I fish all the time and I've made a lot of rods for myself...I mean a lot.
One thing that keeps haunting some of my builds are the hook keepers.

 

Mistakes I've made.
1: Putting the hook keeper in the split handle area (behind the reel). It seems harmless and a good idea. The initial thinking was that I could put a rod sock on, and it won't get fouled with the lure. But it turns out to be a train wreck...it causes problems with other rods in the rod locker...and I just ended up hating it. (I just needed shorter rod socks.)

 

2: Just epoxying the hook keeper in situ. (no thread). I came up with this ridiculous idea because I didn't want to cover some of the nice thread work that was there. This idea could actually work (for a while...until it gets bent) It just come off. The real solution here was to use a clear thread (nylon or silk) and this let the thread work shine through.

 

3. Turn the trigger into a hook keeper. This is done by drilling a hole in the trigger. I did this on my Pitchin' Stick. This does work pretty well, but if you have to use that rod all day (and I do) it gets bothersome. I moved the hook keeper back up and filled the hole with epoxy.

 

4. Using the guides (or the reel) as a hook keeper. The hooks can chip away at the ceramic on guides and scratch the reels.

 

What works.

By far my most used hook keeper is a two footed kind (large). The two feet add much needed stability. I will use an open-end hook keeper on rods where the hook is embedded into plastic like a worm rod. I bend my own open keeper from wire I use in crankbaits.

 

Another key characteristic of the hook keeper is the position...though not real critical.

All my spinning rods and baitcasting rods are left hand retrieve.

I like to have the hook keeper at about 125 degrees (zero being at the top).

I only have to twist my wrist a bit, and the keeper is 100% exposed for hooking.

 

The main takeaway is this: be creative with ideas and don't be afraid say it was a bad idea.

 

"Don't let your ego get too close to your position, so that if your position gets shot down, your ego doesn't go with it." ~ Colin Powell

 

I too have tried lots of keepers and positions, and have settled on 180 degrees, the bottom, just ahead of the reel seat/ramp/front grip for both spin and cast.  Line never fouls it, easy peasy to get to. I like either open bottom drop shot keepers of the Norman Miller design or single foot wire fly guides, 2 or 3 size.  

 

The advantage of 180  is that it's easy to get to but line never fouls it, and it never is in the way of my hands while fishing.  Single wire fly guides in black chrome are handsome when viewed, but essentially unobtrusive.  Can be bent to function like a drop shot keeper.

17 hours ago, Chris Catignani said:

1: Putting the hook keeper in the split handle area (behind the reel). It seems harmless and a good idea. The initial thinking was that I could put a rod sock on, and it won't get fouled with the lure. But it turns out to be a train wreck...it causes problems with other rods in the rod locker...and I just ended up hating it. (I just needed shorter rod socks.)

I agree.  This just may be the worst position for a keeper that I've tried.  My dislike stems from two issues.  When handling the rods one puts his hands into this area a lot, and if a lure is there. . . Also, when fishing, my hands get into the area and I feel the keeper jabbing quite often.

Best hook keeper ever is frame of first or second guide 😁

50 minutes ago, MikeK said:

Best hook keeper ever is frame of first or second guide 😁

This is a better option than the cork foregrip.

Just yesterday I had to get on my 12 year old about damaging the cork doing this. He wanted me to show him older rods with hook damage as proof. Hopefully he has learned his lesson.

 

The one that gets me Chris are the spinning rods with a hook keeper on the bottom of rod right in between the reel and stripper guide. I can't tell you how many times on a cast the line gets caught on them and ruins a cast.

 

Those are quickly removed or moved. Good idea for a thread!

 

On one of my son's rods I showed him to use the reel seat's forward mount. There is a small hole or gap next to reel in the reel seat perfect for a hook keeper on rods without one.

1 hour ago, FloridaFishinFool said:

The one that gets me Chris are the spinning rods with a hook keeper on the bottom of rod right in between the reel and stripper guide.

I put em at 125 degrees...thats 45 degrees off bottom.

Add me to the "no keepers on the split grip" team .  My normal spot is on the guide-side of the rod - so top for casting, bottom for spinning - as close to the reel seat as possible.  It generally won't catch the line here.

 

My 1 big exception is if the rod is going to be used for spinnerbaits or buzzbaits, then I'll put it 90 degrees offset, on the side of the reel handle.  This is so that when the rod sits on the deck of the boat the wire arm of the baits don't smash into the deck.  

 

2nd exception is for BIG treble hook baits like glides or oversized cranks....In this case I don't put a keeper on at all and hook the treble to the reel instead.  This is because on the oversized hard baits, the hook keepers just don't keep them in check....They need something a little sturdier and the reel keeps them secure much better.  

1 hour ago, Chris Catignani said:

The one that gets me Chris are the spinning rods with a hook keeper on the bottom of rod right in between the reel and stripper guide.

Just in front of the front grip at 90 degrees and I've never had line tangle on them, either drop shot keepers or closed keepers.  I don't like using guide frames as it puts the hook too far out onto the rod which simply doesn't work with rod sleeves. 

On 9/7/2025 at 12:21 PM, Chris Catignani said:

...

Mistakes I've made.
...

2: Just epoxying the hook keeper in situ. (no thread). I came up with this ridiculous idea because I didn't want to cover some of the nice thread work that was there. This idea could actually work (for a while...until it gets bent) It just come off. The real solution here was to use a clear thread (nylon or silk) and this let the thread work shine through.

 

 

Addendum 2a.

When I mentioned nylon above, I was referring to nylon monofilament...which was also a mistake. The nylon seals the foot and doesn't let the epoxy finish penetrate...plus, it stretches.

