Fly Rod Travel Tubes

RichFishbelt

RichFishbelt

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Joined
Jan 18, 2011
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I am considering the purchase of a fly rod travel tube. I have seen these tubes in a variety of lengths and capacity for carrying up to (5) four piece rods. Sage, Ross, Orvis, Cabelas, and Fishpond are some of the companies that distribute them.
Anyway, can anyone tell me, what are the length restrictions with airlines for taking these tubes as a carry on? Thank you.
 
RFB- no really sure. Might check TSA and or airline websites for their rules.

For me, would'nt want to take a 2 piece rod tube, too bulky. I have not had a problem in the past carrying on a 4 pc. rod tube.

Probably not a bad idea to carry on a tube and some other essential gear- like reels flies, tippet. (if they let you) Just in case your checked luggage does'nt arrive at the same time.

Now that airlines charge bag fees- many guys mail or overnight their gear to fly shops or lodges for about the same price as checking and it is more of a certainty that it will be there.

Just some thoughts.
 
I considered the PVC route. A good tube can be had for $20 or so. To me, it wasn't worth the time or trouble to make my own.

I have taken a two piece on a flight, but I had to hide it from the flight attendants until we were in the air. Bring a blanket, put it at your feet, cover yourself, and act like you're asleep. If they see it before takeoff, you're going to have problems.
 
I have made ones from pvc for a couple of the rods I built. The rod bag @ 5-10 bucks costs twice what if cost me for a few feet of pvc and a bottom cap and a top collar and screw on end. It takes about 15 minutes to make one.

I think you are talking about being able to take 3 or 4 rods along though. I have been told that each airline is difference and mood of the employee can play a role too. Hearing this and not wanting to part with my rods, I just mailed them. They were there 2 days before I was.

There is stuff like this though

http://www.cabelas.com/product/Fishing/Fly-Fishing/Rod-Reel-Storage/Fishing-Rod-Tubes-Cases|/pc/104793480/c/104721480/sc/104812380/i/104541480/RossTec174-Multirod-Case/711836.uts?destination=%2Fcatalog%2Fbrowse%2Ffishing-fly-fishing-rod-reel-storage-fishing-rod-tubes-cases%2F_%2FN-1102586%2FNs-CATEGORY_SEQ_104541480%3FWT.mc_id%3D58000000000380480%26WT.srch%3D1%26WT.tsrc%3DPPC%26WT.z_mc_id1%3D24294031%26WTz_l%3DSBC%253Bcat104793480%253Bcat104721480%253Bcat104812380%26rid%3D20&WTz_l=SBC%3Bcat104793480%3Bcat104721480%3Bcat104812380%3Bcat104541480
 
jayL wrote:
I considered the PVC route. A good tube can be had for $20 or so. To me, it wasn't worth the time or trouble to make my own.

I have taken a two piece on a flight, but I had to hide it from the flight attendants until we were in the air. Bring a blanket, put it at your feet, cover yourself, and act like you're asleep. If they see it before takeoff, you're going to have problems.
Click to expand...

I've seen a number of people carrying map tubes on. It might be better to opt for a larger diameter tube so it looks like maps or posters. The larger diameter tubes at least appear less likely to be used as a weapon.
 
I flew with a guy who had a 4pc rod tube on him. ...I think they know what they are now. You just have to have it x-rayed. If you are visiting relatives or friends, I would still ship it.
 
I've carried on 2 piece 9' rods with no problems. They fit perfectly in the overhead compartment. No need to hide them from the attendants. Of course I fly Southwest, who has the crazy corporate philosophy of not needlessly harassing its paying customers.
 
Has anyone used these to make their own?

http://stonecreekltd.com/Rod_Tube_Kits.htm

They have models with dividers
 
JasonS wrote:
I've carried on 2 piece 9' rods with no problems. They fit perfectly in the overhead compartment. No need to hide them from the attendants. Of course I fly Southwest, who has the crazy corporate philosophy of not needlessly harassing its paying customers.
Click to expand...

Minneapolis to Billings had no overhead compartments, but mine didn't fit in the first leg either.

I think it's dependent on the plane.
 
The small Saab prop planes they used to run out of Latrobe didn't have overheads. You check your carry on for that flight and pick it up as you de-plane. Not a big deal. It was only one of 3 legs of the trip.
 
Fishpond just came out with a 'carry-on' bag. It appears they claim that it's for overheads and stuff. If it was me, I'd ship all my stuff out via UPS of FedEx to my end destination. No worries about carryons, stuff is guaranteed to be there, and it's insured. That's how we used to travel when we were lugging around audio equipment coast to coast.
 
JasonS wrote:
I've carried on 2 piece 9' rods with no problems. They fit perfectly in the overhead compartment. No need to hide them from the attendants. Of course I fly Southwest, who has the crazy corporate philosophy of not needlessly harassing its paying customers.
Click to expand...

This pretty much answers my question. Thank you.
A 9' rod would be approximately 54". So if it fits in the overhead compartment, it might be accepted as carry on luggage.
 
Had this same ? last year. I bought a 7 piece orvis travel rod to go out west with. Every one on the plane had a 2 or 4 piece fly rod. The 2 piece will fit in the overhead compartment. If you have a backpack as a carryon just strap it to the backpack so they will treat it as a 1 piece carry on
 
I have a Fishpond rod tube that holds 4-5 rods (3-4 pieces) and haven't had a problem taking it on a Southwest plane. I'm very pleased with it. I think Feather Craft has a similar version to this one that's less expensive. There are cases that hold both rods and reels and some guys really seem to like those. I just throw my reels in a backpack and take those two onboard as carry ons.

Check TSA regulations and the airline you intend on flying and you should be golden.
 
Forget the stress of dealing with the TSA, connecting flights, hauling rod tubes around the airport, lost luggage, overhead bins, etc.

Ship it.

UPS, FedEx, DHL, USPS (if you must), etc. You can get insured, guaranteed delivery and all you need to pack are your clothes, which you (probably) can get into a very stuffed bag into in overhead compartment. This saves you from checking a bag, which I venture to say is probably more expensive than shipping all the equipment.
 
fwiw: If you go to Lowes and look for tool carrying kits, they have a tube that is an exact replicate to most rob tubes for 1/8 the price..
 
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