Reviewed by: Capt. Mike Schoonveld
The Great Lakes covers so much territory it’s often more convenient to travel from one lake to the next – or from one end of one lake to the other end – by plane rather than over surface roads. Or, if you are like me, you have a wanderlust to head for far away fishing adventures where travelling by air is mandatory.
If those flights require travelling with any of your personal fishing gear – in this case, fishing rods – you’ll need some way of ensuring those rods show up on the baggage carousel unscathed by their adventure. Over the years, I’ve seen or used several ploys to get my rods to far off places with me, but these days, the friendly skies aren’t so friendly to most travelers and especially to those that show up at the gate with fish a fishing rod.
The Bazuka Rod case doesn’t make travelling any friendlier, but it does make it less worrisome. Made from a tough, rugged plastic, it won’t bend or splinter. If it shows up on the rod carousel crushed or looking like something ran over it, something has run over it. It wasn’t damaged on the plane or when being stowed.
I like the way it telescopes so I can adjust the size to fit the length of the rods I’m toting along with me. Nearly any two-piece rod will fit inside, and it will hold one-piece rods up to 8-feet. I’ve not crammed it full, but the interior diameter will easily hold four or more.
It’s not just for air travel. When I’m heading to a remote location with my boat, I use the in-boat storage. But when I’m not towing a boat, I pack my rods in the Bazuka so I can stow them over, under or beside any of the rest of my gear in the back of the truck or SUV. Bazukas are widely available at retailers or you can check them out and other Flambeau storage options at www.flambeauoutdoors.com
FISHING TOYS 