Hook keepers on rods

[fish-fighting-illini]

I love hook keepers and think they should be on all rods. I was wondering what other people felt about them.

[Gatorbassman]

No hook keeper = damaged rod, reel and guides. That ain't good.

Some type of hook keeper is a must.

[cart7t]

I use the slide over, webbing type rod protectors so using a hook keeper on the rod is not feasible.  

[Catt]

Aint using one & never will  

[Jake.]

I have never bought a rod that didn't have a hook keeper on it.

[flechero]

No hook keeper = damaged rod, reel and guides.

I'm the exact opposite.... I think a hook keeper only gaurantees a rod will be damaged, if it's used.  There are several places on a reel to hold a hook and most of them also hide the hook's point.  I'll cut off a lure or hook before using a keeper.  

[ABC123]

I either tie my line to the hook keeper, or I clip the Norman speed clip to it then put it back in it's case. I NEVER leave a hook on a rod, unless I'm fishing, and might go back to that rod. In that case, I hook the hook to the rod holder.

[Guest muddy]

I do the smae thing i voted for hook keeper. i either just keep a speed clip on it or a hook I never had any issues. The only 2 rods i ever broke were one in a back door of an SUV and the other i am afraid to admit was ala Bill Dance, i lost a tip to a Hampton overhead fan on Ron's back sun room once!

[Catt]

I lost a tip to a Hampton overhead fan on Ron's back sun room once!

Done that  

[Maxximus Redneckus]

if u aint lost a tip to a fan u will never run with the big dogs..fact

[dodgeguy]

if you have a trigger rods without a hook keepers just drill a 1/8 hole through the triggers and now you have hook keepers.this works great.

[fish-fighting-illini]

I saw those BPS hook keepers for $4 for 4 plus ship and handling. I figured I can do that so I just went to Ace hardware and bought a #62 o- ring for .49 and hook keeper solved. Mounted ifferently but worked for both my spinning and casting reels.

Flech why do you feel the hook keeper damages a rod but yet you say plenty of places to keep the hook on the reel? If the hook keeper breaks ( which mine never has ) so be it what's the difference?

You've got me confused no big deal just courious.

[Maxximus Redneckus]

I dont like putting my hoook on my reel leaves room for a nice dull hook and putting them into ur guide is a no no even on the foot of the guide eventally it will wear off the paint and cause rust and putting it into the cork aint a good idea eaither

[islandbass]

I used to require that the rods I bought had them until I started seeing scratches from the hooks.

So now, I don't mind if they don't have one.

I see the wisdom in why many JDM rods lack the hook keeper.  Oh the horror of scratching up a booku $$$ rod on account of a silly hook.

[dodgeguy]

DOESN'T SCRATCH THE ROD WHEN YOU DO WHAT I SAID. ;D

[flechero]

Flech why do you feel the hook keeper damages a rod but yet you say plenty of places to keep the hook on the reel? If the hook keeper breaks ( which mine never has ) so be it what's the difference?

You've got me confused no big deal just courious.

The keeper itself is benign, but use of it usually causes surface damage to the blank... either with hooks scratching the blank or weights clanging against it.  The damage is cumulative.  I use the reel because it keeps hook point and lure bodies off the blank, and hides the hook point on single hook applications.  (I also hook less upholstry and skin when the reel hides the hook!!)

It's not something that a lot of people need to worry about.... I like using the reel better and I figure it's saved me a few rods over the years.  Many years ago I used the keepers... this is how I came to change my ways.  ...lol  

[lubina]

if you have a trigger rods without a hook keepers just drill a 1/8 hole through the triggers and now you have hook keepers.this works great.

Very good point I have a couple of customs that came with it and I have done it myself to a few other....works great.

[Maxximus Redneckus]

I found the easiest thing just this AM ,get ur daughters/wife/gf/ moms stretchy hair tie the ones without metal on um they fit around the knobs of your reel and u dont have to worry about metal touching metal or your blank and u can just put um around ur wrist when u take um off its really fast and convenient

[Catt]

I hook mine on the reel and the twist the line around the rod 4 or 5 times taking slack out of the line. Even with a Texas Rig nothing touches the rod and with round bend hooks the point never touches anything. The only time I do any thing different is with a Carolina Rig; I simply wrap a small piece of Velcro around the weight so it doesn't bounce against the rod.

[skunked_again]

if u aint lost a tip to a fan u will never run with the big dogs..fact

does the storm door count the same as the fan?

[Maxximus Redneckus]

if u aint lost a tip to a fan u will never run with the big dogs..fact

does the storm door count the same as the fan?

It sure does ..think about it you made it this far already by finnessing yourway through the fans .then all of sudden u try some power fishing door vs rod ..this is a sign that today u will need 3/4 oz jigs and such

[Ky_Lake_Dude]

I hold my hooks on the reel.

[grimlin]

I use the Fuji EZ Keeper Hook Keeper..and if it's treble hooks i have a cover for those treble hooks from jann's netcraft..so i cover up any exposed hooks...works great.  

[michbass]

Mostly use clips on and treble hooks but hook all my single hook applications on the rods hook keeper. I see people saying it can damage the rod? How so? Just wondering for the future.

[Fish Chris]

I'm surprised I never thought to start a thread on these myself !

We are talking about the same thing here, aren't we ? Those rediculous little loops, or clips that you are supposed to attach a hook, or lure too ? I despise those freaking things ! Can't tell you how many times I have tried to slide my hand loosly down the blank, only to have that thing try to rip my hand open ! Don't remember if they ever actually drew blood, but they sure have tried too !

Add to that how my braid often trys to catch on them, before a cast.

My solution; Take a pair of dikes and cut that stupid thing off as close to the blank as possible, then wrap a few layers of electrical tape around it, to cover the sharp ends.

Who in the world ever figured that you needed an "additional place" to put a hook, or lure, that the brace of the rear guide (not through the ring of the guide itself.... you wouldn't want to risk scratching or damaging it) was not totally sufficient, as is ?????

Urgggg....

Peace,

Fish