Getting ready to come out for the Western Clave and was checking out the airlines for their regs for baggage. There was much more to read through, but this was the jist of it for American Airlines:
For flights wholly within the United States and between the United States and Canada
The maximum amount of baggage each ticketed passenger is allowed free of charge is:
a.. 2 pieces checked and one carry-on
Please note that one carry-on personal item (see "Carry-on Allowance") does not count toward the free bag allowance.

The size limitation of your luggage is calculated by adding the total outside dimensions of each bag, that is, length + width + height.
a.. Two checked bags at 62 in/157 cm each

b.. One carry-on bag at 45 in/114 cm
The maximum weight per checked bag is 50 lbs/23 kgs.
The maximum weight per carry-on bag is 40 lbs/18 kgs.
You can pay for extra bags but I think the price was $80 per...might as well buy another seat on the plane for that price. There was a special provision for fishing gear, but not sure how to apply it, need to call the airline:
The following items are free in place of one of the 62in/157cm bags within the free baggage allowance:
............Fishing equipment (2 rods, reel, net, tackle box and 1 pair of boots)
Also an option which I have used before (contributed to a thread on this several months ago) is to get the bags insured if they are worth it. Apparently the airlines do still do this, need to call on this one to confirm, but previously there was a signature required to pick up the bags, so someone can't swipe them on the belt. This is also from the AA website:
Additional Insurance
If you are traveling with items valued beyond the standard baggage liability allowance, you may decide additional insurance is necessary.
Here are a few guidelines:
Excess valuation insurance covers loss of the baggage; it does not cover damage to the bag or its contents

Excess insurance may not be purchased for items excluded from our liability; such as jewelry, cash, computers, etc. Please see Limits of Liability for details.

Additional insurance may be purchased when you are checking your baggage at any airport ticket counter. Skycaps are not able to offer excess valuation insurance.

If your itinerary involves more than one airline, it is important to remember that excess value insurance must be purchased from each carrier, and only applies to the carrier it was purchased from. It will be necessary to claim your luggage at the connecting city, recheck and insure the bags with the other carrier.
Rates
The charge for excess valuation insurance for checked baggage is assessed at a rate of $2.00 USD per each one hundred dollars purchased. The total valuation on your checked luggage may not exceed $5,000 USD per passenger. The total valuation of $5,000 includes the standard baggage liability allowance + excess valuation insurance purchased.


Feel free to clarify anything or even better, provide your tips/suggestions.

Mike