[rawprawn]

I don’t tether never have. I have never looked like losing a rod and I have been smashed by more than a few flathead whilst trolling. I recon so long as your rod buts are the long variety and your rod holders are sitting at the right angel a flathead or other estuarine species would be hard pressed to get your rod out. Just have a go yourself, get behind your yak and pull the line as hard as you can whilst the rod is in the holder. Even doing this whilst standing up (which is not the angle a fish would have) my rod doesn’t move.

I’m not saying it can’t happen or wont happen IMO it’s just very unlikely. BTW I only use very cheep gear so don’t have much to loose. If you use expensive gear I would tether just in case you drop it.