Going down to fish Picachos the end of the month. I am getting mixed signals about carrying on reels, some say they should be unspooled some say no problem. Any problem checking them in your baggage? Anybody been through this lately?
Also how was rh fishing?

I always check em.. no sweat.. Sometimes if you have em in your carry on they make you unspool em I hear.. Has not happened to me..

Take a lot of lizards and senkos.. Big flukes..

A few top waters and spinnerbaits.. But lizards are the hot bait I hear..

I'm headed there on the 29th as well.. Should be awesome!

Just call the airline and ask your questions. I don't thank there is any problem going down with reels spooled up. It is coming back that they want the line off. Rod lengths are also a problem. Some only allow 6.5 rods in a 7' tube. Check with your outfitter on using their rods at the lake. Saves you one more pain at the air port.

I don't go down there. I go to Oviachic where they are drive in friendly. I want my boat and truck there if at all possible. We got back last week and the fishing was great with the big fish staged off of the points in 18 ft. of water. We are headed down on Friday. To get the big fish this time in the bushes.
- Spinner baits - Med. Cranks - Brush Hogs - Lizards - Short Crig - Trig.

I have been twice. Checked gear both times. The first time all of my stuff arrived no problem. The second time my stuff got separated from me and arrived a day late. Had it not been for our trip coordinator loaning me some spare reels and tackle it would have ruined my trip.

I'm going down for my 3rd trip right behind you. I will check my stuff again but probably won't have a problem since we are flying straight to mazatlan. The 2nd trip we had an overnight layover, which created the problem. Please let me know how it goes for you.

good morning,

just got back from "el salto" two weeks ago, .....pack them in checked luggage for less hassle....if you carry, you will have to "unspool" on the way back...........

we went with doug king, (www.MEXICOFISHING.NET) great food, great service, lots of fish.....I left my rods and case at the lodge and will be there next year......just saying....

have fun with your catching.....

mazatlan bakery....................



good luck,
PURA VIDA,
bluebonnet2

Thanks to all, will report back on our trip. Anymore info is greatly appreciated.

I've been to Mazatlan many times. Carry your reels on. They are too expensive to risk getting lost or stolen in packed bags.
I fly American out of DFW. You can take them spooled, but you can't come back with line. I always take a 7'6" rod holder with as many as ten rods, and have never had to pay for oversize luggage. I have had Mexican Customs open the rod holder. I just tell them they are my tools and they close it up.

I carry reels on for the plane ride down and do not check them. The first year I went there our flight out of DFW was canceled and we got on another airline and finally got to our Mazatlan destination 10 + hours late. Our checked luggage did not get there until late the 2nd day. Most lodges have rods but I always want my reels and they are spooled with the new line I prefer. I always carry on my reels on the way back but and I take the line off. Mexico does not like line on the reels when leaving. You might get lucky and not get checked but don't count on it, then you're stripping the line at the customs check point. By the time I'm heading back home from Mexico the line has been used so much and in some gnarly places so it's ready to be replaced when I get home anyway.

Been to Mexico fishing many times and have always carried on spooled reels and soft plastics with zero issues.