DIY Rod/Gear Leashes

Leashes are a fairly important piece of kit if you don't want your gear plummeting to the depths should it go overboard! Here's an easy way to make leashes for keeping rods/reels, cameras, paddles, fish finders e.t.c. attached to the kayak.

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All the components needed can be purchased cheaply online.

What you will need:

• 4mm elastic cord
  
• Plastic Hooks - self-fit for elastic cord
  
• Cord Locks - 4mm+ double holed
• Cord Toggle Ends

Cut the elastic to the desired length of the leash and gently melt each end with a flame to prevent fraying. Slide on the plastic collar component of the plastic hook, then double up the 4mm elastic and push onto the tube at the base of the hook. When you slide the plastic collar back into the hook, plastic teeth grip the elastic cord with surprising strength. 

Thread the other end of the elastic through both holes of the cord lock and then through the plastic toggle, tie a knot and then pop the small cap on the toggle

The plastic hook can be clipped to an attachment point on the kayak and the loop of elastic tightened down over a reel, rod butt, camera pole, fish finder or any other piece of equipment you wish to keep attached to the kayak. Alternatively you can have a plastic hook at both ends of the elastic to clip to cameras, scissors, radios e.t.c. 

The plastic hooks cost me 50p each, cord locks were 29p each, toggle ends were 20p each and the elastic cost 36p a meter. So for a 1 meter leash your looking at £1.35 - A very cheap solution to what could be a very expensive problem!