Lose your rod kayaking?

[Fairtax4me]

Been looking at these since I just bought my fish fishing kayak.

Question for You guys that use rod tethers, when you are using the rod is it tethered? And where are you attaching the tether? To your PFD, or something else? 

 

I really feel like the foam rod floats are too bulky and will either get in my way or interfere with casting. But I’m also worried that a tether on the rod will limit my options for casting as well. 

 

Rods that are in the holders I can totally understand having a tether on as a precaution, and I plan to do that. 

[J Francho]

I don't tether when I'm using the rod.  I suppose you could add a pad eye close to where you hold the rod.  Seems like it could be a pain, and I don't like stuff that can tangle in front of me.

[Tizi]

I don't/haven't tethered while using my rod either.  However, I am thinking about a float for the rod I am using at the time.  Do they really get in the way?

[J Francho]

Maybe not, if tethered to your PFD or something.

[Fairtax4me]

Great! Thanks! 

I definitly don’t want something cumbersome that would limit  movement or get tangled in other gear or around me. Just interested to know if other people use them while using the rod or only when the rods are in holders. I been watching a lot of kayak videos trying to get ideas for rigging and pretty much nobody ever even mentions a rod leash. To me it just makes sense to have something to keep them attached to the boat in case it flips or one gets snagged somehow. 

I’ve fished from canoes plenty, and from a few non-fishing style kayaks, and haven’t ever lost a rod but I’ve had enough close calls. I usually only take my cheaper combos if I’m fishing from a canoe, but with the kayak I’d like to be able to take my nicer shimano reels and not worry about dropping a $300-400 rod combo in the lake. Or worse, have the yak flip and lose three or four rods. 

My scale floats, my lip grip floats, my net floats, my fish stik measuring board floats. Just need fishing reels that float and I’ll never have to worry about sinking! 

 

 

All the rod floats that I’ve seen are HUGE. Like big enough for salt water rods. Big enough to get in the way of the line during casting. And even though they are light weight, I still think it would feel odd to have the big lump of foam stuck to say a medium rod while I’m trying to twitch a jerkbait or something. For a big heavy flippin rod that might make a bit more sense. 

Maybe some are smaller and I just haven’t seen them? I plan to try experimenting with a few sections of small foam pipe insulation just to see how well it does. Maybe something that will keep a rod floating just long enough will be the ticket. 

[J Francho]

@clayton86 uses a device that inflates when submerged.  I can't remember what it's name is, though.

[NYWayfarer]

18 hours ago, J Francho said:

I don't tether when I'm using the rod.  I suppose you could add a pad eye close to where you hold the rod.  Seems like it could be a pain, and I don't like stuff that can tangle in front of me.

I tether the rod I am using. I attach it to the bungee cord paddle holder that came with my kayak. the cord is not as big a nuisance as I thought it would be.

 

20 hours ago, RichPenNY said:

No tether for me on my rods or paddle.  I think a global moderator on this site(can't remember who), warned about the possibility of getting tangled up in tethers in the event of a flip over.

It happened to someone in my area. He flipped and got tangled in fishing line...

[J Francho]

I'm the one that warned about possible tangles.  Until I lost my favorite spinnerbait rod, I was against them.  I don't recommend a paddle leash, and I really don't like the idea of tethering when fishing.  I'm not too worried about leashes behind me in the crate.  I lost my rod, bumping it while putting the paddle away. 

[Allen Der]

2 hours ago, J Francho said:

I'm the one that warned about possible tangles.  Until I lost my favorite spinnerbait rod, I was against them.  I don't recommend a paddle leash, and I really don't like the idea of tethering when fishing.  I'm not too worried about leashes behind me in the crate.  I lost my rod, bumping it while putting the paddle away. 

why dont you recommend a paddle leash?  I always use one.  I'd much rather lose a rod than my paddle (unless you have a mirage drive)

[NYWayfarer]

27 minutes ago, Allen Der said:

why dont you recommend a paddle leash?  I always use one.  I'd much rather lose a rod than my paddle (unless you have a mirage drive)

For me the answer is my paddle floats, my rod does not.

 

If my paddle somehow gets out of my grasp I can get it with this

 

 

Works in all waters except rapids. I don't kayak in swift waters so I am ok.

[J Francho]

2 hours ago, Allen Der said:

why dont you recommend a paddle leash?  I always use one.  I'd much rather lose a rod than my paddle (unless you have a mirage drive)

I do have a Compass Mirage, but I never used paddle leashes with the past four boats.  It's an entanglement issue.  My Paddle is full carbon fiber and floats.

[Smalls]

I currently use a paddle leash, but I don’t like it because of the possible tangling issues. 

 

Thinking of putting a pool noodle on it. 

[Allen Der]

never checked to see if my carbon paddle floated or not.   but I'd still be afraid of it floating away in wind or current.  i do have one of those hand paddles but wouldn't rely on it.  I've never had any tangling issues with the paddle leash attached to a ring on my PFD

[JustJames]

Not as hard as you might think. You can use 1/2” d-ring and no it is not interfering while casting or fishing. 

[Fairtax4me]

My paddle also floats. (Tested and verified) 

And if I drop it, I have other things that I can sorta paddle with to go get it (like hands), or Keep a crankbait in the kayak and if your paddle floats away you can always use a crankbait to drag yourself back over to it. I’ve found that’s actually a very productive way to fish on the move and cover lots of water. 

[Angry John]

On 4/8/2019 at 11:32 AM, J Francho said:

Not putting screw eyes into my rods.

Why not screw a steel ring in a white python!!!! A nylon strap to the reel foot would be plenty.  Even paracord would be fine.

[J Francho]

Or I could just buy a product that works straight out of the package.  I'm weird like that.

[JustJames]

On 4/8/2019 at 12:34 PM, Fairtax4me said:

Been looking at these since I just bought my fish fishing kayak.

Question for You guys that use rod tethers, when you are using the rod is it tethered? And where are you attaching the tether? To your PFD, or something else? 

 

I really feel like the foam rod floats are too bulky and will either get in my way or interfere with casting. But I’m also worried that a tether on the rod will limit my options for casting as well. 

 

Rods that are in the holders I can totally understand having a tether on as a precaution, and I plan to do that. 

Rod float, try pipe insulated 1/2” size.  It is smaller than the one sell in the market. You only need about 6” to float your setup.

I’m cheap and like to DIY with my stuffs.

[clayton86]

On 4/9/2019 at 9:43 AM, J Francho said:

@clayton86 uses a device that inflates when submerged.  I can't remember what it's name is, though.

The savur butt they have like a salt tab like inflatable vests when it melts or what ever it has a spring loaded Eva ring that pops out with 60 yards of braid tied to it. I personally don’t use them but install them on rods for customers. It’s not carbon fiber which has been my go to handle material