Hooks On Airplanes

[VABasser]

As you all may guess I'm looking for some firsthand info about fishing tackle in a carry-on.  I'll be flying out to Idaho on Sunday and will be doing a fair amount of fishing out there.  TSA's website is pretty unhelpful, they say that "large hooks" are prohibited, while small hooks like flies are ok.  http://www.tsa.gov/traveler-information/hunting-and-fishing-equipment    Is a hook on a Jackall frog "large"?  How about some 2/0 Gammys?  Ya'll get the picture, it's so subjective.  What is your experience with bass tackle on planes, do you take it?  I would hate to bring some of my favorite stuff and have it confiscated at the gate.  Talk about a bad way to start a vacation.  Thanks for the help

[OntarioFishingGuy]

I would call and ask.

[Glenn]

I do it all the time.  They're talking about big saltwater hooks.  You're fine.

[rippin-lips]

When I flew to Tx last May, it all had to be in my checked bag. I did put my reels and a bunch of soft plastics in my carry on though.

[Scott F]

They let you bring reels with line on them in your carry on?  The last time I flew, they made us check those.

[VABasser]

When I flew to Tx last May, it all had to be in my checked bag. I did put my reels and a bunch of soft plastics in my carry on though.

 

Did they tell you it had to be checked, in person, over the phone?  I've flown with reels in my carry on all the time, same with plastics.  I've just never tried hooks or lures with hooks

[rippin-lips]

They let you bring reels with line on them in your carry on? The last time I flew, they made us check those.

Yeah they didn't say anything about it to me.

Did they tell you it had to be checked, in person, over the phone? I've flown with reels in my carry on all the time, same with plastics. I've just never tried hooks or lures with hooks

I read the same thing you did online from TSA. So I called and spoke to someone because I was unsure like yourself. I was advised to put anything sharp in my checked bag.

[00 mod]

They let you bring reels with line on them in your carry on?  The last time I flew, they made us check those.

 

 

I fly quite frequently with fishing reels and tackle.  Right after 9/11 I had problems with line on my reels, but for the past 6 or so years, there has been no problem.  I have had problems with any lures or hooks in my carry-on, so now it all goes in my checked bags!

 

Jeff

[Felix77]

I fly with my travel rods, reels and plastics as carry on.  When I travel I generally keep it pretty simple.  Hooks have been confiscated from me in the past.  Since then I just make a pit stop to a close wal-mart, BassPro, Cabelas or Gander and pick up some hooks and bullet sinkers.

 

On those "rare" occasions where I buy more than hooks at any of those places I get one of those prepaid boxes from the USPS.  (around $5) and ship everything with hooks back.  A lot cheaper than the $25 charge to check your bag.

[Amarley]

If you want to be safe, ship them to the place you're staying or put them in your checked bag. TSA "rules" are inconsistent at best.

[Felix77]

If you want to be safe, ship them to the place you're staying or put them in your checked bag. TSA "rules" are inconsistent at best.

 

x2 on this ... realize that TSA rules seem to vary by location.  You might be "ok" flying from home to your location.  The other way around could be a very different experience.  Please keep that in mind too.

[BigMoneyGrip]

I wouldn't chance it on carry-on. It seems that most of the TSA people in MEM were crack dealers on the street last week. I don't trust their knowledge on any of the rules. Same as with knives. There are leagle ones, but I won't chance it. The TSA doesn't instill a secure feeling in me.

[gulfcaptain]

I fly back and forth from work, buy fishing equipment in TX to bring back to CA and vice versa as I work the Gulf.  Only thing they have ever made me check was a pair of wire crimpers.....they had to be under 6" and they were 8".  I have had them re-xray an 8oz torpedo sinker because they couldn't see what was inside it....umm it was lead...duh.  But hook wise, they haven't said a word about any bass or freshwater tackle nor anything about reels being carried on.  I have had a few that wanted to check them out though that were fellow outdoorsman(TX) but you shouldn't have any problems with the tackle you're looking to carry.  

[smallies24/7]

Ive had a grocery bag full of 6XDs and other hooks in there as well as my carry on with no problem. From Texas to Washington

[RF813]

Isn't buying some there worth not having this headache?

[RAMBLER]

What the heck size hook do you use on an airplane?      

 

Sometimes the devil gets the best of me.

[VABasser]

Hmm, sounds pretty inconsistent on TSA's part.  Some guys have issues, some haven't.  I'll probably buy anything I need out there, and borrow anything else I need from family to be safe.  

[Bluebasser86]

I took my tackle bag as my carry on when we flew to South Carolina last year. Didn't have any problems. When I flew to Mexico in 2004 I had one of those fishing hook hat clips. I wore it on both planes down and then the first one on the way back, they made me throw it away at Dallas Ft. Worth on the way back, even though they'd let me onto a plane once at the same airport. Really seems to be no set guidelines on hooks.