Flying through Miami to Nassau!

[bonealone]

I am flying through Miami international to Nassau in May from Europe. I always carry a six piece rod, reel (fully loaded, fly line and all), flies ect in my carry on luggage. Basically I carry everything I need to fish in case my luggage goes missing. I usually travel direct to Nassau from Heathrow and have never had any problems. Will I have any problems clearing customs in Miami and flying out to Nassau from Miami with this stuff in my carry on luggage? Thanks in advance to anyone who takes the time to answer.

[kelso]

I just did Ft Lauderdale to Cat Island, coming into Ft Lauderdale from Newark. No issues with 3 4-piece rods, 3 reels, and a box of flies including a few decievers and larger hooks.

The only time I've gotten into trouble is leaving to the US from Nassau. When you clear US Customs there they will not let you take any reels with line on them. The reels, rods, etc are fine. It's the line that's a problem. But I've never had that issue in the US at any airport. Only at the security line for international outbound flights. In bound and intra-Bahamas, no problems.

Pete

[Spiral]

If you are leaving the same way: Nassau to Miami then home don't put any reels with line in your carry on (like he said) AND don't put any fly boxes in there either. They won't allow hooks or line into the U.S.

Easiest thing is to just put the spools with line in your checked bag, and keep the reel itself in carry on. Then if a bag gets lost you only lose the spool and you keep the most expensive part with you. This is what I do taking all the line and backing off would be too much of a hassle.

[Spiral]

Let me add this: THIS IS A NASSAU THING, or so it seems. I know of others who have flown Gulfstream Fl to Andros and back with no problems. But the reoccuring theme here is if you are flying out of Nassau heading back into the US they will not allow flies or lines in your carry on.

Period.

Take it from me, I left a couple hundred dollars of flies there last year. Put your spool with lines in your checked bag and carry just your reel with you that is ok, and alot less expensive if a bag gets lost.

Again, this is a NASSAU thing. Don't know why but you can't argue with them when you find yourself there. Plan accordingly.

[Swalt]

I hate to muddy the waters but the latest word from trips made this February and March is that they are now allowing you to carryon rods and reels when departing Nassau. I am not completely convinced at this point but it appears that the Nassau Check Points may finally be going by the USa TSA rules concerning fishing equipment which they claimed to be doing before.

[Spiral]

I was through Nassau a couple weeks ago.

Carrying 3-piece rod tubes has NEVER been a problem for me. It's only trying to bring boxes of flies and reels with line on them BACK into the US when you go through Nassau airport. No problem taking them THERE, just coming back is the problem.

I had about 10 hours worth of fly tying end up in the hands of someone I didn't know last year. I learned the hard way. I read on another post from earlier this year that Dick Brown himself had to strip all the line off a reel to get through. By the time they start giving you the hassle you've already checked your bag and put it on it's way, so you don't even have the opportunity to stow your stuff and get it home with you.

These are my experiences, hopefully things change but until I hear reliable first-hand reports-----I know I won't be taking that chance.

[Swalt]

Spiral,
My experiences have been the same as yours and I have posted this other times. I had to check my reels in Nassau. I have never carried flies in carryon.

There is a similar thread on FlyTalk if you want to check out the source.

[Spiral]

It's the Bahamas. Anyone who's traveled there enough knows if you're not sure about something, wait five minutes because it will probably change anyways.

I hope they loosen up the requirements, it would make travel alot easier. Only problem is you can't afford to take the chance because once they give you a hard time over it you're pat the point of no return---your checked bag is long gone so you can't put things in that, and you're caught in the security line holding everyone up. Kinda the chicken and the egg thing going on.

I know for myself, it's going to take alot of people telling me it's changed, with someone I know confirming it.....for me to take that chance coming home.

[widdoes]

I had somewhat similar problems in Cancun- the (local) TSA-employed official snapped the file off a pair of nail clippers and grinned from ear to ear as she did- and Freeport- just random hastling about everything. This seems to be related to the employment of locals by the TSA. They seem to be either exercising an overly large amount of authority or making damn sure they don't lose a cushy gig paid for by the US taxpayers. Either way, the rectal exam comes on your way back into the US :eek:--124-3 :confused:

[figen]

I'd be more worried about Heathrow than Miami. Fishing rods on-board is supposedly a big no-no on all European flights, thanks to our good friends and intellectual uber-lords in Brussels. Miami can be strict on number of items, no more than 2 carry-on pieces per person, but fishing stuff is ok. Nassau doesn't even come into play since you're just landing there (back home, I guess it all goes into checked luggage). Just in case, you should have an extra backpack or shopping bag or something in your carry-on. If some twat forces you to check stuff (try a different checkpoint first if possible), you probably have to give up your backpack, so then it comes in handy.

Damn wish I was going..

[bonealone]

Thanks to everybody who answered. I took a six piece, a reel with backing, fly line, leader & a box of flies through Heathrow>Miami>Nassau with no problems. On the way back I took everyones advice and packed everything in the stowed luggage.
Trip was nice, although lots of rain this time of year. Had some nice bones though.
Thanks again!