Building a Better Rod Leash

[@bunsic1027]

man, this video is 8. years old and still helping people, thank you!

[@rmcbeath]

Prof. Salt, thanks for posting this updated video. I've now made 4 leashes for my kayak and they are working great. It's nice to have the security these provide, as well as a nice clean cockpit to fish from.

[@jdrevell8773]

A big thank you Glenn. I made 5 of these tonight using the material you suggested and it was as easy as you made it look. I got a 102' spool of trimmer line for under $7.00. Total investment including compression fittings and 2 carabineers per unit was about $3.00 each. Plus, I still have enough line left over to keep my lawn trimmer busy for a couple of summers. Rico - I got my fiberglass rod at the farm store. It is a 5' electric fence post. I think it was less than $2. I drilled the holes using a bit the same size as the holes in the compression connector. Thanks again Glenn. Keep the videos coming.

[@wgmadden1]

I think we're all doing projects while we wait to get back on the water, Keith. These work well; make a few and enjoy them!

[@matthewnolen7467]

I just made a rod leash and cant wait to try it on land I found whenever I need to go visit the john a fish usually tries to bite and takes my rod into the water . I los many of rod and reels over the years you gave me the solution thank you.

[@aronhenderson8386]

I made a few of these a couple days ago and they work great! Very easy and cheap to make. Thanks for the video!

[@wtfmate49]

Awesome update! I just went and reversed all five of the leashes I made using your original technique and they are perfect now! Thanks!

[@jerryszabo4927]

Thank u very much for the fast reply i got it down now i also enjoyed your crate video made a lid for mine right after u posted it its nice not having to chase after gear as it floats away lol gona put them to good use Thursday takin my yak out in the sound for some blues and strippers

[@FishnTv]

That's so sweet!!! I like how it stays coiled so tight. Gonna have to make some.

[@floriankregting-baur9257]

Thank you very much. The reverse coils are fantastic. They stay they stay tight and neat. Thanks again!!

[@chrisrussell8824]

I'm new to Kayak fishing, Thank you for your videos! I've got some great ideas and have some work to do now before the ice comes off the lakes here!!

[@wgmadden1]

***** Good luck! Kayak fishing will get in your blood and change the way you fish - in a good way. I'm also keeping busy getting ready for warmer water and the return of my offshore foes.

[@HIMEESE]

thx for the great idea and video!!! Glenn. Will be using it for sure. Happy yak'n and keep your lines tight. From a Canadian neighbour :)

[@volkswatson]

Nice. I agree, the reverse makes all the difference! I did my reverse by hand... This is a much faster way to do it!! Good to see ya again Prof.

[@yakwater]

Man that looks good. One more thing to add on to the winter project list :D Thanks for the video!

[@wgmadden1]

Keith, you can use any size line you have on hand. The .095 WILL reverse coil just like the larger line, so make them without worries. My first set of leashes were made with line that size, and they worked great. I stepped up to the larger size because I preferred the feel of the thicker line, but both sizes work well.

[@HIMEESE]

ok!! thx a lot buddy really appreciated!! keep your lines tight!

[@armytow88]

Bad ass. I just made one the old way tonight.. Time to go to garage and reverse the coils..

[@Mondodarts]

Thanks for the vid. I made some and it works great. I had two trimmer line diameters laying around. One is .095 and the other .155. Bought a 3/8" diameter 3' wooden dowel and cut it in three pieces so I made three at a time. I anticipated for the thicker .155 line so I bought 1/8 inch ferrules for these. Did it exactly like you did and it came out great. The .095 leash came out perfect. I may have a slightly longer dowel compared to the one you showed so it can stretch it pretty pretty far. One small issue I discovered is that the .155 may be a bit too strong. You can stretch out the line, tie one end to a chihuahua hold the other end and that dog will snap back really quick. So it's going to be too strong a tug if you have your rods behind you and the eyelet on the kayak is in the back. It'll be alright for things you won't be using for more than a few minutes like maybe a gaff, net, or pliers. The .095 came out just fine. I may try the .155 again with a larger diameter dowel. Perhaps an old broomstick or old curtain rod, cut it down to size and give that a go with the .155 . Most of these were just leftover materials so I'm happy with this. Ordered a bunch of ferrules from eBay so I can make some leashes for my friends too.

