Spinning rod. The location of the bait holder matters.

[Darth-Baiter]

My favorite spinning rod at the moment is my Phenix Recon Elite.  It has one thing I am quickly hating.  The type and location of the bait holder tab.  It’s above the reel seat. On top (reel hanging on bottom).  It is surprising how often that tiny hook will grab my line as it uncoils off the spool.  I think windy days are more problematic.  And probably my own janky fishing style. Plus where it’s at, I hook my dropshot sinker at that location, puts the hook well above and where my rod sleeve wants to cover.  I have to bury the barb into a used plastic bait or I’m fighting a hook stuck into a “Chinese finger trap”.   I am considering cutting it off and relocating it after the reel seat. Just like my Phenix Maxim and Dobyns Kaden.  The dobyns Kaden puts it underneath.  On top like my Maxim is the preferred location for me. 
 

those plastic bait holder tabs any good? 

[Happybeerbuzz]

It's odd that your line could get snagged on it.  It does not look like it is particularly far forward for a hook keeper.  However, if you do decide to cut it off, you might consider a bait sack.  You could attach it on the split grip portion of the rod. 

 

[GetFishorDieTryin]

The Fuji keepers work pretty well.  I use them on all my split grips that lack a keeper below the reel seat.  

 

[BrianMDTX]

I remember oh so many decades ago when I never had a rod, spinning or BC, with a hook keeper. We just used the first guide. Does anyone still do that?

[N Florida Mike]

19 minutes ago, BrianMDTX said:

I remember oh so many decades ago when I never had a rod, spinning or BC, with a hook keeper. We just used the first guide. Does anyone still do that?

Many of mine don’t have one. I don’t always use it when I do have one. Guides are fine, as long as it’s hooked into the part that connects to the rod, not the guide itself.

[BrianMDTX]

10 minutes ago, N Florida Mike said:

Many of mine don’t have one. I don’t always use it when I do have one. Guides are fine, as long as it’s hooked into the part that connects to the rod, not the guide itself.

That’s the way we did it. I think I’ve heard some chatter about potential damage, but I’ve never seen any. 

[N Florida Mike]

3 minutes ago, BrianMDTX said:

That’s the way we did it. I think I’ve heard some chatter about potential damage, but I’ve never seen any. 

It doesn’t matter if it’s on the connection part. If you hook it in the circle part of the guide it can cause nicks and line breaks.

[FishTank]

42 minutes ago, BrianMDTX said:

I remember oh so many decades ago when I never had a rod, spinning or BC, with a hook keeper. We just used the first guide. Does anyone still do that?

 

I use to do it all the time but learned my lesson a long time ago.  I had a guide that got knocked and it wasn't the greatest rod in the world so getting it repaired wasn't worth it. After a while it ruined a ton of line and I ended up giving it to a buddy that used it for catfish. 

 

Fast forward to now and it is a weird world.... my new NRX rods have the keepers on the rod blank between the split grip and on Megabass rods, they don't have one.  It's kind of annoying. 

[badfish79]

i hate hook keepers ahead of the reel on spinning combos. my only spinning combo has a hook keeper on the right side of the rod ahead of the reel, causing my line to often get caught when sidearm casting. its so annoying that learned to live with baitcasters for everything, and i'm always contemplating buying a new spinning rod combo just so that i never have to deal with that again. i hardly ever use my spinning gear, so its a battle the bait monkey hasn't won yet, but is very close to it.

 

also thought about removing the hook keeper, but this is my first ever custom combo (clarus jig and worm and a symetre FJ), and i'd like to preserve it, if anything for sentimental value.

[RDB]

I would have someone remove the old one and place a new one at your preferred location.  Since you want it gone, I’m sure there is someone nearby who could replace it at a reasonable price…it’s not that difficult.  It’s your favorite rod.  Why booger it up by just cutting it off.

[PaulVE64]

Yeah,

I have a 6ft hmg mlf that i cut the keeper off of.

Whenever i run a finger across that knub i remember how happy i am that i cut that #$%#  off.

Fishing should always bring you joy.   

[NYWayfarer]

Since I started kayak fishing I despise split grip rods that have the hook keeper on the split part of the handle. Hook and bait then goes into the rod holder not a great idea. Any rods that are like this I add a Fuji EZ hook keeper. Like my new St Croix Bass X spinning rod.

 

My favorite type of hook keeper is the ones on my Abu Garcia Vengeance and Vendetta rods. It’s a Texas rig type holder, open loop type so a T-rigged plastic doesn’t have to be removed from the hook to hang it. 

 

[GTN-NY]

I wrap some electrical tape over the hook so I just have the hole to put the hook through

[Darth-Baiter]

4 hours ago, RDB said:

I would have someone remove the old one and place a new one at your preferred location.  Since you want it gone, I’m sure there is someone nearby who could replace it at a reasonable price…it’s not that difficult.  It’s your favorite rod.  Why booger it up by just cutting it off.

I might ask around about this option.  I like it.  

[bulldog1935]

They call it a reel stand, but its primary function is a hook keeper

This one is Tsubaki President, and that treble is on a 6" offshore plug. 

[Deleted account]

Yeah, some keepers are just in the wrong place, when it really bothers me, I cut it off with dykes, and stick the hook in the cork.

[DaubsNU1]

Recently discovered these...they seem to work good for me. 

 

 

 

 

[cyclops2]

I am a user of the legs & plastic inserts of the guide nearest to the reel for bigger trebles.  Mepps get hooked right to the reel Bail  Arm.  Never had a loose insert happen.

[Darth-Baiter]

To be clear.  I’m talking about a dropshot rig.  It’s the sinker flopping about. 

[RDB]

2 hours ago, DaubsNU1 said:

Recently discovered these...they seem to work good for me. 

 

 

 

 

These are perfect for drop shots because you can use the rod keeper for the hook and adjust the clip to the length of the leader.  The biggest problem I had was even though the clips were tight, I still kept knocking them off.