flying with ice fishing gear?

[Woodland]

Just seeing if anyone has flown on an airline with fishing gear.
I am heading back home and want to do some ice fishing. This means bringing the vexilar, 3 rods, jigs, and maybe even some spikes with me. I think i should be good if i put it all in my checked luggage but i dont want them to think my vex is a bomb and confiscate it!

[MoreTroutPls]

I flew with a Marcum (with battery), a RedNeck ice chisel, three jig rod/reel combos, and jigs in a checked 36" roller bag last winter.  No problem with security. 

The rods and chisel were protected from the baggage gorillas by PVC pipe. An hand auger might be a bit difficult to pack. If you have to take one, consider a hard-case golf bag.  I'm not a golfer, so that was not an option for me. 

Gas augers, heaters, and lanterns would be prohibited by the airlines.

Watch out for exceeding max dimensions and weights on checked baggage.  The airlines are charged for overages and even for the first checked bag these days. Ask the airlines about checked baggage fees.

Have fun.

[Soupy944]

it may be cheaper to fed-ex it to where you are going.

[mdrobny]

it may be cheaper to fed-ex it to where you are going.

we do that when hunting out west. has worked well so far

[Akhardwater]

You might want to consider bringing your rods on as a carry-on.  Whenever I fly around the last frontier I always carry on my rods.  Even in a rod tube I just can't trust the ground crew with my most precious possesion.  I found that a fly rod carrying case works very well as an ice rod case.  Just my 2 cents.

[Woodland]

Thanks guys

[benny4117]

it may be cheaper to fed-ex it to where you are going.

x2

[Kevin23]

x2

X3, make sure you insure it!

[pooley]

years ago,the early 80's, a friend and i flew from Newark airport (new jersey) to syracuse to icefish. you should have seen security looking at our carry-ons!! we had our tip-ups in our bags in case our luggage was lost! explaining them was funny as heck!!!

[Santo180]

lol  it probably took longer to explain yourself than the actual flight.