I'm flying to Mazatlan next Monday. I believe that line on reels is forbidden when flying back into the USA, but can I fly INTO Mexico with line on my reels?

Or do I fly into MX with empty reels, string up when I get to El Salto, and take the line off before I fly back to TX?

I've flown down there and back for past 5 years with line on my reels and no problems....did have couple jigs that i had cut off and thrown in my carry on bag and they took those away from me when i went through security at matzalan on way back couple years ago.....to be on safe side,I'd carry enough line in my carry on baggage to spool up with just in case you encounter an over zealous security person...
have a good time and let us know how your trip went.....and...what you caught them on..(I'm going back to picachos and el salto in march)...

You can have line on your reels going and coming back from Mexico. They have to be in checked luggage though, Can't be in your carry on. Have a great trip and give us a report when you get back. I'm going in December! I've been three times in the last 3 years. Never had to lose my line.

A couple guys had lures in their carry on bags and the Mexican Customs folks made them take the hooks off them in Mazatlan

I would not risk putting my reels in checked bags.....most travelers will tell you to never put expensive electronics like cameras,I-pads,laptops etc in checked baggage....with the sophisticated scanners they have now,baggage handlers can tell what is in your luggage....worst case scenario would be for them to ask you to remove the line but as mentioned earlier,I've been going down there last 5 years with line on my reels in my carry on bag and no problems...
I've had one instance of theft from baggage when several years ago I forgot an envelope with $200.00 cash and left it in my checked bag when flying from BuenosAires,Argentina to Atlanta on Delta airlines.....when I got home,I noticed that the small lock on my bag was missing...I had left the envelope under my clothes in the bag and when I opened my bag,the empty envelope was on top of my clothes...I called Delta and they immediately started telling me they were not liable for theft,tried to tell them the item had been stolen the night before and surely they had video cameras they could check and see somebody breaking into my bag.....apparently those baggage scanners can see cash in an envelope is only reason i can figure that they would break into my bag....
never heard from Delta and I highly doubt anybody checked the video....also heard later that Buenos Airies airport was notorious for theft of items from luggage...

Spool up here, leave the spools in checked luggage and bring the reels in carry on. Anything with hooks needs to be in checked luggage or in the trash it goes. Dealt with that in Mazatlan earlier this year.

Great idea, Jersey Dan... this is what I shall do.

My experience as well
Only problem is with hooks

Never had a problem going down with spooled reels. Came back numerous times the same way, till twice in a row they made me get out of line and strip my reels. Now I strip them before I get to the airport,

appreciate you letting us know about this....stupid rule but I'll start taking spools out of my reels and putting them in checked luggage on the way home......

Never had a problem traveling to Mexico with spooled with in my carry on. Last year at Malzatan airport on way home, I had to remove my spoiled reels from carryon bag and put In my checked bag. Or I had to unspool them.

I’ve been to Mexico several times with spooled reels and have never had a problem going or coming.

I would NEVER put my reels in checked luggage mainly because I’ve lost baggage on two trips. Once was a rod case with about $900 worth of rods in it.

I’ve also had tools confiscated by Mexican customs from my carry on baggage.

I carry on going down and check them coming home.

Been a while since you've been, huh? You're standing there looking at them at customs; how did you let them steal your tools?

If you have something like tools or anything with hooks they throw it in the trash.
Know the rules and follow them!