Heck, I thought, breaking a rod and using a good reel, was Fancy. LOL. A $9 leash seems basic. And more compact. I like your adding key ring idea.

The 18’ telescoping pole for 20’ or less.

I have a telescoping pole with a heavy wire spiral that works for me. I have used just weights with a swivel to hook on your line and have a "birddog" that I have used. My advise is that if you fish crankbaits get a lure retriever tat works and you will be money ahead and catch more fish because you will throw it where the fish live!

yea, it pretty much turns into something like the daiwa plug knocker after you add the chains and key ring. Ive heard people using the busted rod too. Didnt end up putting mine on a dog leash when i put it together.....so its still just on a marker buoy...but i really do need to do the dog leash deal with it

exactly what I have done....and spooled the big ole 6500 with 100 pound bright orange nylon string

I got the frabill telescopic one. Paid for itself shortly, I was stupid not to buy one years ago, if your a crankbaiter its a must. I tried home brewing the plug knocker type and just couldn't get it to work. I'm convinced the pole style works better but of course if your caught deeper than 20' you have to use the plug on a string style