Hook keeper or reel? 2024
DubyaDee reply :
Do you keep your lure on the hook keeper or on the reel? I think there are pro's and con's of each. I've also seen some pro's reel a lure right up to the tip and throw it back on the deck. Obviously saving time is important and they don't care about messing up a rod or two.
What do you do and why?
Nathan Burton reply :
Hook keeper because well.... That's what it's made for. Yes, you may end up with a minute scratch on the Rod every now and again, but it super convenient.
flyfisher reply :
hook keeper for me too
S. Sass reply :
Man I was thinking about a post like this when I got my new Aetos rods this week. It is almost sacrilegious to put those hooks where they will be rubbing and lure banging on the rod. Seriously I always used the hook keeper but I never owned a $180 type rod and I had reservations when I was setting them up here in the house. I actually hooked a reel like the way you have pictured and realized that the large spinner bait hook could contact the line. I was afraid it would nick it up so I moved the hook to the reel handle. Maybe after I use them a trip or two and get them dirty it wont bother me. I typically am not that guy that is freaking over his cork getting a drop of sweat on it so hopefully my nerves will chill a little after I catch a few.
Brikon reply :
I do Treble Hooks on Reel. All others on Hook Keeper.
DubyaDee reply :
Cosmetically, I'd rather scratch a rod than a reel. I see my rods as disposable but my reels are investments. I don't want to create any weak spots on the rod though. Set the hook on a fish of a lifetime and the rod snaps because you've worn a scratch deep on the backbone of the rod.
Bluebasser86 reply :
Hook keeper with hook bonnets and/or lure wraps to prevent those scratches on the rods. I have some cheap reels I don't care about how they look that I'll put a bait on the reel though.
BiteFiend reply :
I tend to think as the reel being more durable than the rod, so I generally put the bait on the reel. Plus with cranks, I find that it seems to tangle less on the deck of my boat.
For spinning set-ups for finesse, it's hook keeper because where else would you put it?
ghost reply :
I wrap clear box tape on my rods just above the hook keeper. I use about 6" or so length of clear tape and wrap the rod, overlapping the tape.
This keeps the rod from getting small scratches and if the tape starts to undo cuz it gets damp, I just take it off, rub 90% rubbing alcohol, then rub water and dry, to take off tape residue and rewrap.
*Hootie reply :
On 8/14/2016 at 12:40 PM, DubyaDee said:Cosmetically, I'd rather scratch a rod than a reel. I see my rods as disposable but my reels are investments.
With my $200. Chronarch on a $410. GLX, it's difficult for me to view my rod as disposable...lol.
Hootie
Hogsticker reply :
Fuji EZ hook keeper. I would never place a hook on my reels.
Sam reply :
Dubya, you have just opened the door to a fun discussion of a topic in the bass industry that has been around for years.
As for the pros, and us guys who tournament fish: we just attach the hook to the reel. It is easier and faster to do this and we also avoid getting the hooks stuck in the boat's carpet as we can have the rod lay down with the reel up and the hooks out of the way.
As for the reel, some say by hooking the hooks to the reels it can damage the reels. So far, I have not found this to be true.
As for the line, some say by hooking the hooks to the reels it will damage the line. So far, I have not found this to be true.
I just attach the hook to the reel and forget it, knowing the bait is safe; will not get stuck in the carpet; and I can have a fast release when I go to use the rod.
Concerning the pros reeling the baits tight to the rod's tip eye, they care, but not as much as we do. If a pro needs a new rod they can get one free or at a big discount from the manufactures. All of us other guys and gals can't.
Once again, it boils down to confidence in how you want to protect your tackle vs. how fast you want to store or start using your gear while fishing.
RafaelM reply :
I ordered the wrong size rod sleeves for most of my setups so I naturally put my hooks on the reel. It's an easy fix but I've postponed it many times and haven't gotten to doing it.
MickD reply :
On 8/14/2016 at 2:16 PM, ghost said:I wrap clear box tape on my rods just above the hook keeper. I use about 6" or so length of clear tape and wrap the rod, overlapping the tape.
This keeps the rod from getting small scratches and if the tape starts to undo cuz it gets damp, I just take it off, rub 90% rubbing alcohol, then rub water and dry, to take off tape residue and rewrap.
There is a pretty tough "almost clear" UV resistant tape available, seems about 4 times thicker that packaging tape, easy to handle, would work fine for your strategy. I've found it at the big tape displays at Staples and other big stores.
Bankbeater reply :
If the rod has a hook keeper I use it. If not I use the reel. The one thing I will not do is put the hook into the cork handle of the rod.
Big Bait Fishing reply :
I use a drop shot hook keeper on my rods (all custom ) but i think my next one i'm gonna drill a hole in my Fuji SK2 reel seat trigger , like whats on Phenix rods . i hate when lures sratch the rod blank 
if it works out good i'll drill out my other rods too .
S Hovanec reply :
I use the hook keeper, but when I build a rod for trebel baits, I apply a coat of finish on the blank where the bait will rest, so it won't scratch the blank.
Stingray23 reply :
both
Gundog reply :
Spinnerbaits,jigs,worm hooks on the hook keeper, crankbaits & jerkbaits on the reel. Reason is the hooks. Trebles get caught on everything. Single hooks not so much.
MassYak85 reply :
On my swimbait setup I usually hook it onto the reel frame, but otherwise, I use the hook keeper. My issue is a LOT of the hook keepers that come stock on rods I really don't like, and most are too small for larger treble hooks, so I have switched over to Fuji EZ Keepers and will never go back
Catt reply :
I attach all mine on the reel!
