[REK]

Anybody have an opinion about inshore casting three piece travel rods? Looking at G. Loomis Escape Series, Lamiglas Travel Series, Penn Guide Travel Rods, and St. Croix Tidemaster Inshore Casting Travel Rods. Costa Rica Tarpon, Snook and other assorted fish in mind. I?m thinking about something that will fit in a suitcase. Or is it better to fork over the sixty (one way, so twice) and take a rod tube. What rod tube do you recommend?

TIA. REK.

 

[simidude]

I am going to Costa Rica (Crocodile Bay) we can only have 35lbs of checked luggage and 10lbs of carry on. I have a 42" single rod tube (sports chalet) with a 15-40lb 2 piece ugly stick that I am going to carry on.

This post edited by simidude 05/26/2008

 

[hatidua]

I have a few different Loomis Escape series rods and prefer them to the St Croix Tidemasters that I've had the opportunity to use. With the airlines increasingly charging for every little thing, I suspect it won't be long before my full-length rod tube stays home more than it used to :td:

 

[captn_tom]

I am going to Costa Rica (Crocodile Bay) we can only have 35lbs of checked luggage and 10lbs of carry on. I have a 42" single rod tube (sports chalet) with a 15-40lb 2 piece ugly stick that I am going to carry on.

Which airline will allow you to have 35#? When I flew on Sansa, they only allowed 25# with no guarantee that the luggage would come on the same flight as the passenger! Now to answer the question, I have a Penn 15-30# three piece 6 1/2' travel rod that I have taken to Nicaragua, Costa Rica, and Mexico. I have caught some nice fish on it, including a couple of sailfish and roosters. I can tell you that it will do the job if you are light tackle fishing. I believe that when heavy tackle is needed, they will probably have it on the boats. However, I like to take a rod for throwing poppers and jigs.
The Penn rod has been very dependable, nice ferrule construction, cork handles and a gimbal. The only draw back is that the reel seat is small diameter, so often a spacer is needed for the clamp. My new Avet MXJ has a new style clamp that works perfectly on it. Can't wait for Panama this summer!!!!

 

[simidude]

Nature Air out of San Jose. Anything over 35lbs is also not garanteed

 

[Sam Salmon]

Nature Air out of San Jose. Anything over 35lbs is also not garanteed

From Nature Air

NatureAir permits a maximum of 30 lbs. per person for checked in baggage and a small handbag for the cabin, our aircrafts do not have any overhead baggage compartments. Any baggage over 30 lbs. will be charged (they are still not guaranteed space on the aircraft) at a rate of:

$25 per additional bag or excess weight of the free allowance bag from 31 pounds up to 45 pounds.
$60 in case of two additional bags or the excess weight of the free allowance bag from 46 pound up to 70 pounds.
All bags that exceed 70 will be charge has cargo and will be subject to weight and space availability.

 

[I hate seals]

I have a few and have used them a bunch

Last trip was to La Paz. Panga fished and had many YFT to #10-#15 and small dorado.

The rod I used was the Penn Guide Travel PT1530C66 6'6" 3 15-30 with Diawa Sealine 20

It worked well, but overall I would want something with more pulling power next time for those particular fish.

I'd say the rod would be good for inshore fishing, but anything over a #20 fish and your taking too long and beating yourself up.

I also have a Cabelas Salt Stalker spinning rod which has been great for inshore species from Mexico to the Bahamas.

These rods fits perfectly in my suitcase. I no longer travel with a big rod tube, it's too much hassle.

Best of luck!

 

[captn_tom]

Yup, that's the same rod that I use. I count on the boats to have heavier gear if needed. I trust my 20# for sport. However, I have caught fish over 100# with 20# line in open water. Digging them off the bottom is another story entirely.