Rod leashes.

Just wondering how many of you guys out there use rod leashes.

Me, I'm just starting out kayak fishing and just bought my first yak.  I've been doing an inventory of all the stuff that I would need and I came across some rod leashes at Cabelas.
Have any of you guys lost any tackle while landing a fish? I would expect that when hoisting up a monster ling or halibut from the depths, you would have to reach for a net/gaff to land the fish on the yak. During this process do you tend to just 'let go' of your rod in order to bring the fish up? I would think that you could lose some of your nice equipment in a hurry for sure this way.

I've bought a bunch of stuff and plan to secure pretty much everything that I can being as clumsy as I am.

I don't use rod leashes but I am a bit of an idiot 

Rod leashes protect your gear mostly when you flip your boat, having things tethered helps you retrieve your gear. Now when fighting a fish you can lose control of your rod but I think that is less likely to occur, at least for me.

I do hook my rods into the holders when launching and landing though. I just don't like extra junk flying around in my cockpit, just another thing to get snagged on or tangled up in.

practice safe kayak fishing: use a leash

I lost two rods when I first started fishing the HMB reefs. But you don't want to get too crazy with the leash - just remember take all the leashes off if you plan on launching and landing on a big surf day.(store your rods and FF in the hatch). You can easily get tangled with the leash(s) if you flip your yak - not a safe thing.

These days, I leash my only my spare rod (not in use) and my paddle (sometimes). If I'm paddling with a group, I tend not to leash my paddle cause I can always call in (VHF) if I ever need help retrieving my paddle.

IMO: leash and secure everything...once you feel comfortable enough on your kayak, you'll be able to decide on what really needs to be leashed 

Good luck and paddle safe!

I highly recommend rod leashes. I lost one rod since kayaking and it was because it wasn't leashed.  It was my sabiki rod . I was sideways and a decent swell was coming through, I was turning to face the swell and just like that rod overboard.  Stupidity on my part.  I usually clip all my leashes to the clips or brass seat fastners behind me.  This way the majority of the leash is behind my back.  If I am fighting  a fish the leash either comes off or doesn't get in the way. Also if landing in heavy surf and you don't stow your rods, everything is leashed behind you nothing obstructs a quick exit of the cockpit.

Jason

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Also if landing in heavy surf and you don't stow your rods since everything is leashed behind you nothing obstructs a quick exit of the cockpit.

I always stow my rods  - just to protect them from being broken in half just in case your yak tumbles on to the shoreline. I learned that from Fred Savage - when he tumbled at Bean Hollow 

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Also if landing in heavy surf and you don't stow your rods since everything is leashed behind you nothing obstructs a quick exit of the cockpit.

I always stow my rods  - just to protect them from being broken in half just in case your yak tumbles on to the shoreline. I learned that from Fred Savage - when he tumbled at Bean Hollow 

that sucks

I tie PVC rod holders to my milk crate with cable ties or 50lb mono.  The line or cable tie breaks before the rod/net does.  IMO built in holders a guillotines for rods in the surf. 

I leash everything and just make sure I'm unobstructed for landing. 

Thanks folks. I plan to get rods that are at least 2 piece so that I can stow them away before launches or landings.
I've invested in leashes for my rods and paddles along with some other stuff. Hopefully I'll be picking up my yak at Sean's pretty soon.

What kind of rod leashes seem to work best?

I bought a couple of these at Cabelas.
Rod Leashes

Basically they are the cheap velcro straps affixed to a 6ft or so bungee cord. It wouldn't be very hard to make em yourself.

Make your own rod leashes.  Everyone makes one because one day you will hook a big fish and it will tax your rod holder or murphy's law will occur.  I usually buy the $3 dollar brass snaps from WestMarine http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/producte/10001/-1/10001/3194/4294964326/69/snap/All_2/mode%20matchallpartial/0/0 and tie a nylon rope.  You can customize the length.  I took the maiden voyage last week on my kayak and already dropped my rod in the water but I had a leash so it's worth the effort.

What kind of rod leashes seem to work best?

http://www.kayakfishinggear.com/catalog/seairsport_leash_3835423.htm

you can also put floatation on your rods. I used a length of pool noodle halved, gooped and zip tied.

a leash is good if you have a heavy weight on the rod, at least until you get comfortable with the routine.

 I've taken a peice of para cord, (aprox 8' long) and folded in half, then ran the closed end through a deck eye, then, run the 2 open ends through the colsed end that was just threaded through, then sinch it up.  This gives you 2 leashes to use for whatever.  It's quick, easy and cheap! Both open ends can be attached to the brass snaps listed already or simply tied to whatever you need to secure.

I found that old cell phone charging cords with a brass clip work well, you don't even need anything for the rod. Just make a circle at the other end and crimp, it holds on to the rod just fine and easy to change rods, if your storing