On occasion, one may plan a fishing trip that requires one to take their fishing gear with them on a flight. Unfortunately, the length of some fishing poles can sometimes pose an issue when one is attempting to bring fishing gear on a flight.
As specified by the TSA, fishing poles are permitted to be taken on flights by an individual. However, one must first confirm with the airline to check whether their fishing pole can fit within the size limitations for carry-on or check-in luggage items.
Does The Length Of One’s Fishing Pole Matter?
The length of one’s fishing pole that one wants to take on a flight determines how one’s fishing pole will need to be transported. Fishing poles may be taken on a flight as carry-on luggage or may have to be taken as check-in luggage, depending on the length of the fishing pole.
How Can One Take A Fishing Pole As Carry-On Luggage?
In most circumstances, one should be able to take their fishing poles with them as carry-on items when traveling by plane. However, due to certain fishing rods being relatively lengthy, they may not be able to fit within the allocated spaces for carry-on items.
To find out whether they can bring their fishing pole with them as a carry-on item, one will need to contact the airline they want to fly with to find out what size restrictions they have with their carry-on items.
Finding out whether one’s fishing pole can fit within the plane’s carry-on compartments before taking their fishing pole on the flight can allow them to avoid unnecessary disappointment should their fishing pole be too long to take with them.
How Can One Take A Fishing Pole As Check-In Luggage?
If one’s fishing pole cannot fit in the overhead compartments or under their seat, they must book their fishing pole as check-in luggage. Most airlines have a maximum length restriction for check-in luggage, so one may be unable to take their fishing pole with them if it’s too long.
If one’s fishing pole doesn’t exceed the maximum length for check-in luggage, they can book their fishing pole as check-in luggage, although they may be charged an additional fee for booking in extra baggage. The costs of taking excess luggage may vary depending on the airline one chooses to fly.
One can sometimes book their fishing poles as sports equipment. Checking in one’s fishing gear as sports equipment with certain airlines may allow one to check in their gear for free or at a lower cost due to how the luggage is categorized. However, this may vary depending on each airline’s luggage policies.
How Can One Transport Fishing Poles On A Flight?
Most of the lengthier fishing poles are designed with the ability to be dismantled into smaller pieces to be transported more easily. Fishing poles have “eyes” that are relatively delicate and risk being damaged if not transported correctly.
When transporting fishing poles on a flight, one must ensure that the poles are correctly packaged for transport. Transporting rods on a flight requires one to have a cylindrical fishing rod tube to carry their fishing rods. Getting a hard-case fishing rod tube is recommended for the best protection.
Keeping one’s fishing poles in a cylindrical fishing rod tube allows one’s fishing poles to stay protected from possible handling damage during transport. It also allows all the pieces of their fishing pole to be kept together when split up to avoid possibly losing pieces in transit.
Can One Bring Other Fishing Gear On A Flight?
If one decides to take their fishing pole on a flight, they will likely want to take the rest of their fishing gear with them. Some fishing gear, such as hooks and lures, might have sharp edges, which may be considered unsafe to be taken on a flight.
One must first check with the airline whether they will be allowed to take their hooks and lures as carry-on items. If the airline allows one to take these items with them as carry-on luggage, it is best to ensure that all the sharp edges on the hooks are properly concealed.
How Should One Fly With Fishing Gear?
Should they not be allowed to take this fishing gear with them as carry-on, they can instead book it in as check-in luggage. One should note that fishing gear such as knives and pliers may not be permitted on a flight with them as they can pose a danger to other passengers.
Fishing gear such as reels are usually quite delicate and expensive, so to avoid the risk of specific gear getting damaged or stolen, some choose to take their gear with them as carry-on luggage.
One can take any fishing gear with them as a carry-on as long as it has no sharp edges and does not pose a potential danger to other passengers.
How Much Fishing Gear Can One Take On A Flight?
The amount of fishing gear that one may take with them on a flight varies depending on the policy of the airline that one chooses to fly.
For most airlines, the fishing gear one can take with them on a flight is typically limited to the following: one box containing their fishing tackle, one pair of boots, one landing net, one fishing reel, and two fishing poles.
Despite this generalization of how much fishing gear one can bring on a flight, one needs to check what policies their chosen airline has regarding fishing gear luggage restrictions before packing their gear for a flight to avoid any hassles and disappointments.
What Are One’s Options When Travelling With Fishing Gear?
Should one’s fishing pole be too long to take on a flight with them, or should a TSA officer not permit them to take their fishing poles or gear with them on a plane for any reason, one must know their options.
If one cannot take their fishing gear with them on the flight, they will most likely have the option to ship their fishing gear back home from the airport.
However, suppose one has any items in their fishing gear that a TSA officer may find potentially dangerous, such as a knife or sharp pliers. In that case, they may decide to confiscate their items from them permanently.
What Alternatives Does One Have To Travelling With Fishing Gear?
Transporting fishing gear can sometimes be a hassle when it comes to flying, so one should consider renting fishing poles and fishing gear from boat charters or angling shops at their destination.
By renting equipment at their destination, one will not have to worry about any travel hassles or additional costs of taking their fishing gear with them when flying. One will also have the peace of mind knowing that none of their fishing gear will be lost, damaged, or stolen while transported.
Alternatively, suppose one must take their equipment with them for any reason and worry that their gear might get lost, damaged, or stolen. In that case, they should consider investing in another set of cheaper equipment they might not be as concerned about losing.
