Rod leashes.

I like the phone cord idea too. It's really tough to get a hook stuck in a phone cord. Not so tough to get a hook stuck in paracord.

Also, you don't need a crimper/crimps. Just use some 30 lb mono and whip finish on a loop. Cover that with heat shrink tubing if you want. Total cost is essentially a buck plus whatevever fasteners you choose.

Something like this:



Scott

That's exactly what I use. I zip-tie a key ring onto my rod, just above my pole holder, to attach the leash to.

I recommend using brass swivel eye bolt nap for fasteners = stands well against the salt water 

They make and sell lanyards at Bayside in SC that are designed to keep from loosing your rod from a holder in a pb.  I found these make great kelp anchors but are too short for rod leashes.  If you ask, they will make them any length you like and I found about 3' to be good.  They are light but strong and don't seem to get in the way.  They're made of some braided cord, an eye is crimped on one end and the other is attached to a brass clip that works like a clamshell or pinchers.

A trip to the Bayside toy store is always a good idea!

Last Friday was fishing the saltwater on a Hobie Adventyre for the first time.  Some guys had short rod leashes used only for stored rods, but at least one guy used longer leashes - or at least one longer leash for the rod he was actively casting and fishing.

What is the best practice: short, long, or a combo?  Leave on when fishing or take off?

Thanks.

Mine is short enough to not drag in the water, but long enough that I can keep it attached to the rod while actively fishing it.

I leash my spare rod and unleash the rod I'm fishing with = just my two cents

I'm like mooch but sometimes I leave it leashed if I have a heavy weight attached.
otherwise the rod flotation should save it.

3'-4' of1/4" OD 1/8" ID surgical tubing, double one end over about 1", tie tightly with heavy mono, lashing in between the two parts of tubing, slip over end of rod, it should be tight, but come off if you use 2 hands. Use a clip on other end, or put figure-8 knot at end and just tie it with a couple of half hitches to whatever.  Doesn't kink, hooks don't penetrate, stretches about double in length.  Nice for when stowing or transporting rods- wrap tubing around both sections of rod on butt, then pull up and  double hitch it around tips, keeps them together.  Tubing available online or home-nursing drug stores. 

I use bungee cord I buy at the hardware store and tie some brass clips to them. You can also sew velcro to the bungee to velcro the rod.