Traveling with one piece rods

[Charlie Darr]

I’m going to California from Virginia and I don’t own any travel or two piece rods. Does anyone have experience taking one piece rods up to 7’3” on a plane? I would like to use a 78” long piece of 4” pvc to put 4 rods in since 80” is the limit. I’m just curious as to how others pack their rods really. And any tips on fishing the Napa river and spots to try on clear lake are appreciated!

[Westcoast]

That’s what I do. I use schedule 40 pvc pipe. If you’re only taking four rods go for something smaller than the 4” as it gets pretty heavy at that diameter. I’ll glue threaded caps on and wrap the rods in bubble wrap or rags so they don’t bounce around. 

[MN Fisher]

40 minutes ago, Charlie Darr said:

I’m going to California from Virginia and I don’t own any travel or two piece rods. Does anyone have experience taking one piece rods up to 7’3” on a plane? I would like to use a 78” long piece of 4” pvc to put 4 rods in since 80” is the limit. I’m just curious as to how others pack their rods really. And any tips on fishing the Napa river and spots to try on clear lake are appreciated!

You do realize that 7'3 is 87"...a 78" tube will be too short to fit that one-piece rod. 78" is only 6'6"

[Fishes in trees]

Here's a thought.  Maybe this fits your budget and maybe it don't.   Why not just bring your reels with you?  Package them in bubble wrap in your carry on.  When you get to California - go to a fishing tackle store and purchase however many rods you need.  I'm pretty certain that they have tackle shops in California and that they stock fishing rods.  You could probably make the initial inquiries over the phone, at some shop close to where you'll be fishing.   Anywhere near the Bay Area - there is Hi's Tackle Box.  They advertise as a " boutique" tackle shop and the guys of the Tackle Tour site frequently praise that store.  If they're really a boutique store, they should be able to  arrange shipping back to your house after you're done with your trip.  Anyway, that's what I'd consider doing - it ain't the cheapest solution, but it might be the easiest - and you'd have an excuse to get a few new rods if you needed one.

I know this solution works because I know guys who have done this on a couple of occasions.   They've taken several "trips of a lifetime" to exotic places and there is always a weight limit and space limit to deal with.  Months before they were due to go to Brazil, they shipped a bunch of stuff to Manaus, Brazil.  When they finally got WAY up the Amazon, they had an unlimited supply of braided line & fluorocarbon leader, half ounce jigs, various soft plastics, anti-bug stuff and so forth.  They got to travel light and have use of lots of gear once they got there.   Just took some planning (and a MasterCard)

[ike8120]

What about a telescoping rod, Kastking just came out with Compass line in both spinning and casting. It will fit in your carry on with a reel.  Just a suggestion.

[MN Fisher]

9 minutes ago, ike8120 said:

What about a telescoping rod, Kastking just came out with Compass line in both spinning and casting. It will fit in your carry on with a reel.  Just a suggestion.

I've never been impressed with telescoping rods. Add to that, the Compass is a 'super-budget' rod with a low number of guides. I'd rather pay some extra and go with a Diawa Ardito-TR...better rod and breaks down into several sections. I have a couple two-piece rods and the days of the metal ferule joining them are gone...the blank-ferule they use now-days keeps the sensitivity all the way down the length.

 

A good multi-use rod is the Ardito-TR 70MHF-SC - 7'0" MH/F - comes with two different handles so you can switch the one rod from Spinning to Baitcasting. 6 pieces (2 handles, 4 for the rest) so it breaks down very compact. Put it in a tube just large enough and it might even fit in your check-in bag.

[FryDog62]

I have bought $50 rods like Abu Garcia Vengeance and Daiwa Aird from Tacklewarehouse which qualifies for free shipping... and have it sent to my destination. Then pack my reels with me. Cost me $50 but I saved mailing a rod 2 ways.  
 

In one case, I left the rod with the relative I was visiting so I’d have it next time I’m in town - and the other time I gave the rod to a kid on the nearby fishing pier.  Made his day and mine...

[Charlie Darr]

22 hours ago, MN Fisher said:

You do realize that 7'3 is 87"...a 78" tube will be too short to fit that one-piece rod. 78" is only 6'6"

Lol it was a little late last night and I feel pretty dumb... I know better haha. I’ve decided to just ship them in a piece of 3” pvc. I mulled over buying rods but I really like st croix, have invested a lot, and would like to utilize them on this trip. I was also able to fit 5 rods in my 3” pipe if anyone else needs to know. 

6 hours ago, FryDog62 said:

I have bought $50 rods like Abu Garcia Vengeance and Daiwa Aird from Tacklewarehouse which qualifies for free shipping... and have it sent to my destination. Then pack my reels with me. Cost me $50 but I saved mailing a rod 2 ways.  
 

In one case, I left the rod with the relative I was visiting so I’d have it next time I’m in town - and the other time I gave the rod to a kid on the nearby fishing pier.  Made his day and mine...

Thank you for doing that. There isn’t enough youth out there fishing anymore. They’ll probably never forget it. 

[camman]

You also better check on the cost for the airplane to take a 80” tube.  If I recall some airlines charge a pretty hefty fee for that size.  Cheaper option would be to mail the rods to you and mail them back via USPS.

[Charlie Darr]

Ups seems to be the cheapest I’ll let y’all know how much it cost for anyone else interested 

[ATA]

just buy travel rod, I have 3 set ups only for travel, made my life so easy, specially when going to some place far far away , the airports in some countries or cities are not like you ever imagine. so I keep them in overhead and hand carry all the way.

[islandbass]

Travel rods are the most convenient, but if you’re adamant about using your own rods, I’d simply buy a Plano rod carrier. They are airline worthy out the gate. 
 

I’ve gone international with mine and no issues so a domestic flight would be a cakewalk. Done deal.