I am going to Montana in July. This will require getting on an airplane with a rod. I have many two piece rods, but think I would like to be able to carry a rod on the plane. I don't trust the baggage handlers to get my rods to my location. With that in mind, I need to find a 9ft 4wt travel blank. I will check a few other two piece rods, but want to be sure I get there with at least one complete rod. I now fish with a few Five Rivers, blanks and a couple RX7 rods. I would love to find travel blank that would cast like my RX7 904. The CCS data on the 904-4 does not lead me to think it will be a good match to its two piece sister. To further complicate things, I don't want to have to take out a second mortgage to buy this blank, as I have the rest of the trip to pay for too. I also don't know how many pieces a 9 foot rod needs to break down into in order to fit in an overhead bin. I always thought a 4piece would be short enought, but if that is the case why have a 7 piece? Thanks for your help.
Aaron

Aaron, I travel with Dan Craft Sig 5 and FT series 4 piece blanks (Sig V is now four piece). I also I travel with the RX8+ 4 and 5 pc blanks along with the RX7+ 4 and 5 piece blanks. I have no performance problems with them as compared to 2 piece blanks. Hook and Hackle has a good sell on the RX7+ blanks now. Also I have a few RX7 blanks in 4 piece models and they fish the same as my two piece blanks. When I do CC data between a 2 piece and 4 piece blank of the same model, I do not come up with that much difference except for maybe a little in the AA. In fact each blank even if identical in model and pieces may be somewhat different.

I have never had a problem with checking in two piece blanks. I use a larger rod holder that draws attention and will hold several rods

4 piece blanks are easy enough to store overhead, depending on the plane size.

Aaron,
I think I'd take a look at the Dan Craft FLT blanks, 5 or 6 piece, they look like they are in the general area your looking at.

Another thing you could do is send the rods ahead first by one of the carriers. Then pick them up when you get there. Then send them home on the return.

Look at the St. Croix balnks as well. I just built a 4 peice SCIII and was very impressed with it.

Joe

Aaron: I have to agree with Bill - if you can ship them ahead, do so. I travel 8-10 times a year out west on business and always take at least one rod. I've found that airports, gate attendants and airline people in general aren't all on a single page as to what is "allowed" or tolerated with rods. The folks in Detroit were particularly random in the rules they invoked about rods.

I solved the problem once and for all with two Dan Craft 7-piece rods that fit into my briefcase. When I take those, I never have a problem with space or random "rules". Excellent rods and no headaches.

Good luck.

Aaron Harp