Air travel - 2 piece rod ?

[FryDog62]

I have a two piece 6 foot 8 spinning rod I would like to take on a trip with me (Sun Country airlines).  So it breaks down into approximately two 3.5 pieces.  Any way to get this on a plane or through baggage without extra fee?  

[A-Jay]

Check with the airline you're flying to see what the max length / size of carry-on is.

 

https://www.suncountry.com/Fly/Baggage/Carry-On-Baggage

 

A-Jay

[FryDog62]

Thanks Ajay, looks like I could check baggage for the rod but would be an extra $50 round trip.  Not being cheap, but makes me think I could buy a modest rod at BPS for that amount and leave it there for next time.  

 

I guess the other option is to put each piece of the rod down each of my pant legs and just walk onto the plane... might be hard to sit down though  

[Choporoz]

I had a good experience mailing two piece rods out and back; fairly easy and cheap.  I think I got 4" tube at Staples for about two bucks.  Postage was less than $6 each way.

[fishnkamp]

I would go for the buy one out there and leave it for the next time. Financially it my be better and if you fight off the bait monkey you could put a "LITTLE" tackle kit together pretty cheaply.  Begin with some bait hooks, a pack of pinch on weights, a bobber or two, and some swivels. That takes care of playing with some panfish just, add some fresh nightcrawlers.

As for bass or other larger species add a pack or two of grubs, some Sencos, and some soft or hollow bodied swimbaits. I happen to like the Reaction Innovation Skinny Dippers, but Keitech and Strike King work well also.  

For hooks look at Bass Pro for Perfect Finesse worm hooks, they are a worm hook with a molded on worm weight. 1/8 and 1/4 will do. These work with worms and grubs and creature baits really well. For the Sencos get some appropriate sized worm hooks as well a a pack of worm weights to texas rig. A pack of wacky jig heads might be a good idea as well.  Lastly you can use the same worm hooks to fish the swimbaits weightless, get some belly weighted swimbait hooks ( 1/8 and 1/4) and a pack or two of swimbait jig heads like the Picassos.  They look like a fish head on the hook. I use 3/8 and 1/2.  With all of these pieces you can cover from shallow to deep using a small variety of baits. All of these could easily be fished on one 6'6 to 7 foot medium power fast action spinning rod.

If you return to your destination often this approach would work best all around.  All that tackle can fit in one of the smaller tackle bags or even a traditional tackle box. Bass Pro carries some decent spinning rod combos for around $60.  That is the way I would go. Of course you will have to resist the bait monkey!

[A-Jay]

6 hours ago, FryDog62 said:

Thanks Ajay, looks like I could check baggage for the rod but would be an extra $50 round trip.  Not being cheap, but makes me think I could buy a modest rod at BPS for that amount and leave it there for next time.  

 

I guess the other option is to put each piece of the rod down each of my pant legs and just walk onto the plane... might be hard to sit down though  

 Yea ~  LOL.   That's pretty Funny.

The few times I actually air traveled with rods were international deals (Mexico) Learned a lot right away.

First time I went with the Massive Bazooka tube (the one with the wheels)  The looks on the travel agents faces were Priceless - Sheer Terror.

 Initial flight was a puddle jumper and they had to "rearrange cargo" to get the thing on board - Rest of the domestic connectors were OK.  But them came the Mexico & customs both ways (In & Out of CONUS)  PIA to say the least.   Since then I've given up on the full one piece stick strategy in lieu of the travel rods.   Made my own little carry on rod case (that fits in the overhead space) and haven't looked back.

I will admit to still doing some R & D to find a 3 piece stick that I don't blow up on the hook set - I'm pretty certain Jeff H  @00 mod would appreciate that as well.  Incidentally, the GLoomis travel sticks seem to hold up very well.

A-Jay

 

[Hulkster]

another option that I use is a three piece travel rod. G. Loomis and St. Croix have some very good ones. the loomis escape series and the st. Croix premier travel series are 3 piece rods that come in hard pvc travel tubes that will fit into the largest size suitcase. that's what I bring down when I travel. I have two loomis escape rods (pricey but worth the investment) and one st. Croix premier travel rod.

[MickD]

There are good 3 piece rods that break down to a length that is almost universally accepted as carry-on. I would not expect a 4 foot tube to be almost universally accepted.  

 

The suggestion to check with the airline is good advice.