Make Cheap Kayak Rod Leashes

Rod leashes are a necessary accessory for your kayak. Fishing rods can jump out of rod holders and into the drink
in the blink of an eye. These are instructions for a simple rod leash that will cost very little and be a fast and effective
tool. I made these cheap and easy rod leashes out of nylon rope, the braided kind, about 1/4 inch diameter, still rated
very high tensile strength.

Cut a length of rope just long enough, so the rod can come out of your rod holders if your kayak flips etc. Use
a bowline knot to tie the line to the brass clip.

If the leash is too short, your rods stay in the flush mounts when your kayak is turned over, they will snap. It
has happened to me in BIG Colonet (Mexico) surf.

I use brass clips and find them at dive shops, or hook 1. Clip it to your reel handle, quick and easy.

The other end use a bowline knot to a padeye on my kayak...

Basically, when I get on the water, none of my rods are leashed, someday I may pay for this, but hopefully that day will never come.
When I unclip all my rods, I just tuck them in my tankwell, they usually stay out of the way.

At the end of the day, I stretch them out, and clip them to other pad eyes, so they are not dangling when my kayak is
on my truck rack.

If you look closely in the pic above, you can see a blue cord, I purchased this at a dive shop going out of business for about $10,
normally they are around $25. I honestly like the Nylon a little better, some people use phone cords, I dislike the way phone cords on
my phone always tangle over time.

Ghetto Paddle Leash

You can also make a paddle leash with the same rope. I actually bought thicker nylon material. I have used this system for a while, before buying a coil leash. Works good, still use it on my spare kayaks.

Cut a desired length, again, use a bowline knot to a padeye, and a hangman's noose to the paddle. This is a good knot because
it slips open for the paddle blade.

Chris