Am I the only guy to have lost his pole to the ocean?

So it was a nice sunny day and thought I would hit the water in Coronado and see if the fish were biting. It was a bit slow and in three hours I got 12 spotties so it was an ok day up to that point. As I was pulling up my anchor my best rod and reel slid out of my pole holder and went down to Davy Jones locker. I was not sure just here it went as I was moving around a bit with the tide and bring up my anchor on a long line otherwise I would have tried to diving for it but it was about 12 ft down.

So here is my question, has this happened to anyone else and does anyone tie off there poles to prevent this from happening?

I have seen it happen once before. It happened to a guy that used to post on this.site. To his credit it happened when we were launching in Long Beach. Even witht the.protection of the federal breakwater there were some 2-3' waves.

He stripped down immedialtely and dove in that same spot for a while. He never found his rig.

Your best bet is using rod leashes. I made some out of thin bungee cord and those spring loaded toggles you find on the bottom of windbreakers and such. They work like a charm. On my yak all rods are leashed. On the tube I only leash a rod if I am trolling with it.

Better safe than sorry.

Manuel

MenyoG wrote:I have seen it happen once before.  It happened to a guy that used to post on this.site.  To his credit it happened when we were launching in Long Beach. Even witht the.protection of the federal breakwater there were some 2-3' waves.

He stripped down immedialtely and dove in that same spot for a while.  He never found his rig.

Your best bet is using rod leashes. I made some out of thin bungee cord and those spring loaded toggles you find on the bottom of windbreakers and such.  They work like a charm.  On my yak all rods are leashed. On the tube I only leash a rod if I am trolling with it.

Better safe than sorry.

Manuel

Solid advice right there guys.

Ya I agree great advice I was at the dollar tree to day looking around for some cheap parts to make something similar. Did not find anything but I think this is something we should discuss more, what do you use and if you made your own, HOW!

Lost a trout rod setup at mission viejo lake lol ! No pinche bueno! Plus I got skunked that day lol.....

I haven't lost a rod yet but watched my Pops drop a Wiseguy custom that I gave him for Christmas. I had it outfitted with a nice Curado too! We tried to retrieve it for ever but the dark delta water and heavy current made it impossible. he was super bummed about it but what can you do? Lesson learned and we both leash everything now. I use a similar method to what Manual described.

Thanks guys, for the tips. I was thinking about using one of those cords that the casinos hand out for their cards. Its light weight, coiled for shorter length but can stretch out if needed, has a clip on each end and most important its FREE. One question, do you use the leash while you fish or just when you have it in your holder?

Now that I have to purchase a replacement what kind of casting rod do you like? 6 ft or longer, Medium action, medium fast or medium heavy? I fish both the bay and fresh water.

rusty hook wrote:Thanks guys, for the tips. I was thinking about using one of those cords that the casinos hand out for their cards. Its light weight, coiled for shorter length but can stretch out if needed, has a clip on each end and most important its FREE. One question, do you use the leash while you fish or just when you have it in your holder?

Now that I have to purchase a replacement what kind of casting rod do you like? 6 ft or longer, Medium action, medium fast or medium heavy? I fish both the bay and fresh water.

I personaly like 7' or a little longer medium action most of mine are in that catagory. Your in luck though Fred Hall is here sure you could find a deal there.

Lost a set up at the oil rigs about a year ago my Calcutta rod with a Calcutta 400te. I set my rod on the rail while my bait was still in the water to help my buddy net his fish, as I was betting it from the corner of my eye I see my rod fly over the rail into the darkness of the ocean water! I was so pissed for a dumb move! We both tried to snag the line with a 1 oz lead head but after 30 min it was gone. 4 days later went back with the owner of OTS baits to try and fetch it, after 20 min I said it was gone, but Reggie said one more cast and with that last cast he brought up some braid and out comes the mighty rod out of the murky ocean water. Yup, 4 days later got her back! Took it to shimano to get serviced and everything was fine with the internals. Sweet!

Ive never lost a rod, but funny as it may seem, i lost the rod holder..lol
It was a cheap berkely rod holder. I was trolling, got bit and when I went to pull the rod off the rod holder, the top portion of the rod holder came off its base and fell in.

Here are quick pics of two DIY solutions.  Not my idea, just pilfering somebody elese's.
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Above is made from an old cell phone charger.  The crimper would be the catch, I borrowed the crimper from a guy at work.  This one stretches to about 6'.  I find it bulky and it doesn't cinch onto the rod.

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Above is the bungee solution. All parts available at Walmart or fabric store, except the bronze clip.

I much prefer the bunjee solution.  One end cinches tight on the rod butt, just below reel the clip goes on any close d-clip.  You can make it as short or as long as you need.  Mine ended up about 3.5" long.

Manuel

thanks guys for all the wonderful ideas. Question, do you keep the cord attached to your poll while you fish or just when not in use in your holder?

If anyone want to fish the bay let me know I still have a poll or two left.

I keep the leash attached at all times.

Keep in mind I only leash my trolling rod.

I carry one or normally two other rods without leashes.

My concern is that I am drifting or kicking along. I have one rod in my hands and the other in the rod holder at a 45° angle.  If I get a hit on the troller I need to simaltaneously secure the rod in my hands and kick hard to set the hook. Once that is done, I can pull that rod out and fight the fish.

I see the leash as insurance, before I can get my hands on the rod.

Manuel

Almost happened to me. Bought this on Amazon, pack of 2, so about $3.50 ea: [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]

Great quality.

I keep mine attached at all times and it doesn't interfere with casting one bit. What a huge peace of mind!

I'm gonna buy some more and leash my backup rods too.