*This rod tube is far too clean for comfort.*

I’ve spent a lot of time thinking about and writing about how to properly pack your rod tube to maximize the chances that your sticks will arrive at your locations unscathed. What I’ve overlooked, however, are detailed instructions on things you can do to the OUTSIDE of your tube to minimize heartache.

These are mostly things that come naturally to me after decades of worrying for entire plane rides about whether I’d see my sticks again. There may be better ways to accomplish these same goals, or more steps, but this is a good start that will reduce your incremental chances of disaster.

Put Some Stickers on It

Rod tube with stickers for airline travel

I don’t have any sponsors or an eye for decoration, but every rod tube I own has some gaudy, bright-colored decals on the outside. Why? Because when you get to a fishing-centric location like Mazatlan or Manaus, there’s a good chance that other anglers will have checked the same or similar rod tubes. They’re mostly black or green or plain PVC. In their haste to get to the lake, someone might grab yours by mistake. By making it distinct, you lessen that likelihood.

Indelibly Write Your Name and Contact Info

Take a black sharpie (for a light-colored tube) or a white/silver sharpie (for a black tube) and write your name and contact info in large block letters in the center of the tube. I have business cards taped inside and outside of the tube as well, but this additional lettering makes it abundantly clear who it belongs to.

Indicate Where it Opens

Many of the mainstream tubes have a “joint” at the center that allows the tube to telescope to adjust for different-sized rods. Baggage handlers and TSA agents who have not seen many (or any) tubes may try to inspect the inside by going through that “opening.” Take the same sharpie that you used in the prior step and inscribe a big arrow toward the actual opening with lettering that reads “OPEN HERE” (in multiple languages, depending on where you are going).

Put Tape around the Joint

At the telescoping joint in the middle there is usually a hole through which you can place a pin or lock to prevent the tube from extending or collapsing. Baggage handlers looking to get inside at the midsection will often remove that pin to try to get inside to examine the contents of your tube. Not only do they often forget to put it back at the proper length, but sometimes they don’t put it back at all. Remove this risk by putting ample layers of duct tape around this section, which will inevitably lead them to the conclusion that this is not the proper place to access the inside.

Secure the Removable Cap

If your tube has a removable “screw on” cap, like the Plano Airliner, be sure that it is attached to the main body of the tube by either elastic, zip ties or some other strong method. In the case that someone examining your tube fails to put the top back on properly, this increases the likelihood that it’ll stay on top, and almost ensures that you won’t lose it for the next leg of your journey.