For Expride b owners, what do you think of the new hook keeper? I hate the placement. I can feel it every time I make a cast. I’m actually thinking about removing it. 

Just remove and buy a Fuji. You like the B rods so far?

Yes, I love the rods except for the hook keeper. Is it easy to remove without messing up the cosmetics?

Yes, but with a nice rod like that I would have a rod builder do it and clean it up nice. There are some tips on here and other forums that tell how to do it yourself. Maybe someone can post that or chime in. 

The Fuji hook keeper is bulky. You are better off removing and relocating the Shimano hook keeper. I would have a local rod builder do it and eliminate damaging the rod blank.

Tom

Where is the hook placement on the rod? Not that I have any more budget for new rod just curiosity. If it is anything like 2020 Zodias, I don’t have problem with mine. I kind of like it more than hook keeper on top (sometimes line get tangle with hook keeper). Only complain I have is the lure (tie on) get in the way when stored on my rod rack.

 

The keeper is right behind the cork. I don’t mind the placement as far attaching a lure. I despise feeling the hook keeper every time I make a cast. 

I build my own and have tried a number of keeper locations.  The one you mention is not a great place, puts the lure near the hands when picking up the rod, hands get into it too much when fishing.  Best place I've found for spin and cast is about an inch in front of the front grip/ramp at 180 degrees (on the bottom).  Any line that might contact it falls free, and I never contact it when fishing .  I tried 90 degrees on a couple rods and both my son and I found that loose line often caught on it, so I don't do that any more.  Using the first guide frame has problems with using a rod sack while having a lure attached, and if the rod is placed in a vertical rod holder when not being used, puts the lure possibly into a position where it snags clothing of someone moving near the rod. 

It's awful!!!!! I wouldn't buy one simply for that reason. I tried to remove mine on my Zodias, my advice, have a professional do it.

I'm ok with the ones behind the grip.   Just don't grab the rod by the grip when picking it up.  It's not like the bait is invisible.  Don't reach for the hooks?  I don't like how the hooks can tear up my grips though with trebble baits.

14 hours ago, LrgmouthShad said:

That looks like a horrible place for a hook keeper

Shimano always come up with weird hook keeper placement. The ones hook keeper got removed are Dropshot specific rod, while other rod in the same series have hook keeper on top. 
Just like @MickDmentioned, I do have problem with like caught on hook keeper a lot especially in windy when you need to fix some loose line, when fishing with braid, when fixing professional overrun (backlash) or when try to free snagged with bow-arrow method.