flying with fishing poles and gear

[drysuperfly52]

does anyone have any experience flying with there poles? i am undecided on how i should pack? what about lures? i would hate to try to carry on my rapalas to find out all the hooks are contraband. i looked on US Airways (my carrier) and got nowhere. i figure i will ask here before i call them. thanks

[The Quadfather]

For your rods, I have used a 3-4" diameter PVC pipe from Home Depot. Basicly it is the same thing you fancy rod holder is made out of, except the rod holder has a nice nylon skin over the pvc, with a zipper for the end cap.

Get a large enough diameter to allow for all the rods. Then duck tape both ends of it like crazy. You probably have room for a small ziplock bag that you could put your spinners into. Of course it is a checked baggage item, so no worries on your sharp hooks

[Idstud]

Lures would need to be checked in. Reels I would carry on unless you can fit them with the rods in your PVC pipe and put soft foam or rags around them to stop them from moving. You can also get fancy with the pvc pipe and put a cap and screw plug on the ends. Make the tube long enough to put foam in each end to stop the rods from moving. You can get foam at any fabric store. Still run tape over the screw cap so you know if someone tampered with it since that will be checked as well.

[Gringo Pescador]

Pretty much same as said above.
Rods:
I bought one of those Bazooka looking rod carriers from Cabelas for taking my rods to Mexico. I like it because I can adjust the length but PVC will work just as well. You just have to check it and pick it up in the odd size area instead of the normal baggage check. I roll my rods into a thin fleece blanket and put foam on each end of the tube so they aren't rubbing against each other or rattling around in the tube. Make sure you've got your name and address on it also (I use permanent marker because those tags can get caught and ripped off.
Reels
I've carried them in my carry on and packed them in my checked bags with my clothes - both worked fine.
Lures:
Pack them with your checked luggage - I tried to get hooks into the courthouse once so I could tie leaders while on jury duty and they wouldn't let them in. I imagine the same would hold true at the airport (and you don't want to get there and have to toss em).

Where ya headed?

[Bodofish]

I've always carried on fly rods. Put them in a good rod holder and the Stews just stand them up in the coat closet up front. I had a friend use one of those bazooka expanding rod cases and he checked it through. It got un-expanded by the baggage handlers and broke every rod in the tube......... If pipe is going to be used, I'd go with ABS drain pipe. It's way more resilient than pvc.

[drysuperfly52]

Thanks for all the pointers guys, i definitely don't want to get to keys to find all my gear busted.