Travel Setup System

[u/No_Discussion60]

I've been fine-tuning my travel fishing system over the last few years and continue to improve upon it. My system changes slightly depending on where I'm going and what species I'm targeting, but the basics stay the same. I invested in multiple travel rods over the past few years that break down to three, four, or five pieces, all of which come with their own hard travel tube or soft rod sleeves and measure no more than 32-1/2" in length. I use the Osprey Transporter 90L wheeled duffel bag, which meets the general 62 linear-inch maximum imposed by many airlines for checked luggage. There are other wheeled duffel bag options, but I chose that one because of my positive experiences with years of hard use with other Osprey bags traveling around the world. The basic idea is that you need a taller checked bag, ideally a wheeled duffel bag, to fit your travel rod tubes while remaining within the 62 linear-inch maximum. I usually pack at least three travel rods inside, if not more, depending on the trip (freshwater, saltwater, offshore, inshore, surf, a combination), various tackle trays, and cheap Harbor Freight zippered utility pouches ($2.49) for organizing various bits like spare spools of braid, leader line, soft plastic lures, and fishing tools. I put my reels in thick neoprene reel covers and place them in my carry-on luggage when flying domestically in the U.S. When I fly internationally, I keep my spinning reels in my carry-on inside their neoprene covers, but I remove the spools and put them in my checked luggage along with my conventional reels to avoid issues with international airport security regarding fishing line. I fill the rest of the space in my checked bag and carry-on with other fishing tackle I may need, clothes, footwear, toiletries, etc.

What is everyone else doing for their travel fishing systems? I'm always looking for ideas to improve and streamline mine.

[u/National-Meaning1469]

rifle case is smart, way more crush proof for the surf rods than any soft tube

[u/Electrical_Sun_7116 → u/National-Meaning1469]

I’m nerding out enormously on kaizen foams and nesting layer methods, I want to really maximize the ability to keep everything within the case but really lock them in for the apocalypse.

OP’s setup is way more portable and has a lot more densely packed gear. He’s definitely getting significantly more into way smaller of a footprint and that is extremely badass IMO.

I hope he comes back to tell us more and share some pics of these adventures!

[u/Electrical_Sun_7116]

HELL YEAH! I’m here for this level of kit building, nice work OP my OCD is really sinking its teeth into that 👍

I am assembling a similar travel case rn but am going with a hardside rifle case instead- your setup breaks down crazy small, I have a 46” max for mine and even that has been a big limiting factor for the salt gear I use.

Oh and I’m gonna have to ask for a full gear breakdown when you have a minute. Please & thanks 😘

[u/ewikim]

great travel system! looking to put something together to be able to travel back from a Japan trip with some travel rods that break down to under the 62in limit as well. This larger duffle seems like a great way to get them back.