Flying with fishing gear

I'm going to head home (Eastern Pennsylvania) this July for the striper run and other fishing as well as spend time with friends and family. I would like to take my own gear for fishing for the week but don't know it's worth the worry/hassle. Anybody have experience flying with their gear? What you can and can't bring? Recommendations on how to do it. If it would just be easier to ship it to my parents or friends house rather than fly it. Not a big fan of baggage check after they opened packages and stole half of my belongings over the holidays.


Any help is appreciated. Thanks!

I've packed my rods in a Plano rod tube and checked it in with the airlines. Never had an issue, but you know how baggage handlers are. I've also shipped them in the same tube to my destination. The cost of shipping might be more though, but offers a little more sense of security sense you can get insurance on the shipment.

Good question. I have traveled with rods in plano tubes and I have taken them along as carry on but where checked at the gate. I'm not sure that airlines do that anymore. I have checked in fishing lures and have had no problems. One thing you have to consider is properly packing your gear b/c if not rods can bend or break, and fishing lures can be damaged during flight.

I have always wondered what they would do with fishing lures in a carry-on bag?

I carry on tackle often. Put what ever your taking in clear compartment Plano boxes and you good to go. Terminal tackle, lures, etc. Don't forget to remove knives, etc. I usually let the TSA agent know what's coming through the x-ray machine. Sometimes the machine operator will pull the box out of the bag to look at it and if it's a woman TSA agent then she will roll her eyes at you.

They don't say anything about the hooks or hooks on the lures?

Nope, never have said a word. I usually take my reels in the bag also and buy a cheap rod when I get to the coast. Keeps my good rods from getting broke or stolen.

Exactly what my plan is. Thanks for the help!