Bringing a rod

[OnTheBrink]

For many years I've used a 3" cardboard mailing tube with a shoulder strap I glued on and it will hold 5 rods (very snug) in their socks. You can cut it to whatever length you need and it can be carried on as your "personal item" along with a small backpack or whatever other item you want to carry on. The tube will fit nicely at the back of the overhead compartments and still allow space for others' carry-ons. Beware that some of the bargain basement tickets on small carriers like Spirit are extremely restrictive with their carry-on sizes and have big penalties if they're exceeded - read the small print.

Yes. I thought I'd found a great deal last year on a ticket and then learned it was an additional $40 each way for a carry on.