Yes, it is the line that is the problem--but rather than take all the line off and then probably still have to argue with the airport security I would just check my reels. Reels line doesn't seem to be a problem on this end.. On the trip before this one I carried my reels in my carry - on and didn't have a problem in odessa or Dallas

Been to Comendero to years ago! on Picachos, Exactly what we are waiting for, some of those fish to grow up. Still sounds like a freaking blast! 100+ fish days! drooooooooooooooooool ...also tomorrow I'm Baccarac Bound!

Picachos sounds a lot like Huites when it first opened. Many of those fish had jumped into the 5-7# category, with a few 9 and 10's about the time the lodges closed down around 2009. We need one more to give us four for our trip. PM me if interested.

Excellent report CQB. The lake is fishing great. The big bass will be moving up in Jan.. I am open for drive in trips in Jan.. Everything is booked for Feb. and March; except for those that want to follow me down to the lake. Give me a shout if you would like to drive in, fish more days and save a bunch of money.

Well, another trip is booked for middle of February, but this time we will be staying at Anglers's Inn at Picachos. I guess we will see if Billy Chapman can duplicate the great service/food that he provides at El Salto..

You will be just as impressed with Mr. Chapman. He has been in this business longer than all of them and on almost all the lakes in Mexico. His guides are seasoned and know exactly what to do.

Although I book directly through, www.picachosbasslodge.com in my signature. Mrs. Mendoza who seems to be the land owner and works very closely with all the outfitters on the lake. This is a way to save lots of money on your bookings, stay in the same facilities and eat the same food.

Txtoby here on the Forum will answer all your questions when you send him a email through the contact page on that website.

Awesome post. Thanks for sharing.

As for that info. on carrying fishing reels and line to and from Mexico, as mentioned above; I just went to the American Airlines, the TSA and the FAA sites and could find nothing about reels or line as being specifically prohibited, but they do say to check tackle. Rods can be checked or carry on according to TSA.

It all comes down to the person you get at the check in counter. On the Mexico side of the check in it will be one way on one trip and another on the next. Again it depends on the person. Some go by the book and some make up the rules as they go. Of course you can get most anything done if you put enough money on the counter in Mexico.

The US. regulations for rod storage boxes will only allow enough storage room for 6' 6" rods. Many have made the trip with the 7' rods in longer containers. The written regulations do not allow that. Again it depends on the person you are dealing with and may not even measure the container. Then there are people that had to leave the rods behind; which ruins your trip from the get go. It is best to check the length rules, run a copy and follow it to a "T".

If it says check fishing tackle do it.

Maybe it is a problem coming from Mexico and not US.

Donald Harper - I'm going down in Dec. and would like to put some new floro on a couple of reels and pre-soak it in softener and pre-stretch it before I go, then carry them down in my carry-on. Save me a lot of time and effort when arriving there. I'm not sure I really want to put all my stuff in checked baggage as I'm afraid it will not arrive or may not even be in the bag if and when it does arrive. Ah...life's quandaries.

Put them in your carry on. The worst that can happen is they will make you check that bag also.
Just another $50. HA...

"would like to put some new floro on a couple of reels and pre-soak it in softener and pre-stretch it before I go."

Put 25# XPS Floro. on and don't worry about soaking anything except your plastics. Soak them in my Minnow and Night Crawler.

We didn't have the problem with carrying reels in our carry on on this end--the problem was when we were going through security in Mazatlan for our return to Dallas.. Also Don, we fly American out of Dallas and their website says that rod cases up to 123" are allowed.. Each airline is a bit different.

For whatever reason, if you carry on your reels leaving Mazatl�n, they will make you take of the line. They seem to be much more strict. I have made the flight probably 25 times and never had a problem with my equipment when checked, although it does happen. Maybe you could carry on the reels on the way down, then check them on the way back. That if they are late you are in the states and they will be delivered to you.