Another rookie question

[Backdoc]

Ok, So I have my new Tarpon 120 rigged up for now. I read all of the responses on my last post and took into account my own fishing style and I placed a bulk order and rigged my boat. I overlooked one question that seems to have a lot of debate. Rod leashes? Yes or no? I plan on taking the boat out tomorrow for the first time. I figured I would go to Joppatowne and put in at Mariner Point and just paddle around and try to get a feel for the boat. May or may not bring a rod.

[YaknBass]

take the rod...better to have then to have not... just in case... i think you will be more then comfortable and if you want to throw a lure which i'm sure you will... i don't use leashes but i do think often about the benifit... prob most of us if i guess the rods on board may be of greater value then the kayak we sit in.

[Backdoc]

That is my conundrum. I hate to think of having my rod leashed to the boat but I also don't want to start hucking Sustain/Loomis and Ross/Sage combos over the side because I don't know what I am doing in the boat.

[Cowpokey]

Rod floats > Rod leash

Leashes make a mess and just add something else to get tangled in.

I made my own rod floats buy getting a piece of pipe insulation at Home Depot and secured it with zip ties to each of the rods I use on the bay. I used an 8" length of insulation on each rod. 1/2" pipe insulation is the smallest I could find, but it works. It's just a smaller version of a pool noodle, but with a score down the center so you'll have straight line to cut it open.

You can see one of them here:

[Yak Fish]

I've thrown 2 rods overboard. I started using rod leashes but they are a pain. They do get tangled and in the way. Rod floats will do the trick. In practice, I use neither...although I probably should. I just don't like the look of the rod floats and it's kind of clunky. That's not a great reason though.

[Backdoc]

Looks great and I will do that on my Sustain/Loomis spin combo but I am not sure it will work on my 8 wt fly rod. I mostly fish with my fly rod. Thanks for posting that pic I am going to do that to my Loomis right now. I happen to have some 1/2" pipe insulation in my garage.

[Cowpokey]

In practice, I use neither...although I probably should. I just don't like the look of the rod floats and it's kind of clunky. That's not a great reason though.

Not the prettiest for sure, but they look better with the float than on the bottom of the bay without.

I don't know how they would be on a fly rod, might be a PITA...since it gives the fly line just something else to interfere with when casting. I don't have anything extra on my fly rods; leash or float.

[Backdoc]

My 8 wt is my main concern. I have the most $$$ in that outfit. I am going to order a Tibor saltwater #9 reel for the bay now that I have a kayak so I need to be extra careful when I put that on my Sage XP. I would hate to deep six that outfit.

[YaknBass]

Doc, if you have multiple rods on board i think the percentage goes up for a serious mishap... and i am guilty of this, 5 rods on the yak and fish 2 of them durring the day. have have a tuff time leaving the other 3 rods in the car. if the rods are in a holder some will have clips to prevent pull outs from a snag or fish. the crate... i have a lighter bunge cord to hold them...that i dont use as you fish you will determine your needs and the risks you'll be willing to take with your tackle. always better to safe then sorry they say...now you got me thinking...rod leashes or rod floats hmmmmmm ????

[Mark]

I leash my rods and I also have floats on them.

However, I unleash my rods when I am using them. I suspect most kayak anglers tangle their leashes if they keep them leashed while casting. That would be inhibiting, I think.

The reason I keep them leashed when not in use is that all of mine are secured in holders behind my seat. It's possible (though unlikely) given the rough water I sometimes encounter that one could slip out of its holder. I may not even know it and continue on my way. It could be hard to find even if it was floating depending on how far I traveled before I noticed it was missing.

[Frogsauce]

I've had fishies almost run off with one of my rods before, so I leave them tethered and have learned how to deal with the leashes. They are not so bad now that I have been using them for a few years.

[Backdoc]

So I got out for a few hours yesterday. I loaded up my kayak and my ultralight and medium action and went to Mariner Point Park in Joppatowne. This was my first time in a kayak. I kept it simple as it was my first trip. I thought it went well. I am still alive and I didnt break or lose anything. I thought the boat paddled well although I have nothing to compare it to so I am just assuming. I threw a little jig against the reeds and worked the grass beds a little. I managed one ten inch largemouth and missed a short strike. Yesterday was not about fishing as much as getting a feel for the boat. I paddled to the mouth of the creek where the railroad bridge is and after stowing my gear I paddled near some boats to get a feel for the wake and it felt fine. I am looking forward to fishing the Susquehanna in my Kayak. A few things I learned: I need a rod holder system for my milk crate. I will likely get an anchor sooner than later. I can see how this can become addictive.

[sparky1423]

Sounds like a successful mission, welcome to the addiction!

[Mike]

This was my first time in a kayak.... I can see how this can become addictive.

So you bought a Tarpon and fully rigged it BEFORE you've ever been in a kayak before? It sounds like you're already totally addicted, welcome!

[mweber02]

Glad to hear the first outing went well. I fish out of mariner point quite often and there are some very nice bass if you can find them. The canal that runs parallel to the one where you launch is much more productive. There is a cut through where the reeds start where you can drag over to shorten the paddle. I have seen a lot of surface activity on the flats toward the bridge but not many hits.

As for leashing, if I am not actively using the rod it is leashed in my crate. Last year I lost my most expensive reel when the handle caught onto the other rod I was pulling out. The 4' of muddy Bush River beat me that day, never recovered it.