hook keeper preferences

[flechero]

How many of you like vs. dislike a hook keeper on your rods?  And of the ones that like it, where would you most like it to be?

Thanks

[islandbass]

It is a bit of love/hate for me with hook keepers.  I love em when because the give me a place to keep the lure on without having to retie as I move from one place to another.

I hate them because every once in a while I see the hook point(s) come so close to scratching the rod. I think this is why some of those high end import rods don't come with them to eliminate the potential for scratches.

On my rods that do not have a keeper, I put a little something on the rods butt to poke the hook into or use a loop of think line.  The lure gets held securely still and there is also no chance of the hook scratching the blank.  The downside of the loop is that is doesn't look pretty.  ;D

[Grey Wolf]

On the opposite side of the reel.

[SJex]

For worm hooks I like em, for trebles I dislike em.

[Raul]

I like hook keepers, I prefer the one found in rods like Kistlers than the one found in other brands like GLoomis or Shimano ( instead of inserting the hook you slide it underneath ).

[J Francho]

I like the Kistler style as well, and also the Fuji keepers over the loop style.  When I first looked at the Kistler, I was concerned that it would poke me when fishing, but as it turns out, its far lass obtrusive than the loop style.  I find far less scratches to the blank finish on my Kistlers than other rods.  The same goes for rods with the Fuji keeper, which BTW can be put anywhere, like between the rear split grip.

[burleytog]

The Kistler keeper is the best I've used.

[.ghoti.]

On the opposite side of the reel.

Four of my six Setyr rods have that arrangement, and it doesn't work for me. I still tend to cast with the reel handles up. The hook keeper on the opposite side catches the line when I swicth hands and rotate the reel back upright to start the retrieve. It's a pain in the membrane, and has cost me a couple if fish when I set the hook with the line wrapped around the keeper.

I'd cut "em off if the rods didn't have lifetime warranties.

On my Avid rods, the same style hook keeper is on the handle side, and causes no problems.

But the worst of all is the keeper on my Airrus spinning rod. It's the open rail type, mounted on top of the rod. No problems during the cast. But, on an erratic retrieve, the line is always getting caught in the keeper. There is quite a bit of space between the reel face and the first guide, and the keeper is just about dead center between them. Precisely in the wrong place. I'm am going to remove that one, lifetime warranty be dipped.

I have several rods that did not come with hook keepers, and I've put Fuji EZKeepers on those. I like these the best. I can put them where I want them. They are over-priced for a piece of plastic and two O-rings, but they do get the job done. The O-rings seem to be good for about two years. Replacements O-rings are cheap and readily available.

The Fuji's also keep the hook point well away from the rod. I've been using these for a while, and have noticed no damage the the finish underneath them.

Cheers,

GK

[Grey Wolf]

On the opposite side of the reel.

Four of my six Setyr rods have that arrangement, and it doesn't work for me. I still tend to cast with the reel handles up. The hook keeper on the opposite side catches the line when I swicth hands and rotate the reel back upright to start the retrieve. It's a pain in the membrane, and has cost me a couple if fish when I set the hook with the line wrapped around the keeper.

I'd cut "em off if the rods didn't have lifetime warranties.

On my Avid rods, the same style hook keeper is on the handle side, and causes no problems.

But the worst of all is the keeper on my Airrus spinning rod. It's the open rail type, mounted on top of the rod. No problems during the cast. But, on an erratic retrieve, the line is always getting caught in the keeper. There is quite a bit of space between the reel face and the first guide, and the keeper is just about dead center between them. Precisely in the wrong place. I'm am going to remove that one, lifetime warranty be dipped.

I have several rods that did not come with hook keepers, and I've put Fuji EZKeepers on those. I like these the best. I can put them where I want them. They are over-priced for a piece of plastic and two O-rings, but they do get the job done. The O-rings seem to be good for about two years. Replacements O-rings are cheap and readily available.

The Fuji's also keep the hook point well away from the rod. I've been using these for a while, and have noticed no damage the the finish underneath them.

Cheers,

GK

How does the line catch on it when its 180 degrees from it ?

[kikstand454]

guys,

no need to worry about this any longer.

go to your nearest supply store, home depot or whatever and get mountable zipties. they look like this....

http://www.acehardware.com/product/index.jsp?productId=1292692&cid=

you can get  like 20 for 2 bucks.

put them  on your rod wherever you feel comfortable and zip them  down. cut off the excess. there you go.

no warranty void. no scratching your rod. no hurting of the wallet.

your welcome.

[burleytog]

no scratching your rod.

Don't bet on it... :-/

[Pencil Pusher]

I thought thats what the bar across the top of the reel was for.  

[Wayne P.]

I prefer this model of hook keeper:

http://www.reeltimedesigns.com/Drop-ShotWeightKeeperSystem.html

[BassinWill301]

I like the hook keeper on the St. Croix LTB rods for worm hooks, jigs, and spinnerbaits, but not so much for treble hooks.  

[Catt]

Totally dislike them & will cut them off any rod I own; when I set hook my right hand is above the reel many times & those suckers will leave a blood blister.

[flechero]

Thanks for all the replies!  I got the info I was looking for.

[.ghoti.]

Bass-Brat, I can see now that I mis-read your answer. You must have meant what you said; opposite the reel. I read it it as opposite the reel handle. DUH. my mistake.

The ones that give me problems are 90 degrees from the reel, opposite the handle.

Cheers,

GK

[Joe Boss]

I love my rods that have a hook keeper. I use them for live bait and rubber worm hooks. No treble hooks though.

On some rods I own, I wrap a piece of electrical tape around the part of the rod that the hook keeper is at and cut a hole so the keeper pops through. I would rather those hooks scratch up the tape then my rod.