Large Hook Keeper

[SommerTime]

I am building rods for trolling this summer. It is convenient to wrap the leaders to the lead heads around the reel and then anchor the hook of the lead head to a hook keeper. The only problem is the hooks are 9/0 or 10/0 which makes the hook keepers you see in Mud Hole a little small. I am thinking of using a guide as a hook keeper. Do you have any other suggestions?

[Steve F]

Sommer, I never hook any of my lead to my guides I always hook them under the hood of the reel seat. I have seen too many guys put there hooks on the inserts of the guides and then they wonder why the guides chip or on the frame of the guide and the lure is always banging up against your rod. Also I don't put a lot of hook keepers on the rods I build unless guys ask for them because like I said that lure you have hooked to your hook keeper is always banging up against you rod blank. Just my 2 cents on this one…..

[SommerTime]

Thanks Steve for the reply. The guide that I am considering using as a hook keeper would not be used as a standard guide to thread the line through, i.e. it would be a separate guide used only as a hook keeper. I would mount it 90 degrees off center of the guide line and displaced from horizontal from one of the functioning guides. I was hoping someone had an idea of using something nonstandard or where you could purchase large hook keepers other than from Mud Hole.

[SommerTime]

What do you think about using a fly rod guide that is just metal without guide insert?

[FLATLINER]

Just use a snake guide from a fly rod. That is the same thing, just a different shape.

Kevin

[BUDC]

Sommer, I never hook any of my lead to my guides I always hook them under the hood of the reel seat. I have seen too many guys put there hooks on the inserts of the guides and then they wonder why the guides chip or on the frame of the guide and the lure is always banging up against your rod. Also I don't put a lot of hook keepers on the rods I build unless guys ask for them because like I said that lure you have hooked to your hook keeper is always banging up against you rod blank. Just my 2 cents on this one…..

That keeps the hook out of your fingers too, which I like better than all the blood !!