Leash attachment to levelwind

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.

I hate swimming in to retrieve my board an therefore missing some good waves. As for fishing its hard to do when your gear is at the bottom of Davie Jones Locker. But i agree everything has its place and time. I just put together some leashes but have not used them yet since I have not been home in a month. It cost like $4 per leash.

Here is a look at replacement costs for the setup I'm using.  Not that I actually paid these prices, but when not on sale / clearance, this is what I would have to pay to replace the rig:

Reel:  $219
Rod:   $70
Line:  $135  (1500 ft spool of 65# power pro)
Tax:    $45

Now granted, I will already have about half of the 1500 ft spool still left and I'm probably going to back the first 1/3rd with mono, but that's a LOT of line to replace when the reel has a 900 yard capacity.

Not to mention it's a huge PITA to economically replace gear, especially if you're all the way out at a place like Hobuck.  I don't want to find myself 2 miles from the beach with only my medium weight ugly stick and Cabela's Salt Striker reel ya know?  With proper placement and good deck organization, it shouldn't get in the way, and if I lose a fish, I'll catch another. 

I learned the hard way. I now have short leashes to leash the rod I am not using or to leash the rod I am using when taking a fish off or re-rigging. I do not leash it when it is in my hands and I am actively fishing.  As for leashes, I use the 99 cent aluminum carabiners you can get almost anywhere and a short piece of coiled telephone cord or rope.  Each leash costs me about $1.50 -$2.00.

Go with what you're comfortable with.  Just make sure to wear your survival knife in an easily accessed location.
A loop becomes a knott with just a little added pressure.

Oh yeah, and learn to hold on to your rods.   

-Spot-

The cost of a leash is nothing compared to replacing a quality reel/rod so from a cost/benefit POV it makes sense. Also rod floats are a tangle-free option.

I think a sturgeon can sink any float. Including a small angler!


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I've never lost a rod overboard, and I hardly ever leash rods.  Who else is in the "No Leash Club" and hasn't lost a rod? ... yet! 

I don't like to pay for insurance either ... I never use it.

-Allen

I think a sturgeon can sink any float. Including a small angler!

Depends on the angler 

98lb kid vs. 110lb sturgeon  (No leash and at this point in the fight the drag was bottomed out from breaking off a snag on a previous trip)

Who else is in the "No Leash Club" and hasn't lost a rod? ... yet! 
-Allen

All my kids (including two ex Kids AOTY winners) and their dad.

OK, maybe I'm showing off now but y'all get the idea.

But seriously, have an exit plan in case you get tangled in your leashes and practice your huli recovery with leashed items in place.

-Spot-

I consider my PFD, SPOT and VHF "insurance"...will get dry suit, too, before hitting the salt.

Haven't had any problems using leashes. Maybe I just haven't fought enough. Only thing I've lost was my emergency paddle and its leash was not attached to my yak, duh!

iHop


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I consider my PFD, SPOT and VHF "insurance"...will get dry suit, too, before hitting the salt.

To me, it's a consequence vs. expense thing.  Leashes are a hassle, the chances of losing a rod are low (IMO), and the cost of losing a rod are relatively low.  PFD is not a hassle, the chance of huli-ing at some point are high, the cost of doing so without a PFD are high.  Similar thought process for VHF and drysuit.  A drysuit also has the comfort factor involved.

-Allen

I've never lost a rod overboard, and I hardly ever leash rods.  Who else is in the "No Leash Club" and hasn't lost a rod? ... yet! 

I don't like to pay for insurance either ... I never use it.

-Allen

The only thing I leash is my paddle. Never lost a rod and I used to do surf landings with the rods still in the holders. I put a float on my camera though. Only thing I manage to loose is lots of lead ......

I've never lost a rod overboard, and I hardly ever leash rods.


-Allen

Never lost a rod and I used to do surf landings with the rods still in the holders.

yet.



What's worse is the sound it makes when it does go over.....

almost none at all. ^DAMHIK


And although no one here would ever question Mark Spot O' Time's veracity, he sure ain't eschewing obfuscation. That's no 98lb kid, that's a 98lb ninja and the poor dino had never stood a chance.

Big ups to Snorlax (Spatter?)

And and for me, a good knife (or better a rescue knife) AT HAND is the real insurance and you shouldn't leave shore without one.

And and for me, a good knife (or better a rescue knife) AT HAND is the real insurance and you shouldn't leave shore without one.

I have two on me at all times, one is attached to my PFD with a 12" tether, so I can't drop it.

I am however looking into redesigning my rod leashes soon to be quick disconnect, and under 12" for the ones parked in rod holders not currently in use, to eliminate getting tangled in a Huli.  The rod currently in use will also have the same style of quick disconnect, yet long enough to not hinder rod placement during fishing, fish retrieval, fish dispatching, and unhooking.  Need to find a material that is really easy to sever, less prone to tangle, yet strong enough to handle being tugged on if the rod gets pulled over board.  Everything else either already floats, or is attached to a float.

So, at most I should only have one rod leash, and one paddle leash to worry about. 

What's on the 98lb kid's head?

What's on the 98lb kid's head?

That's where Spot attaches leashes to his kids.

-Allen