John's Question:

How can I pack rods for flying? Some are one-piece and 6'6" long. Will the airlines accept them? Can I take them on as carry-on luggage?

John

Mark's Answer:

John,

Great question. I run into this problem every time I travel. Some airlines will allow you to carry on a five- or six-foot rod and put it in with the coat rack. Others make you pack it and send through with the luggage.

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I've used PVC tubing with end-caps to transport my rods because it seems like a bright light message to thieves if you send your rods in a nice rod case. So the cheaper it looks the better.

I've never had my rods stolen in transit, but I'm always nervous. A friend of mine ships his rods through UPS several days before he leaves. It's safe, insured and they are always waiting for him.

What you need is to buy you a travel rod or make your family buy you one for your birthday or Christmas. A travel rod is any rod which comes in more than 3 pieces.

Unlike the travel rods of only five years ago — rods which when put together were akin to casting with the extreme flexibility of a buggy whip or the stiffness of a broomstick — today's multi-piece rods are as supple and smooth as two-piece rods.

Even the five and six-piece rods, thanks to the ferrule and taper designs (among other design components), cast well. If I strung up two same-make rods, one a two-piece, one a four-piece, and let you cast them without knowing which was which, you probably couldn't tell the difference.

I carry two multi-piece rods when I travel, and because they pack down and fit in tube no longer than a dachsund, I slip my rod tube (about 25" long) into my carry-on luggage. My carry-on luggage has only one change of clothes, two reels, two rods and my flyboxes. This way, I always have the important things of life with me at all times.