Travel to, and thru' the USA

[PanamaJack]

Honest guv this is definitely not a sales 'plug', just something that might make that next trip uneventful.

Any rate you should be aware that officials of the US Transport Security Administration (TSA) have the authority, in the event of security concerns, to break open travellers’ cases (and rod tubes) for inspection. And some advice in the Press has been for travellers to leave their luggage unlocked. In turn though this leads to concerns over whether travel insurance would be invalidated.

An item I read in the Daily Telegraph suggested that travellers could consider padlocking luggage with a Pacsafe Combination Lock. It costs £5.50 plus postage and package from Travel with Care. Their 'phone number is 0870 - 748 - 9562 or you can access their web site – http://www.travelwithcare.com - and purchase on line.

You set the combination yourself but the lock can also be opened (and closed) by a TSA official with a master key which turns the barrel without affecting the combination.

Whilst on a recent trip (through Boston) I didn't have any problem with the international return leg (to the UK) but was asked by the check-in agent for an internal flight to leave the case unlocked. Having pointed at the TSA logo on my lock it was very much a case of 'that will do nicely'.

Having previously posted this note to another web site I understand that you can also buy the lock from the 'High Street' Millet stores.
Dave

[Raindog]

Thanks for that information i'm heading to boston in a couple of weeks, i'll will certainly look into those locks

[Wavedodger]

Thanks for that information i'm heading to boston in a couple of weeks, i'll will certainly look into those locks

We have been going to USA for a few years now, and never had any problems, we don't use locks, instead we use electrical wire nylon ties, and have found these work well, easily cut by the officials if they want to search , with a couple of spares in the case for the official to 'lock' the case back up

[Spitfire66]

Honest guv this is definitely not a sales 'plug', just something that might make that next trip uneventful.

Any rate you should be aware that officials of the US Transport Security Administration (TSA) have the authority, in the event of security concerns, to break open travellers’ cases (and rod tubes) for inspection. And some advice in the Press has been for travellers to leave their luggage unlocked. In turn though this leads to concerns over whether travel insurance would be invalidated.

An item I read in the Daily Telegraph suggested that travellers could consider padlocking luggage with a Pacsafe Combination Lock. It costs £5.50 plus postage and package from Travel with Care. Their 'phone number is 0870 - 748 - 9562 or you can access their web site – http://www.travelwithcare.com - and purchase on line.

You set the combination yourself but the lock can also be opened (and closed) by a TSA official with a master key which turns the barrel without affecting the combination.

Whilst on a recent trip (through Boston) I didn't have any problem with the international return leg (to the UK) but was asked by the check-in agent for an internal flight to leave the case unlocked. Having pointed at the TSA logo on my lock it was very much a case of 'that will do nicely'.

Having previously posted this note to another web site I understand that you can also buy the lock from the 'High Street' Millet stores.
Dave

By the time security get to your case its usually been mutilated and rifled by some sweaty little baggage handler - if its worth anything and not sharp its hand luggage

[Fish Frontiers]

Great note on the new locks Panama Jack! We travel extensively and are always concerned about our rods, which as you know, are a prime target for the luggage handlers. We still check rods, but do our best to carry on as many as possible. The zip locks work if the people checking baggage actually use them and the handlers don't hack them off with a utility knife. 9 times out of 10 the gear makes it thru just fine. Kind of a crap shoot I guess.

Also noticed that you've fished in Panama. We fish around Coiba Island and have experienced some of the best fishing on the planet there. Do you fish the Coiba region or at Zane Grey reef with Tropic Star, or ????

Rob Endsley
www.fishfrontiers.com

[PanamaJack]

Also noticed that you've fished in Panama. We fish around Coiba Island and have experienced some of the best fishing on the planet there. Do you fish the Coiba region or at Zane Grey reef with Tropic Star, or ????

Rob Endsley
www.fishfrontiers.com

Hi Rob
And firstly welcome to the site.

Yup, fished both - more around Coiba though than Pinas Bay. In fact we were, at one stage, going to take my friend's boat down from Los Suenos (Costa Rica) to fish Coiba in June this year. The skipper I fish with, Tom Yust, is adamant that the really BIG Blacks are around during the summer months shadowing the 'football' Yellowfin. Still, rainy season and we elected not to go. Might however run up to Papagayo IF the Marlin show.

In addition I've had some great fun fishing for the Peacock Bass in Lake Gatun and also down on the Bayano River (Pacific-side) for the big Tarpon. But myself and several other of our Club members have hooked Tarpon off Coiba whilst fishing for Roosters on baits and lures. However we did have a 'first' last year when one Club member finally released one, around 120, whilst fishing Tropic Star. (By the way the guide, Tony, I fish with on the Bayano River has had Tarpon literally just shy of 270lbs. BIG fish!)
Dave

[Fish Frontiers]

We've seen Tom out there a lot fishing on his newly refurbished Bertram. I believe he stays in one of the cabins at the Coiba Ranger station...great guy and the locals seem to like him.

Our group landed 17 different species on our last trip in January, including a 600 lb black, but we have yet to hook into any tarpon down there. I didn't know much about the tarpon fishing and will definitely be looking up your guide next winter when we return to Panama.

While we enjoy the offshore action, all of us really get into the inshore fishing on the poppers and plastics. We began fishing large swim baits around the reefs this winter and you can imagine what happened. I'll be bringing along plenty of extra plastics on our trips to Panama next winter.

You have a great site, by the way. You'll probably see one of our other editors drifting over shortly, as I just sent him a link to the WSF site.

Thanks a bunch!
Rob Endsley
www.fishfrontiers.com

[PanamaJack]

We've seen Tom out there a lot fishing on his newly refurbished Bertram. I believe he stays in one of the cabins at the Coiba Ranger station...great guy and the locals seem to like him.

I didn't know much about the tarpon fishing and will definitely be looking up your guide next winter when we return to Panama.


Rob Endsley
www.fishfrontiers.com

Hi Rob
Tom's a great guy, a real Louisianna 'redneck'. But someone who knows those waters intimately. And it was he who first got a hook-up for me with a Tarpon. That really was a surprise! And in fact the last time I was there a friend deployed my set of 12lb gear with a small Rapala Sliver and spent 2 1/2 hours battling what looked to be a 120 pounder. Incredibly strong fish, those ocean fish. But we eventually lost it, as was the ‘fate’ of those on this link - http://www.scbi.org.uk/pages/News_WhatsNewNfc200404.asp - the images are accessible through a link on that page. (And there’re some other interesting images linked through from this page - http://www.scbi.org.uk/pages/News_Ar...a_Panama_A.asp - on our Club’s web site. There’s even a Sailfish hooked up on a popper plus a really BIG Cubera.)

Yes, that’s where Tom normally bases himself. In a ‘previous existence’ it was actually the site of the famous Club Pacifico.

As to those really big Tarpon in the Bayano River the guide I’ve used is a very affable American, Tony Herdon, who lives in Panama City. He trailer-ers a skiff down there. This is his web site – http://www.panamafishingandcatching.com. Tony also gets some very big Snook out of the river.
Kindest regards
Dave