It all starts with preparing for your trip, from the lush green coastline of Costa Rica to the barren emptiness of the Great Barrier Reef there are many things to consider before booking your flight:

Call ahead for a game plan –

From local fishing licenses to hot baits a quick call to a local tackle shop or guide can make a trip 10x better. 

Choose the right rod for the job –

It is key to have a rod that is capable of bending uniformly, with the action and power of a one-piece. We’ve all fished our friend’s new “travel rod” that has flat spots and action changes from piece to piece. This simply will not do when just getting to your destination requires a day of travel. That’s why I chose the Phenix Redeye series for the job, paired with a reel of equal quality spooled with Phenix Braid, even the largest trophy catches are easily within reach.

Getting through airport security easily –

Most fishermen are worried about complications at TSA and I see why, traveling with other brands of travel rods that are housed in pool cue cases is an easy way to get an extra screening since pool cues are illegal to bring aboard planes. I rarely get a second look with my redeye since it is distinctively marked on the outside. 

Airline Restrictions –

Once on a trip to the Amazon river, we received word that our next hopper plane was overweight and large bags were no longer allowed, I didn’t miss a beat hopping aboard with my Redeye, just think what could have happened if I had a full-size rod tube!

The Redeye series is the perfect choice for traveling light since it comes in a travel rod case that is under 36” long, which meets all airline and FAA requirements.

Bring an extra, 2 = 1 and 1 = none… –

This was a recent lesson for me, I was sitting in my first class seat when I received a notification that one of my bags didn’t make it onto the plane and was missing… My tightly scheduled plan fell apart and I was stuck on hold with my airline(Delta) trying to forward my bag all the way from LAX. Keep must-have items on you or in your carry-on.

Bringing your catch back home –

Destinations like Puerto Vallarta which is home to XXL yellowfin tuna, wahoo, and grouper make it hard not to bring home some of your catch. A smart way to ditch the baggage fees is flying Southwest, they currently allow 2 free checked bags with the purchase of your ticket, This is a no-brainer for the traveling angler like you and me!

In conclusion, It’s all about being as prepared as possible yet being flexible enough to adapt at a moment’s notice. There are so many fish out there and even more ways to catch them so don’t be late grab your redeye, and go fishing!

Get your Redeye today