i use to keep mine loose , until one of the pros tightened them up with a knot. the bad thing about having them loose is, in the event of a roll , you will have one hell of a cluster fudge with four rods flying out three or four feet, wrapping around in knots. and as far as on the water i keep them leashed down except the rod you are using and also your jig stick. when the time arises , you need to be able to grab jig stick and fire away without a leash hindering you or getting in the way. my reels are not cheap by any means, and the last thing i wan't to do is donate one, but having a leash on the rod you are using just gets in the way . just don't let a dog flip you , and don't drop reel or roll in open water. if you do rollout , don't let reel go.

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