baggage gorillas are not very gentle with any package.

 

 

Maybe an odd question, but have you considered shipping them to wherever you're going?  Porbably safer.

 

so you're saying i should have planned this out a little better..... LOL

thanks guys, that makes sense actually so i suppose i will know for next time!

 

oddly enough, the airlines allow you to ship some sporting goods for free (i know this because of my snowboard) but there again the snowboard was in a somewhat official looking bag to transport....  was just hoping that the rods might fall under this exception, but you guys are right about bag slammers at the airport damaging some gear..... but is fedex that much gentler?

 

looks like PGA championship and some football for this guy

[buzzed bait]

If the reels have line on them they would have to be in your check baggage.

 

interesting, i assume so that i can't choke someone out or something ........  enter shoelaces, belt, backpack strap......

those TSA guys really have it all figured out huh

[Dwight Hottle]

I have always carried reels in carryon luggage with line to both Canada & Mexico. No problems. I have seen TSA say they should be checked on time but it wasn't me. My argument would be choking by line is no less likely than someone's belt or shoe strings. You can carry rods with you as two piece or three piece in tubes if they don't exceed the carryon size restrictions.

[slonezp]

Ship UPS

[Squirmin Wormin]

if you plan on just one time doing this then go ups, if more times then this, invest in a rod holder, i think bps has them for 35$ and are well worth it if you like taking care of your fishing rods. That way you have this rod holder a lifetime . and as far as your reels go, bubble rap them and either put them in your luggage or ship them ups, it's your call!

[Bluebasser86]

I've always flown mine with me. Rods go in a Bazooka rod tube, reels go in a padded reel case in my checked bag packed in the middle of all my clothes for extra padding, tackle bag is my carry on. Make sure you don't have any pliers/forceps/knives/lighters/large hooks/multitools/screwdrivers/dynamite whatever in your tacklebag. It's kind of hit or miss with the tackle. Last time I flew I had no issues until I was coming back from my trip. I had bought no fishing tackle on my trip but suddenly my hooks must have looked extra sharp or something because the TSA guy was all worked up about it. Thankfully his supervisor let me go without having to check it. The also removed the C clip from my rod tube for some reason and never replaced it? Ticked me off but they're cheap so I just replaced it instead of asking them to do it. 

[Brayberry]

TSA is weird.  Sometimes they have no problem with a carry on reel with line on it, sometimes they act like it's the end of the world.  Same with lures, pliars, hooks, etc

[fishballer06]

I would just call your hotel (or whoever you're staying with) and ask them if you can ship your equipment there and pick it up once you arrive. It's safer, and less of a headache. 

[buzzed bait]

I've always flown mine with me. Rods go in a Bazooka rod tube, reels go in a padded reel case in my checked bag packed in the middle of all my clothes for extra padding, tackle bag is my carry on. Make sure you don't have any pliers/forceps/knives/lighters/large hooks/multitools/screwdrivers/dynamite whatever in your tacklebag. It's kind of hit or miss with the tackle. Last time I flew I had no issues until I was coming back from my trip. I had bought no fishing tackle on my trip but suddenly my hooks must have looked extra sharp or something because the TSA guy was all worked up about it. Thankfully his supervisor let me go without having to check it. The also removed the C clip from my rod tube for some reason and never replaced it? Ticked me off but they're cheap so I just replaced it instead of asking them to do it. 

 

i mean i know that TSA is about as reliable as russian roulette, but i would have never thought they would allow the lures on the plane with hooks and everything....

[Felix77]

I travel quite often for work.  I can't speak to the rods.  I have a set of 3 piece travel rods which I use when I take trips.  I am able to carry them on with me with ease.  As for reels I also carry them on with line and all.  I have never had a problem to and from my locations.

[MO_LMB]

Its always good to see the official rules first before talking to someone...

 

http://www.tsa.gov/traveler-information/hunting-and-fishing-equipment

[Dwight Hottle]

Its always good to see the official rules first before talking to someone...

