Fishing Tackle Policies of US Airlines
Flying with fishing tackle tends to be a confounding and sometimes difficult process. TSA is inconsistent of their application of the rules, foreign countries may have different rules, the airlines may vary in what they allow, and the airlines’ reps may not know their own policies. The best thing that you can do is to research their rules before you book your ticket and then print out the policy when you head to the airport.
Here are easy links and summaries of the major US-based carriers stated policies on fishing tackle in your luggage:
One piece of fishing equipment is defined as two rods, two reels, and one tackle box. Fishing equipment may exceed 62" (linear) but no more than 115" (linear), without incurring an oversize fee.
Each piece of sporting equipment will be considered a checked bag with all applicable fees applied per person, per bag, per segment. All Baggage Fees are non-refundable. Applicable fees will be applied for bags exceeding the 50 lbs. weight limit and the 80 inches size limits. The total number of bags allowed may not exceed five per passenger. No baggage weighing more than 70 lbs. will be accepted.
Fishing tackle boxes and fishing rods, as long as the rod is encased in a suitable cylindrical fishing rod container capable of withstanding normal checked baggage handling without sustaining damage to the rod
Allowance and requirements
1 rod case (containing up to 2 rods) and 1 equipment bag or tackle box will count as 1 checked item. You can travel with:
2 rods and 1 reel in a case
Fishing tackle
A landing net
Fishing boots
1 pair of waders (properly encased)
Cost
Standard checked bag fees of your destination apply up to 50 lbs / 23 kgs and standard overweight fee applies over 50 lbs / 23 kgs to 70 lbs / 32 kgs. Oversize fees do not apply.
If the combined weight of both items (rod case and equipment bag) exceeds 50 lbs / 23 kgs, they will be charged as two separate items. If the equipment bag alone exceeds 50 lbs / 23 kgs and 62 in / 158 cm, it will be charged as a separate checked bag and standard overweight and oversize fees will apply.
We understand that sometimes you need to bring along your own gear for your trip. Below, you’ll find our packing requirements for specific sporting and recreational equipment. Excess, oversize, and/or overweight fees may apply, and we reserve the right to refuse transportation of certain items due to safety and/or operational limitations.
Fishing tackle box and fishing equipment is acceptable, so long as the equipment is encased in a container suitable to Avelo for withstanding normal baggage handling without sustaining damage to the contents.
We fly to fun places, and sometimes fun requires gear!
Your equipment counts toward your carry-on or checked bag allowance and carry-on or checked bag charges apply. Your equipment needs to meet our carry-on and checked bag size and weight restrictions, or additional overweight and/or oversized bag charges will apply. Exemptions are noted below. You'll need to sign a limited liability release form when checking your gear.
Fishing
Up to two (2) fishing rods, one (1) reel, one (1) landing net, one (1) pair of fishing boots, and one (1) tackle box can be carried on or checked.
Potentially dangerous items, like large fishhooks, are accepted in checked bags only and should be sheathed and securely wrapped.
You can bring most sports equipment with you on your trip, though keep in mind that standard checked baggage fees apply based on cabin, travel region and total number of checked bags. Overweight baggage fees apply to bags that exceed 50 lbs and bags cannot exceed 115 linear in/292 cm (length + width + height). Items in excess of the baggage allowance will be subject to additional, overweight, and oversized baggage fees. Please refer to Calculate Baggage Estimate for additional details. All Sports Equipment must be packed in a durable protective container designed specifically for the equipment.
Items over 115 linear inches (292cm) and/or 100 lbs (45kg) will not be accepted
CAD amount will be charged exit Canada, and EUR amount will be charged exit Europe
Fishing poles up to 115 linear inches (length + width + height) (292 cm) are allowed as checked baggage as long as they are contained safely.
Fishing poles meeting the carry on standard (22in x 14in x 9in) are allowed as carry on baggage.
Standard baggage allowance and fees based on cabin and travel region apply
Fishing equipment weighing over 50 lbs. will be charged the applicable excess weight fee
If the outside linear dimensions (length + width + height) exceed 115 linear inches (292 cm), the item will not be accepted
Items in excess of baggage allowance will be subject to additional or overweight baggage fees
One bag which may include rods, reels,landing nets, fishing boots and tackle box.
NOTE: Contents in tackle boxes are not accepted as carry-on.
Checked and carry-on bag fees apply.
*Overweight and oversize fees will be charged if applicable.
