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

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.

That's the other side of the conversation - how much floatation do you need to actually keep the rod at the surface? I'm not sure a 1ft piece of pool noodle would do the trick for typical saltwater setups.

I usually kayak with a boat cushion, because the seat on my Passport really sucks without a little extra padding. I might tether my rods to that. It would 100% keep them afloat. If I capsize, it would float away from the kayak and not get tangled while I'm trying to flip back over. It's brightly colored so would be easy enough to find on the water once I sorted out my kayak. And it has big nylon strap handles, easy to clip to.

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.

I like your idea for the paddle. I've heard the kerplunk sound, just not with a rod. It's usually sunglasses or lures, but Shasta taxed me a nice watch one time.



Anyone have a link for decent tethers that they like? I've tried a few stretchy nylon type tethers but they tend to leave me wanting something a little different. I might make some out of bungee type shock cord.

I get mine on eBay. I’m less happy with my most recent purchase because the cord is a little thicker and wants to retain the curves from where it was folded for shipping. I haven’t used them long enough to know how they will behave over time. In the future I may get some shock cord and make my own.

https://ebay.us/m/NRw2JZ

I get mine on eBay. I’m less happy with my most recent purchase because the cord is a little thicker and wants to retain the curves from where it was folded for shipping. I haven’t used them long enough to know how they will behave over time. In the future I may get some shock cord and make my own.

https://ebay.us/m/NRw2JZ

Thanks for this - those are pretty much exactly what I was thinking about making.

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.

That's the other side of the conversation - how much floatation do you need to actually keep the rod at the surface? I'm not sure a 1ft piece of pool noodle would do the trick for typical saltwater setups.

I usually kayak with a boat cushion, because the seat on my Passport really sucks without a little extra padding. I might tether my rods to that. It would 100% keep them afloat. If I capsize, it would float away from the kayak and not get tangled while I'm trying to flip back over. It's brightly colored so would be easy enough to find on the water once I sorted out my kayak. And it has big nylon strap handles, easy to clip to.

I have a cushion on my seat to keep the seat afloat as well.  And to be comfy. I heard the Hobie sear sinks fast.

Tethers. I tried them.  I only had one rod and it got tangled.  Two rods would be nuts. I’m just not that organized.

I once fetched Paul’s rod he set afloat. His noodle floats his setups.  I’ll test mine.  In a swimming pool.  I’ll assume it will float better in the ocean.

How are you all operating with tethers?  Rods are not stored behind you?

My rods are stored behind me and tethered to the kayak. On the ocean I’m only using one rod at a time and that is tethered to the bungee paddle keep on my right side. If I’m using two rods trolling for trout I tether the second rod to the bungee paddle keep on my left side. My paddle is tethered to my motor mount in the pedal scupper between my feet.

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.

That's the other side of the conversation - how much floatation do you need to actually keep the rod at the surface? I'm not sure a 1ft piece of pool noodle would do the trick for typical saltwater setups.

I usually kayak with a boat cushion, because the seat on my Passport really sucks without a little extra padding. I might tether my rods to that. It would 100% keep them afloat. If I capsize, it would float away from the kayak and not get tangled while I'm trying to flip back over. It's brightly colored so would be easy enough to find on the water once I sorted out my kayak. And it has big nylon strap handles, easy to clip to.

I have a cushion on my seat to keep the seat afloat as well.  And to be comfy. I heard the Hobie sear sinks fast.

Tethers. I tried them.  I only had one rod and it got tangled.  Two rods would be nuts. I’m just not that organized.

I once fetched Paul’s rod he set afloat. His noodle floats his setups.  I’ll test mine.  In a swimming pool.  I’ll assume it will float better in the ocean.

How are you all operating with tethers?  Rods are not stored behind you?

@E kayaker

so they are tethered in back..when you use them, you unhook them and rehook them and swap them to a front tether?

@E kayaker

so they are tethered in back..when you use them, you unhook them and rehook them and swap them to a front tether?

There is a bungee going from side to side behind my seat that I hook them to with a carabiner. I move the pole forward to a vertical pvc holder next to my fish finder that I use to hold the pole when I’m working with both hands. Then I reach back and unclip it from the bungee behind my seat and re clip it to the paddle bungee. The pvc holder next to my fish finder comes in handy when I catch a fish and I need to put my pole down while I take the hook out of the fish. That way I don’t end up submerging my reel by bumping my pole off the kayak.

@E kayaker

so they are tethered in back..when you use them, you unhook them and rehook them and swap them to a front tether?

There is a bungee going from side to side behind my seat that I hook them to with a carabiner. I move the pole forward to a vertical pvc holder next to my fish finder that I use to hold the pole when I’m working with both hands. Then I reach back and unclip it from the bungee behind my seat and re clip it to the paddle bungee. The pvc holder next to my fish finder comes in handy when I catch a fish and I need to put my pole down while I take the hook out of the fish. That way I don’t end up submerging my reel by bumping my pole off the kayak.

thanks!!  that is a good solution.

so same tether, but you move the anchor point if your using it.  i like.