Riazuli Posted March 7, 2018 Posted March 7, 2018 Hey everyone, just wondering what you all think about using rod floats. I've been using them since I started kayak fishing, but am wanting to know if they are sufficient for floating a rod and reel (low profile baitcasters). I don't really want to "test" this out with my gear, so am wondering if any of you all have been unfortunate enough to provide a real world example. I could leash them up too, but with 3-5 rods that just seems like a lot of extra mess I don't want to deal with - however, if rod floats don't really cut the bill, I might have to consider it. Edit: Just thought to check Amazon reviews for this. Will report back Looks like the manufacturer says it will support a 1lb rod/reel combo, which I'd say most of today's setups fall into. Also saw reports of people saying it floated their setups. Mods can delete this, or leave up in case anyone's interested. Quote
PECo Posted March 8, 2018 Posted March 8, 2018 All I can tell you is that a $600 setup will sink WITHOUT one. And I’ve tested that twice! 3 1 Quote
Riazuli Posted March 8, 2018 Author Posted March 8, 2018 3 minutes ago, PECo said: All I can tell you is that a $600 setup will sink WITHOUT one. And I’ve tested that twice! Yeah, I am at the very least going to be using them as I did before winter...I am wondering if I might actually need more than that (e.g., leashes). I hope you got that setup back! Quote
68camaro Posted March 8, 2018 Posted March 8, 2018 I lost rod/reel fisrt time out with my yak, I threw it into lake while casting with sweating hands, after that I lashed everything to kayak when not using it, I did that for awhile now I do not. I don't fish running water so I don't think necessary. Floats look cumbersome to me but let us know how it works for you. 1 Quote
PECo Posted March 8, 2018 Posted March 8, 2018 Just now, Riazuli said: I hope you got that setup back Never did. But at least I got to buy more fishing stuff! 1 Quote
Riazuli Posted March 8, 2018 Author Posted March 8, 2018 3 minutes ago, 68camaro said: I lost rod/reel fisrt time out with my yak, I threw it into lake while casting with sweating hands, after that I lashed everything to kayak when not using it, I did that for awhile now I do not. I don't fish running water so I don't think necessary. Floats look cumbersome to me but let us know how it works for you. I will be using some sort of protection whether it be floats or leash - and if I didn't I'd be ready to go fishing for another species - the rod and reel kind! 3 minutes ago, PECo said: Never did. But at least I got to buy more fishing stuff! Yikes...refer to my above comment to Camaro I'm always looking for a good excuse for new gear, but I'd like to find some that don't involve losing my old gear lol. Quote
Djohn Posted March 8, 2018 Posted March 8, 2018 I used them for a while but i found that my line was getting tangled in the wraps a good bit. Always make sure my rod is either in my hand or securely in the rod holder. Also the rod never leaves my hand until i feel it bottom out in the rod holder. 1 Quote
Riazuli Posted March 8, 2018 Author Posted March 8, 2018 2 minutes ago, Djohn said: I used them for a while but i found that my line was getting tangled in the wraps a good bit. Always make sure my rod is either in my hand or securely in the rod holder. Also the rod never leaves my hand until i feel it bottom out in the rod holder. I hadn't thought about line tangling..My older setups didn't really have an issue with that, but my newer setups are lower profile, smaller reels, and I could definitely see that being an issue as the line sits lower on the rod...Will see once I set them up. That is making me think I might have to just leash them all up - My concern is more so the kayak flipping somehow, or something getting knocked off by accident, especially as I plan to have 3-5 setups on there...in my head, more setups = more things to knock around and lose Quote
MinnowzNuttin Posted March 8, 2018 Posted March 8, 2018 I carry 8 setups on my yak and if its not im my hand its leashed or in a secure rod holder. 1 Quote
Super User JustJames Posted March 8, 2018 Super User Posted March 8, 2018 Are you buying or diy? The one that sold on Amazon should float your setup fine. I went with DIY route, by using pipe insulation 1/2" hole and cut to around 6" length. The float my set up just fine and thinner than commercial one. I also add leash clip using D-ring and Velcro so it easier to leash it. 1 Quote
Super User JustJames Posted March 8, 2018 Super User Posted March 8, 2018 12 hours ago, Riazuli said: Looks like the manufacturer says it will support a 1lb rod/reel combo, which I'd say most of today's setups fall into. Also saw reports of people saying it floated their setups. Mods can delete this, or leave up in case anyone's interested. Actually you need to support only the reel, most rod should float without reel (I might be wrong here but I dumped my rod down water a few times to un-snag my lures and it always float) 1 Quote
Super User clayton86 Posted March 8, 2018 Super User Posted March 8, 2018 I’ve been installing the savur floats on rods I build for my kayaking buddies and retro fitting them on existing rods. Pretty cool design and concept not big bulky foam floats like all the others. https://www.savuroutdoors.com/ 1 Quote
Super User J Francho Posted March 8, 2018 Super User Posted March 8, 2018 My Avids with any reel 8 oz. or less float without any devices. 1 Quote
Riazuli Posted March 8, 2018 Author Posted March 8, 2018 4 hours ago, JustJames said: Are you buying or diy? The one that sold on Amazon should float your setup fine. I went with DIY route, by using pipe insulation 1/2" hole and cut to around 6" length. The float my set up just fine and thinner than commercial one. I also add leash clip using D-ring and Velcro so it easier to leash it. I have several of the Amazon/dsg ones, but never thought about a diy..may have to go that route if my new setups sit too low for the current ones. Thank you for the suggestion! 2 hours ago, burros said: Cush floats Forgot about these, have you tested these out? These would definitely address the line tangling issue (if I end up having one - still haven't tested my lower profile reels with old floats from Amazon). They also seem like they should fit in yak gear rod holders..maybe. Might get one and see if they fit or just see if I can get some dimensions to measure against my rod holders 57 minutes ago, J Francho said: My Avids with any reel 8 oz. or less float without any devices. Should be part of their advertising! That's convenient Quote
Riazuli Posted March 8, 2018 Author Posted March 8, 2018 1 hour ago, clayton86 said: I’ve been installing the savur floats on rods I build for my kayaking buddies and retro fitting them on existing rods. Pretty cool design and concept not big bulky foam floats like all the others. https://www.savuroutdoors.com/ These look interesting. Thanks for the link! Quote
westmdbass21502 Posted March 8, 2018 Posted March 8, 2018 Been using Cush-Its for years ,I have lost two many poles in lakes.And when you set the hook they feel good on the ribs 1 Quote
YoTone Posted March 8, 2018 Posted March 8, 2018 1 hour ago, clayton86 said: I’ve been installing the savur floats on rods I build for my kayaking buddies and retro fitting them on existing rods. Pretty cool design and concept not big bulky foam floats like all the others. https://www.savuroutdoors.com/ thats sweet, are they reusable? never mind i saw the recharge kit! do they fit in a rod holder? 1 Quote
Super User clayton86 Posted March 8, 2018 Super User Posted March 8, 2018 44 minutes ago, YoTone said: thats sweet, are they reusable? never mind i saw the recharge kit! do they fit in a rod holder? They fit in rod holders yes 1 Quote
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