I usually put my hook keeper for a spin rods or fly rods directly in line with the guides. More out of habit than anything else. How do some of the rest of you do it and why? Thanks Steve

Some bamboo fly rod makers offset the h/k by one flat... (no reason, just style) I used to offset all h/k on the graphite rods about 45degrees, but found that it is easier just to line all of it up at the same time! So now all goes in line with the guides, graphite and bamboo.

I put mine on the side that the reel handle will be on.

I put the hookkeeper on the 90 degree mark oppisite side to the predominate hand. Left side for a right handed person and visa aersa for a left handed person. This way when they hold the rod up to put hook in the keeper they can see it and it does not interfere with anything.

Bass and inshor light/medium action rods. Same as the above posts and still about 1/2 of them will take a pair of wire cutters and cut them off. If they do not want one specifically I would leave them off on the ones built with standard 30 ring guides. If they end up putting the wrong reel on a rod with too heavy of a line slap will mess with their minds and they will think the hook keeper is a causing all their problems. If you are using the high post new style spinning guides with a higher and smaller ring the keeper then is never in the way if placd on the side or top.

on my own rods i put the hookeeper at 90 degrees on the left side behind the reelseat. This keeps it out of the way for my purposes.

Lately, I've been putting it on the bottom in the split grip area

Mike (Southgate, MI)
If I don't want to, I don't have to and nobody can make me (except my wife) cuz I'm RETIRED!!

I only use them IF I have too!

I like Mikes deal on the split grip, only problem with that is if the guy is a two handed caster, then he fights it on two handed casts. You can put it up above the rear grip and near the rear reel seat grip, but then the lure hooks tear up the rear seat grip if you really use the HK.

Personally I dont like them one bit. Thats what quality guides are for, hang the lures there.

DR

I do the same as Mike Botton side behind reel regardless if its a split grip or not.

I move them 90 to one side, and up about 6" from the upper grip because I find that when I have to walk any distance on the beach or lakes, that I like to carry the rod there since it balances at that point.

A quick note, on one 9'6" spinning rod I made, I accidentally put it on the top of the rod and sometimes when I have slack in the line after casting, the hook keep will grab the line. Doesn't happen often, but it would be nice if I'd paid more attention when I built it.

Cannot put them on the bottom split grip area if you are fishing in a center console boat with standup rod holders in the side of the console. If a She Dog got down in there with treble hooks you will spend the day trying to get the rod out of the holder. I watch spinning rod guys who get a "wrap" after casting with line tangled everywhere and they end up cursing the hkpr for being the root of all evil in the world. I have never had a guy with a baitcaster bring a rod back and ask me to take the keeper off.

Hello all,
On fly rods and spinnng rods, I place the hookkeeper about 1/4 of an inch from the fore grip and aligned with the guides. I have never had any trouble with this arrangement. I normally don't use rod holders, but certainly understand how lures could make for an unpleasant day when rod holders are used. I have noticed on the sportfishing boats for salmon and bottom fish here on the west coast, the rods that you rent or are provided, do not have hookkeepers. Instead the lure or hook is attached to the butt guide. This certainly makes sense when you think about those hooks catching on the rod holders.

Mike Blomme

I often find myself using the butt guide or a reel crossbar as the hook keeper. I think every rod I have has an official hook keeper on it, but they are usually a bit small, too close to the rod, and a few times I found the hook point digging into the rod surface. So most of the time I use the butt guide, and if I tie the leader a little long, a reel crossbar. I little longer leader yet might find me going arong the reel and then back up to whatever convenient guide. Not that elegant perhaps, but it works for fishing and that is what a rod is supposed to do. If I gotta baby it, then it isn't going fishing.
In the old days I used to bury the hook in a cork handle, Had a surprise or two when picking up a rod that way, so I don't do that anymore.
Now if you are going to put one on a rod, I think it should be on the same side as the tip ring, or at least within 90 degrees of that plane either way.