Paddle leash

[Donsail68]

I'm new to kayak fishing and just bought an used Malibu Stealth 14. What's your opinion on paddle leashes? Are they worth their weigh in gold? I have a simple latch to hold my paddle but seemed rather a hassle putting it on and off. Want to be able to paddle while reeling in a fish if necessary. Would love to hear how you handle your boat when reeling in.

thanks in advance.

Donnie

[M_Duong60]

Question is what would happen if you flipped and lost your paddle. Or maybe you dropped it and it floated away. Personally I like to have a for safety and I don't see why a leash would have any effect on the performance as long as it is the correct length.

As for paddling while reeling in that is impossible unless you have a hobie seeing as you need both hands to reel but when I am fighting a fish I just let it tow me. I used Rob Choi's video as a guide however to adjust my position while tog fishing.

also for my leash I just use and old phone cord that I found and it cost me nothing

[rob-kayak]

This discussion comes up periodically.... and if you do a search you will find them.
And many designs and concepts.

If you are, as you say, new to kayak fishing... and not knowing any experiences that you
may have had before with being in the water and swimming and ability to be survive
in water experiences I would strongly recommend a leash.

It might seem a bother at first... but that will quickly go away.
I simply use a parachute cord with a snap link... and I always have it attached.

Having had many experiences in the water before kayaking I never used a leash in the beginning.
I started venturing out to "open" water like the Bay Bridge and other places in the Bay,
and quickly found that having a leash is a smart idea.
It takes one factor out of the mix when you are confronted by varying conditions... like having
two double hook ups at the same time, an anchor to quickly retrieve... etc... and if the worst
happens you still have a paddle.

And if you don't use a leash "somebody" might call you crazy...

[bgriff]

Like Rob said, just starting out I would recommend using a leash. They can get in the way at times, but after a while you will figure out what works best. Starting out I always put a leash on. Now different situations dictate whether or not I'll use a leash. If I am out in open water like the Bay where the current can really move I will put it on. Now if I'm casting to the shoreline in calm water where I need to pick up and put down my paddle more frequently I find a leash to be a hinderance and don't use one.

[On the fly]

I use one and keep a spare paddle inside the hull just in case. Little tough paddling with your hands.

[BassMoore]

harry they make tackle boxes for that.... its not like we catch anything with whats inside those boxes anyway

[On the fly]

Sounds like you have been there before.

[BassMoore]

yep... 3 miles from launch.. and a broken trolling motor... got home in no time lol

[Slobber Bob]

I agree with others, good idea to have a leash if you're just starting out. Once your comfortable you'll figure out if you really need it or not. I personally can't stand having a leash. When fishing, I like to store my paddle with one end against the inside of a leg and the other under a bow bungee so I can have it at the ready and the leash seemed to always be in my way. No paddle leash for surf entry/exit either. Probably the last place I'd want to get tangled up in a leash if (when) you flip.

The spare paddle in the hull, even if it's a cheap-o model, is also a good recommendation in case you lose your main paddle because it wasn't leashed or it breaks (I've broken mine before). It's a lot easier paddling a kayak in current with a proper paddle than using half of a broken paddle like your rowing a canoe.

[Runnin]

I've thought about paddle and rod leashes. Seems to me to be a pain. I have the rod floats on my kayak rods. How do guys that use leashes keep them from getting tangled up in other gear n you boat when you're fishing? If the cord is long enough not to be restrictive to motion, than its long enough to get caught on rod holders, foot pegs, and other things.

[whenican]

A paddle leash like the others have said is a gd idea esp if u r new to this, then u can decide if u need 1 in the future. I was fishing Mattawoman w/a friend who was bowfishing and I was 1/4 mile away when he lost his paddle and the tide carried it away from him. He did, however, manage to shoot the snakehead. I paddled over to him since we kept in contact via cellphone, & returned his paddle to him. I use a paddle leash at times, esp when solo.

[Donsail68]

Thanks guys. Really appreciate the inputs. Never thought abt having an extra paddle as a backup. Ill definitely will use a leash.

[JohnE]

I always use a leash that I made myself. It does not bother me at all. Also carry a spare paddle just in case.

[wfauby]

I've thought about paddle and rod leashes. Seems to me to be a pain. I have the rod floats on my kayak rods. How do guys that use leashes keep them from getting tangled up in other gear n you boat when you're fishing? If the cord is long enough not to be restrictive to motion, than its long enough to get caught on rod holders, foot pegs, and other things.

i dont use rod leashes because im usually switching between rods frequently BUT i do have a paddle leash and i dont even notice it when paddling...my leash is made out of a bungee-chord material (small diameter) & a small carabiner, attached to the bottom of my kayak between my legs...it doesnt take much to keep a paddle nearby should it go overboard. Not that i can afford to loose rods but I dont wanna be up a creek without a paddle wondering how to get home. :-)

[Runnin]

i dont use rod leashes because im usually switching between rods frequently BUT i do have a paddle leash and i dont even notice it when paddling...my leash is made out of a bungee-chord material (small diameter) & a small carabiner, attached to the bottom of my kayak between my legs...it doesnt take much to keep a paddle nearby should it go overboard. Not that i can afford to loose rods but I dont wanna be up a creek without a paddle wondering how to get home. :-)

How long is it? Does it get tangled wi th your rods when you're fishing? How does it fasten to paddle in the middle of the handle or on one end?