Super Cheap DIY Rod Leashes.

I bought a rod leash at Walmart to get an idea on a basic design. I think the leash cost me $15. It is just a bungie with two loops and a carabiner on one end. That is too much money for something so simple! Honestly I am not a fan of the bungie cord material and the way it attaches to the rod was annoying.
I figured I could improve on the design and at a fraction of the cost.
This is what I came up with.

Looks every bit as good as the pricey store bought ones if not better.  Nice!

Thanks! I used slinky cord to attach to the  clip and tie around the rod. It was left over from my not so amazing steelhead season. I want to find some Velcro that won't slip if it gets wet. That seems like a less permanent means to attach to the rod. This will work just fine for now though.
My plan is to get a nice product dialed in and sell it to locals. I figure I can make a quick buck for gas or gear that I need if people like them. If not, I have some spares!

Not to be a Debbie Downer but most kayak guys like to tinker and tend to make things themselves.
Give it a go, but don't expect people to come flocking to you. Introducing an already existing product to a small frugal marketplace is an uphill battle.

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Where did you get the cord from? I've been making a few for our HOW group with bulk straight bungee, scotty clips and some heat shrink. You can find Velcro wrap at Home Depot, I think in the electrical section. Get the red ones, they are a little stronger

I made these for HeroesOnTheWater used old cell phone car chargers for the lanyards total cost was probably around $1.20 each

Dino Abulencia
HOW-NWest

Not to be a Debbie Downer but most kayak guys like to tinker and tend to make things themselves.
Give it a go, but don't expect people to come flocking to you. Introducing an already existing product to a small frugal marketplace is an uphill battle.

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2

I'm not going to quit my day job. I'll just make a handful and keep them in my rig in case someone likes them enough to buy one from me. I agree it's a frugal market but some people are just plain lazy and would rather pay cash to have something now.It's not like I'm going on Shark Tank or anything.

I like those -- recycling from the old phone chargers.  I've been making mine from scratch, using 300# mono wrapped around a dowel, boiled in the fish poacher for 5 minutes, then plunged into icy cold water to set.  They've been working great, multiple sizes.  The smaller the dowel, the tighter the coil.  Piece of cake!

DIY rod leashes rank right up near the top of the list of gear most kayakers fab on their own, right behind building at least one PVC kayak cart  .

Where did you get the cord from? I've been making a few for our HOW group with bulk straight bungee, scotty clips and some heat shrink. You can find Velcro wrap at Home Depot, I think in the electrical section. Get the red ones, they are a little stronger

I used car chargers I picked up at Goodwill. The slinky cord is from Bi mart but you can get it anywhere.
I didn't have time to get heat shrink but that was part of my build plan.
If they don't sell I'd be happy to donate to HOW. Actually maybe I'll donate anyway.

DIY rod leashes rank right up near the top of the list of gear most kayakers fab on their own, right behind building at least one PVC kayak cart  .

Or 2

Dino Abulencia
HOW-NWest

Where did you get the cord from? I've been making a few for our HOW group with bulk straight bungee, scotty clips and some heat shrink. You can find Velcro wrap at Home Depot, I think in the electrical section. Get the red ones, they are a little stronger

I used car chargers I picked up at Goodwill. The slinky cord is from Bi mart but you can get it anywhere.
I didn't have time to get heat shrink but that was part of my build plan.
If they don't sell I'd be happy to donate to HOW. Actually maybe I'll donate anyway.

Sell them on eBay. Much bigger market and you may be able to move enough to make it worth your while.

Where did you get the cord from? I've been making a few for our HOW group with bulk straight bungee, scotty clips and some heat shrink. You can find Velcro wrap at Home Depot, I think in the electrical section. Get the red ones, they are a little stronger

I used car chargers I picked up at Goodwill. The slinky cord is from Bi mart but you can get it anywhere.
I didn't have time to get heat shrink but that was part of my build plan.
If they don't sell I'd be happy to donate to HOW. Actually maybe I'll donate anyway.

Sell them on eBay. Much bigger market and you may be able to move enough to make it worth your while.

That's a good idea. I searched rod leashes and it looks like I could easily sell these things as a 4 pack at a decent price. If it doesn't work out I can always trade them for gear! ORC isn't too far away. I'm sure I could get rid of a few with no problem.

I just use rod floats for most of my rods.  One less cord to get tangled up in.

I like those -- recycling from the old phone chargers.  I've been making mine from scratch, using 300# mono wrapped around a dowel, boiled in the fish poacher for 5 minutes, then plunged into icy cold water to set.  They've been working great, multiple sizes.  The smaller the dowel, the tighter the coil.  Piece of cake!

How much you want to whip up 4 or 5 of those Akfishergal?