Fishing tip # 717

captkenroy · **Posted:** Mon Jul 14, 2008 2:14 pm

Need one of these in 300-600# test?

Here is a super strong safety device you might have a need for. I make them in various lengths and strengths for specific purposes. Need a longer or shorter “Kill Switch” lanyard? Paddle leash for your yak? How about a safety line for a rod and reel? These rigs are easy to make, super strong, and doggone convenient. Fittings on the ends of the coil will vary with the application.

Here is how to make your own. You’ll need 300-600 # test mono (I used 300# in the photos.) and a short length of ½-5/8” dowel as shown below. Insert the mono into one of the holes in the dowel and wrap the mono around the dowel as shown below. Insert the bitter end of the mono thru the second hole and pull tight.

You will need 2 pots big enough to submerge the entire dowel and mono in. Add about 2” of water into pot one and bring to a boil. Drop the dowel and mono into the pot and boil for 5 minutes. Add several inches of cold water to the 2nd pot and add crushed ice to make it as cold as possible.

After boiling the mono for 5 minutes, plunge it into the cold water as fast as possible. After a minute or so, remove the dowel and mono and uncoil.

Install whatever you need on the ends of the coiled leash using leader sleeves.

Here is how to make them.

JeffreyMcGovern · **Posted:** Mon Jul 14, 2008 2:57 pm

Very nice suggestion for the do it yourself bunch here. Thanks.

troutman · **Posted:** Tue Jul 15, 2008 11:32 am

Very Cool - i like that idea! Thanks

Woodslife · **Posted:** Tue Jul 15, 2008 2:00 pm

I'll give it a try. Thanks.

BigEarl · **Posted:** Tue Jul 15, 2008 5:51 pm

Great idea I like will have to try it out

keastman · **Posted:** Fri Jul 18, 2008 9:21 pm

Captkenroy, you are the McGiver of fishing, I love your DIY posts. That trick also works with weed wacker line. Cool idea.

wapphish · **Joined:** Sat Mar 29, 2008 2:34 pm **Posts:** 86

Do you have a web site ??
How do we get your ebooks??

captkenroy · **Posted:** Sat Jul 19, 2008 6:59 pm

I haven't put the web site up yet because the E-books are taking longer than I anticipated. I have the text and illustration complete on the first 7 books and am working on 4 more right now. One is "PVC projects for fishing and boating" it is getting close. One on Bass fishing is a way off yet. "Kayak Rigging the cheap way" is about half done. In keeping with the 101 tip/E-book format, I have a way to go on this one too.

Right now, I am working hardest on one re: rigging soft plastics.

I am waiting on software at present. The two programs I've looked at are too darn complicated for what they do.

My son and I are headed to Marathon on Monday. We will stop in Dania on the way down to harass the Peacock Bass. He's never caught any of the exotics down there. I know where and how to catch them plus I have a friend who is a real peacock expert who has given me the straight skinny on where and how right now.

We'll be staying at the USCG Station on Marathon and will rent one of their boats for one of the days. Our yaks will go with us. We plan to spend one or 2 days in the yaks. We are ready for some serious R&R.

GAfisher · **Posted:** Sat Jul 26, 2008 12:38 pm

I made some of these today, and they are way cool. I figure a long one snapped to my pfd or a belt loop and a fitting on the yak just might be a good way to "stay in touch" with the boat in case of a capsize. Just tuck it in the seat beside you and it is out of the way.

I drilled a third hole about a third of the way down the dowel and now can choose from three lengths of leashes--short, medium and long. I couldn't find crimp fittings to fit 300 lb. line here inland except in a pack of 100, so I just tied nail knots in the end loops w/ 12 lb. mono and used heat shrink tubing over the knots. Seems to work just fine. I also couldn't find 300 lb. mono here except in a 50 yd. leader spool, so I probably paid way too much for it, but I have enough to make LOTS of leashes.

One more idea--be sure to leave a couple of inches of the mono sticking out through the holes in the dowel so you have some straight line to make your loops with. I didn't leave enough on my first try so tying the loops was tougher than it needed to be.

Thanks for sharing this great idea!

GAfisher · **Posted:** Sat Jul 26, 2008 11:12 pm

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I tried the 5/8" dowel, and the loops came out to be about 1" in diameter, so I sawed the handle off an old heirloom wooden spoon (Sorry, Mom) and it is about 3/8" in diameter. It makes great little loops in the 300 lb. mono, and the leashes are about a half smaller on the outside. This seems more easily handled to me.

I did break down and buy the crimp fittings, since I see my yaking buddies and my boating buddies getting gear leashes for Christmas, and the nail knots were a real pain to tie. I will hit Home Depot tomorrow after fishing to pick up a piece of 3/8" dowel so that I can cut several lengths and do a bunch of these at the same time.

Plus, I think being able to chuck the 3/8" into the drill and use the slo-mo drive will beat the heck out of winding that heavy mono on to a little bitty dowel by hand. It ain't fun.

GAfisher · **Posted:** Sun Jul 27, 2008 1:20 pm

Update: I got the 3/8" x 36" dowel ($1.09 at Home Depot) and cut it into six pieces and made six leashes at one time. Chucking the dowel pieces into the drill made it a whole lot easier--just wind the line on slowly and keep your coils tight.

The leashes are about 7" to 8" long coiled and will stretch to well over 7' or more. The O.D. coiled is about 5/8". Harbor Freight has a 12 pack of assorted sized carabiners for $5. Aluminum, of course, but good enough to keep the rod or whatever attached to the yak. Rinse well and WD 40 after use.

Apalach · **Posted:** Mon Jul 28, 2008 9:17 pm

Hey captken,
Pretty slick--thanks for the suggestion and the great pics.

garyfishes · **Posted:** Fri Aug 01, 2008 5:18 pm

Thanks a-lot for the idea. Do you know where to purchase the large test line? Only need a short length, right?

captkenroy · **Posted:** Fri Aug 01, 2008 5:55 pm

I've used weedeater string a bunch of times. Many tackle shops sell this stuff by the yard where others have it in 10 and 30 yd packs.

A concern when using weedeater line is finding the correct size leader sleeves.

GAfisher · **Posted:** Fri Aug 01, 2008 8:48 pm

I had to go back to the local fishing shop to exchange my leader sleeves when using the 300 lb. mono. I got the 400 lb. sleeves which work just fine. Cut your line on an angle with really sharp scissors or a razor blade. Cutting it with side cutter pliers leaves a bit of a messy "flange" that won't fit into the sleeves.

I made six more of these last night, and they are just great. Thanks CaptKen for the idea and instructions. This is a really good tip to keep gear attached to the yak.

Fishing tip # 717

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