I built a 'shooter' type casting rod for pitching laydowns in close quarters with bank brush. I discovered that I made a poor choice for locating my hook keeper (on the 180-degree axis near the front of the reel seat) for this build because my braided line often caught that keeper (a single foot fly guide). A picture of a rod in a sponsor's catalogue showed a casting rod with the hook keeper on t
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When you all build a quality high end rod, what hook keeper do you tend to use? I am building a rod now and using REC titanium running guides and fuji titanium strippers with sic inserts. I also used a nickel silver winding check. I haven't been able to find a titanium or nickel keeper. REC has a titanium keeper but it is a single foot type with a ring. I realize it's not a big deal and perhaps a
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Has anyone experienced problems with braided line coming off their spinning reel and catching on the hook holder? This past weekend, my line snapped in mid cast three different times, sending my terminal tackle into the water. There was always a "jerk" before the line snapped. I noticed on time the braided line appeared to have partially wrapped the hook holder. If you have exp
Forum: rodboard

Volume21, issue1 of RodMaker magazine contained a how-to article on “Open-End Hookkeepers” by Norman Miller, a trusted wealth-of-information on this site. Immediately recognizing the simplicity yet functional benefits of his keeper, I have employed its attributes to every rod I have built since! When showing potential customers examples of my builds, at least 75% of them notice, like and comment
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Norman Miller's hook keeper tutorial in the new magazine is excellent. Many thanks.
Forum: rodboard

About a year ago I posted how to make an open end hook keeper I designed using stainless steel wire. Look at this original post and pictures to see how to make these keepers. Since a number of people do not use hook keepers because of rust/corrosion problems, I wanted to share my recent experience using titanium wire in lieu of stainless wire. I tried a number of pure titanium grade 1 wires an
Forum: rodboard

I thought some of you might be interested in a hook keeper I designed and make. I have been making and using this keeper for about 12 years or so, and are very popular with the people I build rods for. They are made from single strand stainless steel wire. The ones in the pictures are made with stainless wire having a 0.029" diameter, but wire from 0.025 to 0.040" will work fine. The fi
Forum: rodboard