Grab Your Gear, and Carry on!

In our last newsletter, I touched on getting you geared up for that bucket list adventure. This week, I'll answer that often-asked question: Can I carry my fishing gear on an airplane?

To be clear, this is not always a yes or no answer, and I'll add the caveat: it depends on what is going on in the world at the time. Still, there are a few things to consider when you venture to other countries in search of that "fish of a lifetime." There, are a few things you can do to ensure your gear gets to where you are going and back home again...

First, let's take a look at where you are flying off to. If you're just hopping on a flight to Montana or the Florida Keys, no worries! You can carry on Rods, Reels, and a few flies. I would suggest discretion if heading off to chase migratory tarpon in Florida when it comes to the number of large hooks you stuff in your carry-on. A dozen or so shouldn't cause any issues, but a boat box filled with two hundred 4/0 hooks may have you waiting for a supervisor. Carry on a small box, and check the rest.

The TSA website suggests:  "Like other high-value objects, you may wish to pack expensive reels or fragile tackle that does not pose a security threat (small flies) in your carry-on bags. Fishing rods are permitted in carry-on and checked bags; however, passengers should check with the airline to confirm that the fishing rod fits within size limitations for carry-on items."

On our recent trip to Cuba, while going through TSA my bag, filled with reels, was pulled aside as a training exercise. The X-ray showed a suspicious collection of metallic objects. I waited as the trainee pulled each reel case out of my bag, finally opening one after asking if the object inside was sharp or dangerous. " Only to fish" was my reply. By now the supervisor was there and "Wow, you must be going somewhere fun!" We talked about fishing in Cuba, I handed him some Royal Treatment stickers, then headed to catch up with Jennifer with all of our tackle safely tucked in my bag.

Now, here is where it gets interesting. Let's say you fly to Cancun to fish the Yucatan, carrying on your gear and a change of clothes just in case. You have an epic trip and arrive back in Cancun to fly home, toss your dirty laundry-filled luggage on the scale, grab your boarding pass, and head to security only to find those dangerous fly rods, and fancy reels filled with strangle-cord are NOT allowed on the plane. Now what? Well, back to the check-in counter, and hope your carry-on bag protects your stuff from the airline luggage tossers.

TSA rules in the USA do not apply outside of the USA. Each country you fly to and back from will have its own rules, and most do not allow rods, reels, and other tackle to be carried on the airplane. So, what do you do? ( Note: when traveling with large groups as we do, there is always one person who manages to get on the plane with their rod case, while the rest have had to go back and check them. Do you feel lucky?)

If you are concerned about not having your gear when you arrive, by all means, carry it on. Just plan to check it coming home and make sure you have room for it in your checked luggage, or that your rod case is sturdy enough to protect your rods in the hands of the aforementioned luggage tossers.

Within the last few years, I've come to appreciate large roller duffles that can accommodate rod cases, offering extra protection for my favorite sticks. My Fishpond Dakota Rod/Reel case fit nicely in my original soft side duffle, but schlepping it through airports was painful. Recently, I upgraded to the Stormshadow Roller Duffle from Fishpond and simply packed my gear in there coming and going. It's been wonderful for my aging back and reduces what I have to deal with on the plane. Now, my carry-on has a change of clothes, medications, reading material, and noise-canceling headphones for that toddler in 14B.

Checking your tackle is not without risks, but the airlines are getting much better about matching travelers on the plane, to luggage in the hold. Just make sure to have TSA-approved locks on all zippers to lower temptation. Still, I try to photograph my bag so I have an image to show the airline representative who speaks only broken English in whatever country we've landed in if my bag does get misplaced. In addition, when packing for a trip, I make a photographic record of what goes in the bag, so if it is lost, stolen, or gone forever, I have something to show my homeowner's insurance company, but that's a whole other issue that we will leave for another day.

Travel safe!