Leash attachment to levelwind

I picked up a Penn Fathom 60 yesterday, and as I don't want it to go swimming I'll be leashing it.  I'm wondering where to the best place to attach a leash is.  The obvious answer would be the harness lugs, but I kinda feel like a cord of any kind could get in the way at that location.  Would attaching a leash to the rod clamp screws be a better location?  I feel like down there would keep the leash from getting tangled in anything a little better.

Thoughts?

I think the lugs are meant to be used with a rod harness, hence the name, and would be a bad spot for a leash. 

Do you want to leash just the reel or the rod/reel combo?  I put a velcro strap on the end of a leash and can quickly attach it to the butt of the rod in use.  The strap is double-sided velcro and long enough so it wraps a couple of times around the rod butt.

I have affixed little brass rings to every rod butt - either with bungee or simply zip-ties.  Then I just clip my rod leashes to the rings.  I thought about clipping my leashes to the reel seat clamps, but that gets them way too close to the cranking action of the reel IMO.  I like having the leashes attached down on the butt so the leash has less chance of getting wrapped up in the handle of the reel while reeling in. 

I attach my leashes to my blanks above the the grip and below the first guide. This seems to work well on my sturgeon rods. I attach the leash using the little bungie loop that unclips. I simply loop it through itself around the blank and then reclip it back to the leash. It does not impede my casting and is out of the way while fishing and fighting fish. Thus far I have not leashed my bass fishing rods (probably should).

Y'all need to learn how to hold on to your rods. 

-Spot-

I never leashed my rods before (or even heard of it). In grad school (way back in '86) I built a little 7'3" bass killing machine that my friend and I would fish out of with 3 rods each. Before the kayak I fished out of a Coleman Crawdad. In all that time I never lost a rod. However, in reading Craig's posts I have been scared straight

I still did not leash anything while bass fishing this fall but started doing it for sturgeon on the last 3 trips. I do not want to contribute to the AMHIK thread  

Y'all need to learn how to hold on to your rods. 

-Spot-

I understand your point Spot, but then why do you feel the need to hide your rods in the hem of your dress, I mean inside of your rod pod...

Y'all need to learn how to hold on to your rods. 

-Spot-

I don't usually have to hold it myself, but being as my kayak is not a tandem, a restraining device seemed more appropriate so I didn't drop a load of cash into the briney deep and spoil the fun early.

I only needed to drop my paddle one time for the leash to pay for itself.....  I really need to get some better rod leashes.

I understand your point Spot, but then why do you feel the need to hide your rods in the hem of your dress, I mean inside of your rod pod...

The rods only go in the pod during a surf launch or landing.  Other than that, they're in a rod holder, my hand or the crate.

I always leash my paddle but stopped leashing other things after my my 1st season of yak fishing.   I found the leashes to be more of a nuisance than anything else.

-Spot-

I understand your point Spot, but then why do you feel the need to hide your rods in the hem of your dress, I mean inside of your rod pod...

The rods only go in the pod during a surf launch or landing.  Other than that, they're in a rod holder, my hand or the crate.

I always leash my paddle but stopped leashing other things after my my 1st season of yak fishing.   I found the leashes to be more of a nuisance than anything else.

-Spot-

I knew what you used the rod pod for but I couldn't resist

I have used the leashes 3 times. I am still torn on their usefulness. I have not had any close calls with a dropped rod and for still fishing (like sturgeon fishing) they are not in the way too much. I did pop them off a time or two on a cast before I figured out the best place for attaching it to the kayak. I think that for fishing in cold weather with numb hands they might be a good idea. I will keep using them until I decide that they are more trouble than they are worth. Sounds like you already reached that place Spot.

I bought rod and paddle leashes from a local guy online. Only about $7-8. http://www.rodleash.com/

He's in Washington.

I use them for rods, paddle and Humminbird FishingBuddy. I also leash my two Mirage Drives. I have floats on both cameras.

I wear a belt and suspenders, too.

Cluck,

iHop

I use rod leashes almost every time I head out and they have saved me on multiple occasions.  The set-up I use occasionally gets in the way when reeling in but I have gotten used to them so they no longer bother me.

I rarely ever use a rod leash.

Oh wait,
this isn't the "things I've lost overboard" thread?


never mind.

Post Huli Puppy

I'm w/ Jeff on location. When I used them I'd attached them @ the bottom of the reel until it wrapped the reel handle and I lost a Dino.

I understand Lee's motivation to not lose a high priced item but like surfing, without a leash it feels so much better.