Most rod manufacturers have no idea where to put the hook keeper so they end up in the way. I'll sometimes cut the stupid things off!
I'm certainly not added one! 
Oh forgot another little trick, after I put the hook on the reel, I'll snug the line then wrap it twice around the rod.
kickerfish1 reply :
On 8/14/2016 at 1:38 PM, Bluebasser86 said:Hook keeper with hook bonnets and/or lure wraps to prevent those scratches on the rods. I have some cheap reels I don't care about how they look that I'll put a bait on the reel though.
I am with Blue on the lure wraps. I use lure wraps from BPS for all my hard baits and even on my Texas rigs. They help keep the blank from getting scratched up but more than anything they help keep the hooks from getting snagged into everything else like carpet, clothes, and from getting tangled in other rods.
All my rods have some form of a hook keeper. I would NEVER hook a treble hook into a reel that was of any significant value. The 2 reels you have pictured (Chronarch and Conquest) I would never put a treble hook into.
fishballer06 reply :
On 8/15/2016 at 8:46 AM, MassYak85 said:On my swimbait setup I usually hook it onto the reel frame, but otherwise, I use the hook keeper. My issue is a LOT of the hook keepers that come stock on rods I really don't like, and most are too small for larger treble hooks, so I have switched over to Fuji EZ Keepers and will never go back
My issue with these is the oring dries out and breaks fairly often, and you have to be careful where you place them on your rod. I wasted two spools of fluoro figuring this out. The line can catch on it during a cast and cause a nasty backlash.
Why Shimano didn't put a hook keep on the Zodias is beyond me... 
blckshirt98 reply :
Hook keeper with a hook bonnet always always always on the loose treble. If the rod has no hook keeper I'll either remove the lure (I use quick clips) or I'll keep both hook bonnets on.
Big Bait Fishing reply :
i also use hook caps for treble bait lures , i clip the corner off the rear hook cap on one so just one hook point is exposed allowing me to attach it to the hook keeper
buzzed bait reply :
On 8/14/2016 at 1:38 PM, Bluebasser86 said:Hook keeper with hook bonnets and/or lure wraps to prevent those scratches on the rods. I have some cheap reels I don't care about how they look that I'll put a bait on the reel though.
that's me too. i have some lure wraps to keep it from scratching the rods, best way to do it and it eliminates those trebles getting buried into everything else along the way!
MassYak85 reply :
On 8/15/2016 at 9:36 PM, fishballer06 said:My issue with these is the oring dries out and breaks fairly often, and you have to be careful where you place them on your rod. I wasted two spools of fluoro figuring this out. The line can catch on it during a cast and cause a nasty backlash.
Why Shimano didn't put a hook keep on the Zodias is beyond me...
Hmm, I haven't experienced either of those issues yet. How often are they drying out on you? Mine have been on all year no issue.
fishballer06 reply :
On 8/16/2016 at 8:36 AM, MassYak85 said:Hmm, I haven't experienced either of those issues yet. How often are they drying out on you? Mine have been on all year no issue.
About every two month's.
I'm currently trying a different type of rubber oring to see if that helps. I repair paintball guns as a side business, so it has its perks I guess.
WIGuide reply :
I use the hook keepers on my rods. I've never seen a reason to do anything else. I've never snapped a rod due to scratches from hooks on the hangers. You will eventually get some very small scratches but nothing crazy and if they really bug you, they can be fixed with a touch of clear nail polish.
WRB reply :
What you want to prevent is the hooks nicking the line. I use lure wraps and wrap the line around the rod, tighten the line and pull it out, then spin the rod 2 times, using the guides to hold the wrapped line, plus rod sleeves when put back into the rod locker. Don't use the reel ever, use the lure hanger if it's out of the way and they are because my rods are custom made or use a guide frame, not the ring.
Tom
Turtle135 reply :
Fuji EZ Keeper as well.
p.s. - when I get a texas rigged keeper on a baitcasting rod that catches the line on the cast I cut that sucker off (one of my pet peeves with rod makers)
bigfruits reply :
On 8/14/2016 at 9:10 PM, Bankbeater said:The one thing I will not do is put the hook into the cork handle of the rod.
that made my stomach hurt - have you ever seen anyone do this? 
i usually do trebles on the reel and single hooks on the rod. treble lures are removed from the rod/reel before the drive home.
Raul reply :
On 8/14/2016 at 12:00 PM, DubyaDee said:Do you keep your lure on the hook keeper or on the reel? I think there are pro's and con's of each. I've also seen some pro's reel a lure right up to the tip and throw it back on the deck. Obviously saving time is important and they don't care about messing up a rod or two.
What do you do and why?
On the reel -----> NEVER !
Why ? ----> I hate scratches on my reels, my reels, even the very old ones, with one exception, look like out of the box.
Further North reply :
I have one rod with a hook keeper down past the reel seat on the butt section.
I can't decide if I like it there or not.
I have a couple of fly reels with built in hook keepers...wonder why gear makers haven't picked up on that?
EvanT123 reply :
The rods I put together don't have hook keepers so the lure goes on the reel. The rods that have hook keepers, I use the keeper. I noticed the other day my curado was all scratched up from bumping up and down the river. At the moment I was po'd but I bought it to be used and abused so I got over it
soflabasser reply :
My hook keeper is my spinning reel.
PourMyOwn reply :
With my baitcasters, always on the reel. It keeps the hook point out of harm's way, and most of my rods don't have keepers anyway.
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