Taking rods on a plane?

[mainbutter]

Long story short:

Delta flights to and from Anchorage. Luggage - 1 carry on and 1 fly rod case (4'6'', single rod).

Do I have to pay to check a bag? How does this whole "gate check" deal work? I've never flown with my own rods before.

Thanks for any suggestions that'll save me some $$

[Alagnak]

It's more than likely a checked bag type fee because it's longer than what they allow as carry on - if it's a 2 pc 9'. If you have a 4-5 pc they'd let you carry it on no prob. Obviously that's why them make pack rods but yeah, sucks to buy one if you don't regularly need one. You MIGHT be lucky enough to sweet talk them into taking a 4'6'' tube on but it probably depends on the person you are sweet talking. Delta doesn't acknowledge a fly rod as part of carry on unless they have changed it. AND- use a good quality tube. I had a double pvc fly rod tube get sheered off 18'' with two sage rods in it flying NW years ago. Wouldn't cover a penny. Now I only use the plastic tubes for my own travel- if they get mailed or flown the reels come off and they go back in metal tubes or actual PVC not the cheap thin walled stuff they make the cases out of.

[Down Deep]

I got on a flight from SFO to MSP with a a 48 inch tube case and a carryon bag. No one said a word. It fit fine in the overhead compartment. I'd make sure the rod was well protected because odds are the rod is going to go on the bottom of the compartment and other peoples carryon's are going on top of it.

[OnAFly]

I flew with my 9ft 2pc rod tube next to me several times to Montana and back. Bring it on, see what they say, worst case the make you check it. In my experience, they are used to seeing it on certain flights.

[traveler]

good advice....I always check my rod tube but I'm taking more rods. I've seen guys with just a single rod as a carry on, as stated above, it really depends who checks you in/on. Don't bother calling, I'm sure the offical line is that it's too long, but you stand a good chance of getting on with it.

[wahoo]

I have seen many fly rods carried on when going to Alaska on Delta/Alaska. Once there, if you are taking a small plane flight somewhere on various commuter airlines, those airlines are very used to this.

If going there for a fair amount of time and you know your outfitter/lodge it is easy to mail (and insure) your rods. My friend and I mailed 7 in a large tube several years ago and that lodge keeps them for us now to use when we get there every year. (Of course, thye must be rods you do not need back home.)

[RumRiverRat]

Just do not bring any snakes.

[mainbutter]

Thanks for the responses everyone I do have a good rod tube. As mentioned before, worst case scenario I have to pay to check it. The only other times I've flown with rods is using a large tube with a dozen or so for our entire party, seems silly to check just a single rod but for all the other expenses, bag fees are pretty minimal.

[OnAFly]

Good luck up there and don't forget to post some pics!

[cylinder]

Why not bring your reel that you like and then just rent a rod when you get there? Might be cheaper and less hassle than checking it. Lots of people go without rods and usually there is good equipment for rent at fishing destinations. Check with someone where you are staying for availability.

[Scott M]

Yeah, expect to check it. I've seen some rods allowed as carry-on but mostly they get checked. I bought a nice tube for an 8 wt and a surfcasting rod when I went to Mexico this spring. Golf clubs outnumbered fishing rods at the airport, but it was nice to have the gear. I think it was $40 each way, but part of our airfare was paid for on credit card points and they did reimbursement for one way.

If you can find the gear down there, leave it at home. But if you want your own stuff or want to do it on your time, bring em with.

Great thread. I was looking for this information earlier this year and more or less learned it on my own.