Mexican Customs - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

GregAndrew · 02-19-2014, 09:47 AM

Janine, we were schooled in that question by one of the inspectors last time I crossed with Tony. The gal asked about the filet knives on the floor of his truck. We responded that they were filet knives, used for cleaning fish. To which she responded " Oh, so they are cooking knives?". We tried to correct her "No, they are used to clean fish". Her " Oh, ok cooking knives right?" To which we finally said, "Yes cooking knives". So the answer is that they are all cooking knives.

SDROB · 02-19-2014, 09:54 AM

"So the answer is that they are all cooking knives."

Thanks for the insight Greg! I have been wanting to take some filet knives down but was unsure of the policy. That makes perfect sense. I wonder if I could say the same for my Machete

tattuna · 02-19-2014, 10:01 AM

I had a friend who got a great deal on some lobsters and tried to bring them back. Federales found them at the check point and confiscated all their fishing gear. When one of my friends started raising hell the federale said "If you want to make a big deal about it I'll confiscate your truck too!"

Another friend got caught with a pocket knife. Nearly went to jail but they let him go.

Know the laws and obey them and you should be alright.

janines.fishtales@cox.net · 02-19-2014, 11:55 AM

So if I used my Leatherman once to peel garlic, it's a cooking knife! Ok, I get it!

Janine

walrus · 02-19-2014, 12:28 PM

I had a friend who got a great deal on some lobsters and tried to bring them back. Federales found them at the check point and confiscated all their fishing gear. When one of my friends started raising hell the federale said "If you want to make a big deal about it I'll confiscate your truck too!"

It sounds like your friend got off pretty easy. Fishing regulations state ...

The permit covers sports and recreational fishing exclusively for catching fish; it does not allow the capture of mollusks and crustaceans as it is strictly prohibited. The Totuava, loggerhead sea turtles and marine mammals are under the protection of permanent closure and protected by environmental regulation, its capture at any time or form is a crime under federal law and punishable with jail.

Americans cannot take lobster in mexican waters. You said he had fishing tackle did he have a license?

tattuna · 02-19-2014, 07:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by walrus

I had a friend who got a great deal on some lobsters and tried to bring them back. Federales found them at the check point and confiscated all their fishing gear. When one of my friends started raising hell the federale said "If you want to make a big deal about it I'll confiscate your truck too!"

It sounds like your friend got off pretty easy. Fishing regulations state ...

The permit covers sports and recreational fishing exclusively for catching fish; it does not allow the capture of mollusks and crustaceans as it is strictly prohibited. The Totuava, loggerhead sea turtles and marine mammals are under the protection of permanent closure and protected by environmental regulation, its capture at any time or form is a crime under federal law and punishable with jail.

Americans cannot take lobster in mexican waters. You said he had fishing tackle did he have a license?

They did have licenses, but as you pointed out above, even that wouldn't have saved their gear.

I've heard other stories further south where trying to catch your own bugs will put more than just your gear at risk. Luckily you can always buy them cheap from the locals and as long as you consume them before you travel it's perfectly legal.

makobob · 02-19-2014, 07:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tattuna

They did have licenses, but as you pointed out above, even that wouldn't have saved their gear.

I've heard other stories further south where trying to catch your own bugs will put more than just your gear at risk. Luckily you can always buy them cheap from the locals and as long as you consume them before you travel it's perfectly legal.

Actually, if you purchase them from the co-op, for consumption there it is ok, but you could still be in trouble if you got them from a fisherman, as all lobster BELONG to the co-op. There are cops all over watching the fishermen to keep them from selling their lobsters to anyone except their co-op. Sad but true.

Makobob

dorado50 · 02-19-2014, 09:56 AM

Take the "no risk way"......store all knives away from yourself. Pack them in suitcase or whatever and keep in back seat or trunk. Any knife found near you in car is subject to interpretation. Do it right or take your chances.

02-19-2014, 09:54 AM	#2
SDROB Malibu Stealth 12 Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Hollywood, San Diego, Gonzaga Bay Posts: 512	"So the answer is that they are all cooking knives." Thanks for the insight Greg! I have been wanting to take some filet knives down but was unsure of the policy. That makes perfect sense. I wonder if I could say the same for my Machete __________________ She will keep you warm in the winter and give you shade in the summer (Rossman) I'm telling ya, you have to keep these suckers on a game clip until just before you drop them in the frying pan.(Rossman)

02-19-2014, 10:01 AM	#3
tattuna Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Pasadena Posts: 329	I had a friend who got a great deal on some lobsters and tried to bring them back. Federales found them at the check point and confiscated all their fishing gear. When one of my friends started raising hell the federale said "If you want to make a big deal about it I'll confiscate your truck too!" Another friend got caught with a pocket knife. Nearly went to jail but they let him go. Know the laws and obey them and you should be alright. __________________ IG @tattuna

02-19-2014, 11:55 AM	#4
janines.fishtales@cox.net Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 555	Leatherman So if I used my Leatherman once to peel garlic, it's a cooking knife! Ok, I get it! Janine __________________ Fishtales

02-19-2014, 09:47 AM	#1
GregAndrew Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 2,384	Janine, we were schooled in that question by one of the inspectors last time I crossed with Tony. The gal asked about the filet knives on the floor of his truck. We responded that they were filet knives, used for cleaning fish. To which she responded " Oh, so they are cooking knives?". We tried to correct her "No, they are used to clean fish". Her " Oh, ok cooking knives right?" To which we finally said, "Yes cooking knives". So the answer is that they are all cooking knives.

02-19-2014, 12:28 PM	#5
walrus Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Baja fish camp Posts: 478	I had a friend who got a great deal on some lobsters and tried to bring them back. Federales found them at the check point and confiscated all their fishing gear. When one of my friends started raising hell the federale said "If you want to make a big deal about it I'll confiscate your truck too!" It sounds like your friend got off pretty easy. Fishing regulations state ... The permit covers sports and recreational fishing exclusively for catching fish; it does not allow the capture of mollusks and crustaceans as it is strictly prohibited. The Totuava, loggerhead sea turtles and marine mammals are under the protection of permanent closure and protected by environmental regulation, its capture at any time or form is a crime under federal law and punishable with jail. Americans cannot take lobster in mexican waters. You said he had fishing tackle did he have a license?

02-19-2014, 09:56 AM	#8
dorado50 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: La Jolla Shores Posts: 1,626	Take the "no risk way"......store all knives away from yourself. Pack them in suitcase or whatever and keep in back seat or trunk. Any knife found near you in car is subject to interpretation. Do it right or take your chances.