Air travels with fishing rods

[MuskieBait]

Taken off the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority's FAQ page...

http://www.catsa-acsta.gc.ca/Page.aspx?I...s-de-sport

(quote)

Is fishing equipment permitted in carry-on baggage?

Fishing rods or poles (with hooks or flies shorter than 6 cm) are permitted as carry-on baggage, while fishing rods or poles with hooks or flies larger than 6 cm must be carried as checked baggage. Fishing tackle (e.g. reels, lines, flies, and pliers) should always be packed in your checked baggage.

Contact your air carrier for more information on size, weight and quantity limits for carry-on and checked baggage.

(end quote)

Caveat 1 - The rod you carry-on must fit within carry-on restriction. Most of the time, it's dependent on the airlines what they allow, so check with the specific airline! Most of the time, only 4-piece travel rods are allowed. They have to be short enough to fit into the overhead compartment. For some planes with small overhead compartments, even a 2-piece 6'6" rod will not fit. Air Canada is very anal about rods as carry-on. Eventually I just gave up and put my rods into checked luggage. But now that I know for sure CATSA allows rods on planes, I'll try to push back with Air Canada.

Caveat 2 - What is allowed for travel in Canada may not be allowed in other countries. Strangely, although fishing reels were not allowed in carry-on, I had taken 3 trips with reel in my carry-on and the Canadian customs did not confiscate them (one time I was asked to open my bag to check for contents, and nothing was said about my reels). BUT...I was stopped in France with my reels in the carry-on and almost had them confiscated. So be mindful and check with the respective countries you are traveling to. Worst case scenario is that you may be able to enter the country with your rods as carry-on, but you can't return to Canada with your rods as carry-on if the foreign country does not permit it. If you didn't pack the rods properly for checked luggage (ie, a crush proof travel rod case), you may end up with some shattered rods. No one wants to leave their rods behind, or bring home shattered rods.