2nd time out, 1st hard lesson learned

[mweber02]

Free $250 rod/reel in the bush river not too far from flying point if anyone can find it.

Talk about a painfully quick lesson.

[sparky1423]

That stinks, but atleast there is now one good thing in the bush river!

[PigPen]

Should look into one of the fancy fishfinders with the stereo vision. Sharp enough to see a rod on the bottom. I lost my rod first trip out with $130 reel but was able dredge it up with my anchor on the second trip. Been making my own leashes with paracord since.

[mweber02]

I will definitely start leashing pretty soon. No idea how the rod pulled out of the holder when I grabbed the one I wanted. The reel crank must have gotten caught or something.

I was probably 300+ feet from shore but at least have a power line as a very poor landmark. Might go out on a low tide and walk around trying to find it. At high tide today it was probably only 4 feet out there.

[Fishinfool]

I lost a favorite spinning rod a couple weeks back and it's no fun. Sunday, I just did a poor man's tether with crab line string I carry in my larger tackle box; tied one end to the reel and the other to a strap hole near my seat. It beats losing a rod.

[dwil801]

Blakemore Rod Floats or DIY w/foam pipe insulation
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sN3pyLWSkeY

[Boondock_RES]

Can totally relate. Have a brand new $200 set up sitting on the bottom below the Conowingo Dam. Could have cried as I watched it sink to the bottom

[dsiekman]

You guys are starting to make me nervous! I might have to start using those leashes I made last fall...

[rob-kayak]

My deepest sympathies go out to you at this time of your loss.

And to think my heart was beating heavily when I almost lost a set of
fish pliers that I didn't have a leash attached to them a month ago.

I can't imagine how you felt loosing such a beautiful rod and reel.
I'd be heart broken with my most expensive set up at $60...

Best wishes on you next outing maybe the fish will reward you with a happier trip.

[Reelaxin10]

I now have two overboard rods in my arsenal and I had hoped to never test their floating capability out. Last time I was at the bay bridge I accidentally knocked my overboard 7' casting rod with my Shimano Calcutta into the drink. It floated like a champ and was able to recover it. I definitely recommend looking into them if you're in the market for a new rod.

[mweber02]

Well, I try to feel better about it by thinking it was my Ugly Stick with a heavier salt water Stradic on it that I only paid 1/2 price for... Happy it wasnt my St Croix with the lighter reel.

I went out today with one of those wired up surf fishing sinkers (bent the wires to turn them into hooks) but no luck. I learned today how deceiving it is to THINK you know where you are when your 300+ feet out from shore. Even had my wife on shore again today trying to put me in the right spot, and she wasnt even remotely close to where I thought I was.

Made a couple marker buoys before I went out. Boy I wish I had those yesterday... Also found that an iron work out plate on paracord makes for quite a cheap and easy anchor.