 

In case you're not familiar with this thread...think of it as the world's lowest pound test monofilament.

I like open hook keepers the best.

 

Position... hmmm, I think I like different positions for different things so far.

 

For crankbaits I prefer just forward of the reel. The ones I've tried were at 0 o-clock. I'm not sure if I'd like them better if they were to the right side or perhaps slightly to the bottom because with them in front of the reel, the reel keeps them from snagging on other things. True, they do get fouled in the line, but I'd rather them foul the line or my hand, shirt, or pants.

 

I have a Lews rod with the keeper between the grip sections. I don't mind it, especially for a non-treble hook lure. I like it pretty good for spinnerbaits, jigs, texas rigs, carolina rigs, and drop shots rigs.

 

@FloridaFishinFool I too have used the small spot on the reel seat mount. On rods where there is enough room, it works pretty good.

 

I do use the top of the reel for a lure keeper, especially if I am actively fishing. I rarely if ever do so if I'm transporting. I've had this catch the line coming off the spool though and I am careful when hooking a lure there to make sure that the line doesn't get nipped. I don't mind some minor finish wear on a reel.

I'm SHOCKED so many people hate the keeper between the seat and butt section. That's my preferred location for any open keeper. No matter what degree an open keeper is set in front of the reel, I always get my line wrapped under it once in a while.

Been using the fly rod snake guide suggested by Mick since the 70’s located about 4” up the blank reel handle side. Today most rods have a hook keeper near the reel seat. 
I also use lure wraps to help keep the hook barb from damaging the line on the rod.

Tom

8 hours ago, WRB-2.0 said:

...
I also use lure wraps to help keep the hook barb from damaging the line on the rod.

@WRB-2.0 Tom...any particular lure wrap you like better than others...and why? I think it's a pretty good idea. I like to use those mesh rod socks and then stack the rods in the rod locker. Sometimes those socks end up getting hooked and its a pain. Looking at KastKing Large.

I need to do something myself.

 

I hate how some of these rods don't come with keepers and I don't like my current system which is hooking the bait to the top of the reel.

 

Two reasons.

 

One, it seems like the hooks could damage the line.

 

Two, it can scratch my expensive reels. Yes, they are supposed to be equipment but I still like to keep them as nice as possible.   

3 hours ago, HawkeyeSmallie said:

I need to do something myself.

...

 

If your not inclined to break out the rod wrapper...Fuji makes an easily added keeper called the EZ Keeper...about $4 each.

 

19 hours ago, Chris Catignani said:

@WRB-2.0 Tom...any particular lure wrap you like better than others...and why? I think it's a pretty good idea. I like to use those mesh rod socks and then stack the rods in the rod locker. Sometimes those socks end up getting hooked and its a pain. Looking at KastKing Large.

Dr Fish makes a padded lure wrap. My old wraps were called Pig Blankets, no longer around.

Tom

On 9/18/2025 at 6:07 PM, Chris Catignani said:

If your not inclined to break out the rod wrapper...Fuji makes an easily added keeper called the EZ Keeper...about $4 each.

 

I like these myself. I often ponder keeping a stock and just giving one away with each rod. I also like the Kigan clip style keeper. 

The Fuji above is EHKM plus it comes in several colors.

 

This one is MHKM.

I've been going the simple-and-cheap route for adding hook keepers. The rod wrapping community may want to look away in disgust here...

Zip-ties and oval split rings. To prevent rod rash from hooks and the zip-tie I put a strip of black electrical tape on the rod. I know it sounds ghetto, but it works perfectly and it's easily removed/adjusted/etc and actually helps protect the rod. Even my fancy rods.

It's rock solid.

As for the camp that doesn't like the keeper on the split grip - I'm 100% with you - even with a bait wrap down there. I prefer the keeper in front of the reel and off to the side.

If I ever want to resell the rod the protection provided by the tape is a God's send. I've always found that electrical tape comes off clean, even after years.

I then add a bait wrap to equation and voilà, happiness!

s

I use the Fuji EZ keepers as well. By far the best offering I've seen yet.

32 minutes ago, IYAOYAS said:

I use the Fuji EZ keepers as well. By far the best offering I've seen yet.

I've had a number of these. I have found they are good for a quick solution, but all eventually have a problem - they move or slip on the rod, the elastic gives way and slips off, the keeper itself causes rod rash (albeit only a little bit).

On 9/7/2025 at 12:21 PM, Chris Catignani said:

I like to have the hook keeper at about 125 degrees (zero being at the top).

I wanted to clarify that comment above. The "125 degrees" was going counterclockwise.
Clockwise it would be at 225 degrees...just a little off center to the left.

It's all what one prefers and works for him.

I prefer just ahead of the fore-grip, at 180 with 0 being up. Both spin and cast. I have found that open keepers, like some drop shot keepers, tend to catch the line when at 90 degrees as was recommended to me years ago.

I don't like them just behind the rear grip on split grip rods, as was recommended to me years ago also. That location is not handy when picking up a rod off the deck that has a lure in the keeper. This location does have the advantage of keeping the hook away from a rod sock on some rods.

Seems like everything in life is a trade-off, and for me the location at the beginning seems to be best for me.

I always keep mine as close as possible to the foregrip and in the same line as the guides (top for casting, bottom for spinning) The angle of the line off the reel to the 1st guide keeps adequate distance and prevents the line from snagging the keeper.

I pretty much only use drop shot style keepers anymore as they are more versitile.

+1 on the reel being a hook keeper on big baits. Makes a big difference. Same with alabama rigs.