Going north and need new rod... help!
Hi guys,
I'm flying to Karratha with the missus in July and driving to Exmouth/Coral Bay for some r&r and plenty of fishing of course. Haven't been up that way before, and will only be fishing off the shore so was planning on taking the 7' td sol with about 6kg on it.
Problem is, I've been advised by several people that Qantas are strict about luggage and the rod+tube will be over the 2.1m which they allow. Has anybody had experience with this?
So since the rod is a one piece, I may have to buy something else for the trip instead (2 piece) and bring a shorter tube. Does anybody have any recommendations? I love the Sol but if i cant take it.... I'm not overly rich so probably a limit of a coupla hundred tops. Would a 7 footer with about 6kg cover most areas? Will be chuckin metals mainly unless I get any other tips. The reel's an exceler 3500
Cheers for ya suggestions guys
Chris
Carry
Posts: 656
Date Joined: 22/04/09
rods
I brought my rods up by qantas when i was doing fifo and the rod tube was well over 2.1m probably closer to 2.4m and i never had a problem no questions nothing.
We feel nothing but a certain difficulty in continuing to stand
hlokk
Posts: 4293
Date Joined: 04/04/08
I didnt have any problems
I didnt have any problems before, but my rod tube was pretty much spot on 2.1m and didnt go with qantas. Went with skywest up and virgin blue back. The funny thing was that on the trip back, the skywest flight and the virginblue flight had the same flight number, so was actually on the same plane. The length requirements for each were different though (2.1m and 3m) even though it was the same flight
When I was asking skywest I think it was, they said the limit was in case they had a smaller plane, but in general because they're quite thin that if it was a little bit over they wouldnt mind, but said they would very occasionally enforce it so they couldnt guarantee it. So basically, shouldnt be a problem, but they cant guarantee it. Not sure if qantas is the same.
For a couple of hundred though, there are a fair few rod options. You could get something nice and light, but a bit longer so you have the casting distance from the shore. E.g. something a bit over 8' and two piece. Should be a few options (was eyeing off the hearty rise ones, and nice and light)
H.S. Chan
Posts: 587
Date Joined: 04/01/09
hearty rise and eupro
hearty rise and eupro ftw!
Evolution range, penulum and twincraft (8ft+ 30lb), sylphy range, seabass force (for the lighter stuff).
Pretty much any lightweight graphite salmon stick would do the job.
CCC
Posts: 539
Date Joined: 29/03/10
Truck
WHen my old man comes up he sends all his fishing gear up by truck a week before
SaintAsh
Posts: 115
Date Joined: 16/11/09
be on the safe side
be on the safe side mate and just give the airline a call.. last time i flew qantas (over east) rod tube wasnt a problem but i rang a week or so before, girl was really helpful, even faxed me a letterhead saying the rod holder was allowed, incase i had any problems checking it in.. all depends who you get at the callcentre i spose.. but half an hour of your time could save you some money :)
lunker
Posts: 107
Date Joined: 08/01/10
Cheers for all the help
Cheers for all the help guys, I'm still pretty undecided about what to do. My missus actually works for the airline... she said with Perth airport she may be able to pull strings, but also said she's seen so many knocked back. Plus the airport in Karratha will be a different story again.. don't know if we could pull the 'staff' card on them. Guess it has a lot to do with how packed the flight is and the mood of the airport staff at the time.
Hmm go 8 or 9 foot for the rod you guys think? Guess it couldn't hurt adding a salmon stick to the armory... may have to go to oceanside and check out the hearty rise and eupro's
Would a 3500 size reel be getting a bit small then? I'm not sure what to expect up on the trip!