Don’t think that Fishpond’s new Dakota Carry-On is just for overhead rod storage during commercial plane flights. Instead, this solidly built case is equally adept at keeping gear safe and handy while drifting down a river or flying in a cramped de Havilland. Constructed with rugged 1680 ballistic nylon and a molded, waterproof hard bottom, the case protects up to four four-piece rods and provides interior dividers where anglers may store nine reels with space leftover for a couple fly boxes and, possibly, a flask.
Sweet travel storage for rods and reels, whether flying or driving.
The case comes with a removable padded shoulder strap for easy movement in the airport, plus a solid carry handle for handing off in a boat or floatplane. In addition, there are three mesh interior, zippered pockets, perfect for leaders, tippet spools, licenses and notebooks. Three laminated, see-through and spill-proof exterior pockets provide great storage for keys, airline tickets, and mobile phones, if you break down and bring that debilitating BlackBerry on a fishing trip. My suggestion: pay $159 for a Dakota Carry-On and leave the phone at home.