The act of wrapping the leader around a cleat – or any other part of the boat – would disqualify the catch. Specifically, the IGFA rules state that the following act will disqualify a catch: “Attaching an angler’s line or leader to part of the boat or other object for the purpose of holding or lifting the fish.” So while it may make the deckie’s job easier and potentially safer, tying the leader off to the boat is not an IGFA-legal technique.