I hook all my hooks on the hook eyelet near the handle and I have heard from a couple people this is going to damage the rod. What are you guys doing? I know they have products out for hooking your hooks too but it seems a litttle over board. I am using mostly avids and would like to make them last.

Also I see the pro's swing line around there rod a couple of times before they but the secure the hook. Is that to take pressure off the tip?

Thanks.

Hey I use some St Croix Premiers myself. I just took the longer rods and closed the tips im my car door now they fit in perfectly with no tip>no pressure

michbass,

I hook all my hooks on the hook eyelet near the handle and I have heard from a couple people this is going to damage the rod.

Using the hook keeper isn't going to damage your rod that's what it's there for. The one thing that they might be talking about is if you hang you hook with the sinker lose. It will bang up against the rod blank and ding the finish of the blank in that spot. Doing this enough will act just like you scored a piece of glass with a cutter and then with enough tension (as when the rod blank is flexed during a fight) it will snap at that point.

What are you guys doing?

I personally wrap my line around the rod. Such as when i'm done using my t-rig rod, and i'm ready to transport it. I will hook the hook into the keeper, make sure that the sinker is up against the hook eye. Then I will take the line and hold it like i'm drawing the string on a bow, and then spin my rod a couple of turns and let the line sit at one of the guides to hold it, This spirals the line around the rod and holds it tight to the blank so that my sinker isn't lose and rattling against the blank.

Also I see the pro's swing line around there rod a couple of times before they but the secure the hook. Is that to take pressure off the tip?

Almost the same as what I described above. Yes it does take the pressure off of the tip (but the rod should never be stored with a bend in the tip anyway), and, also as described keeps the sinker/bait from banging into the blank and damaging it, thus preventing rod blank failure.

I hope this makes sense to you it is hard to describe without illustrations...

Tight Lines!!!!

I got this one from Bassin Magazine.  I use a zip-tie designed for attaching to walls, etc.  I zip the tie to the rod just above the handle, and then put the hook through the eye.  See attached picture.

I try no to transport rods unless I have the line wound down to the reel ( no lure ). It takes a few minuts to rig on site but it is no big deal.