Theft Deterrents?

I've got a pair, the lock is a little iffy---sometimes it's extremely hard to get it to lock, then takes forever to get it unlocked-----not at all smooth. 

Mine have worked like a champ. Sometimes I have to take the tension off the lock by pulling on either the buckle or the tag end of the strap, but no issues at all. Have you lubed yours? I shoot a little silicone spray in the lock every so often.

Timely thread as I'm sitting here in a hotel in Ventura with a Revo on the roof of my car....going to use my kryptonite cable locks to lock it to the rack, short of bringing it into the room (would be a tough fit...) that's about all I can do

We use these, bought 2 sets. $16 at Target

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How would one go about marking a reel (without tearing up the finish with an engraving tool)?

How about marking your rods?

How about pinstriping name and numbers then a coat of clear rod finish over the rod.  As for the reel maybe the backside of the reel seat, you could engrave that area and then a clearcoat over it or nailpolish even.

Try securing the cheap jogger panic alarms to your gear, trailer, or yak.  They opperate on a simple pull pin system that can be easily zip tied with fishing line.  If someone tries to remove your gear the alarm is attached to the gear, it may get moved a few feet but you will at least retain it.  The jogger alarms are painful little bastards when they are set off.
-Scott

I found, on-line, my family coat of arms. It doesn't say the name, just the crest.  For my cedar strip boats I printed it on rice paper and epoxied it down to the wood before fiber-glassing over the top.  It is also not in the spot that one could easily see.   You would have to sand through multiple layers of fiberglass and epoxy to destroy it and it isn't in an area where you could get a power sander .  Now I only need to worry about someone with my last name stealing it.   I also hid my email address on them somewhere.  Of course, the cedar strips are original patterns, so that in itself should help me lay claim to the boat.

For my plastic yacks, I scratched my name into them somewhere inside.  I also hid the stickers with my name on them.

Try securing the cheap jogger panic alarms to your gear, trailer, or yak.  They opperate on a simple pull pin system that can be easily zip tied with fishing line.  If someone tries to remove your gear the alarm is attached to the gear, it may get moved a few feet but you will at least retain it.  The jogger alarms are painful little bastards when they are set off.
-Scott

I found those battery operated window alarms for your house work in a similar manner.  When I stay in hotel rooms, I use them.  They are very loud and are activated if the boat gets moved.

Here's a good loud (130db) pullpin alarm

http://www.amazon.com/Vigilant-PPS8B-Personal-Student-Emergency/dp/B005BDBV18/ref=pd_sbs_a_3