Lookin for a good, preferably do-it-yerself rod leash, mostly for kayak fishin. Like to get about 200lb. Breaking strength and a system that don't interfear with about 6-12" of rod holder coverin the rod-butt, or with my right hand just below the reel. System I use now got 100lb. cable ties 1/2 way up the butt, split ring, coiled weed eater line, trolling swivel and caribeaner clip. Can't seem to find stuff I want at the hardware store, especially somethin strong to attach to the rod butt.
Gfish
I use paracord and snap. The clip hooks into one of the eyes on kayak and the other around the stem of spinning reel
Second that. Simply made with Parachute cord and SS snaps available on ebay. An easy double twist on the braid does the trick. My trolling outfits are always secured in this manner.
...............Lou
Go to a pet store and look at dog leashes. Many have brass clips and nylon chords.They'll work fine.
My friend here in Gulf Breeze, FL makes and sells them on The Hull Truth forum. Ill get a link on here.
http://www.thehulltruth.com/fishing-miscellaneous-items-commercial-sellers-only/712023-custom-handmade-reel-leashes-any-colors-316-ss-clips-1100lb-tinsel-strength.html
One of our member's wife makes them and was selling them awhile back. Though I don't remember who (or should that be whom?). Dominick
Some people make coiled leashes out of weed trimmer line. Wrap the plastic line around a dowel and secure the ends, boil it or heat slowly with hot air, let it cool (still on the dowel) then crimp your hardware on the end. It's like a miniature surfboard leash.
I hate rod leashes and would rather risk loosing the rod.
-steve
http://alantani.com/index.php?topic=10306.0
Andy
X4 on the parachord and either brass or stainless snap clips. I use them on all my trolling rods. If your yakking you need them on every piece of free gear onboard.
Thank you for alla responses fisher-gents. Kenton in the sub-forum "fishing Tackle for Sale" got some great lookin leash's. Alla info. gimme the do-it-yerself idea to use thick velcro(adjustable, lightweight), parachute cord, big trolling swivel, thick "coil molded"(what about old phone cord?) weed eater line anna s.s. clip. On this Island some technical stuff's difficult ta find, but it'll be fun to do 'till I perfect it.
Gfish
I personally stay away from rod leashes...
I turtled my yak once and was awfully glad, my 4 rigs and other stuff were crudely leashed in. Heck of a time rightin it in deep water. Great teaching experience, even when it came time to clean out saltwater saturated reels. Most difficult rehab - Shimano TLD 15, least - Penn 114HL. Only benifits I can see for no leash 'ed be the obvious freedom a rod manipulation, and mabey gettin to teach myself how ta kayak SCUBA dive like those guys I've seen that anchor up, toss their B.C. Jacket/tank overboard(inflated, of coarse) and somehow manage to get stuff on right, after droppin into the water. Sounds like fun, but I might be gettin too old for some stuff. Then you gotta find your gear, if it ain't too deep...
Gfish
My fear is some how wrapping a rod tip with a large fish on and not only capsizing but potentially getting separated from your vessel. Poles that arent actively baited, kind of different story but they are still potential tangle hazards, especially if ever capsized in surf etc.
I'm repeating myself here, but continue to believe the only important leash is the one between your leg and the boat. The wind can blow the boat away from you faster then you can swim. It's a sick feeling.
-steve
Good point guys. Definitely somethin to consider. So far have'nt been skilled/lucky enough to get one a those tow yer kayak a long way 40+ lbers. But I could see at least gettin toppled by side pullin large fish. Got a line cuttin knife attched to my PFD, but could I react in time? Hmmm..., special "break-away" leash mabey?
Gfish
Anyway, heres what my DIY,and do it cheap , self has come up with after about an hour of fun in the hardware store(tackle & hardware shopin's the only kind I enjoy).
I regulated the single wrap(non-sticky) velcro to controling the 'chute cord, "over wrapped" all loops with stiching awl thread & sealed with superglue, used a trolling swivel to control line twist and attach coiled weed eater line(cool Steve, it works, 5 min. Boiling ona copper pipe) and a dog collar clip with marine grease on moving parts. May not need the trolling swivel, as the clip has a built in swivel on it's base. I think its lighter, less obtrusive, and stronger than what I had before.
Gfish
Good job. May something try to take it away from you.
