Help with flying travel logistics from FL

[Gone2Fish]

Good morning

My son and I are going oct2-10 on SOA for our first long range. Initially due to all the tackle and rugs, we were going to drive. But after speaking to a friend who owns a tackle store in Melbourne. He mentioned that a couple of customers ship their rods and reels to individuals who provide a “pick up and store service” until they arrive. That way, they only fly with their regular luggage.

Has anyone heard of such service? And if so, do you or could you mind sharing. The contact to a reputable individual/company that does this?

It would cut down on travel time and asking PTO time. Give us option to go on more trips instead lol

Thanks
Gabe

 

[Russ Scholl]

Good morning

My son and I are going oct2-10 on SOA for our first long range. Initially due to all the tackle and rugs, we were going to drive. But after speaking to a friend who owns a tackle store in Melbourne. He mentioned that a couple of customers ship their rods and reels to individuals who provide a “pick up and store service” until they arrive. That way, they only fly with their regular luggage.

Has anyone heard of such service? And if so, do you or could you mind sharing. The contact to a reputable individual/company that does this?

It would cut down on travel time and asking PTO time. Give us option to go on more trips instead lol

Thanks
Gabe

Give Mike Morris a try 760-805-0824.
Never fly American Airlines. You WILL get stranded in Dallas or miss your flight and maybe your trip because of “bad weather“in Dallas.-Russ

 

[Gone2Fish]

Give Mike Morris a try 760-805-0824.
Never fly American Airlines. You WILL get stranded in Dallas or miss your flight and maybe your trip because of “bad weather“in Dallas.-Russ

For sure
Nor Spirit. Worst experience ever. I’m thinking SouthWest.

Thanks for the contact. Much appreciated.

 

[Soda Pop]

For sure
Nor Spirit. Worst experience ever. I’m thinking SouthWest.

Thanks for the contact. Much appreciated.

Give Mike Morris a try 760-805-0824 5 star customer service and all you do is relax

 

[FLLR1]

My son and I travel from Florida to SD a couple of times a year for trips. Glad to share our experiences with you. I will send you a PM.

 

[aoc]

Good morning

My son and I are going oct2-10 on SOA for our first long range. Initially due to all the tackle and rugs, we were going to drive. But after speaking to a friend who owns a tackle store in Melbourne. He mentioned that a couple of customers ship their rods and reels to individuals who provide a “pick up and store service” until they arrive. That way, they only fly with their regular luggage.

Has anyone heard of such service? And if so, do you or could you mind sharing. The contact to a reputable individual/company that does this?

It would cut down on travel time and asking PTO time. Give us option to go on more trips instead lol

Thanks
Gabe

Greetings,

Another newbie here, coming form the east coast (Maryland) for an October trip on the Searcher. I just spoke to Mike Morris this week ahead of my trip in October and arranged for his services. He is still running "Big Fish Transport" operation (a few folks have posted about whether or not he is still in business) and is taking calls. Facebook page has the number and limited info - website does not seem to be working.

I was under the impression that one could ship tackle, rods, reels to the boat and they store it [securely] but they passed me off to the landing - and others told me the landing(s) does not like to do this (although some boats make the effort as far as I can tell).

Would the poster from Florida be willing to share experiences with me as well?

The logistics on this stuff are challenging by anyone's standards.

Hope this helps

aoc

 

[Gone2Fish]

Greetings,

Another newbie here, coming form the east coast (Maryland) for an October trip on the Searcher. I just spoke to Mike Morris this week ahead of my trip in October and arranged for his services. He is still running "Big Fish Transport" operation (a few folks have posted about whether or not he is still in business) and is taking calls. Facebook page has the number and limited info - website does not seem to be working.

I was under the impression that one could ship tackle, rods, reels to the boat and they store it [securely] but they passed me off to the landing - and others told me the landing(s) does not like to do this (although some boats make the effort as far as I can tell).

Would the poster from Florida be willing to share experiences with me as well?

The logistics on this stuff are challenging by anyone's standards.

Hope this helps

aoc

Yes logistics seem overwhelming. But this could be a game changer.
I was truly thinking of driving back and forth. But that is a extra 5-7 days of PTO… which could be used for other trips

 

[bluewater23t]

Greetings,

Another newbie here, coming form the east coast (Maryland) for an October trip on the Searcher. I just spoke to Mike Morris this week ahead of my trip in October and arranged for his services. He is still running "Big Fish Transport" operation (a few folks have posted about whether or not he is still in business) and is taking calls. Facebook page has the number and limited info - website does not seem to be working.

I was under the impression that one could ship tackle, rods, reels to the boat and they store it [securely] but they passed me off to the landing - and others told me the landing(s) does not like to do this (although some boats make the effort as far as I can tell).

Would the poster from Florida be willing to share experiences with me as well?

The logistics on this stuff are challenging by anyone's standards.