A fishing pole only may exceed the carry-on baggage dimensions as long as it fits into the overhead bin.
Fishing equipment will be accepted as checked baggage subject to the baggage conditions and fees set forth in Sections (A) and (B) of this Rule 18. We will accept fishing poles up to 115 inches (292 cm) in length on any Hawaiian operated flight as a Standard Bag, subject to any overweight baggage fees, provided they are contained in a PVC, cardboard, or hardcovered case.
Know before you go
Damage to checked sports equipment will only be covered if the item is checked inside a hard-sided case designed to protect its contents, and only if permitted items are in the case.
Any item checked inside a soft-sided container will be accepted, but not covered by liability.
Items exceeding 99 pounds will not be accepted.
Customers may check multiple pieces of gear in the same bag, as long as the bag is specifically designed to contain these items.
Some examples are a bowling ball bag with three compartments or a bag made to contain three sets of skis.
Some international destinations limit whether sports equipment can be taken as a checked bag or carry-on, or even brought into that country. You’ll find some of the rules below, but please check with your destination, as well. Customers are responsible for understanding each country’s requirements.
Blue Basic fares do not allow a carry-on bag, unless you’re traveling Sep 6, 2024, or later (see Blue Basic exceptions). If your travel date is before Sep, 2024,24 and you are bringing a carry-on, be sure to book one of our other fares.
Even if an item is generally permitted, it may be subject to additional screening or not allowed through the security checkpoint at TSA’s discretion. The final decision rests with TSA on whether an item is permitted through the checkpoint.
One item of fishing equipment—which can include 2 rods, 1 reel, 1 landing net, 1 pair of fishing boots (properly encased) and 1 fishing tackle box—count as a single checked item.
All fishing equipment should be packed in a hard-sided container
Fishing poles are also allowed as a carry-on as long as they fit in the overhead bin.
Small hooks for fly fishing or fresh water hooks are acceptable as allowed by TSA.
Deep sea fishing hooks are only permitted in checked bags.
Fishing rods must be encased in a sturdy, cylindrical fishing rod container. This container must withstand normal checked baggage handling without sustaining damage to the rod. Oversize charges only apply if the fishing rod container is over 91 inches in length and/or more than three inches in diameter. A fishing tackle box must be a suitable, sturdy, and securely closed container. When substituting a fishing rod and/or fishing tackle box for a free checked bag, we allow one fishing rod container and one tackle box to count as one checked item, even if they are packed and tagged separately. This one item can be a substitute for one checked bag.
Fishing rods/poles must be secured in a case or container.
Guests may pack reels or fragile tackle that do not pose a security threat in their carry-on baggage.
* Tackle Equipment such as sharp fishing may be considered dangerous, such as large fishhooks, should be sheathed, securely wrapped, and will be accepted as checked baggage only.
One item of fishing equipment consists of: two rods up to six feet in length, two reels, one landing net, one pair of fishing boots (properly encased), and one fishing tackle box.
Please note: A fishing tube will be accepted as an overhead bag under the same guidelines as all other overhead items, which means the tube must fit within current overhead size restrictions and may not exceed any of the following dimensions: 24” long x 16” wide x 11” tall or 114 cm (56cm x 35cm x 23cm). Therefore, travelers may want to pack their fishing pole in a checked bag (fees apply) or make alternate shipping arrangements.
You can bring fishing equipment as a checked bag if it's packed securely. Standard bag fees and overweight charges apply.
Dimensions allowed are:
115 total inches (length + width + height) if you’re flying on United
80 total inches (length + width + height) if you’re flying on United Express
NOTES
There’s a lot of room for interpretation in many of the rules listed above – so get there early and have a Plan B. Sometimes the hassle is just not worth it if your can borrow/purchase/obtain fishing gear at your final destination.
Here are TSA’s rules on fishing tackle:
Remember, just because the airline allows it doesn’t mean that a foreign country’s security officials have to allow it onto the plane. For example, we’ve found Mexico’s law enforcement to be exceptionally restrictive (and getting more restrictive) or reels with or without line in recent years.
Sometimes, the amount that you can bring or the price that you will pay depends on the class of service that you purchase.
Remember to always be firm but exceedingly polite when you run into a airline desk agent or baggage handler who differs with your interpretation of the rules.
We did not list baggage fees here because those seem to change with the wind – but they’re generally listed on the linked baggage pages.
There may be seasonal changes to airlines’ policies on certain routes, or when flights are operated under their ticketing by a different carrier.
