Does it bum you out to put float noodles on sweet rods?

100% less than watching one sink to the depths for sure. 

But the foam noodles really make a rod much less comfy for me. 

I just put the RFD on my new slow pitch rod.  Haha. 

Yes it bums me out so I don't do it.  I leash everything. 

I hate the look and the feel so I don't do it and run zero leashes (saftey).  Only time I have lost a rod was when mighty whitey ejected me into the drink in August, so I think I get a pass on that one!

The only rod I can handle floats on is the old beater I use for sabiki rigging. The two main rods always get stretchy leashes that I extend a bit with rope that’s easy to cut.

I need no more leashes so use the foam on my salt rods, but risk my FW setups. I think I’ve only had one go in the drink on surf launch or land failure. I’ve not lost a rod, but picked up a decent one off the bottom in Benicia. So it happens.

Yes it bums me out so I don't do it.  I leash everything.

This is what I do too. Well, everything but my gaff (which has a pool noodle float) and a handful of items that are now at the bottom of the ocean...

Try cutting the pool noodle in half so it’s a half noodle. One time at tomales a 100+ pound bat ray broke my rod holder and took my rod only way I got it back was from my half noodle and ended up catching the ray (lost the rod holder) half noodles are annoying but not too bad better then losing a $400 set up

Pool noodles are in the way of holding the rod for me so I use leashes. Attached to my PFD is a diving knife in case of emergency entanglement.

I use floats like these on my light rods.   Smaller than pool noodles.  Forget where I bought mine, but similar.
https://www.amazon.com/Shoreline-Marine-Propel-Fishing-Floats/dp/B017P3B0W6/ref=sr_1_7?crid=15ZW9ETFGE9S0&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9._v1FguWnFRDoyVE8oYWNyKcgxxFUCSNFqURNgUDpW5i96G8dHVB_N8m85OxbQ1hHAKtof-Xg6UoSCJiijwKSw_WlYcNkGpXP3RUO5z1zEQPo8DH7u1bUKLh4Va5rGvr6jJWW17aapQPcxOaLaBjy9eWfn-QUqlX13rtxYiNbre7DmorqFh7KV5_z8keljBSox3NkDor46V1TQqdPVK12KOGQLEaftpNJkXpyAWDdfDaSBjkmFK61pqgYQqNxwy71kh6IEtmUiD-Tn2jksVT-NDkgB9Figtf22PRQqXocYPs.euPVu59hcL9sRE02OzPMcM2eXMFVaWb6OmnBuc0CL4o&dib_tag=se&keywords=fishing%2Brod%2Bfloats%2Bfor%2Bkayak&qid=1766702841&sprefix=Fishing%2Brod%2Bfloa%2Caps%2C299&sr=8-7&th=1

https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/71DhkTzdWZL._AC_SX679_.jpg

In the last 10-12 yrs I’ve had both in one way or another.
I see the safety issues of leashes ,alot of us have been tied up in them and that can get annoying! The foam on ur sweet rod doesn’t
Look good, or can get in the way of ur line or hands…
What to do??? So do what feels right  or works for you!
Currently I’m using leashes.  Why ? Cause I had a few around!
I’ve found the most important thing in leashes is  before you land,
make sure all leashes  are stowed properly so when you get out after landing, you don’t get ur legs tied up in the leash and trip ya!
How do I know this? 

Or you can go without and think ur never going to loose ur sweet rod
But eventually  you seem to lose it to big blue.  I’ve only lost one sweet rod,  in Gerstle  south . It happened to be my wife’s sentimental bamboo pole!  She forgave me

Looks like it’s gonna flatten out for the end of the year!
I’m seeing in the 1’s at the Fort!   Dang!!!
 I can’t make it out but I wanna feel some fish porn!!!

Scotty

I started out having floats on my rods but over the years most have been removed for various reasons but mostly because I hadn’t lost any. I did loose a very nice slow pitch rods when I was flipped by a sea lion.

The only item I leash is my paddle, but the last time I returned to shore at Muir I did a barrel roll. My leg got tangled in the paddle leash and I was pinned to the side of the kayak. Not a pleasant position to be in so it will be undone for re-entries in the future.

I used to put foam around the rod between the reel and first eye, but the line would rub it and drove me nuts, so I don't do that anymore.  I think leashing large items in the ocean is maybe not the best idea, so I don't leash my rods.  I've not lost a rod yet from the kayak, but I also don't really take anything super nice out with me either.  My two favorite saltwater kayak rods are Ugly Stik Tigers with old Penn reels - not gonna be too heartbroken if I lose one. 

My leg got tangled in the paddle leash and I was pinned to the side of the kayak. Not a pleasant position to be in so it will be undone for re-entries in the future.

This is my concern with tethers - I think I will also untether my paddle for future beach landings. 

https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/71DhkTzdWZL._AC_SX679_.jpg

I’m not convinced these would float a rod reel rigged up with a heavy jig or sinkers.   I need to toss a setup into my friends pool.  Test it.

I used to put foam around the rod between the reel and first eye, but the line would rub it and drove me nuts, so I don't do that anymore.  I think leashing large items in the ocean is maybe not the best idea, so I don't leash my rods.  I've not lost a rod yet from the kayak, but I also don't really take anything super nice out with me either.  My two favorite saltwater kayak rods are Ugly Stik Tigers with old Penn reels - not gonna be too heartbroken if I lose one. 

My leg got tangled in the paddle leash and I was pinned to the side of the kayak. Not a pleasant position to be in so it will be undone for re-entries in the future.

This is my concern with tethers - I think I will also untether my paddle for future beach landings.

I would disconnect my paddle tether and wrap it around the paddle when I got close to the beach. I’ve always tethered my rods but one time I didn’t connect them to my kayak. I pulled one rod and it tangled in the rod next to it. Both rods lifted up and the second one untangled just as I was holding it over the water and I wondered what that kerplunk sound was.