Last year Alaska Airlines charged $20 for two rods and a tackle box.
I just flew with Alaska & didn't have to pay extra for my gear.
I tell them "it is not 'luggage'" and they seem satisfied with that.
After telling the woman that it was fishing rods in the tube, she said "ok, that's what I needed to know".
I made my own tubes using plumbing tube from Home Depot. One end is glued shut, the other has a screw top. Not fancy but rugged enough and relatively inexpensive. I tape the tubes together. I put a piece of sponge in the bottom before I slide my rod in, then another on top.
I have the same tubes - home-made from pvc with a screw top.
50-65 pound braid with a 40 pound mono or Fluoro leader about four feet long. Heavy duty swivels are used to join the lines;
Use the same setup but with a shorter leader - 2 to 3 feet - 50 lb mono.
Unfortunately, I bought some new heavy duty ball bearing swivels before heading out but didn't notice they had split rings on them.
Total pita - I can undo the rings by hand by pulling on the line.
I use an albright knot and go straight braid to mono - not ideal but no other choice.
I have been using 4" buzzbombs with limited success but understand you want to have your lure on the surface.
I have a couple of "popper" style lures but how do you cast them since they have little weight?