Do you leash to the kayak like on an sup?

Meh.....i think blue kayak mentioned it a long while back, open ocean when it gets real snotty, a surf leash would be a solid piece of safety gear to keep you from getting separated from the yak in high winds and swell.  Definitely not in the surf.

I use a surf leash as a kelp anchor, the ankle strap fits nicely around bull kelp stalks. 

They work well on a sup, when you fall, you tend to kick the board out from underneath you and it can get away from you.   Or so ive been told

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I only leash my paddle like everyone is saying. When I catch a big ____ I just toss my paddle overboard and don't worry about it getting in the way of landing that big ____.

Word.

I leashed everything at first.  Not for long!   The paddle on a leash creates alot of drag should you fall out of the kayak. Easy to swim over to paddle and pull kayak to you.

Started leaving off the leash while in freshwater last week.  Also left my bilge pump and emergency paddle at home too.  Stupid.  I had to carry my kayak down a brush covered trail to get to water so I was trying to keep it light... I was on a hot fish and lost track of my paddle.  Had that oh shit moment while it drifted downstream . Had to use my hawg trough to paddle after it. 

I leash lots of stuff---but not self-to-kayak---or I'd lose more things than I already do. All of the leashes are in the rear of the kayak and out of the way, so I don't think they are a safety hazard. And just in case, I've got a knife attached to my pfd. IMHO, a knife that you can get to _immediately_ is an essential piece of safety gear. Even if you don't leash anything, there's always fishing line.

Thanks for all the good info guys. I will keep my paddle leashed and maybe one rod. I do have 3 floats but I think I will make more out of pool noodles like some people have said to do. I am pretty green at the kayaking thing but plan on getting a lot of time in when we go on vacation later in the summer. Once I log enough time and feel safe enough I will try to hookup with some people and head out into the ocean. I really want to catch some lings and halibut. In the meantime will have to settle for crystal clear water, big mackinaw, lots of Kokanee, big small mouth bass, walleye, and hopefully some 10 plus pound rainbow trout while on vacation. Shouldn't be to bad of a trip, haha.

'Leashes' (lines) can either save you or kill you

Indispensable in the right circumstances but in the wrong ones can be pretty sinister

I asked the exact same question, and received the same answers as you. However, I'm still not 100% convinced it's a bad idea.

I think it would be nice to have a type of "dead man's switch" to keep a kayak from drifting away from you. I don't have full faith in a kayaker being able to hang onto his paddle when going overboard. I've read enough stories of people getting separated from their kayaks to recognize that it does happen.  And as you've read, there are first-hand reports of people getting tangled in leashes as well. It's not a cut and dry solution in my mind, but if it comes down to it, you have a chance of untangling/cutting your leashes if you get tangled. If you get separated from your kayak in the ocean, your chances of survival are much much lower.

Anyways, you've got the overwhelming answer from the community. But it's a good question, and one that I'm still looking for a better answer.

Your right.  It's not a bad idea.  It's a TERRIBLE idea!  Take the advice of those earlier in this thread.  The collective knowledge above is freaking vast!  You asked the question, got a pretty conclusive/unanimous answer I think.

Remember too, it is the rescuers you put in risk too. If you are tied up and drifting into wash rocks, everybody will be in the zone of danger. The faster you are freed, the faster we can get you back in the kayak. Gear can be replaced.

Oh, It's always good to paddle with a buddy too.... I try and NOT go out alone. So much can happen.... That said... I've been on the water my entire life. Needed rescue 0 times so far.... My brother sank on the big blue and got a boater assist. With both of us there... even with us both over 250 lbs. could have put us both on my kayak and paddled in. Buddy system works....

IMHO, a knife that you can get to _immediately_ is an essential piece of safety gear. Even if you don't leash anything, there's always fishing line.

I've got one of these on both my and my wife's PFDs' front lash tabs. So far so good with respect to not rusting. We've yet to need them, but I have no doubt they'll go through a leash without hesitation. They're terrifyingly sharp:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0051IS58U/ref=ox_sc_sfl_title_32?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=AMRFYMDZRTAWB

https://www.amazon.com/NRS-Pilot-Knife-2013/dp/B00168WRRO

I have that attached to my PFD.

https://www.amazon.com/Aqua-Lung-Squeeze-Lock-Ti/dp/B00N4XY06K/ref=sr_1_6?s=sporting-goods&ie=UTF8&qid=1466030398&sr=1-6&keywords=dive+knife+tanto

I have this one attached to my leg.

The leg one is used for anything from cutting line to ripping gills. The one on my PFD is only for emergencies.

I only leash my paddle like everyone is saying. When I catch a big STICK I just toss my paddle overboard and don't worry about it getting in the way of landing that big STICK.

FIXED.

I only have two leashes. One leash between my paddle and my kayak, and one leash between my neck (or another word starting with N) and my wife. The latter leash seems to get shorter every year. 

 

I only leash my paddle like everyone is saying. When I catch a big STICK I just toss my paddle overboard and don't worry about it getting in the way of landing that big STICK.

FIXED.

I only have two leashes. One leash between my paddle and my kayak, and one leash between my neck (or another word starting with N) and my wife. The latter leash seems to get shorter every year. 

 

The last time I thought I caught a big tree and was bringing it to the surface, it turned out to be a big shark 

Beware of sticks.