I have a few 3mm & 4mm single foot micro guides...I was maybe going to use as a hook keeper...any suggestions?

it is your rod, if you like it do it, would be best to install up side down so it would not pull out very easy , what I think ,

William Sidney
AK

use a forehan locking wrap and your good to go..

Do not know what kinds of hooks you use, but a size 3 and maybe a size 4 guide might not allow some hooks to go inside the ring. Even if they do you may have problems popping out the ceramic rings. For a fly rod they may be fine.
Norm

In my opinion the openings are too small. But there is no reason, if they are big enough for you, not to use them. I've used small single foot fly guides for keepers, work fine, better than some keepers that were designed to be keepers. I now really like the REC titanium allow keepers, so thin they are hardly noticeable, no corrosion, very tough. With any guides, if you want them to work as regular keepers plus drop shot, bend them away from the tip of the rod tip a little. With the RECs, install them with the tilt away from the tip. The locking wrap is good insurance , but I've never had a keeper move no matter which way it was installed.

From time to time I've used a small snake guide as a hook keeper. Stays put like a good hook keeper should, but goes in and comes out much faster and easier than a stock keeper.
Got the idea about 30 years ago from one of the Lamiglas factory guys that also built custom rods.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 08/28/2017 09:23PM by Spencer Phipps.

One can certainly use a guide for a hook keeper, but why?

A simple hook keeper that is sized correctly for the hooks and lures being used works extremely well, inexpensive and easy to install and it also looks "right".

Good luck

One may want to use a guide because he has some on hand, as originally stated. I also think that guides are better than some keeper designs. For example, the small drop shot "loops" and folding keepers are inferior in function to a good quality, properly sized, guide. Furthermore, I've had more trouble with corrosion on keepers, even in fresh water, than with any guide I've ever used. I suspect that the metallurgy in some (not all) keepers is suspect. I know what the metallurgy is with guides. A small guide under and forward of the most forward part of the seat/fore-grip will be unobtrusive and very functional. So, in my opinion, there are a number of reasons to use a guide for a keeper.

I have a spinnerbait casting rod I built many years ago, and when I built it I didn't have a keeper around, so used a small ceramic ring single foot fly guide, probably a 6, I've never had line tangle on it, have found no corrosion, and it more easily accepts lure hooks than just about any keeper I've used. Easy in, easy out. The opening, being 90 degrees to the blank axis, seems to work very well. I don't think a size 3 or 4 micro would work as well, especially with spinnerbait hooks.

I like the hook keepers which are an integral part of the reel seat. I prefer the clean, uncluttered look and function.

Phil, photos?

Michael: Struble HG series reel seats have integral hook keepers. The R.B Meiser Components website has photos of them. The concept is elegantly simple.

Only fly, not spinning or casting. With the fly, just use the frame of the first guide, run the line behind the reel, and you won't likely get the leader into the guides. Simple, and versatile, works with any reel seat, from the cheapest to the most expensive.

Looks like spinning and casting are behind the curve. Covering a hook point should not be difficult or require extra hardware and extra wraps and extra weight. Spinning/conventional rod seat manufacturers could offer the same "fold in the forward reel seat ring" hook holder feature but it would not work for anglers using two or three gangs of treble hooks on their lures. I'm not sure what would?

On fly I run enough line to round the reel and hook the fly on the second or third guide (usually wire). That gives you almost 15" of line without having to strip anything. Sometimes on our spanish/albacore fishing that's all you need when a pod suddenly pops up right at the boat. Unhook the fly, slap it in the water, strip it once, & fish on!

But...on spin & conventional tackle...if you feel that a ring guide will hold up as a hook keeper, then just go ahead & use the stripper guide as your keeper. If you don't want to do that because you feel like you'll damage the stripper, then don't use a ring guide as your hook keeper either.

Just my $.02

Jay, the hook through a ceramic ring guide most likely won't damage it, but it really won't matter since you're not running line through it. And, the ceramics are a heck of a lot more resistant to damage than the typical wire keeper. I've had a single foot ceramic fly guide on a casting rod for years, works great, no damage, no corrosion. I've found corrosion the weak point on most keepers.

Jay, the hook through a ceramic ring guide most likely won't damage it, but it really won't matter since you're not running line through it. And, the ceramics are a heck of a lot more resistant to damage than the typical wire keeper. I've had a single foot ceramic fly guide on a casting rod for years, works great, no damage, no corrosion. I've found corrosion the weak point on most keepers.

A little late on this post but, in lieu of reel seats with hook keepers... I have a Lews Custom Pro Speed spool reel which comes with a very durable hook keeper. It flips out if you need it and stores back when in use as fishing. It's a great idea and maybe one that other manufacturers should look into. I have had a number of requests for no hook keeper on the rod due to line tangle, rust, etc. This reel makes so much sence in that application.