i am planning a trip to Cali for this summer. can anyone give me any advice or experiences regarding flying and surf rods? everything i have is one piece and at least 9'. should i just build a PVC tube to carry the rod? is there a safer/better way?

I have seen guys with the "Cannon " tubes but I think they are only good up to 8'. Better call in advance to see if they will allow the length. Might be cheaper to ship with FedEx. to where you plan to stay.

OH, look a PVC tube it must have a fishing rod that someone cares about in it. Sorry sir, your luggage was lost you can file a claim...

Seriously, if you are traveling with a long surf rod I would recommend building a tube. I would be sure not to use the thin PVC pipe they use for drainage and go with at least Schedule 40. I flew a cheap 8 footer in a sturdy cardboard tube a number of years ago and they managed to bust the tube open,

Ive flown with stand-up rods but never a 9-ft surf rod.I bought I belive a plano plastic rod holder that slides and adjusts to carry longer rods and has locks on it.I can get like 4 rods in it.Wrapped rods in sheet to keep them seperate and help with them banging around because baggage handlers do no treat luggage very well.Used to take bag with reels and tackle as carry-on so it wouldnt disappear but check with air-lines as now all except maybe reels must be in cargo hold with luggage.They dont even allow nail clippers on a passenger.Last year comming out of Savannah They wouldnt let me through with a striker for cutting torches and a set of ferrel crimps for making acyetelene/oxygen hoses.They could go in luggage but not as carry -on into passenger area.They allowed the torches and the hoses but not the tools.--ABSOLUTELY NO TOOLS--I used to fly with carry-on filet knives and ful tackle bag.They also charged me almost as much for the American Staffordshire puppy I was bringing back (100.00) ticket as mine was(120.00)And he didnt get the pretzels and cup of soda.He was in little carry case like gym bag and only weighed 8 lbs.carried on and held on lap.

T, I just bought the sweetest Loomis 8 and a 1/2 foot 2 piece rod rated 1 to 2-1/4 ounces. It's the first two piece surf rod I ever owned. It's a GL3 and I can never remember the model #. If I can think of it I will send you the cat#. I think you would be better with something like that for air travel.

I just flew to Florida with two seven foot poles in a Bazuka tube thingy you can buy from cabelas for like thirty bucks. I only think it goes to eight feet though. Nevertheless, I checked it, and those morons from Baggage safety took it apart in an inspection, and put it back together wrong.:af: :af: :af:

When they reassembled it they didn't take the care to do it right, and the collapsable tube was able to collapse. Mo'fo's broke my tip guide. I have no recourse as well because they do not cover damage to "sporting goods".

So, I think you have a good excuse to go build a two piece, get a rod tube, and carry it on. I wouldn't do it any other way with regulations the way they are.

Toby,
There are a number of air freight forwarders(airport to airport) that you can use. They are fairly reasonable and much safer than checked baggage.

Let me know the airport you are flying to and I can get you some rates.

Don M

thanks for the input. i am not sure which airport i'll be flying out of yet. i still have to do some research as far as the cheapest flights. right now, flights out of boston are cheaper than flights out of hartford.

Flaptail, let me know what rod that is. i may go that route. i am also going to look into Fed Ex-ing a rod. might work out cheaper to do that than to buy a new set up. i have a few months to figure it out totally, but i do want to start investigating early.

another option along Don M's idea is send it UPS/fedx to your hotel/address and call ahead to notify the manager of the hotel what your doing . it will be there when you get there . no hassles thru the airport . one less thing to worry about .

I have slown all over the country with surf rods. I use to place them in a big rod tube. but with all the stuff now as a result of 911. wehn i travel i ship just about everything I can insured via UPS. It may cost extra. but in the long run its worth it.

pre 9-11 I had my rods in a long heavy pvc tube capped on either end. Made a handle and address label and had no problems. I bet now you might have a problem even approching an airport with what looks like a sholder mounted rocket.

I know a lot of folks ship skis UPS prior to thier trips nowadays to avoid all traveling hassles...might be worth it.

i will be staying at a friend's house for the visit, so shipping them there might make the most sense.

I have the plano bazooka rod holder. it will not even extend for an 8' rod. If you take it with you it is considered one piece of luggage. Ship it UPS you can track it on line.

Another thing to consider is that the sirline charge extra for oversized luggage like skis. With that added in shipping it beforehand might be cheaper then carrying it.

I've used the long adjustable Plano tube and thought it was pretty good if you wrap towels or a couple of sweatshirts around your rods for extra cushioning. They're also not very expensive and have a hasp on them so you can lock it.

The only problem was when the rod tube was on the bagage carousel at the Fort Meyers terminal - it almost took out a bunch of blue hairs waiting for their luggage.

Now my Florida rods aren't any longer than 7'6" (2 pc.) and fit nicely in a DB Dunn rod case I got at the SWE. I don't really need 9' for any of the places I fish at Sanibel and Captiva.

I still haven't seen anyone commenting on shipping a 9 foot tube. Maybe you have time to beg, borrow, or build a two piece. I have a 9 wt two piece. PM me.