Safety First

with the recent missing kayaker here on the Oregon Coast, I wanted to post this picture from my outing today because it shows 4 things that I consider critical:

leashed to the boat: across my back you can see a leash connected to a strap on my PFD. 
radio:  near my foot, my floating VHF handheld is clipped to the i11s carry strap, if I was out on the ocean it would be attached and leashed to my PFD.
suit:  semi-dry Kokatat Supernova Angler paddling suit.
and of course, I'm wearing my PFD.

How common is it to leash yourself to your kayak? 

How common is it to leash yourself to your kayak?

I think it is very location dependent.  Here in the salt water (ocean or bays/rivers) there are tides, ocean or river currents, waves/swells, and, almost wind.   Ending up in the water is not a crisis if you are dressed for immersion but getting separated from your boat would be a really bad thing...I use these $10 xtra-small size retractable dog leashes, 10' long, even with all the moving around that I do on both my boats, never an issue, they just extend and retract...

https://www.amazon.com/Flexi-Freedom-Retractable-Supports-18-Pound/dp/B007CRBV8E/ref=sr_1_1?s=pet-supplies&ie=UTF8&qid=1470768520&sr=1-1&keywords=retractable+dog+leash&refinements=p_n_feature_eleven_browse-bin%3A3059613011

I don't leash myself to my kayak.  But I've been using retractable dog leashes like the one pictured above to leash rods, nets, and my paddle.  I don't even notice the leashes on my rods when casting, playing fish, and netting fish, and the leashes have saved me from losing my net on a number of occasions.  However, I'm getting paranoid about the number of leashes on my kayak.  I'm worried about getting snarled up in all the leashes if I flip my kayak.  I'm thinking of other solutions, like clipping or strapping stored rods to their holders when they aren't in use.  I've also shortened the retractable dog leashes to the minimum needed to use each item of fishing gear, so I'll only have three or four feet of leash strung out if I flip rather than 15 feet of leash.

I'm kinda thinking being leashed to the boat is a good thing if you go in the salt alone. Neither is something I would do, however. I'm with Pete, thinking about whether all these leashes is quite so well thought out.

I put rod floats on some of my rods, and while I still intend using a paddle leash, I just received a cheapie backup paddle to put in the hatch. It breaks down into 4 pieces, none longer than 24".

I had thought about leashing the net, but if a furbag grabs a fish in my net, I'm pretty sure I'd rather let it all go and not hang on.

I keep pushing it off because now I rarely go out alone but I am going to leash myself at some point.  We had a guy up here who ended up int he water for something like 5 hours.  With current and wind, the kayak can get away from you if you dump it.

I had thought about leashing the net, but if a furbag grabs a fish in my net, I'm pretty sure I'd rather let it all go and not hang on.

Whoa! I definitely didn't think of that hazard, since seals are relatively rare out here in Montana.

I had thought about leashing the net, but if a furbag grabs a fish in my net, I'm pretty sure I'd rather let it all go and not hang on.

Whoa! I definitely didn't think of that hazard, since seals are relatively rare out here in Montana.

I say we solve two problems then...transplant our seals there

Three out of four for me. I'll consider the leash, though. Right now the only thing I leash is my paddle and I take my chances with everything else.

I had thought about leashing the net, but if a furbag grabs a fish in my net, I'm pretty sure I'd rather let it all go and not hang on.

Whoa! I definitely didn't think of that hazard, since seals are relatively rare out here in Montana.

I say we solve two problems then...transplant our seals there

If we can get them listed as endangered species in Montana I see a government program paying to transplant them!