Reels in carry on bag

[Surf Hunter]

OK, how many of you guys put your reels in your carry on bag?
Since there are three of us traveling to La Paz this summer and we also plan on surf fishing while we are there, my estimate would be 16 reels in one bag.
Do ya think they will get a little weird about having that many in one bag?

[Keone]

Hi Tom:

Now that it's OK and even recommended by TSA to bring reels aboard the plane, you should be fine. Personally, since I have to repair alot of reels or bring things for our rental stuff, I have alot of reels and I usually just put them in the ice chest or duffel and check them in. I'll take 2 or 3 sometimes and carry them with me and have never had a problem. Many of my clients will also carry their reels with them as well although I've never heard of anyone carrying 16 aboard. That's gonna weigh a ton and do you really need every reel ( I know...dumb question...of COURSE you do!) But try not to bring more than you need.

I have over 100 reels here in La Paz and honestly, I learned over a decade ago that I use about 4 and that's fishing 100-300 days a year.

Good luck and let me know if you have more questions. Just write me directly at riplipboy@aol.com even if you're fishing with a competitor.

Cheers!
Jonathan

[PilotLight]

Originally Posted by Keone

Hi Tom:

........
Good luck and let me know if you have more questions. Just write me directly at riplipboy@aol.com even if you're fishing with a competitor.

Cheers!
Jonathan

Your a class act Jonathan . My experience with the TSA is they don't want to see Spectra on the reels (cover the braid with topshot). I brought 8 on my last trip and no problemo with the TSA. (All were spooled with Mono)
See you at Fred Hall Jonathan. Prolly Friday.
Kel

[wodar1]

Kelly and Jonathan are right on with this. Myself, I would not ever check my reels, I'm a natural pessimist. Unless you are carrying everyones reels you certainly won't need or even be able to use 16 reels. I brought 8, used 4 and realistically could have gotten away with 3 and I caught more fish in four days than I can count and wasn't ever outgunned. Just be sure to bring your margarita glass....Oh, no, that's me!! Have fun down there, it is a blast.

[PilotLight]

Tor check your PM
Kel

[Keone]

Tom:

Shoot...shows you how bad I am. I don't have alot of time on the boards so I don't know everyone's GB name. Of course, guys like Kelly and Tor yes, but I didn't realize it was YOU...Tom!

The guys are right about the number of reels. You really don't need that many. I go on 10, 12 and 14 day long range trips and don't use that many. But of course, we must have our toys and in the early days, I hauled so much stuff with me that I just about needed my own sherpa!

If you do pack your stuff in check-in luggage it's pretty safe. I know that sounds like I'm whistling in the dark, but I've been doing this close to 15 years and 1000 clients a year. In all that time I've had two guys get a reel stolen. On both occasions, one guy put it in a backpack right in an ourside pocket then checked it in. On the other occasion, the guy put his reel bag full of Penn Internationals into luggage in a bag that said in big bold letters, "FISHING REELS!" (He stenciled that on himself). Then, he didn't lock it. Even he admitted it wasn't a smart move. But those are the ONLY times someone has lost a reel.

Here's a little trick that I do. I went out and got a cheap luggage cable from Target or Walmart...one of those that has a little combination lock on it. they cost about 10 bucks. I run that cable through all the reels.

Most times, if someone wants to steal something, they need to move fast. Get it and get out. Put it in a pocket and scoot! If they just happen to see all the reels and reach in and realize that 30 pounds of reels are cabled together, they'll go mess with someone else.

Frankly, statistics have shown that you're more likely to have something broken than stolen by Mexican baggage handlers. You're more likely to get stuff stolen in places like Nebraska or New York in the winter where handlers wear big coats while they work. In Mexico, it's too hot to wear more than pants and a shirt so no where to really hide anything. Most baggage folks are really good honest folk no matter what country so your stuff is pretty secure if you just use common sense!

Hope that helps! Also...Kelly...I don't have your e-mail address, but the envelope arrived! Thanks. Paperwork headed out.

Cheers all!
Jonathan

[Keone]

One more thing...even in the days when I used to have to fly back and forth maybe a doezen times a year, and TSA prohibited reels aboard, I'd always put one or two cheapo reels in my carry-on backpack just to see what would happen so I could report accurately to my clients. Never once had a problem. Sometimes, they'd take it out and look at it, but put it right back and I'd get a comment like, "Man, I wish I was going with you!" Most times, they'd never even take it out've my bag.

Cheers!
Jonathan

[PilotLight]

PM sent Jonathan.... See you next week!
Kel

PS Ill send the info to RIPLIPBOY as well

[Carnivore]

Yep as above I carried all my reels on in a back pack. Never was asked a question nor did they even open it going or coming back.

[Surf Hunter]

Originally Posted by Keone

Hi Tom:

That's gonna weigh a ton and do you really need every reel ( I know...dumb question...of COURSE you do!) But try not to bring more than you need.

Of course we need em, my count is kind of as follows since there is three of us going:
3-40lb rigs
3-30lb rigs
3-20lb rigs
the above will be used for the boat fishing

Now, since we are staying a full week and want to hit the surf a lot at first light and evening on our not offshore days to try out our lures i am bringing
3-10lb rigs on seven foot rods for casting small spoons and lures and then three surf plugging outfits for casting our 2-3oz lures.

so that is 15 reels total. I think it is justified eh?

thanks for the help guys!!!!!