Travelling with fishing gear

[RIROCKHOUND]

Headed on a journey the end of the week to sunnier and warmer climates...

Anyone had any trouble travelling with gear? I have 2 3-piece rods, the case is no more than 30" or so and want to take it carry on... Also, I know reels carry on are not problem as I've dont that many times, what about hooks and other terminal tackle....?

Thanks!

Bryan

[Motor Fish]

Flew to the Bahamas 3 weeks ago. Packed my rods in a 4 inch PVC pipe (which I had to check) and put the reels in my carry on. All my tackle I put into a suitcase and checked.

I don't think they will let you take hooks onto a plane.

Going there - no problem. Coming back - airline lost my rods. Apparently, the tube rolled off the luggage belt (which I guess happens quite frequently). Got them back a week later. Just happy it didn't happen on the way there. Bring the rods with you on the plane. 30 inches should be okay.

[FishermanTim]

Check with the airline beforehand.
I flew to Ireland years ago (pre-9/11) and had to check my fly rod.
Their explanation was that it could be used as a weapon.
I had no problem with reels, and tackle was in my checked luggage.

[spence]

I'd pack the rods to check regardless, that way they won't get damaged if you're forced to check them. Check as much of your tackle as you can, it won't be worth the headache at the scanners. If you do check anything valuable, make sure you tell them.

-spence

[RIROCKHOUND]

Trying not to check anything, have to switch flights and dont want the hassle of lost bags etc.. always try and do carry on if possible

[fishweewee]

ship rods fedex. not all airlines will take irregulalrly sized luggage. get insurance.

hooks and other sharps have to be checked.

carry reels with you in your carry-on.

[Surfcastinglife]

went to ft lauderdale a few weeks ago. reel in carry on luggage, rod in hand (2 piece) had no problems what so ever, flew american

[chris L]

ship them with fed-ex , ups or usps . what ever it costs is a lot better than dealing with it at the airport or lost gear .

when I go to Alaska I have to use USPS cause no one else will ship there . Just call ahead to your Hotel and let them know your shipping a package there . usps quoted me $37 to ship express mail for 10# .

[RIROCKHOUND]

going to a small island in the bahamas, fed-ex probably wont work, especially on this time frame.. the case is 3" x 30".. I have brought bigger in the past, without a problem, but heard a rumor it may be a problem, but that was a long flyrod, not a 30" tube...

I'll call the airline tommorow...
B

[chris L]

bryan
thats your best deal . they should be able to tell you . I am worried about the screeners saying no way all that stuff is dangerous to others . Then having to scramble .

before 01 I flew a # of times to FLA and TX hand carrying my 2 piece rods ( freashwater 5'6 rods ) with me . never a second look other than to tell me to have a good time and good luck and a few that asked if I was going fishing ? no Im just giving my rods a little air time .

[RIROCKHOUND]

Chris.. a few years back I took a 2pc 9ft flyrod in a metal tube on a plane, a few years in a row.. all pre 9/11.. took the 3pc last year to FL, no problem, should be the same this year, a stupid friend has me all paranoid this year...

[chris L]

yeah but its a whole lot better to be cautious now than to have a pant load of trouble at the airport .
I have the same concerns and thats why Im shipping mine through the mail insured .

[Bronko]

I agree with FWW. Send them ahead via FedEx. When I go to the Keys I send whatever I am taking down a couple of days early. No worries or hastles.

[piemma]

Hooks are a problem. What the hell, they take nail clippers so don't even try plugs. I bought som stuff in FL last year and mailed it home.

[Skip N]

Good luck trying to carry them on with you...The past couple times ive flown they refused to let me bring my 4 piece fly rods as carry on. Better pack them to be checked in to be safe. I think it all depends on the screeners...seems like some will say yes and then the ones i get stuck with say no way Would Be nice if the airlines had one uniform policy...A yes or a No!

[Iwannakeeper]

IF you decide to carry-on....

1. Pack 'em as if you were going to ship them
2. Get to the airport extra early to get through all of the normal and possibly some new hurdles.

If shipping was possible - I would choose to ship 'em

Also, careful what you have in your tackle, knives, pliers, nail clippers, in addition to your hooks, plugs, weights etc.



-IWK

[RIROCKHOUND]

Well, got an email, my father went down with the same tube on Sat. with no problems, so I'll give it a shot and check it if needed...
Thanks for the input!
B

[pete santini]

I take my 3 piece spinning rods with me everwhere i go there in a 30 inch tube which i put in my duffle bag I also put my reels in there as well as all my tackle. What i am saying is put everything in your large suitcase or duffle I've never lost anything in the last ten years of travel If the rods too long then put it in a tube and check it separate,only time i carry on is when its an accurate reel or something really valuable

[piemma]

I fly 4 days a week....every week. It absolutely sucks. latest thing is the staples I have in my chest from bypass surgery 2 years ago are now setting off the metal detector. Pat down sometimes 4 times a day for 4 flights

[chris L]

I wonder if stents set off the metal detectors . I know they lowered the tolerances some .

[piemma]

I had 4 stents put in before the bypass. They never set it off, but they have lowered the settings a bit. That's what some of my friends in the know tell me.

[chris L]

yep I have 3 . never set it off before but I had heard from a reliable source that they were lowered . better bring my implant cards with me .

[fishweewee]

Chris if you have a .357 mag or .44 mag revolver, bring it with you in case your guide isn't armed against bears.

[chris L]

he wears a 30-06 when ever he leaves the lodge . Im not afraid of no bears . besides all I have to do is flip the bear a couple salmon and we be friends .