Lanyards

I've tried just about everything and have realised that the only thing that survives on the ocean is non-metallic. Hence I only use cord and plastic. My lanyards are about 1.5m long and tied together with uni knots so that the length can be adjusted. This is useful because it allows you to keep the lanyard on the rods instead of leaving them on the kayak.

Carabiners are great, but they always rust. I've even tried plastic carabiners but those things have a small piece of metal inside them that will eventually rust.