Build Your Own Rod Leash

I've been eyeing these for rod leashes, they're $3 each on amazon, galvanized spring retractable, made to get wet and small.



For scale:

Yikes!

That thing looks like a Chinese throwing star. 

Too many catchy edges for my liking. 
If it had a cover or something it may be less likely to get snagged on stuff.

I saw something like these at Cabela's today and didn't even think about rod leash when I saw it, but now that I think of it... they just may work perfect.  The one at Cabela's has a Velcro loop where this one has a D ring.  Options! 

The looped tip there even detaches from the retracting unit. 

I've been eyeing these for rod leashes, they're $3 each on amazon, galvanized spring retractable, made to get wet and small.



For scale:

Yikes!

That thing looks like a Chinese throwing star. 

Too many catchy edges for my liking. 
If it had a cover or something it may be less likely to get snagged on stuff.

I saw something like these at Cabela's today and didn't even think about rod leash when I saw it, but now that I think of it... they just may work perfect.  The one at Cabela's has a Velcro loop where this one has a D ring.  Options! 

The looped tip there even detaches from the retracting unit. 

Insane call kayak shed I believe they can get those that go on the gear tracks I can pm you a pick of one of the two I got tomorrow if you want

Found an interweb picture

Naw, I'm good, thanks. 

I have a pair of rod leases made with bungee in hollow webbing with quick a disconnect buckle on one end and brass clip on the other end that I built a few years ago.

These were made after my Goodwill cell phone charge cord leashes I made years before that. 
Both styles work really well.

The t-reign attachment ends make it difficult to attach to small openings.  The only way to use it for my radio was to attach an oring

The t-reign attachment ends make it difficult to attach to small openings.  The only way to use it for my radio was to attach an oring

You could also just tie a loop of thick Dacron sturgeon leader to the steel wire loop with an overhand loop knot.  Then pinch and tuck the Dacron through the radio eyelet and pull a loop through.  If you make the Dacron loop big enough you can then loop it back over the T-Reign and back down on itself at the radio. 

EasyPeazy!!

I used to make leashes out of parachute cord for my rods, nets, and other fishing equipment, but I got tired of the snarl of cords which often developed.  So I’ve been using small retractable dog leashes, which work really well.  I’ve used them for years in fresh water with no problems, but don’t know whether salt water would corrode them.  I prefer the round retractable leashes to the flat webbing leashes, because I suspect that flat webbing might get twisted and jam in the opening of the leash’s case.  I tie a small loop of cord on the handle of my rods and leave it there permanently, which makes it easy to clip the rods on and off the retractable leash.  Retractable leashes are way less expensive at Walmart than they are at pet specialty stores.





I use retractors as leashes for smaller items of gear.  Many retractors aren’t quite long enough for the range of motion I need, so I extend the retractor with a length of shock cord.  I store the pieces of equipment in the pockets which are next to my thighs in my Revolution.

And what does the cat think about being stuffed in a pocket?   

I will admit I'm not as diligent about rod or paddle leashes as I should. I made several 4'-5' long leashes out of paracord that I use regularly for other things (lip grippers, game clip etc.) But I bought a couple  T-Reigns from Cabelas about a year ago and started using those. I have a small one inside the pocket of my PFD attached to shears/snips for cutting braid, bait, gills etc. (Don't ask me how many pairs of shears I have donated to the big blue!) The other one I have is clipped on the front of my PFD that I'm trying to be better about leashing my rod. I'm finding Velcro straps are most convenient and fastest when switching and stowing between rods in my hand or stored, but just a slip loop or noose would probably work just as well.

My past experience with the coiled leashes lead me to not care for them. To me they are too snaggy and get caught on too much other stuff, get twisted and tangled etc. Simple para cord or small retractables for me now.

I have had really good results using the XS 10' dog leashes, about $10 each...2 years now and no issues with the 3 that I have...

but I can use a few shorter coil type and couldn't pass up trying to make some, it was very easy, I used .080" (2mm) weedeater line, tried 5/8" and 3/8" diameter dowels, 30 minutes in boiling water.  I have 10 stainless steel lanyard clips coming this week to fishing them with...cheers, roger

Rod floats are another option. 
Sure you'll have to chase that rod down if it goes overboard, but at least you have a chance of saving it rather than watch it sink into the abyss.

Rod floats are another option. 
Sure you'll have to chase that rod down if it goes overboard, but at least you have a chance of saving it rather than watch it sink into the abyss.

What if there's a big fish on the other end?

Rod floats are another option. 
Sure you'll have to chase that rod down if it goes overboard, but at least you have a chance of saving it rather than watch it sink into the abyss.

What if there's a big fish on the other end?

I'm under the school of thought that a rod gets knocked overboard by accident, and less likely yanked from the hands from a big fish.

If your rod gets pulled out of your hands by the average fish caught by a kayaker, you need to work on your grip some.

If the rod is yanked out of your hands by something big enough to swallow your kayak, I don't think you want that rod tethered to you or the kayak as  it's going to flip you or yank you in the drink as it runs. 

Just sayin'

I don't leash my rods but rather use leashes on a bunch of other stuff: net (the retractable 10' dog one works great on nets), scissors, bonker, walkie talkie, hook remover, leatherman, paddle, mirage drive, GoPRO...

I have had really good results using the XS 10' dog leashes, about $10 each...2 years now and no issues with the 3 that I have...

Retractable dog leashes are bigger than the cable retractors which you can buy at fishing stores, but they have a much longer cord.  I use retractors for most of my fishing tools, but usually need to extend the cable by a foot or so to obtain the reach I need for things like pliers or a fish bonker.  When I need a bigger reach, such as for a rod or a net, I use a retractable dog leash.