Taking fishing rods on Airplane

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Justin125

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I’m taking a trip to Elsalto and wondering if any of you guys have hauled your rods on an airplane and what is the best way to take them.
 
Yes it is with a guide but not sure about if they supply rods. My buddy booked the trip and said he usually takes his own. What did you do when you took yours?
 
Justin125 - 4/26/2018 3:36 PM

Yes it is with a guide but not sure about if they supply rods. My buddy booked the trip and said he usually takes his own. What did you do when you took yours?

i usually mail in advance stuff that i want to use when im traveling by plane.
 
You would be cheaper probably to ship it. Other wise you will pay the oversized luggage fee, and the additional bag fee (extra $75-100). I deal with it when I travel with my rifle out west.
 
2+ piece rods are easy to pack in a tube (cardboard or like the flyfisherman use but bigger diameter to fit multiple rods), then bring it on the plane as your one carrier-on. If you are in first class, when boarding politely ask the stewardess to put it in the coat closet (and often they will ignore the one carrier-on rule). If not, you will have to put it in the overhead bin. Shipping ahead is a better option for domestic but I would not risk it with international flights (get insurance if you ship).

If you are going with a large group, put all of your groups rods in a hard case golf club bag (borrow or rent one) and split the fee for the oversized bag.
 
We have a group of 4 going. I may try the PVC idea. I am most likely taking reels off and keeping them in my carry on.
 
I do it all the time. Two suggestions for you. Depending on the airlines checked baggage on international flights is sometimes no charge. Also depending on airline they make exceptions to length limits for fishing rods. For example domestic United falls under sports equipment and reads "All items must be properly encased in a suitable container not to exceed a total of 115 linear inches (L + W + H) and 50 pounds (23 kg)."

I use two different tubes, both of which I made myself. If weight matters I use a tube made out of thin walled 4" PVC drainage pipe. I have end caps that I tape on. I usually wrap rods in a king sized bed sheet alternating tip to butt and without any spinning rods I can get 4 or 5. Drawback to that tube is TSA always cuts the caps off and typically does a ****** job retaping it up. Other tube I have is made from PVC Schedule 40 that's used for plumbing. For that I glued on an end cap and I have a clean out plug that screws on and off. TSA typically takes the cap off looks through the rods and puts a piece of TSA labeled tape over it to show it's been scanned. Big drawback to the schedule 40 is it's heavy. Haven't ever had a problem with anything getting stolen or breaking. If you ever ship rods and want to save weight you can always go to Home Depot or Lowe's and get them to give you the core of a carpet roll. I've used those and haven't had any problems with FedEx or UPS but I always pay the few $'s extra just in case they decide to fold the tube in half and snap my rods.
Good Luck.
 
Use the black plastic plumbing 4" (not the white heavy schedule 40) or similar rod tube. At the very least I'd bring my own reels going to El Salto. Difficult to ship since it is about 2 hours NE of Mazatlán, Mexico but if it were a domestic trip I'd ship them. Bring all the tackle you anticipate needing since resupply there will be very spotty and there is nothing near the lake. Do not go the any of the places outside of where you are staying (bar, etc.) it is a good way to be relieved of your wallet or more. It is dangerous away from the fish camps and whatever you do don't wander around on shore while on the lake or outside of the camp boundaries. Lots of illegal activities in the bushes as you will see the pipes from the lake to the brush for irrigation of marijuana. Be careful. I used to frequent Mexico since I was a kid growing up in San Diego but I doubt I'll step foot there again. Not after I saw the pictures on one of our Marines despicably chained to a jail cell bunk.

Donkbuster is spot on with how to pack them, except I glue a cap on one and a screw fitting on the other and pad the ends with thick foam. I made a sort of wrench tool out of plywood and wrapped it in tape so the cap can be put on tight after TSA has inspected it. Bring your guide a gift or two (a spool of line, hat, shirt whatever) and you will have an immediate amigo. It's a big-time plastics lake so load up on them.

http://www.banderasnews.com/0601/to-elsalto.htm
 
Thank you for the info. We plan to only stay at the lodge and then go fish, no wondering off. I read your article and seems like if we can have that same type trip then it will be a good time. I have heard a lot of hype about the place.
 
Justin125 - 4/26/2018 1:11 PM

I’m taking a trip to Elsalto and wondering if any of you guys have hauled your rods on an airplane and what is the best way to take them.

Just call the airline and ask them.
 
I'm with Strato-G - I made a sipping container out of 4" PVC, taped the ends shut. I stuff an old t-shirt in the bottom to protect the tips. Put the rods in there, the reels in my bag. No problem. Some airlines charge for outsize baggage (this is considered outsize). I fly Delta a lot. So long as it's one of my 2 free checked bags they don't charge. Best to check airlines first.
 
If you end up shipping them and need rod tubes you can come to sportsmans warehouse and we will give you cardboard rod tubes that we receive rods in free of charge.
 
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