In July I will be flying with some fishing tackle, and since I have never done it before I could use some advice. Ideally, I would like to bring an 8’6" 3-piece, 9’ 2-piece, and a 6’ 2-piece. Since I will be changing planes 3 times, I wouldn’t feel very comfortable checking them in baggage. So are you allowed to bring rods as cary on items, and does that mean that you can no longer take a bag? What about reels and flies, seems to me they should definately go in a cary on?? If I take all three rods, is it ok to have them in seperate tubes, maybe tied/taped together, or do I need to make / buy a large tube that will hold all three?? Is the 9 foot rod too long? I guess thats all I can think of, but I’m sure there are other things I should consider. Please let me know any information you have on the subject, since my tackle is the most improtant thing I need to pack! Thanks.
youre gonna get as many different stories as people responding but heres what i did from hartford ct to bozeman mt last september
i carried 2, 4 piece fly rods like this on to the plane plus a backpack with my camera gear. all my other fly fishing gear was checked in and went to the belly of the plane. the rods were in plastic tubes but others will tell you aluminum tubes are OK too. the rods and backpack fit into the overhead bin. my backpack contained no fly fishing gear whatsoever. everything made it out to bozeman and back to hartford and nothing was lost or stolen.
this is only my experience and i would do it the same way again. its not nice to pi$$ off any TSA agent. you dont know what side of the bed they got up on the day youre traveling so why take any chances!
Two piece rods; three plane changes, three different airports…
…disaster waiting to happen.
Do yourself a big favor and ship your stuff in advance FULLY INSURED via UPS, FEDEX, DHL, etc.
I’ve done it lots of times with no issues and real peace of mind. I had stuff shipped to my lodge, my friends and held for pick-up which is the option I like best.
Oh yea, I ALWAYS put my metal rod tubes inside of PVC tubes with bubble wrap for extra protection when shipping. It costs more to ship because of the extral weight but the additional protection is worth it to me, especially if you have a rod that is no longer available.
Like I said in my previous post; I put my metal tubes inside of a homemade PVC tube with one removable end cap. I wrap the rod tube in bubble wrap so it doesn’t jiggle around and tape the removable PVC cap in place. I NEVER ship a rod without the PVC since 99% of my rods are irreplaceable for various reasons so if they get busted; even the insurance won’t get me back what I lost.
I have shipped lots of rods that way with no issue except the increase in the shipping cost because of the extra weight. I just put the labels right on the PVC and I’m good to go. I have quite a few lying around the house for everything from 4pc to 2pc rods.
IF I can find a large enough piece of cardboard or a big enough and long enough box; I’ll also put the PVC inside of that just so it won’t roll around in the back of a UPS truck which I figure is a good thing. But I have shipped plenty of rods without the box.
Uline, which is a distributor of shipping supplies; sells long cardboard boxes. Unfortunately you would have to buy a bunch from them but in all honesty; getting a large cardboard box and cutting it down to make a 6" X 6" X 36"+ box isn’t that difficult.
Also; I have taken two of the FREE Priority Mail triangular tubes and joined them together to ship a rod once. It’s amazing what you can do with a box cutter, some arts and crafts ability and some packing tape.
sorry didnt see the pvc thing. that would be rather costly from a shipping stand point. like you also said you do have to buy boxes in bulk and thats costly too.
i guess it come down to good old yankee ingenuity to create a shipping tube from good old cardboard.
i just thought you knew of a magical place to get cardboard shipping tubes.
Well the extra cost in shipping becomes a minor issue if you ship ground; the added cost per pound isn’t that bad. Obviously if you go next day or two day it can get expensive but as far as I’m concerned; if I lose a rod because I was too cheap to spend a few extra few bucks to protect it in transit; I had it coming.
ESPECIALLY knowing what I do about how stuff gets thrown around by the freight companies. Cardboard may be OK for the rod makers 'cause they can just send you a replacement if a new rod is damaged in transit; but when it’s my own stuff; it goes PVC Express!
