Travelling with fishing gear, insert your hints/tips here.

[deathpact2003]

Hi guys,

I will be heading over to Redcliffe later this year and am in early preparation for the final.

I want to know what issues you have had transporting rods, lures, reels, etc.
I am coming from Perth & at this stage is a once off due to qualification, so leaving rods over there for this exact purpose isn't feasible.

Basically after anything info wise to keep me from getting gear confiscated/damaged as I could not afford to leave a hard body box with thousands in it back at the gate. I will also travel with a rod tube as I do have single piece 7ft rods.

Any little things you think I may need to know or things that will help life at the gates/ make it a bit easier, quicker and painless. Some comments may sound stupid to you yourself, but as long as they are on track then please voice your experience (even with air lines mishandling stuff, etc) , this is a first for me taking everything across.

Thanks in advance.

[nagz]

Invest in decent pelican cases that are lockable for your reels, etc. that way there is no chance of anything getting crushed, like a bail arm

You can also pack some clothes amongst the gear to cushion it and save space in suitcases.

I doubt it'd get confiscated

[yellow door 1]

Originally Posted by deathpact2003

Hi guys,

I will be heading over to Redcliffe later this year and am in early preparation for the final.

I want to know what issues you have had transporting rods, lures, reels, etc.
I am coming from Perth & at this stage is a once off due to qualification, so leaving rods over there for this exact purpose isn't feasible.

Basically after anything info wise to keep me from getting gear confiscated/damaged as I could not afford to leave a hard body box with thousands in it back at the gate. I will also travel with a rod tube as I do have single piece 7ft rods.

Any little things you think I may need to know or things that will help life at the gates/ make it a bit easier, quicker and painless. Some comments may sound stupid to you yourself, but as long as they are on track then please voice your experience (even with air lines mishandling stuff, etc) , this is a first for me taking everything across.

Thanks in advance.

Different baggage handlers, at different airports, have different ideas of how to handle things with care. So just because someone has never had a problem doesnt mean there way of doing things will pass all tests at every airport in Australia.

If you arrive at your destination to find your rod tips are busted and your reels have been stomped on - you're screwed if no-one has any replacements.

Its much better to have things arrive in one piece - than to go through lengthy insurance claims and waiting for parts.

Get a hard case for your reels and have it packed so nothing will get damaged - If it can drop from 10ft off the ground to concrete and nothing inside breaks - thats what you are aiming for. If they drop it off the plane while loading it your in serious trouble but it it falls off a baggage cart you should be ok

Same with rod tubes - its no use having them rattle around or sliding up and down bashing into bare end caps - wrap your rods individually and leave extra space at the end of the tubes for soft spongy foam inserts (mine are about 20cm long but squash down to half that once the end caps are screwed in). Its the same deal for the rod tubes - imagine it will fall from 10ft off the ground and land on its head - will your rod tips survive that fall. You can top and tail rods and tape them together so the tips dont take any impact from falls

The more times you gear gets transferred from plane to plane the higher the chances someone will make a mistake - especially if there is a connecting flight and the guys are rushing to pack the plane.

A smaller aircraft and busier the time of year, also might mean bags are getting rammed into tight spots and getting stepped on while packing. Especially if you have a flexible bag like a duffle bag - sausage bag or back pack - they seem to be the ones they try to jam into weird spots. There could also be 80kg to 100kg of bags on top of yours so take that into consideration.

I dont think I've flown anywhere where some of my stuff doesnt get broken - whether its a tackle box that gets crushed, eyelets or rod tips broken, reels getting crushed and sometimes all 3

But I'm slowly learning that prevention is 100 times better than the cure. An $80 case for your reels may sound extravagant but at least you know your stuff will be ready to fish when you get there. There is zero chance of getting your gear fixed in some locations and even if it can be fixed - you might be waiting longer than your stay for parts.

Check with your airline before you leave what they will accept and how much they will charge for extra pieces of luggage. And dont assume you will catch the baggage handlers on their best day

[deathpact2003]

Got a pelican case, as well as plano reel case with high density foam all sorted already! Was thinking of putting it into the suitcase along with everything else other than rods? TBH I won't even carry many clothes. Suitcase is big enough to carry another bag with all my lure trays, jigheads, everything as well as clothes.

Is there any issues with hooks etc or any technicalities to be wary of?

I'd also like to keep away from "doubtful" comments if possible, I want solid experience from people who have been there and done it. Last thing I want to be is the test guinea pig who tests the theory!

[yellow door 1]

Originally Posted by deathpact2003

I'd also like to keep away from "doubtful" comments if possible, I want solid experience from people who have been there and done it. Last thing I want to be is the test guinea pig who tests the theory!

