Rod length Restrictions on flights

[Tony Warnett]

Guys,

Just new to the travelling angling and require assistance from those in the know.
The main concern I have is with overall lengths of rod tubes for domestic and international flights what you have done and what is acceptable.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Cheers.

[Mark Harris]

Hi Tony

With a rod case like a Carmate I have never personally come across a size restriction, even with the crappy discount airlines. 

I have heard talk of some airlines having restrictions but never come across it personally.

[Chris Webster]

Havent had any issues with Virgin or Qantas.

Chris

[Brandon Khoo]

it varies between airlines - it pays to check and check carefully. As an example, it differs between Jetstar, Qantas and Virgin and that is just domestically.

[Tony Warnett]

[Tak Otsuka]

Hi Tony,

Many airline company has separate allowance for sport equipment which allow you to check in rod tubes. Just check condition for each flight before you book.

Cheers,
Tak

[Mark Harris]

And many airlines do not classify rod tubes as sports equipment at all but you get away with it as regular luggage..... as Tak and Brandon say, check carefully.

I see that Qantas do classify rod tubes as sports equipment and presumably apply a surcharge. I am sure other members will know a lot about that.

The Qantas dimensions thing for normal checked baggage is simple - the width, height and depth of the piece must not exceed 140 cm when added together. http://www.qantas.com.au/travel/airlines/checked-baggage/global/en

[Andre van Wyk]

A good thing to do, if you have issues, is get a Travel Golf Bag, and put your rod tube inside the gold bag.... those fat f*%k golfers ( no offense to any golfers!  ) get a ridiclulous allowance for their golf bags as they fall under sporting equipment ( how golf is classified as a sport and fishing, especially popping/jigging isn't I have no frikken idea ) and they seem to be the most commonly travelled with "Sporting goods"....

I did a trip across the US a couple years back, and had 65 kilos worth of fishing and skateboards in a Golf Bag, as well as another bag, and never once did they even question me....

So it may pay to by a golf bag, and dress up like a doosh bag, pretend you're a golfer, and save some cash or hassles....

[Tony Warnett]

Andre I am in fits of laughter at your post oh so true .

Mark in reference using a Plano rod tube adjustable full extension would be 213cm(7ft) by diameter 22cm total 235cm.

Even with my other two piece rods there packed length are 168 cm.

[Carl Hollis]

A good thing to do, if you have issues, is get a Travel Golf Bag, and put your rod tube inside the gold bag.... those fat f*%k golfers ( no offense to any golfers!  ) get a ridiclulous allowance for their golf bags as they fall under sporting equipment ( how golf is classified as a sport and fishing, especially popping/jigging isn't I have no frikken idea ) and they seem to be the most commonly travelled with "Sporting goods"....

I did a trip across the US a couple years back, and had 65 kilos worth of fishing and skateboards in a Golf Bag, as well as another bag, and never once did they even question me....

So it may pay to by a golf bag, and dress up like a doosh bag, pretend you're a golfer, and save some cash or hassles....

Ha! What a cracker idea - made me giggle. I got a trip to Darwin in March and this could well be the solution to getting a heap of rods up there. Well done

[Mark Harris]

A good thing to do, if you have issues, is get a Travel Golf Bag, and put your rod tube inside the gold bag.... those fat f*%k golfers ( no offense to any golfers!  ) get a ridiclulous allowance for their golf bags as they fall under sporting equipment ( how golf is classified as a sport and fishing, especially popping/jigging isn't I have no frikken idea ) and they seem to be the most commonly travelled with "Sporting goods"....

I did a trip across the US a couple years back, and had 65 kilos worth of fishing and skateboards in a Golf Bag, as well as another bag, and never once did they even question me....

So it may pay to by a golf bag, and dress up like a doosh bag, pretend you're a golfer, and save some cash or hassles....

Definitely gets my vote as post of the year so far!  Brilliant Andre.

Did you dress like a fat golfer as well? 

[Mark Harris]

Andre I am in fits of laughter at your post oh so true .

Mark in reference using a Plano rod tube adjustable full extension would be 213cm(7ft) by diameter 22cm total 235cm.

Even with my other two piece rods there packed length are 168 cm.

With Qantas' restrictive rules, no way you would get away with a rod tube as regular checked luggage. But they have a specific sporting category for fishing rods. http://www.qantas.com.au/travel/airlines/sporting-equipment/global/en#jump2

[Tony Warnett]

Cheers Mark.

Much appreciated guys for your input and Knowledge once again thanks.

[Doug Terry]

Having had rod tubes go walk about and never to been seen again. This happened twice on 2 trips to Cuba. I converted to multi piece rods some time ago. A 9ft 4piece rod will fit into my rolling duffel bag and arrive at my destination with me.

[Andre van Wyk]

Definitely gets my vote as post of the year so far!  Brilliant Andre.

Did you dress like a fat golfer as well? 

Mark - I'm about as far from a golfer looking person as you can get, so I did get alot of pretty odd looks when I was checking in with a fancy Calloway Golf Bag..... 
But I usually wear old skool tube socks and shorts, so I guess maybe they thought I was attempting to rock the Payne Stewart "Plus Fours" look and I got away with it....

Truth be told, with the way I look I don't think a gold course would even let me come in as a caddy!!!

Bloody golfers.....