evilcatfish Posted September 4, 2013 Report Share Posted September 4, 2013 Do any of you guys use any kind of flotation/tether on your rods when out on the water in case they go overboard? I know Blakemore makes some floats but they look bulky like they would get in the way. Oh, and the reason I ask is that this past Friday while doing some river smallmouth fishing my canoe hit a submerged rock and flipped and while my tackle bag and soft side cooler were tied in my rods were not. I held tight to the LDC I was using but my Daiwa PX Type R/Phenix combo (used this to toss a Hudd Grass Minnow) sank like a rock. After getting the canoe situated on a gravel bar I tried making some surface dives but the current must have got the rod. Even went back the next day hoping to find it stuck in a root wad or something downstream but nada. I'd had close calls before but losing this rod made me sick and kinda hurt my Holiday weekend. PS sorry for the sob story Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SPEEDBEAD Posted September 4, 2013 Report Share Posted September 4, 2013 I believe Top Ramen uses some sort of retention system and/or floats for his yak. He would have more info than I do. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
urbanhick Posted September 4, 2013 Report Share Posted September 4, 2013 I wish I had one when I dumped my 807/revo toro winch in the drink that was a lot of $$$$$$$$$$$$ I have seen rood floats but they are bulky like you said. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SwimbaitsatLMV Posted September 4, 2013 Report Share Posted September 4, 2013 If you're on a yak or canoe in rough water, tie that ish down. The socal guys that launch kayaks through the surf just tie their rods into the boat. No float needed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
evilcatfish Posted September 4, 2013 Author Report Share Posted September 4, 2013 If you're on a yak or canoe in rough water, tie that ish down. You have no idea how much I've been thinking this same thing over the past few days Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ring King Posted September 4, 2013 Report Share Posted September 4, 2013 Obviously rod leashes work and are the most old school solution to the problem. There are also the rod floats that zip tie onto the rod in front of your reels. These are made of pool noodle material. They are bulky but work. Then the newest thing in the kayak community back in the South East are Overboard Rods. They have a production line or you can custom order a rod to your specs. The handles themselves are made of a floating material. Great idea if you ask me. I don't own any, but I have tried a few different models. They were sensitive and felt good in the hands. The handles were slightly larger in diameter than a standard rod but that was to achieve enough floatation to float the rod and reel. They are made by a company out of Jacksonville Florida and sponsored most of our kayak tournaments. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarkH024 Posted September 4, 2013 Report Share Posted September 4, 2013 You can buy those pool "noodles" and cut them into pieces that will fit on the handle and/or above the reel. Slit them down on one side. You may need to carve out some of the middle if you put it on a full cork handle. Then use an electrical cord velcro strap to wrap around the middle so it wouldn't pop off when it plunges. It's a cheap/easy method. Maybe not 100% full proof but just an idea for you to consider. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarkH024 Posted September 4, 2013 Report Share Posted September 4, 2013 Obviously rod leashes work and are the most old school solution to the problem. There are also the rod floats that zip tie onto the rod in front of your reels. These are made of pool noodle material. They are bulky but work. Must have been typing at the same time. I started it and then walked away. Sorry for duplicating the idea..lol. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mnbassbuster002 Posted September 4, 2013 Report Share Posted September 4, 2013 Could you use those rod savers straps? I use them on my rods in my boat. They are cheap and easy to put in. 2 screwa through the strap and ur done. Just a thought so you dont have to worry about the fallin out of the boat. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FishDr Posted September 5, 2013 Report Share Posted September 5, 2013 Sorry to hear about the lost rods - keep track of the water levels on the USGS water site and the moment it starts to go down, take another run down the river - your rod is likely hung up under a rock or in some brush downstream and you might just get lucky. Beyond that, I'd suggest getting some kind of lock or rod strap. I have fashioned some rod holders/locks out of PVC for my 'toon that are fairly secure, and you could likely find something similar for a kayak. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Top Ramen Posted September 5, 2013 Report Share Posted September 5, 2013 I use leashes. Even when my yak turtled after being hit by the rowing crew, I recovered all my rods. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
evilcatfish Posted September 5, 2013 Author Report Share Posted September 5, 2013 Thanks for all the help guys. I'm gonna get some leashes for canoe/kayak fishing, which I should have done before anyway. Think I may look into some floats for when fishing reservoirs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
evilcatfish Posted September 5, 2013 Author Report Share Posted September 5, 2013 Oh, and with a lost rig, I guess I'll be in the market for a new one. Instead of buying a similar standard bass rod/reel I think I might as well just get another swimbait setup. Maybe the loss was an omen from God saying "you shouldn't have been throwing grass minnows and finesse jigs anyway, big baits only" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bass Addict Posted September 5, 2013 Report Share Posted September 5, 2013 I use leashes. Even when my yak turtled after being hit by the rowing crew, I recovered all my rods. lol, you got hit by a skull boat? How does that even happen? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aasenke Posted September 5, 2013 Report Share Posted September 5, 2013 Sorry to hear about the lost rod. Glad you didn't hit your head on a rock! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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