keeping fishing rods ON the kayak?

my rods: in storage in the rod holders i have mini bungees that i hook around the reel.  they are secure WHILE IN STORAGE.,  the rod/reel in use is in peril.  i only largemouth bass fish (for now) so i am casting and casting, and really being active with the rod.  i am not trolling.

the danger occurs when i need to do something and i put the rod down.  let's just say there is a rod, that was my favorite drop-shot rig at the bottom of Lake Sonoma.   deep!!

i cannot imagine a float tube around the rod, it will hinder the line.  a leash?  man, i seem to to tangle enough already.  a leash seems like it would be problematic.

any tips?

(my friends son may scuba dive for my rod.  i know where i sank it.)

Foam pipe insulation from the big box home improvement store.  It's dirt cheap.  Wrap it around the  rod between the reel and first guide.  I overlap it and mark it and cut it clean with a sharp thin bladed knife (your filet knife works great for this).  I use a quality electrical tape over it to secure it. 

I leash mine, and for the most part have no issue with tangles.  I mostly fish lakes and stay seated (too tall and old to stand without taking a plunge).  I paddle and if I am trolling, i keep the holder in the locked position in order to avoid sending it to the bottom.

Hopefully you can recover the one you lost.

Float tube won’t hinder your line if you attach it outside your rod and not wrap around it.

I'm a leasher too. After reading a lot of anti-leash propaganda here, last year I stopped leashing and shortly thereafter, I dropped my favorite rod overboard (it is now somewhere in the Pacific Ocean, in case somebody should find it...). I started leashing again.

If you do leash, always carry a knife that you can access in a fraction of a second under less than ideal conditions. In fact, I'd say that such a knife is an essential safety item, whether you leash or not.

If the diver finds a shimano spinning rod and reel in the area across from the marina that looks like it’s been there for 2 years or so it’s mine 

As far as an answer I have used some pre made rod floats that are foam and Velcro onto the rod (google fishing rod float and you will find them. 3 pack multi colored) that work for freshwater rods.

Yea, your bass fisherman is not going to like the leash because you make a thousand casts in a day.

I use rod floats. I think I bought mine at Bass Pro.

https://www.basspro.com/shop/en/bass-pro-shops-rod-buoy

99% salt use - I use caution. So far, it’s worked.

I stow them on surf landings.

99% salt use - I use caution. So far, it’s worked.

I stow them on surf landings.

+1 for caution.  Train yourself to never let that reel leave the area between your legs.  Setting the rod up on your legs or the edge of the yak and turning around are bad ideas. 

I can see how Hobie or other pedal people could have a problem with this, but us paddlers have a natural place for the rod and reel to sit - right in the middle with the reel right between the legs.

I’ve used leashes in the past, but found when switching between rods from the front holder to the back, I’d get forgetful (also read as lazy) and not reattach them.

Switched to floats, which took some getting used to, but now I don’t notice them. Have had a rod slip overboard a couple of times and it’s just floating next to the kayak, so no big deal. I’m staying with the floats.

Bass fishing, I keep my spare rods in the holders with a leash (I have a brass clip I usually don't clip it, I just give a wrap or two around the reel or handle and they stay put).  If its the rod I'm actively using I just pin it in the paddle clip on the side of my boat, I can lock it in with one hand and then I'm free to handle fish, tie a rig, grab something from the tank well etc.   

I find a vertical rod holder in the front of the boat works great for this. I have a hobie with the built in rod holder in the front that I drop it in when I am grabbing other things, but my fishing buddy just mounted a piece of pvc onto the rails so he can drop it in when he is doesnt use it. Works great for the times you want it out of the way, and is an easy fix if I'm understanding what your trying to do.

I use pool noodle from the 99cents store.  They seem to be smaller diameter than the pool store ones.  Cut a length for in front of the reel and zip tie.

I attached a pvc T to my track within easy reach on the outside of my kayak. Whenever I need to put my rod down I drop the butt down into the T. It’s handy when I need to deal with my catch. It would be pretty much impossible to lose it from there. I leash my rods but I’ve dunked my reels in salt water too many times and this has stopped that from happening.