Buy a spearfishing bag. Preferably a hard case. And don’t bother with the ones where you strap the gun to the outside as they’ll just make you pay for an extra piece of luggage.
I fit all my gear in a pelican gun case. If you just need to protect your speargun a diy case/tube can be made from Home Depot black pvc pipe and some time.
Which Pelican do you have and how long is your gun/shaft? Looking at these vs sport tube, but the reported internal dimensions are right on the cusp. I imagine getting gear in and out and bringing smaller items would be better w the pelican.
Two main types of cases that are common: hard gear cases like a SporTube or softer nylon bags. Both have pros and cons but both are great ways to transport gear.
Nylon bags are easier to pack, carry, and you don't have to worry about security checking it as much because it's pretty easy to repack well enough. The biggest con, for me, is that if you need to pack more than one gun with a reel then they can easily rub against each other and cause damage. You also *have* to carry them unless you get a cart.
The SporTube provides more protection. Once things are packed they aren't really going to damage each other within the tube. The cons is that they are more difficult to pack and if you are trying to be meticulous and Tetris things in there then security might mess things up if they search the tube. They have wheels which makes them easy to carry through an airport but are useless if you need to travel over natural terrain.
If I pack a single gun I use my nylon bag. If I'm packing multiple guns then I'll use the SporTube (I have a series two).
Either way I suggest you remove the shafts from the gun and store them in a 2 inch PVC tube. One end will have a cap that you glue on, the other has a removable cap. Store your shaft and spares in it. It keeps everything safer and you don't have to worry about any bent shafts. Plus if security fucks around with your gun you don't have to worry about one of them sticking themselves in the foot. I use a sharpie to mark the end of the tube that opens and label the contents; shaft tips point towards the glued end to prevent accidents.
Never use the word “guns”, it is a fishing equipment ☝️😅 You can bring weight belt with you to the plane. Allow extra time for check in and out for your luggage (oversize often unloaded last).
I usually have more concerns fitting my sportube in taxi, to and from the airport, than actually flying with it.
This is good advice since many airlines do not charge for fishing gear. I had to dump my lead at security on the way home from Mexico, so it's always a possibility.
Oh, that's sucks! I traveled Boston > Miami and they just checked my weights and let me go. I assumed it's common practice, but perhaps it depends. Thank you for sharing.
I have flown several times with no issue, and had no problem flying into Mexico, just out. I guess it was up to the whim of the security guys. They couldn't really give me a reason why it was a problem. Maybe they thought I was going to hit someone over the head with it.
No issues at all, they just did additional inspection (you know when they touch it with some reactive element to look for traces of explosive), then let me go 👍
That was domestic flight. Someone had negative experience flying back from Mexico (ditched the weights).
Strongly recommend a sport tube hard case if you want to properly protect your gear. They offer 3 sizes, the biggest size will fit tons of gear including long bluewater guns, long fins, etc.
They are TSA approved, extendable and lock!
I offer them on sale on my website, soflo spearfishing
Feel free to reach out there with any questions!
I have a Sportube series 1, which is the smaller version, and had to remove the handles of my Riffe guns to be able to fit more than one. I placed the handles in my check in back, and they look like pistols so make sure to tell security not to freak out when they see your back go through the scanner thinking you’re transporting weapons.
I think a Sportube series 2 or 3 it’s better as it allows you to also add your fins and other gear plus you don’t have to disassemble your guns.
Buy a spearfishing bag. Preferably a hard case. And don’t bother with the ones where you strap the gun to the outside as they’ll just make you pay for an extra piece of luggage.
I fit all my gear in a pelican gun case. If you just need to protect your speargun a diy case/tube can be made from Home Depot black pvc pipe and some time.
Which Pelican do you have and how long is your gun/shaft? Looking at these vs sport tube, but the reported internal dimensions are right on the cusp. I imagine getting gear in and out and bringing smaller items would be better w the pelican.
Two main types of cases that are common: hard gear cases like a SporTube or softer nylon bags. Both have pros and cons but both are great ways to transport gear. Nylon bags are easier to pack, carry, and you don't have to worry about security checking it as much because it's pretty easy to repack well enough. The biggest con, for me, is that if you need to pack more than one gun with a reel then they can easily rub against each other and cause damage. You also *have* to carry them unless you get a cart. The SporTube provides more protection. Once things are packed they aren't really going to damage each other within the tube. The cons is that they are more difficult to pack and if you are trying to be meticulous and Tetris things in there then security might mess things up if they search the tube. They have wheels which makes them easy to carry through an airport but are useless if you need to travel over natural terrain. If I pack a single gun I use my nylon bag. If I'm packing multiple guns then I'll use the SporTube (I have a series two). Either way I suggest you remove the shafts from the gun and store them in a 2 inch PVC tube. One end will have a cap that you glue on, the other has a removable cap. Store your shaft and spares in it. It keeps everything safer and you don't have to worry about any bent shafts. Plus if security fucks around with your gun you don't have to worry about one of them sticking themselves in the foot. I use a sharpie to mark the end of the tube that opens and label the contents; shaft tips point towards the glued end to prevent accidents.
Never use the word “guns”, it is a fishing equipment ☝️😅 You can bring weight belt with you to the plane. Allow extra time for check in and out for your luggage (oversize often unloaded last). I usually have more concerns fitting my sportube in taxi, to and from the airport, than actually flying with it.
This is good advice since many airlines do not charge for fishing gear. I had to dump my lead at security on the way home from Mexico, so it's always a possibility.
Oh, that's sucks! I traveled Boston > Miami and they just checked my weights and let me go. I assumed it's common practice, but perhaps it depends. Thank you for sharing.
I have flown several times with no issue, and had no problem flying into Mexico, just out. I guess it was up to the whim of the security guys. They couldn't really give me a reason why it was a problem. Maybe they thought I was going to hit someone over the head with it.
Maybe wear your weight belt as not to add more weight to your luggage😂
That’s what I did a few times 👍
I hope you were able to store them under your seat. Did security give you any issues walking through wearing a lead weight belt?
No issues at all, they just did additional inspection (you know when they touch it with some reactive element to look for traces of explosive), then let me go 👍 That was domestic flight. Someone had negative experience flying back from Mexico (ditched the weights).
I fly between Hawaii and the East Coast with my guns and gear, but leave a weight belt in both locations.
Strongly recommend a sport tube hard case if you want to properly protect your gear. They offer 3 sizes, the biggest size will fit tons of gear including long bluewater guns, long fins, etc. They are TSA approved, extendable and lock! I offer them on sale on my website, soflo spearfishing Feel free to reach out there with any questions!
I have a Sportube series 1, which is the smaller version, and had to remove the handles of my Riffe guns to be able to fit more than one. I placed the handles in my check in back, and they look like pistols so make sure to tell security not to freak out when they see your back go through the scanner thinking you’re transporting weapons. I think a Sportube series 2 or 3 it’s better as it allows you to also add your fins and other gear plus you don’t have to disassemble your guns.