Hope this helps

aoc

I have travelled to SD for long range trips from Florida in the past, but I did ship my rods to Fisherman's Landing, and they did store my gear until I arrived to pick it up. I also had pre-paid return shipping labels for the return trip, and they did dispatch my rods to FedEx as well on my way out. Not sure if they still do it or are happy to do it, so I suggest checking the Mike Morris link above.

It is a hassle, and an added cost, but there is nothing like fishing your own rods on these trips. Of course, I carry-on all my reels with me on the plane.

 

[offshore6]

I fly from Florida at least once a year to fish SD Long Range. Mike Morris has been a savior. I have finally settled on Alaska Airlines. They have a non-stop flight from Orlando daily and their service is great.

 

[Gone2Fish]

I fly from Florida at least once a year to fish SD Long Range. Mike Morris has been a savior. I have finally settled on Alaska Airlines. They have a non-stop flight from Orlando daily and their service is great.

That’s great to onow
I live in Orlando. That makes it easy
Now if Mike would just respond to my text, it would be great
I assume he is just a busy man.

 

[Mean Gene]

You can always check with the boats for loaner gear. My brother is coming with me on the Searcher in October, and since he doesn't have rods/reels, he'll be using boat gear.

 

[surfgoose]

I agree with all of the above suggestions. I too fly with the reels and personal tools in the checked luggage. And Alaska Airlines is by far the best at taking care of fishing tackle and fishermen, and they seem to get me where I need to be on time without screwing anything up.

 

[mike atkins]

I'm making my 6th trip to San Diego from Virginia next Friday. I have shipped my rods to Fisherman's a couple of times with no problems but now my rods stay in California with a friend. Do Not check your reels they will get damaged. Mine are in my carry on and I use my t shirts I'm going to fish with to wrap my reels. They never leave my sight. I also arrive 2 days before my trip in case of any delays. I have one of the back pack type tackle bags that gets checked but it grew so much it now stays with my rods. The more trips you take the more you will be able to decide what you need and what you don't. I also stay a day after the trip to wash my stuff. I enjoy the planning and have never felt it was hard to do. I use Fedex to ship my stuff. Sign up for a free account and you can save a few bucks. The boat equipment is ok but nothing like using your own. Pick a sponsored trip and use some of the sponsors equipment. My first couple of trips were Phenix and I brought my reels and used there rods. Hope this helps.

 

[JohnTFT]

Travelling from NY every year since 2005.

I ship everything. Rods, reels, clothes and Jack Daniels Green Label (available in NY).

The issue with bringing rods on the plane is TSA. They will break rods when they open the tube to make sure there are just rods in there.

UPS has never let me down. The Excel and the Landing accommodate the gear very well.

 

[Montaukmaniac]

I agree with all of the above suggestions. I too fly with the reels and personal tools in the checked luggage. And Alaska Airlines is by far the best at taking care of fishing tackle and fishermen, and they seem to get me where I need to be on time without screwing anything up.

Alaska air's sports equipment policy allows a Rod Tube AND a Tackle box to ship as ONE piece of luggage!!!

They're the best re: sporting equipment!!!

Tight lines!

 

[MattFred1414]

I used to live in Melbourne.

This was my first time flying to SD for a long range trip. I put all my tackle in the biggest knockoff pelican case harbor freight had and rods in a rod case. Reels in my check In bag with some clothes and the rest of my clothes in my carry on. Pretty easy if you don’t over pack.

 

[FLLR1]

Definitely bring your reels with you as a carry on. I bought a small rolling duffel bag and put all of my reels (and some towels for cushioning) in it. Really easy to walk through the airport now.

 

[one8sevenn]

A few things.

I think that Southwest is a great airline to fly for fishing.

Two bags fly free and a tackle box counts as part of checking a bazooka rod tube.

Hooks go in checked bags. Sinkers, Knife jigs, Irons, Colt Snipers, etc can fly in your carry-on as long as there are not hooks. Split ring plyers are a big help at removing the hooks.

There is not a weight limit for carry-on, but you are limited to 50lbs for checked bags.

You can stuff your bazooka rod tube with clothes as padding for your rods.

I would recommend flying in the day before that way a delay won't make you miss the boat.

If you are going to point loma (H&M, Point Loma, or Fisherman's Landing), then use an Uber. You do not have to pay parking using Uber and you can stay at the Ramada right across from the landing.

You can also use Southwest or Alaska (not sure if they are in Florida) to fly your fish home. Often you do not need a ticket.

With Southwest it is $75 for 50lbs if they do not count as your checked bags.

If you catch a lot of fish and are having them processed, then you can go to the UPS store and mail home the rod tube, dirty laundry, and excess fishing tackle. Leaving your two checked bags for flying fish home.

If you had two hundred pounds of fish, you could potentially fly it home for $150, which is tough to beat.