Flying with tackle

Black Water · 12-26-2009, 03:22 PM

I'm going to be flying to Costa Rica at the end of the week to do some fishing, and I had a question about bringing some tackle and accessories with me on the flight.

First, I wanted to bring some of my trolling lures (Makaira Pulling Lures, about 10), but they are all rigged up with the hooks. Will this be a problem if I am checking the bag they are in? I'm concerned with both US security and Costa Rica security.

Also I was going to take my Nikon digital SLR with some lenses. How about that on both ends? Is it even suggested to try?

Finally, can you still use luggage locks? I think I have some of the TSA ones that they can open.

Thanks, it's been a while since I've flown commercial, and this is the first time I've wanted to bring items like these international.

cjd · 12-26-2009, 04:00 PM

I was in costa rica the week before thanksgiving (flew in and out of Liberia). I always check anything with a hook. I carried on my reels. No problem on the way down, but on the way back, Costa Rican Security carefully stripped the power pro off of my reel (left the mono backing) and took a fresh roll of PP (leaving the mono).

I asked the US homeland security guy of he considered line a weapon. he said no. told him what the CR security guy did, and he laughed and said line is clearly a weapon to costa rican fishermen.

If you check the lures, leave note telling them to watch for sharp hooks. I am betting you will not be able to carry them on.

Also, print out the baggage rules. I carefully constructed a rod holder out of PVC that was not over sized. Leaving CR they tried to get me for oversized. I pulled out the regulations, and he let me check it. Love the country, hate the "win for the day" attitude.

Black Water · 12-26-2009, 06:56 PM

Thanks. Do you happen to have a link or info to where I can find that baggage rule list?

I hope they wont confiscate that or the camera...I'm sure they wouldnt but who knows

slper · 12-26-2009, 08:06 PM

I took my two favorite wahoo lures with me this year to fish my buddies boat In Los Suenos. I checked them on the way down but forgot to do it on the way back. I got busted. I had my brother in law with me and he had a carry-on that I put them in and he went back and checked his carry-on for me. I got lucky I didn't lose two TB-2 lures @ $60 a pop!

Steve_250 · 12-27-2009, 04:45 AM

There is another (longer) thread on here recently that contains the same discussion.
Check for it, you'll find more suggestions.
Check here for packing guidelines:
http://www.tsa.gov/

cjd · 12-27-2009, 04:05 PM

for the baggage size issue, search on the specific airlines web site. As far as what is ok to check, the TSA site is good, though i suspect that fishing line is not on the list, and I also suspect the Costa Rican TSA guys will not be beholden to the list.