When going on a fishing trip internationally, unlike domestically, things can become more complex. One has to think about airline policies, custom regulations, the tackle differences, and the overall logistics of moving your gear across borders. One can end up having to buy expensive gear in a tourist shop or end up having a trip where they are unable to fish properly if they make a mistake.
The Truth about Airlines and What Will Actually Fly
Fishing rods are viewed differently across airlines. Some might see them as sporting equipment and have policies in place for that, while for others, rods are considered awkward items that may result in some additional fees. It is a good idea to check the airline policies ahead of time. It is common for budget airlines to charge around £30-50 for rods, while others might allow them to be included in your standard baggage.
The importance of rod tubes is often underestimated. I’ve heard a number of stories of rod tubes that have soft cases and result in rods arriving with snapped tips and broken sections due to careless baggage handling. A good option are hard plastic tubes that can be purchased for around £40-80. Alternatively, if you’re handy with some DIY, you can use a PVC drain pipe with end caps at a more reasonable price.
When packing rods, make sure that the guides are facing each other. Use foam or bubble wrap to separate each rod. Be sure to take off the reels, as the weight of the reel puts stress on the rod. Wrap the foam padding that you used to cover the rod, as the ends are typically where the rod gets the most damage. Finally, with a permanent marker, write your contact information on the outside of the rod case and the inside as well.
If possible, reels are best packed in carry on luggage. They are small and fit in bags easily, but they are also valuable and can be damaged easily. If you are checking bags, be sure to pack the reels in clothing so that they are cushioned. If you are checking a lot of rods, make sure that you keep at least one rod and reel setup in your carry on. This way, if your checked bag gets lost, you still have a complete setup.
Remember to pack any hooks, weights, or other sharp items in your checked luggage so that security doesn’t confiscate your personal items. When packing these items keep in mind that you want to restrain any sharp items so that they can’t puncture a bag or injure a baggage handler. Use a foam box, or a box of any kind, to pack hooks instead of letting them rattle around together.
How to Choose Custom Tackle for Traveling
International travel means flies and travel rods unless you want to spend a fortune on gear so building your tackle for your trip becomes pivotal. First, understand your destination—what species are you targeting, what is the local tackle and what are the local techniques. Only by doing this can you cover the most travel scenarios and tick the international travel fishing tick box.
In international fishing travel, a medium weight spinning setup is best, if you go any lighter you can loose versatility. A river rod nd a predator rod are the only two you need and if not on a specialist trip to target certain species 5 rods is just dead weight.
A lot of primary tackle is about the size of the primary target species, to take other rig components like a leader of varying pound test, some weights for local lag I e. current, and also any pre tied ones to save time but make some other rigs on the trip.
Two weeks is about the time limit for one tackle box. A quality multi compartment ones lasts the best since you can switch around components and you won’t need to pack and unpack for every trip. Legacy Field Cases are the best for durability for line and boxes.
Clothing for Variable Conditions
When going on international trips, you always need to take into account different clothing styles for different weathers, as well as the climates of the place you are traveling to. It is impossible to pack for every situation, but you can pack for what the likely conditions are, with the reasonable possibility of likely extremes.
When traveling internationally, the layering system works the same as it would in domestic trips. That is, base layer, insulation, waterproof shell, etc. Average price for Merino wool base layers is about £40-60, but they do dry quickly, resist smells, and are usable in a large variety of climates. If you would like cheaper and synthetic alternatives, a cost of £20-30 can do the same thing, but they do smell worse after a few days.
One quality waterproof jacket is a must. This is not something to save on – a jacket that keeps the rainout on is the difference between being able to keep fishing while it is raining, and sitting miserably waiting for the rain to stop. If they charge on the higher end of £150-300, brands like Simms, Patagonia, or fishing brands like Drennan actually work. Alternatives on the cheaper end just soak through and for waterproofing, keep needing replaced every year.
Completing the system are waterproof trousers. Yes, you will probably look strange in full waterproof trousers in sunny weather, but when it rains, you are the only person who is still able to fish comfortably. Lightweight versions for warm climates and insulated for colder places. £150-£100 spent on good waterproofs will last for years.
Footwear should include only lightweight versatile boots that can be used for both hiking and water-resistant walking. If your itinerary has walking and hiking planned, just bring one pair instead of multiple and wear the boots for most of the trip. If your trip has a high likelihood of wading, look into regular neoprene socks that can be used to turn your boots into wading boots. They compress down and cost about £20-30.
Fishing in warm, tropical places in the winter means you need sun protection and lightweight clothing. Fishing in Norway in the spring demands heavy-duty cold-weather gear. Read the historical weather of your planned destination for your dates instead of guessing and pack accordingly.
Electronics are increasingly a part of modern fishing and include devices like fish finders, fishing bite alarms, GPS, and fishing apps on your phone. International travel and fishing can be a challenge because you need a reliable way to power and charge your devices.
Most travel adapters (£15-25) provide a universal alternative for multiple countries’ plug configurations. Bring one with several USB ports since you will likely need them, and most electronics need power through USB. Solar-powered chargers are heavy, fragile, and break easily. They also don’t provide enough power for most devices that would require a charge, so don’t rely on them either.
Power banks charge phones and small electronics. A 20,000 mAh pack costs about 30-50 dollars and can charge phones about 5 times and cameras 3 times. Having 2 packs is helpful for long trips with little opportunities for charging. Before your flight, be sure to check your airline’s rules about batteries; most will allow a charge as high as 27,000 mAh.
Traveling with carp alarms may be a bit of a hassle. They are bulky, heavy, and easily breakable. That said, if your primary focus is carp, they are a must; they can cost 150-500 dollars for a set of 4 depending on their features. For a budget, it is suggested to only buy one of the reels, as other brands have a budget friendly get stuck option that ends up being a major issue.
To be fully loaded for a trip, it is up to the person to pack a camera. Phone cameras may not be the best quality but are very convenient as you only have to pack 2 objects. For a purpose better than phone cameras, people need to pack a dedicated camera, but these are heavy and need to be protected. Some people have used lightweight waterproof cameras for 250-400 dollars but these can be a hassle. An option that may be better is a go pro or action camera theable to take videos and is waterproof for 200-350 dollars.
Documentation and Legal Formalities
Licenses and possible permissions for fishing, for example, can vary greatly or be non-existent. Some may have simple policies, or none, while others have different permits for different systems (different bodies of water, specific species). Some countries have very complex and tangled systems. Always research thoroughly before any trip to avoid fishing fines without the proper documentation, harsh penalties, and possible confiscation of fishing equipment—criminal records in some extreme cases.
For example, in the UK you must have an Environment Agency rod fishing license, which costs around £33 per year, and you often need an additional fishing license for certain waters. Most European countries have a similar system to the UK, where you need a national and additional water-specific fishing license. Norway also requires licenses for saltwater fishing in certain areas. Some countries even charge tourists more than domestic residents for fishing licenses.
When travel is involved, it’s a good idea to obtain fishing licenses in advance when possible, and many countries today facilitate online payments for licenses. With many countries you can get a PDF license to carry on your mobile device. Showing up and having to go to an obscure office with limited open hours during your trip to get a license is frustrating, especially when the fishing time is limited. As a precaution, keep copies (digital and physical versions) of all your licenses and permits, as fishing license inspections can be random.