[@wgmadden1]

Bob, I begin with the drill on "forward" to wind the line. When it comes out of the ice bath, I reverse the drill and wind the line into the reverse coil. You've got that part correct. The dowels I use are closer to 1/4 inch. An easy and cheap dowel would be a reflective fiberglass stick from Home Depot or Lowes for marking a driveway (found near the mailboxes and signs). The sticks are about the right size. Use a drill bit large enough to run the line through the hole, and drill holes 1/4" or so from the ends of the dowel. Be sure to biol for the full 10 minutes and ice bath for the full 10 minutes.

[@bgarcia856]

This is great. Im glad you shared and didnt just sell them on ebay. The only thing that would make these any more professional would be to buy the 3/32" crimping pliers instead of smashing them with a hammer. It will crimp a double barrel back into a perfect round shape.

[@cutejuly007]

Hey barry, i saw ur video of u riding a dirt bike in a place call bahamas / silica, in nj. Can you give me the address, as i live in ny and im looking for places to ride my bike thanks. You can email me at [e-mail] thanks

[@Wildirishmanbiker]

Nice vid, probably the best DIY selfer yet on youtube. Heading to Lowes in the morning lol

[@stephencallegarijr.156]

This worked perfect for me. my cordless drill could not chuck a 7/16" dowel, so I had to whittle it down. Also, when reversing the coils it is important to stretch it out pretty far or it bunches up on you.

[@skintdigit]

Helping other anglers again with some great gear tips. Thank you, Glenn! BTW, I've sent you an email re my first video attempt.

[@tightlinerods]

Nice work glenn

[@kenkishihara9494]

Thank you for an awesome video! I made two leashs but am having trouble with an issue of 3-4 coils wanting to turn on itself when stretched. After I cooked it, then iced it, then reversed it. The coil looked decent. But the coils that were "wrong" didn't sit right next to its neighbor. When stretched it would twist sideways. Then when you released the tension, the coil would be all screwed up and tangled. I've reversed the coil, then reversed it again, to find the same problem. HELP!!!

[@tunstallgeo]

Good Video, Making one of these as we speak, wish me luck!

[@gettinrings]

Cut a para cord the same length as your weed eater line before coiling............ then pull the center strands all out of the para cord...... melt the frayed end of the para cord with a nail sticking in the end so that the end stays open on the para cord shell...... pull out the nail when cooled............ slide the para cord cover over your coiled weed eater line.....then crimp the end loops as needed..... you can use any color of para cord to match your needs !!! You can slip on the para cord shell before wrapping and boiling if you want too !!

[@crude4u1948]

Glenn, where did you find the fiberglass rod? I've looked everywhere I can think of. I guess I can use a ½" wooden dowel.

[@wgmadden1]

Our local WalMart has 1/2" fiberglass stake-out sticks in the garden section, but what I used is a piece of broken pole from an old hunting pop-up blind. Just use a saw to cut it to the length you want. Wood dowels work well too.

[@LocoBeretta]

Salt. Would the tickness of the cable have anything to with the success of reversing the coil? I tried it with .080 today, and it became a mess. Thanks for the videos. I enjoy them a lot.

[@wgmadden1]

The first batch of leashes I made were 80 thickness and worked the same for me. I don't know that the brand of line makes a difference; I would think they are all made out of the same type of material. Be sure to follow the times for heating and cooling and then reverse the coils after both cycles are complete. If you reversed the coils before the cooling cycle it would create a mess. If you tried it after the cooling was done, I don't know what might have gone wrong...

[@LocoBeretta]

The brand name is 'Echo' I believe or 'Eco' which I got from home depot. I might have left the coiled lines in the freezer for too long (20 minutes or so). I will try again soon. Thanks again. Wil.

[@jasonhennesey8888]

Awesome vid. Thanks for the pointer

[@jimbeauxjimenez1850]

great video Glenn. where might i find a fiberglass stick such as yours to put on my drill? and did u drill the hole on the stick yourself or does it come like that? Thanks

[@wgmadden1]

My hunting pop-up blind uses fiberglass poles as a frame, and when this one failed at one end I converted it to use for leashes.

[@PhilDnz]

Glenn Madden Hi Glenn. The stick looks to be about 9-10mm, would that be right? My thanks too for posting such a brilliant video.

[@wgmadden1]

Hi Rico, I used a tent pole that had broken on one end. I cut it to length and drilled holes in each end large enough to insert the weed trimmer line.I'm not sure where to find one like it, but a basic wooden dowel from a lumber store will work just as well.

[@JohnSims3]

Awesome! I made some today using .095 line. Works great! Question...What type of ferrules/crimp barrels are you using?

