Depending on the material and quality you go for, fishing rods can be rather expensive. If you are embarking on a fishing trip, you must want to carry your personal gear with you; be it because of sentimental value or high quality. With the growth of interest in traveling with fishing gear, one of the most common questions that arises is whether you can travel with a fishing rod.
This comprehensive guide will expand upon all the relevant details. Keep reading to learn all the essentials before your big trip!
What are TSA’s Regulations Regarding Fishing Poles
The Transportation Security Administration, most commonly known as the TSA, is a United States government agency that is responsible for screening luggage and protecting the transportation system. In those efforts, the TSA imposes restrictions on the luggage an individual can carry on a plane.
According to TSA’s official website, fishing rods are allowed in both carry-on bags and checked luggage as long as you follow all the relevant rules. However, the final decision rests in the hands of your air carrier and TSA agent.
Generally speaking, the TSA authorities have established safety measures for carrying sharp objects in your luggage. For instance, an individual can not travel with sharp objects in their carry-on baggage. Multi-tools (multipurpose tools) with knives of any length are prohibited in carry-ons but you can carry them in your checked baggage. In contrast, Multi-tools (multipurpose tools) with scissors less than 4 inches may be placed in hand luggage. Since sharp objects can be turned into a weapon of offense and produce potential threats, these restrictions are in place to ensure safe air travel for all the passengers (Including yourself), flight crew, flight attendants, and everyone else.
TSA guidelines for fishing gear
Now that we have discussed the overview of TSA policies, let’s see which specific guidelines they levy on fishing gear.
- Size: size restrictions can change as per the specific airline and the type of aircraft. However, the standard rules state that your fishing pole can’t exceed the linear dimension (length + width + height) of 115 inches. Some airlines may still allow oversized poles by charging extra fees so make sure to check your individual service’s limitations.
- Expensive reels: if your fishing pole is rather expensive, make sure to pack it in the carry-on luggage. That is if your fishing rod fits the size limitation and complies with all of the other rules. High-value objects shouldn’t be packed in checked luggage.
- Fragile tackle: you should pack small flies and other fragile tackles in your carry-on luggage.
- Sharp tackle: the general rule of thumb is that sharp tackle should be packed in the checked luggage. We discussed TSA rules regarding sharp objects above and they apply to tackles as well. You should properly wrap tackles and ensure they don’t pose a security threat, even to those screening your luggage.
- Additional screening: despite following all the guidelines, your luggage may still be subjected to additional screening. The checking process depends on your inspecting agent; they can be as lenient or strict as they deem appropriate.
What are the Airline Policies Regarding Fishing Poles
The TSA allows you to carry fishing poles on domestic and international flights easily. However, specific airlines may have additional rules and policies regarding the carriage of fishing gear. Individual airlines are bound to have contrasting policies and their own set of rules. You should always go on their official website or contact someone from customer service to familiarize yourself with the regulations. Here are some examples:
- Delta Airlines: they allow fishing gear; including fishing poles in checked luggage. However, the size limitation rests at 115 inches.
- WestJet: according to their policies, you can carry collapsible fishing rods in your carry-ons. If you are carrying one in your checked bags, it must be packed in a hard-shell container.
- Jetstar: Jetstar allows fishing rods in luggage. However, they will incur an additional oversized item handling fee even if one side exceeds the size limitation.
- Southwest Airlines: With Southwest, tackles and fishing rod containers can count as one checked bag. Refer to their website for distinctive details.
- American Airlines: they allow you to bring two rods and one reel in a case. You can bring other pieces of fishing equipment too as long as you comply with their policies.
As you can see, the policies are contrasting. Regardless of that, you can note that they all follow the ground rules defined by the TSA. If you want to navigate through the airport seamlessly and experience a hassle-free travel journey, read up on the TSA regulations and then familiarize yourself with your specific airline’s rules. These two things will help you learn everything there is to account for and you can pack for your flight accordingly. If you see that your fishing pole does not comply with the standards, you can always rent equipment from the final destination.
Packing Tips for Fishing Poles
You should always take sufficient precautions and pay attention while packing your equipment. Here are some tips to help you through the process.
- While it is easy to carry items like fly rods or 4-piece rods in your luggage, rules are different for bigger equipment. If you wish to carry heavier equipment such as trolling rods or beach-casting, you can have them checked as sports equipment. The airport security and airline might not even incur an oversized fee for it.
- One should always use protective packaging when fishing rods are concerned. Make sure to use ample amounts of bubble wrap and padding to protect fragile items.
- Make sure to label your gear. You can add your name and contact information to prevent the risk of loss.
- Pack large fish hooks in checked luggage and pad it properly
- Pack delicate part of fishing gear as carry-on items
- Use sturdy rod tubes and rod cases to pack your equipment as it will prevent the risk of damage. If you have multiple pieces, pack them together using duct tape
- If you’re uncertain about your final destination’s rules or airline policies, consider purchasing some tackle at a local shop after arrival rather than taking your own.
Considerations About International Flights
International flights may be quite different from local ones. Usually, there are stricter rules on international travel and limitations can be more narrow. Let’s see how it affects the carriage of fishing gear on a plane.
When you are flying internationally, The first step is to check your airline policies and see how they vary for international traveling. Some tips to remember are listed below.
- Sharp hooks: sharp hooks and sharp fishing tackle should be wrapped securely
- Carry-on limitations: some airline policies state that you can carry small reels and tackle in carry-on luggage.
- Check-in luggage: fishing rods and large tackle boxes will need to be checked in as luggage. Make sure you have ample luggage allowance.
- Sturdy cases: your equipment should be packed in a hard case to prevent any damage during transit.
Moving on, you should check the final destination’s policies on the gov website and read up! This is to avoid last-minute misunderstandings.
- Tackle restrictions: some places may have levied restrictions on the type of tackle you can carry. This can extend to hook styles and lure sizes.
- Fishing licenses: one of the most important things to do is research about fishing licenses. You should obtain the required license prior to your trip and ensure it’s up to date.
- Species restrictions: some countries are big about sustainability and preservation. Research the protected species and size limits in the area you plan to fish.
- Import/export restrictions: for international travel, you should always check if there are restrictions on moving certain types of equipment within and outside of the country.
Final thoughts
Now that we have discussed whether you can bring a fishing pole on a plane, it’s safe to say that the TSA has strict yet flexible rules regarding luggage. You always have the freedom to carry your desired items with you. However, sometimes you may need to follow extra rules and perhaps pay some oversized charges. Either way, it works out in the end!
We hope this article answered your questions and helped you understand how you can carry fishing poles with you. If you have any further queries or lingering doubts, feel free to contact us and we’d be happy to help.
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