I carry on a PVC 4" case that holds six 3-piece rods. It's 43" long. The way I read the regs is that I can have a tube 45" long. Only had one argument with a hostess, but had the reg size and tube size written on the bottom of the case. End of argument. Have flown all over the world with the case. I carry on the reels, but check the saltwater flies. My fishing partner was able to carry on his flies to the Bahamas but had to check them on the way back. Guess the Bahamanian TSA guy was having a bad day...