Flying to Manaus Brazil with Fishing Tackle
If you’re traveling to the Brazilian Amazon to chase peacock bass, especially if you’re headed to the Rio Negro region, you’re probably going through the city of Manaus. It’s a cool city that feels quite safe, and has a lot of history and lots of experience hosting visiting anglers. You’ll probably want to bring some of your own tackle, even if you’re using an outfitter like Anglers Inn that provides everything you need. Many of us are picky about our rods, reels, lines and lures – or perhaps there’s new gear we want to test against super-strong fish.
If you’re headed that way and want to make sure your luggage gets there and back, we’ve listed the relevant airlines’ policies below.
The Biggest Question for US Anglers
During the decade-plus we’ve been heading to the state of Amazonas, flying through Manaus (airport code MAO), American Airlines through Miami has been our best option. Unfortunately, particularly since COVID they seem to dip in and out of that route. We assume that they will have at least seasonal flights to Manaus in the future, perhaps not as often as we’d like, but still some. Assuming that to be the case, here is their policy on fishing luggage:
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.
Baggage Policies of Other Airlines Flying to Manaus
Avianca
Can I bring my sports equipment?
You can do so by complying with the packaging and transportation requirements we will explain to you below.
Sports equipment in the cabin
Fishing equipment:
You can fly with a pair of boots, a net and two fishing rods.
Fishing equipment may not be carried in the cabin for domestic flights in Colombia.
Your sports equipment must comply with the following measurements in order to fit in the cabin: 115 linear cm and 10 kg in weight. Please note that if you are flying with a basic or XS fare, you will have to pay an additional charge for one piece of carry-on baggage.
Sports equipment in the hold {Fishing equipment is not mentioned in this section, although skis, hang-gliders, surfboards and bicycles are]
Starting from February 1, 2024, if you are flying with a classic, flex, or business fare, you can replace your first piece of included baggage with sports equipment, as long as it does not exceed 23 kg and 158 linear cm in dimension. If your sports equipment exceeds this weight or size, an additional charge will apply for overweight or oversized baggage or specialized handling of this type of baggage.
The maximum weight for sports equipment that can be transported in the hold is 32 kg / 70 lb, and its linear dimensions must not exceed 230 cm/90".
Azul
Their policies for flights within Brazil differ from those on international flights:
Flights in Brazil:
Some equipment or objects can be transported without having to pay a service fee for this, as they are already part of your baggage allowance. Check out which ones below.
Sports equipment
Tent
Camping equipment
Equipment for practicing Airsoft
Fishing equipment
Mountaineering backpack
Tennis racket
Sleeping bag
Bowling bag
Notably, their policy for international flights does not specifically mention fishing equipment.
Items with a service charge to be transported
For some special baggage to be transported, an additional service fee must be paid.
This fee varies depending on the origin or destination of your trip:
On flights within Brazil , the fee is R$250.00
For international flights to origins/destinations in South America , the fee is R$370.00.
For international flights to origins/destinations in the United States and Europe, the fee is R$790.00.
None of the fee schedules specifically mention fishing.
Conviasa
[Could not get their website to work]
Copa
Copa lists fishing gear under “Small Sports Equipment”:
Carry-on item*
Weight: 10 Kg
Measurements: Each piece can measure up to 46 inches (118 cm) linear:
22'' high + 14'' long + 10'' wide (56 cm high + 36 cm long + 26 cm wide)
Checked baggage
The maximum weight allowed on board is 45 kg (100 lb)
The maximum dimensions allowed are 115 linear inches (294 linear cm) 1,2
Two fishing rods, one reel*, one landing net, one pair of waders, one tackle box.
Most notably: “Fishing reels are not allowed as carry-on baggage” which I presume means that a carry-on sized rod tube would also create problems. Accordingly, on our last trip to Panama with fishing gear I packed the tube in the bottom of my large duffel bag.
Gol
Can I transport sports equipment as baggage?
Bikes, surfboards, skis, snowboards, archery, kite surfing, scooters and wake boards are normally transported as checked baggage. They enter the weight limit that each customer can carry on the flight. Hang gliding, kayak and windsurf board are checked via GOLLOG.
Find out what qualifies as Differentiated baggage
The sum of sides A+B+C cannot exceed 292 cm.
Baggage may be up to 292 cm long, taking into account the sum of the sides, as shown in the figure below.
A = Height B = Width C = Length
The items listed below are considered Special Items and they must weigh up to 23 kilograms. Overweight baggage will be charged. The free baggage allowance is 45 kg for domestic travel and 32 kg for international travel.
Items not included in the list below are considered normal baggage and may be carried in the cabin or baggage compartment as long as they are within the weight and size limits. If your item exceeds these limits, you may check it through GOLLOG.
Special items are defined as items with specific dimensions, such as sports equipment and musical instruments, that cannot be checked in as normal baggage. In these cases, a fee will be charged based on the item and your destination.
Fishing equipment: A maximum of 5 rods, a reel, a net, a pair of fishing boots and a wire basket in a single compartment.
Latam Airlines
Certain sports equipment, musical instruments, televisions or monitors are considered special baggage and can be carried in the hold for an extra charge. The price is fixed and depends on the route of your trip.
Golf, Wakeboard, Bodyboard, Boogie Board and Snowboard equipment can be transported as checked baggage weighing no more than 23 kgs. Thus, you won’t need to purchase special baggage for these sports. However, you must have a 23kg piece of baggage available with your ticket fare or purchase an additional 23kg piece of baggage. Special baggage purchased before April 5 2024 will not be refunded.
Fishing equipment: Maximum of 1 package with: 5 fishing rods, 1 reel, 1 net, 1 pair of fishing boots and 1 wire basket.
Tap Portugal
Sports equipment may be carried free of charge as hold baggage, provided it does not exceed the limits below:
Weight: 23 kg/50 lbs in Economy Class, and 32 kg/70 lbs in Business Class.
Size: 158 cm/62 in (the sum of height, length, and width).
Extra charges will apply only if taking more baggage than permitted in your travel class, or if it exceeds the maximum volume or weight allowance.
Here you will find a list of other sports equipment that you can transport in our aircraft's hold. You must notify TAP in advance regarding the type, size, and weight of the equipment you intend to transport. Such equipment must be carried in bags suitable for the purpose, so as to ensure that it reaches its destination without any issues. The maximum weight is 32 kg / 70 lbs.
Hang glider and Paraglider;
Jumping pole;
Fishing equipment.
NOTES
Remember, just because your international or domestic airline to Manaus allows a certain amount of gear doesn’t mean you’ll be able to get it all the way. While the float planes to distant fisheries may not restrict what you bring, they may have weight restrictions.
While we’ve mostly used traditional bass tackle on our peacock bass (and wolf fish/payara) trips, there are an increasing number of quality swimbait and heavy-action rods that are up to the task.
I’m not sure what the “wire basket” allowed in Gol and Latam’s policies might be.
