I am building a rod for stinger rigs and live baits that will utilize a tandem hook rigs. My question is how many of you would use a hook keeper on a similar build? Even though there would be one of the two hooks not held by a keeper, I would still prefer to have something secured to the rod. I was thinking of using one of the AT Deluxe Hook Keepers for these deadly rigs.

[www.americantackle.us]

Yes to keepers on all but fly rods. I use the location just in front of the ramp/front grip, 180 degrees and have never had line tangling during fishing. I had problems when putting them at 90 degrees as some builder a long time ago recommended to me.

there are lots of types out there, the only question is will you use it ??? lots of people DON'T , if
don't use them why invest time an money in putting them on the blank an not use it ??
I don't use them on my "" RODS "" [ personal ]

William Sidney
AK

Hook keeper on all my rods.

If using a split grip, I put the hook keeper right next to the butt grip.

Good luck

You know what you like for your personal rods, but if its for a customer ask them if they want a hook keeper and show them the different types available.

I use hook keepers on all my rods.

For my soft bait rods I use the single foot keeper, for the rest I use the snake style.

I never use the hinged ring style.

Have fun

Encelmo,
Hook keepers are certainly a personal choice = they are neither right or wrong, good or bad. While I cannot really explain my reasoning, I use them on freshwater but not saltwater rods. There are many styles commercially available but I have never found a better, more versatile one than Norman Miller's "Open-end Hookkeeper"!!! They are quick and easy to make, as low profile as you wish to make it, very handsome and obviously custom-made to adorn and compliment your custom rod! See his article in RodMaker magazine, V-21 / I-1.

Mark Talmo
FISHING IS NOT AN ESCAPE FROM LIFE BUT RATHER A DEEPER IMMERSION INTO IT!!! BUILDING YOUR OWN SIMPLY ENHANCES THE EXPERIENCE.

I agree it is personal choice. Personally I have no use for them. My casting reel hold baits just fine on the body or the arm. Spinning I use the stripper guide base. For someone else I always show them a double foot, drop shot/t-rig, and a loop style to see which they prefer.

I've been working for over thirty years as an outwrapper. I have wrapped rods for Loomis, Lamiglas, Sage, Winston, Cabela's, Penn, Sage and many more throughout the years and all of them built on the straightest axis. For the most part when the average person buys a rod they do two things they shake the rod to see how it feels and they look down the rod to see how straight it is. If it is crooked they grab the next rod. Rod companies know this and want to sell rods.



Opps, posted this in the wrong thread.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 04/16/2021 09:54PM by Thomas F. Thornhill.

Thank you guys for the opinions. I really appreciate all the feedback I received from this topic. I will end up using a hook keeper on this specific build just to curse myself later on by getting the line wrapped around it while a big kingfish is peeling drag of the spool.

I use the 'Pop on / Pop off ' type which I make by heating a slender piece of PVC plastic and using a metal rod the same diameter of the rod blank to mold it to fit snug. It's easy to snap into place and remove . I use a piece of peel & stick foam on the inside with just the lip of the PVC sticking up with a hole in it for a hook keeper.