If you decide you want to use cardboard…try checking with your local golf courses. Golf clubs and shafts are shipped in triangular long boxes [sometimes rectangular]…I’m sure they just throw them away. They’re not long enough for a 2 piece 9’ rod though so you’d have to cobble two together as Bam says.
I feel your pain… we’re always worried about shipping rods, yet nothing has ever happened.
This past week, we were trying hard to see my Mom in Florida, our once a year visit. Tough to get tickets school vacation week in Maine, tougher yet with the Boston Marathon going on, then throw in a good Nor’Easter! We were due to depart from Portland Sunday around six a.m. but made it down to Ft Myers from Boston Wednesday evening instead. Despite switching through three different airlines and our baggage going ahead (somewhere) on that Monday without us, even the two fly rod tubes taped together were safely waiting for us in the correct airlines’ office when we landed. We were impressed!
Please consider the PVC route, and cardboard, and ship in plenty of time. Or rent equipment on the other end.
It’s amazing what you can do with some cardboard, a box cutter , and a roll of duct tape!! Cobble something together and stuff it (the PVC protected tubes) in the cardboard creation. It may cost a few bucks more, but when you’ve paid for a trip of a lifetime (or just a great vacation), it’s sad how quickly it becomes a disaster when the rods are broken … or not allowed on a plane … or stolen (err, “lost”) in transit at the airports.
As already stated, TSA’s stance on carry-on for fishing gear varies based on… changes in atmospheric pressure, pork belly futures, rock-paper-scissors, reading of sheep entrails, who knows? I’d think the short 2 pc and the 3pc could come on the plane with you (if they’re in aluminum tubes all bets are off), probably not the 9’. Reels should not be a problem; I pack my flies in checked luggage (although the last time I flew, my neighbor had 5 boxes of big saltwater flies in his carry-on and passed through without a word). If you have to have the 9’, shipping may be the way to go - you could also use this as an excuse to buy a new 4 pc. Best of luck; hope it all works out.
Thanks for the responses everyone. I am worried about shipping the rods because my trip is overseas, and therefore shipping would be very expensive I think. What about flying with the rods? Will the airline allow me to carry on the long two piece rod / multiple rods, or will I have to check them? Is there some type of insurance you can get for checked baggage?? Thanks.
ScottP had great idea … pick up one nice rod when you get there! Pack the flies and a great reel in your check in baggage. Be free! Make it grand adventure!! Email a few places ahead of time to see what they have available, then when you’re done fishing, have the place you picked up the rod ship it for you!!
If only I was made of money! As much as I would love to get a new one, sadly I’m sure itd be cheaper to ship or fly with the rods I own than to buy new ones.
I have flown many times with my fly rods as checked luggage without a problem. I have also on occassion carried them on with me … although never my two piece. Remember most airlines today limit the number of both checked and carry on luggage. I have always taped the multiple rod tubes together . ONe option if your airline does it is to take then with you and then check them at the gate … you will get them back at the next gate so although checked they still stay with you. On an aside I did have a fly taken from me on one flight … the hook was considered a weapon by the TSA and I had neglectd to take it off the reel .
Tom
in 2003 i lived in england for 3 months and took some fly rods with me in a large roll away duffel and had no problems with customs each way. they were 4 piece rods. i only took a few fly boxes that would fit in a william joseph creel shoulder bag. that was in with all my checked luggage.
give us an idea of where youre headed and maybe we could help out more.
not sure of insurance, but if the airlines had it i doubt it would be for full replacement costs of that $650 orvis zero gravity rod!!
To find a large Heavy cardboard tube check with an upholster(Furniture re-coverer louzy speler) they get their fabric on long(54-60 in.) heavy tubes. Also check a fabric store that sells decerator fabrics.
Bill
on to the plane plus a backpack with my camera gear. all my other fly fishing gear was checked in and went to the belly of the plane. the rods were in plastic tubes but others will tell you aluminum tubes are OK too. the rods and backpack fit into the overhead bin. my backpack contained no fly fishing gear whatsoever. everything made it out to bozeman and back to hartford and nothing was lost or stolen.