Yeah the problem is, there are so many inconsistencies with what the staff at different airports are willing to accept. Even calling the airline to confirm wont help you if the person at baggage check in disagrees. SOme reckon reels loaded with 30lb braid are fine for carry on luggage - others think you will use the 30lb braid to tie everyone up and take them hostage

Some reckon 4/0 snapper hooks are fine and other think they are weapons of mass destruction - its best to just leave anything pointy, metal or "rope-like" out of your carry on luggage and save yourself any potential hassles - no matter what you're told before hand

[royflatmate]

For your rods I have found the best way is to cut a piece of dowel about a half inch longer than your rods.Then tape the rods with bubble wrap in between rods and the dowel.Leave a quarter of an inch either end.Then get a piece of PVC pipe from bunnings and two end caps.Cut the pipe the same length as the dowel put the end caps on with rods inside.This way you wont get any chance of the tips hitting the end of the tube and shattering.Doesn't take long to do and you wont be a guinea pig trust me i have taken a lot of rods over west for customers when i was working in WA and not one problem.Make sure you secure the end caps well you could even glue one end on and gaffa tape the other or get a screw on attachment.

[Mark M]

Who are you flying with Jesse, different airlines have different max length for oversize (think rodtube of whatever sort you go with). Check their websites, as I have found the same airline had different max lengths in different states, some measured it at check-in, some didn't.

Make some bubblewrap collars for the top, middle & bottom of your rods so they don't contact the side of the tube.

No sharps at all in cabin luggage, but I took all the spools from my reels and packed them amongst clothes in check-in bag and took my reels on board. You can't take line (braid or otherwise) into the cabin. I have seen a very grumpy angler stripping $$$ worth of braid from his spools at the x-ray scan station

You won't need ALL of your lures pack your go-to faves and research the venue on BM, ABT and other ES sites for the lures that generally are used by locals, get a few; but you will usually use your go-to's that work here. How many jigheads will you usually use in a tourney? Take that many plus a some spares, not the whole tackle store. It is a "who shares Wins" event so if you run out there will be plenty of soulmates with spares.

Scented plastics and other catch scents, double bag them if they are packed with your going out clothes

Remember your sponsors when you are on the podium

[Stephen Wilson]

Who have you booked your flight with as I know from experience that Virgin will charge you for extra baggage for a rod tube where Jetstar it is included in overall weight
also check what length of rod they accept as it sometimes depends on what sort of jet they use
they are all getting stricter now days
so it pays to get online and check the finer details
also it could be worth ringing them or using there online help desk to find out
I have also travelled to far away fishing destinations and everything is sweet until you go to head home and they will try and charge you extra because they know you want to get your gear home and you have no choice
this is a scam that the airlines were using about 10 years ago and I got stung a few times with that one
as for fishing gear reels hooks jigs and lures as long as you put it on as normal baggage and not carry on, you will be right.
I was coming back from Exmouth about 8 years ago had some reels in my carry on, landed in Perth and then went to board a Melbourne jet and at the security check had a lady open my bag pull out a reel and hold me up for 20 min because she said my braid was cat gut and it was illegal, took me 20 min to explain and then a guy come over to inform her it was braid and cat gut wasn't used for over 50 years lol
hope this helps

[Stephen Wilson]

just realised that Mark m had posted while I was writing mine
similar ideas

[Nimbin157]

Pack lures tackle bag reel bag etc in your stow away luggage and clothes in your carry on bags. I stick rods in their rod bags then wrap them all together with bubble wrap with a bit extra around the ends in a 6ft Jarvis Walker rod tube . Just remember you will need to pre purchase an extra baggage tag for the rod tube and check it in at oversize baggage which is right next to where you go through security at Perth Airport . Ive done this many times Perth to Darwin without an issue. I flew with Qantas.
I even bought back 15 frozen barra fillets packed in a cooler bag in my luggage last month. 5hrs later still rock solid. Its bloody cold in the luggage compartment of an aeroplane.

[Slazmo]

Originally Posted by Nimbin157

Its bloody cold in the luggage compartment of an aeroplane.

Which can pose many issues in its own rights. Also asking if the cargo hold is pressurised with lures and other things which could go 'pop'.

[PMac]

Send your rods by courier in pvc tubes to the nearest depot. Pack spools with line in main luggage with lures etc. Take your reels in hand luggage.

[Bronco T]

If your making up your own PVC rod tube use the one that is made for sewerage not the storm water one, the former is a lot thicker and stronger and make sure you tape over the end caps as well.

[yellow door 1]

You can also make a quick strap for your tube from duct tape, seat belt material and a $2.50 buckle clip. All parts available from "Aussie Disposals".

And another travel tip - always bring a roll of Duct tape, a Leatherman, Cable ties and a Head torch with you where ever you go.

[yellow door 1]

I also pack some Occy Straps in the tube