 

http://www.tsa.gov/traveler-information/hunting-and-fishing-equipment

 

 

There is the answer. Reels can go with you as carry on. Larger hooks must be in checked bags only.

Now what does TSA consider large hooks? The usual bureaucratic nonsense.

[buzzed bait]

There is the answer. Reels can go with you as carry on. Larger hooks must be in checked bags only.

Now what does TSA consider large hooks? The usual bureaucratic nonsense.

 

my thoughts exactly!!  like i said, russian roulette with those guys.

 

Its always good to see the official rules first before talking to someone...

 

http://www.tsa.gov/traveler-information/hunting-and-fishing-equipment

 

thanks for that link though, at least they have it all spelled out rather than some gray area.

[Felix77]

There is the answer. Reels can go with you as carry on. Larger hooks must be in checked bags only.

Now what does TSA consider large hooks? The usual bureaucratic nonsense.

 

Feel the exact same way ... Hooks is where it gets interesting.  

 

I have been able to carry on 4/0 hooks.  I had a pack of Gamakatsu's which I threw in my bag.  Meant to put it in my carry on.  Went through fine.  Did it on the way back as well just to "test the waters" and again I was able to go through.  I am not brave (stupid) enough to test a whole plano worth of stuff.

 

FWIW - If it is a small trip I try to find the nearest WalMart, BassPro etc. and buy the minimum I need while I am there in terms of hooks.  Worst thing that will happen is that they confiscate the hooks.

 

Plastics and weights are zero issues.

 

Good luck on your trip!

[TheBug]

From the Delta site:

 

Fishing Equipment

Fishing poles up to 115 linear inches (292 cm) are allowed as checked baggage as long as they are contained safely. Oversized baggage fees will apply for items over 62 linear inches (158 cm). All standard baggage charges apply.

 

http://www.delta.com/content/www/en_US/traveling-with-us/baggage/before-your-trip/special-items.html

 

Look under Sports Equipment

 

 

Just looked into it myself recently Southwest, which require the case to be no larger than 3" diameter.
 

[Fishes in trees]

Depending on where you're going, you might want to consider just bringing money, buying a couple of rigs to fish with while you're there and then shipping them home when you're done.  If you're fishing with buds, they ought to have enough terminal tackle & soft plastics to cover you for a few days.

 

Call ahead, maybe your buds can spot you a rod & reel or two, or three, depending. . …. Carrying your own stuff through the airlines without a LOT of planning seems like a pain.

[Chris S]

Just leave the filet knife at home. I travel all the time with rods, reels and lures. The filet knife was a donation to a nice TSA agent in Philly once Only good part it was my brothers!!! as for rod holders PVC as think as you need and duct tape, yei I am hi-tech!

[buzzed bait]

thanks for all the replies guys.... since i didn't plan properly i will not be able to fish this time around... but now i know i suppose!  i'm going down towards Tampa in the end of october so maybe i should just be planning hard on taking some gear on that trip and find a FL pig.....

[Rick99]

Just called two airlines. Looks like anything over 80 inches must be shipped through cargo with an account number. My rods are 7ft long one piece....how do I get them to my destination? THANKS

[bigbill]

My son bought a monster plastic tube for shipping rods. He was down south at stone mountain Georgia. He flew down with nothing. But when his co-workers down there mentioned fishing he was on it like stink on a skunk. He purchased all new stuff and came home with it when the job was done.

[buzzed bait]

My son bought a monster plastic tube for shipping rods. He was down south at stone mountain Georgia. He flew down with nothing. But when his co-workers down there mentioned fishing he was on it like stink on a skunk. He purchased all new stuff and came home with it when the job was done.

 

that's cool, but if i bought one more thing the wife would kill me.  was he fishing the lake at the stone mountain park?  i've fished there a few times, but had no luck there whatsoever.  awesome little lake though.