Fishing Rod Hook Keeper

SteveTX · December 11, 2019, 11:21:58 PM

Not sure about you guys but I don't like many of the hook keepers that come on my rods. The metal hook and other parts of lures rubbing constantly on that same exact spot on a rod cannot be good for it and it really makes a ugly spot after awhile. Also I do not hang my hooks on my reels anywhere ever. I have too much money, based on my pay grade, in my reels to be intentionally damaging them.

I have found many rods I like have the closed keeper or no keeper at all. I have tried these add on keepers like this Fuji one shown here. It worked OK for a week or so then the O-ring that holds it on broke.

If any of these things annoy you this tip may be of help. I didn't figure this tip out I saw it on another anglers rod. Its a very simple and very functional Hook Keeper. Here is what the Hook Keeper tip consists of.

Its just a 8" electrical style zip tie. The eye or hole is what becomes the hook keeper. You can pretty much put this anywhere you want. I played around with the placement on my Lew's Custom Lite Pitchin rod that comes with no keeper at all. After a moment of trimming the excess very close and smooth with a razor knife I moved it just a little and found it in no way hinders my normal grip on the rod. Yet it stands off the rod more than the usual factory hangers. This helps keep the hooks etc from rubbing on the nice rod or reel.

These are the ones I purchased from my local Home Depot. Also these are great for hanging Christmas lights and cleaning up automotive wiring along with thousands of other uses.

gtrpickr · December 11, 2019, 11:28:45 PM

Thanks for the tip, I might have to try that out on a couple rods.

Bassinkorea · December 12, 2019, 02:08:14 AM

Thanks for sharing Steve

There are actually some fishing gear manufacturers selling these things on their sites over here for around $2 for 10

Bud Kennedy · December 12, 2019, 08:32:55 AM

Well hell's bells. This is a good tip for sure. I have one rod that does not have a hook keeper and I already have some of this type of zip tie so I will put one on immediately.

Mike Cork · December 12, 2019, 10:01:58 AM

Genius

Smallie_Stalker · December 12, 2019, 10:44:11 AM

Great tip Steve!

Capt. BassinLou · December 12, 2019, 11:26:53 AM

Looks like we have General Tip qualifier idea here, for this year's contest. Good one!!

ike8120 · December 12, 2019, 04:44:04 PM

Thanks for the tip

Donald Garner · December 12, 2019, 07:03:46 PM

Tks for sharing

that is a great tip

TNDiver · December 13, 2019, 09:55:50 AM

Thanks for the tip! I have one rod that the hook keeper is below the handle and I sometimes catch my hand on the hook when I gran it. Gonna look into this!

geneinnc · March 07, 2020, 06:40:26 PM

Those work Steve. Probably need to change them once a year. They get brittle ez. I hooked a crankbait on, snapped the handle down, probably too hard and it launched it and snapped back on me. Luckily it hooked my Jean's and not me. That would have been the 3rd impalement of the season!

Sent from my SM-G970U using Tapatalk

SteveTX · March 07, 2020, 08:43:09 PM

Quote from: geneinnc on March 07, 2020, 06:40:26 PM
Those work Steve. Probably need to change them once a year. They get brittle ez. I hooked a crankbait on, snapped the handle down, probably too hard and it launched it and snapped back on me. Luckily it hooked my Jean's and not me. That would have been the 3rd impalement of the season!

Sent from my SM-G970U using Tapatalk

I never have that much tension on my line when I am putting them away. Actually I don't have enough drag on to make 2lbs tension.

I always store my rods relaxed (no bow). They cant have any anyway because I back the drag off all the way.

When fishing I usually don't put them back in the keeper. I like having them ready to fire away in case I see the need to swap to a different lure.

Be careful with that stored energy a hook or weight sure can ruin a fishing trip.