Upvote:-1
Be very careful what you carry on. I had 8 compact double sided fly boxes (with flies I tied) confiscated at the Incheon Airport in South Korea two years ago. They were returned to me 8 months later, to my surprise, as I insisted that a note detailing situation and address be included in the bag they used and sealed. Years earlier I had 5 rods in a PVC tube with screw on end caps. The ground crew dropped it out of the cargo hold on the deck in Aukland NZ. two of the rods were destroyed with no apology or compensation for this recommendation they make. Pack rods (3 to 4 piece) in their own individual hard tubes and make sure all tubes are modified to fit cross ways in a large pullman. Make sure you measure rod piece lengths to see that they fit. Wrap in bubble wrap a couple of times and pack your boots and clothing around them. Check it in and hope for the best. I carried on my reels, lines and leaders. I hope I have better luck this year with carry on. I packed my flies in my checked bag.
Upvote:1
A Quick googling tells us that you should be able to carry your fishing rod with you AS LONG AS it is properly packed (at least a pvc tube with screw caps, or better a proper fishing rod case ).
AND be ready to check-in your fishing gear if for some reasons they do not accept it, so mark it as fragile and "handle with care" with some visible "fragile" stickers.
FYI:
Qantas has a fishing section:
"To be accepted for carriage, they must be protected in a PVC cylinder with screw ends, which can be obtained from a local fishing store, or in PVC plumbing or electrical tubing. Fishing rods must not be strapped to suitcases and the length can not exceed 277cm (109in) on Qantas operated services.
If the fishing equipment and your checked baggage exceed your checked baggage allowance, airport excess baggage rates apply. For example, if your baggage allowance is one piece and you are travelling with a bag and a fishing rod, this will amount to two pieces and you will need to pay for the additional piece"
http://www.qantas.com.au/travel/airlines/sporting-equipment/global/en#jump2
Upvote:1
I have encountered travelers flying from Japan to the USA, to go fishing in Alaska, that were bringing their rod cases onto the plane as a carry on. So yes it is possible to do so on international flights (hundreds of folks fly with rod cases as carry on within the USA and Canada).
But I think the final decision, in your situation, will be Hong Kong airport security. If they allow it and your case does not radically exceed carry on baggage size, you should be good to go.