-steve
That does look good. I've only lost one pole and it happened to be off a boat but I'll never forget that. One night pretty late 12:30am or so. We were fishing outside Lahaina harbor off a friends mooring. Eventually the boat was sold to Pacific Whale Foundation and the night before this happened the fishing was some off the best I have seen(in this region anyway)dont want to go into anymore detail than that. lol). I'm walking with pole in hand and make a stop for a cold beverage and leave the pole in a barrel of line(butt stuck in the wraps of line) for a second and sure enough the poles launches right in front of my eyes. I'm maybe 8-10 feet away walking back and instead of pole launching completely over side its hopped out of barrel and is now leaning against railing and takes off towards the bow and this is all happening in seconds. I'm running after it nearly catch it made a grab or two and missed and its was literally within inches of my grasp. Finally its hits the bow and lauchs. It was a pretty large vessel approx 60ft(used as a snorkel/whale watch boat) and the pole practically ran from stern to bow. I still cant believe I missed it but oh well, there's always next time.
Has anyone used surfboard leashes? I ask as my son is a surfer and has a bunch laying around.
Gfish; I did not want to feel foolish and ask, so thank you for show me that.
Joe
When I's a kid, they taught me that the only foolish question, is the one ya don't ask. Then learned starting in grade-school, the world was full a insecure a__holes that couldn't wait make fun a ya for not knowing stuff. Even hada 5th grade teacher try embarrass me into silence. Hate to admit it but it worked for a number a years . Sorry, felt like gettin that offa my mind.
By the way Joe, thanks for your past posts on maggin penns, I did my Jigmaster 501, and tonight Imna do my narrowed 4/0 (in the pics.), works great!
I found a surfer leash( could bea scuba diver unit) and it was so sturdy I modified it for my 6/0 ona trolling rod, just subsitute it for the weed eater line in the picture, minus the trolling swivel as its gotta built in swivel. Now if I can just go serious boat trollin...
Gfish
Ruth and I fish on the Naval pier in our area of NJ and we fish with rod stands at night with bait so the rod lanyard will come in handy. I don't want the rod and reel that i built for Ruth to disappear off the rod holder.
Joe
4' surfboard leash on eBay for ~$7.
4 meter of 4mm rope ;D
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/6PyPniy5dQqyBh8LEwEtWM5EGnnKwIVhgRKa-9sjYwdhxey-BnMz0nOZva0iYge5bDQ_geEC518pEaYBDDDw6LxSfk1n_tc7MfSvQIpw30kmWjOn6yDfjLmRxwdfbxSVgakjPSQqLUn5Mk9uR6WrHu9vquixL2zp-vAoiJEu4u2SS2WKsSbJuxZqvl-zAWiWa0qad3A8uxPF11yMli2ezQ9fIT1x4YA8c5v97qEdK1KrEhvm4Il66OEdGxgbk13RwBMZC7kAFgUway23Yn4XCRqfsc4KG14v4OBSKWGUxlvteK9mlQP-RDG62himzObGdliKrMuMSkN-ZsCrwHBpxxp5wXDGb0133Lab8enpdlnq5Zrrss6ODQ_88byBmlxr8ZB4-BGMvN2MCAo5AAX_JFV-hYxAA9aKf39FbxtWIx2fm7HdWkShAjCNEwOlQPhFRGEoc6HZgfWP5k6TeLyUklrPKezohV1UZjpdFp8foAgL2eISz9To9Io1kHKsjqbi-oYxvLQ9L7Q7dNUbWtygfC_pqUx_GpkKipBD6NeNFAnRlxDwaeneXmosw7l6SRXwsl7wgEYPI6Pz4zxxZ1H1nwE7YUY3zY_Xd1tBuipxE4sso60Jp7cV=w678-h307-no)
Yeah, I havin tangle problems with the coiled, springy weed eater line. Thinkin, simple like that'ed be better n' what I got now...
Gfish
One thing that i see with your leash is that when you remove it from your pipe or dowel , don`t just slide it off .
Twist it opposite of how you wound it on . Easy to do with a drill . You still can fix what you have now .
You`ll know when you have it rite ,the coils will spring back to about 2-3 long There is a utube showing the process .
Pictures of mine ,copper tube and cable cuffs joe
Found the u tube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YwGAkC4o_xY joe
I always use rod leashes on all my trolling rods. They are plenty long and made with rope. No problems.
Hey GFish, I had the same problem when turtling in heavy swells. I made this kayak safety ladder which now makes it easy to flip and re-enter my yak: https://youtu.be/2Tx1EoAV_gM (https://youtu.be/2Tx1EoAV_gM) ;)
Great idea, John! I'll have to make me one of them. This summer I'll be putting my kayak to use, I've had it for awhile and haven't done much with it.
Sid