Benefits of Using a Fishing Lanyard

For those new to using or have never heard of fishing lanyards, they are a handy accessory that keeps all your key fishing tools within easy access. We often think of lanyards in regard to trade shows vendors or attendees wearing them around their necks to identify acceptance or entry into a conference or trade show. However, lanyards are far more useful then caring just a name tag or verifying you are a member of some association. Lanyard usefulness increases dynamically with the addition of retracting clips and cushioned neck designs.

Fishing lanyards can be designed with beads making them look like they are from the 70’s, to leather, and various man-made materials. The top half of the lanyard will typically have a comfort band of rubber or beads to make wearing the lanyard around your neck comfortable in varying weather conditions. Some lanyards are constructed with a quick release clasp to handle safely concerns while wearing something around your neck and it’s a one size fits all.

Fishing vests can get very hot and given varying weather conditions it is not always easy to slip a heavy jacket under a fishing vest. Therefore, a properly setup fishing lanyard can hold all the key items you need to head out the door fishing and fits over any attire. Having a properly setup fishing lanyard removes the need to carry a tackle box on most fishing journeys.

A lanyard characteristically comes with a bulldog clip at the bottom of the loop to attach to waders or your shirt to prevent unwanted movement or snags as you maneuver and several swivels. Typically the swivels have snap lock connectors to be used for attaching various tools. Some tools will attach directly to the swivels while others are attached using retractor clips that can extend up to a full 24 inches. The retractor clips can be found in varying test strengths that are useful for manipulating various tools in action. When outfitting a lanyard look for the following items which are designed specifically to be lightweight and attach using a clip:

Two (minimum) retractor clips – to attach tools,
Knot tying tool
Pouch - hold fly fishing floatant (fly fishing )
Clipper/Forceps/Hemostats – used to cut or hold tippet/line material,
Thermometer – check water temperature,
Leader gauges (fly fishing)
Safety whistle, and
Carabineer with sunscreen

One last consideration when using a lanyard over a tackle box is the ability to carry all your supplies with you easily as you wander streams, rivers, flats, surf or maneuver on a boat. A fishing lanyard is far more then a simple nametag holder it is a tool that you quickly learn to appreciate.

Garmin Neck Lanyard

Buy It Now: $10.48

Garmin Retractable Lanyard

Buy It Now: $21.62

Mountain River Lanyards: Floatant Caddy

Buy It Now: $6.00