The leash`s I use while kayak fishing are the Crack of dawn paddle leash and the Crack of dawn accessory leash. Both are very well made and of the coiled construction. Available from H2o Kayaks. My personal leash is homemade.
The paddle leash is a coiled plastic one, length 50cm but stretching out achieves 180cm. One end has a barrel swivel with a loop of cord and the other end has a very strong velcro wrap for the paddle. I attach the loop end to the yak with a snap link. The only time I`ve had a problem with this leash was with the cord snapping, it was due to ware & tear, right at the point where the cord lies in the barrel swivel it creates a weak spot that with time and use breaks, obviously the cord being wet and drying off adds to this. Overall I can say this leash is worth the money and a good investment.
The Crack of dawn accessory leash is the choice for my rods. This is just as well made as the paddle leash. Starting at the business end, the leash has a little elasticated loop with an adjusting stop,this is what you use to connect to your rod/reel. Just put the loop around the reel foot and set the stop. The elastic is running through a nylon webbing which is where you`ll find a quick release buckle allowing instant detachment when needed, more webbing takes you to the coiled nylon bungee type cord, this allows for the leash to stretch to over a metre in length. The brass clip at the end finishes off the leash, just clip to a strap eye on your yak and everything is secure.
These leashes aren`t the cheapest, but if you only like to but things once these are the business.
A personal leash is an option that not many people explore. Fishing in areas where strong tides run, the personal leash can mean the difference between a problem and an emergency. Getting dumped in the drink while your yak is at anchor becomes a nightmare if the tide is running at a few knots, also wind against tide can seperate you from your yak if you end up in the briney, even when not at anchor.
My own personal leash is a simple affair made up of 5m of 6mm cord and two snap links, it stows in the rear pocket of my seat with one end through the drainage eye fitted with a snap link, this snaps to the strap eye behind the seat on the yak. The cord is just laid neatly in the pocket with the other end hanging out of the zip fixed with the second snap link, this in turn can be snapped on to your pfd when needs must. If you happen to fall off your yak, the cord just pays out of the pocket through the zip, now your in the water but still connected to your yak, even if the current is very strong you can still recover to your yak. It`s simple and cheap but very effective.
No comments:
Post a Comment