Kayak Leash Poll

The topic cam up (again) about leashing one's self to a kayak.
I've been off my kayak a bunch of times. I say definitely NO for a variety of reasons that have already been covered in other threads.
So to gain a little more insight as to the need for a leash compared to it's inherent dangers I've created this poll.

I have never experienced falling off my kayak, on accident yet. I would not leash myself to a kayak. Sounds like an unnecessary drowning waiting to happen.

replied no in the poll.
 most of the times that ive Goldie Hawned it i was in the surf returning from a day on the water with my back to the waves and usually the surf takes your yak in to shore for you

Heading back in to a narrow cove with a set wave that tossed me out. The kayak did not get far, in between waves was able to quickly get the boat, flip and re-board.

I leash my paddle only.

Was the originating question - do you leash your gear or do you leash yourself. Never heard of, or seen, anyone leashing themselves to the kayak

I always leash my paddle and sometimes leash my rods. The rest either floats, stays in a hatch, or doesn't matter to me enough to worry about in a sketchy situation.

I agree that leasing yourself to the kayak is a bad idea.


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Flopped out.... Swam to it... Flopped back in.... Minimal drama.... I leash my paddle. I Spiral stretchy leash tools, short ones.... Poles float... Wind might make a difference in all this but I still wouldn't leash myself to the kayak. PFD and a PFD mounted radio..... EPRB if you have the extra $$$$$

   There was a member several years ago who advocated leashing to the kayak and doing a surf landing by jumping out and following the kayak in.  I think the experienced surf landers thought that was a bad idea, and that he should just practice riding it in more.
     I try to avoid going out in anything you would call surf, and have never fallen in without wanting to, and it's harder than I thought it would be to tip out, but I do almost all my fishing in Monterey  or Carmel Bays, which are pretty easy compared to the exposed coast.
    I used to leash rods, but I don't anymore.  I've never lost one overboard, though I have inexpensive gear and pipe insulation on the shafts.
    The scenario that worries me is falling in with one foot in the air, tangled in some leash on the yak, and my fishing line snagged on one arm, so that I can't get either completely out, and can't get to my knife to cut free, and can't keep my head above water either.  I've rigged my non-folding knife so it only takes one hand to get it out.  When things go wrong, it's usually a cascade - not just one thing.
       
   

I still use leashes on my 2 rods. I have some others that I don't leash. So I'm still deciding which works better for me...after a decade or so

I would not normally leash myself to the kayak, or use a paddle leash...the instances where I would consider these options would occur in wicked conditions. Offshore, high wind, big surf. If it comes down to wondering if i would survive if i lost my boat, I'm leashing myself to it or to my paddle for sure.
BUT, I'd rather sit out days when I might find myself in that type of situation now.

I leash my paddle and maybe my rods, but as for my body...
Nope
There's only so much room on a kayak, the less clutter the better (for me!)


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I use to have a floating line trailing behind me thinking I could grab it if the kayak gets away but the only use it got is my grand daughter having me pull her around while she hung on to it. She loves it.

Normally, I leash myself/pfd with the kayak if there is no other anglers nearby or the windy day by using long retractable dog leash with quick disconnect connector on your side.

For sure, the kayaker will separate the kayak if falling off the kayak but depend on the situation, and off course, the kayak has noodle in them for floating. Landing/launching is not needed.

I was falling off the kayak one, my body separate the kayak very fast. The paddle leash help me back to the kayak.

Might want to consider a PLB, if you can afford it:
https://www.acrartex.com/products/catalog/personal-locator-beacons/resqlink-plb/#sthash.rFZRSbiY.dpbs

Normally, I leash myself/pfd with the kayak if there is no other anglers nearby or the windy day by using long retractable dog leash with quick disconnect connector on your side.

For sure, the kayaker will separate the kayak if falling off the kayak but depend on the situation, and off course, the kayak has noodle in them for floating. Landing/launching is not needed.

I was falling off the kayak one, my body separate the kayak very fast. The paddle leash help me back to the kayak.

You need to learn how to fall.

I have never fallen off unintentionally. I have fallen off in the surf and been rolled around a bit. My paddle was not leashed, but I never let it go. Also, my kayak neve got washed away in the surf. I stayed with it the entire time. If I was to fall off in the open ocean I have my paddle leashed, and there is no way i would let go of my paddle, therefore still being attached to my kayak.