[@wgmadden1]

Any aluminum crimps will work. I have bought them from hardware stores, designed for holding two cables together, and most recently I found some cheap at sporting goods stores designed for duck decoys.

[@JohnSims3]

Glenn Madden TY!

[@jerryszabo4927]

Made so e after watching your original video and they came out good but having a hard time with reversing the coil it just tangles in to a ball around the drill i triedgoin slow and fast neither with any luck im using .65 high durability round line with a half inch dowel

[@wgmadden1]

Jerry Szabo Be sure to maintain some stretch on the leash as you reverse the coils. If you allow the coils to relax they can ball up. On the video I stretch the coils while reversing. Try that - I think it will help.

[@HIMEESE]

hey Glen it's me again! I was wondering will the .095 size be ok to use? plus will it wrap the same with a reverse twist? In my parts, it's all i can find to be the largest . I can order the .105 on line but shipping is going to cost me more than the product and i hate that.Thx in advance buddy! Your reply will be very helpful to the info. I am seeking.

[@mjribeiro]

Is weed wacker line strong enough for an off shore tether? Is it ok in UV?

[@wgmadden1]

I never tried the cheapest brands, but name brand stuff works fine. The connections are weaker than the line itself, and if something breaks it would be at the connection, probably the crimp.

[@BigDaddyHouseboater]

If you leave a little bit of the line exposed from the crimp fitting, after you crimp the ends into a loop, you can burn loose end that sticks out to form a small mushroom. This will prevent the bare end from pulling thru the clamp.

[@wgmadden1]

Not a bad idea, but i have never had an issue with line slipping in the crimps. It never hurts to add a layer of security though, so I might start doing that. Thanks for the tip!

[@FedFire8404]

Take paracord and remove the inner strands and slide the trimmer line through and do the same procedure and you end up with a really nice and smooth piece.

[@Labyrnthdom]

You could use an arrow shaft for that fiberglass stick also :)

[@rileysowner]

Probably a silly question, but while the carabiner will hook to the kayak, how do you attach this to a rod or paddle?

[@wgmadden1]

For the paddle you can use two sided Velcro strips long enough to get around the paddle twice. run the loop of the leash through the velcro and secure it snug to the paddle. For reels I used zip ties. Use two of the large size and it holds very well, while still allowing you to cut the leash loose for cleaning or changing to a different reel.

[@rileysowner]

Thanks. I have lots of both sitting around so I am good to go making and using these.

[@SeeMooreVids]

Great! Gonna make em up.

[@kylelehnick9362]

Does the leash need to be fresh out of the freezer for the reversing to work?

[@wgmadden1]

+Michael Morgan No, I knew I wanted to reverse it so I did it right away, but you can take one that has been around for a while and reverse it to tighten the coils. Not sure if you can reverse it a second time later though. You'd probably have to just make a new one.

[@kylelehnick9362]

Tried reversing the old ones and wound up making new ones. Worked beautifully, thanks for the video!

[@JE-zy2dg]

Awesome guide. So many that's what she said jokes in this.

[@flash_weaver5559]

How long do these typically last you Glenn?

[@wgmadden1]

I can get at least one hard year out of them. I spend a lot of time out there in the sun, so I usually replace them when they start to fade, or after a year, just to be sure they are strong enough to save my reels, should they end up in the water.

[@Manuel_Z_Kayaks]

I went to the DOLLAR TREE and bought a dog leash! Actually, I bought 5 to leash my rods, grippers, pliers...etc. Oh yeah and they matched my KAYAK! PROBLEM SOLVED! $5 plus tax!

[@wgmadden1]

I didn't claim this was the cheapest way to make a leash, but it's an affordable and proven leash for those who enjoy making their own. I have had sharks rip the rod out of the kayak and I had to fight to get the rod back, pulling it in by the leash. I trust these to be strong enough not to fail. If you trust the ones you found, go have some fun with them! I hope they work for you.

[@YakMotley]

Great video! Keep them coming! Also, feel free to check out some of my videos! You got a new subscriber!

[@kenkishihara9494]

Forgot to mention that I used 0.80 line.

[@JesseNewcomer1]

huge thanks! i made 10 of these and the reverse coils made a massive difference pics: i.imgur.com/D5w7Ckw.jpg i also found that the perfect wire stop crimps for .095 cord: www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0038YY2O0/ref=oh_details_o01_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 vice grips also made crimping very easy and consistent.