Fishing tools always at hand? Here's how to prevent your fishing pliers from falling into the water

You probably know the feeling. You finally have a bite. Your rod is bent, adrenaline is pumping, and all your attention is on that one fish. Then things suddenly need to move fast. Grab the landing net, reel in the fish, get the disgorger…

Where was that disgorger again?

Or even worse: you just used it, carelessly put it down next to you, and a moment later hear a splash - gone!

When fishing, you want to focus on fishing. Not on searching for a disgorger in tall grass, rummaging through an overflowing tackle bag, or getting frustrated because a tool just fell into the water.

A Gear Keeper retractor for your fishing tools can be a surprisingly simple solution. You attach your pliers, nippers, tool, or other fishing accessory to the retractor, pull it towards you when you need it, and then let it go. The cord automatically retracts.

No loose cords getting caught everywhere. No tools you unknowingly lose. Just grab, use, and release.

What is a Gear Keeper retractor for fishing?

A Gear Keeper is a retractable attachment system that allows you to attach tools and other equipment to yourself, your bag, boat, or other gear.

The principle is simple: your tool remains connected to the Gear Keeper with a strong, retractable Kevlar line. Need your tool? Just pull it towards you. After use, the line automatically retracts. This may sound like a small detail in your fishing equipment, but on the water, such a detail can make a big difference.

Because when reeling in, unhooking, and releasing a fish, you often only have two hands available. Tools must therefore be quickly accessible and safely storable.

 Gear Keeper RT4-2240 in packaging

Gear Keeper models such as the RT3-0012, RT3-0014, RT4-1072, RT5-2101, RT5-2102, RT5-2103, RT5-2106, RT4-5272, RT4-5741, RT4-2240, and RT4-2230 are developed for different types of tools and equipment.

Which version fits best depends, among other things, on the weight of your tool, the desired cord length, and how you want to attach the Gear Keeper.

Why fishing tools are so easily lost

Fishing is relaxing. Until a fish is actually on the line. Then the situation changes in a few seconds.

You move your rod, grab the landing net, try to control the fish, and in the meantime need pliers or another tool. Especially when predator fishing, good tools are not a luxury. A hook must be removed quickly and responsibly. Precisely at such moments, there is a risk that you put something down where it doesn't belong.

A disgorger disappears in the grass. Nippers are left on the jetty. Tools slide off the edge of the boat. Or your favorite tool falls directly into the water while kayak fishing.

That's annoying for your wallet, but it can also mean that you are without the right tools at a crucial moment.

With a retractor, your tool remains physically connected to your equipment. You can let go of it, without losing it. And that is incredibly convenient on the waterfront.

Gear Keeper for predator fishing: ready for the moment that counts

For predator anglers, good preparation is extra important. Pike, zander, and perch can provide a lot of action, and when unhooking, you don't want to have to search your entire bag first.

Depending on your fishing method, you can, for example, use an RT3-0012 or RT3-0014 to keep frequently used tools accessible. For other tools or circumstances, versions such as the RT4-1072, RT4-5272, RT4-5741, RT4-2240, or RT4-2230 may be more suitable.

Within the heavier RT5 series, various options are also available, including the RT5-2101, RT5-2102, RT5-2103, and RT5-2106.

Consider applications such as a disgorger, nippers, or other tools that you regularly use during a fishing session.

You will notice the big advantage as soon as things get hectic.

You pull your tool towards you, use it, and then let it go. The line retracts, and your tool returns to its fixed spot on the Gear Keeper retractor.

So you don't have to consciously think: where should I put my pliers now?

It sounds simple, and it is! Anyone who has ever seen a good pair of pliers disappear into deep water knows how much frustration such a simple solution can prevent.

The predator fishing season starts even before the first cast

For Dutch predator anglers, spring is a period to take into account the applicable closed seasons and regulations.

For pike, for example, there is a closed season, and for zander and perch, there are also restrictions in spring. In addition, there are periods when certain bait types are not allowed.

The last Saturday of May is therefore an important moment every year for many predator anglers: the start of the new predator fishing season.

And actually, that season starts earlier.

The weeks before are ideal for checking your gear. Are your pliers still complete and in good working order? Is your line okay? Do you have everything for safely unhooking fish? And are the tools you need immediately actually immediately accessible?

By equipping your frequently used tools with a suitable Gear Keeper in advance, you enter the new season prepared. Always check the current national and local fishing regulations that apply to your fishing water and fish species before fishing.

Carp fishing and coarse fishing: less searching, more attention to your catch

Not only predator anglers benefit from a retractor. Also in carp fishing and coarse fishing, all kinds of small tools are scattered around you during a session. The longer the session, the easier material spreads across your spot.

And of course, exactly the one tool you need is just out of reach. A Gear Keeper can help to give frequently used tools a fixed place. This way, you automatically know where it is and have to search less. This is especially pleasant during longer sessions. You create a fixed routine, as it were:

Grab and pull your tool → use → release → automatically back in place.

Less searching also means that your attention can return to the fish and the water more quickly.

Kayak fishing: this is where you really don't want anything to go overboard

When kayak fishing, the usefulness of securing equipment becomes even clearer. In a kayak, space is limited. You have your rod, lures, pliers, net, paddle, and other necessities in a relatively small area.

A tool that falls to the ground on the waterfront, you pick it up again, if you're lucky. From a kayak, the same mistake can mean you've lost it permanently. That's why it's wise to secure essential equipment well.

An interesting solution for this is the Gear Keeper AC0-0307. This attachment is handy for kayak fishing or fishing from, for example, a rowboat and can be used to secure equipment such as a paddle or rod.

For smaller tools, you can then choose a suitable retractor from, for example, the RT3-, RT4-, or RT5-series, depending on the application.

This way, you create a fishing spot where your belongings remain accessible without everything lying loose in the kayak.

Kayak fishing in summer and winter

The period from approximately May to October is attractive for many kayak anglers. The water is warmer, and there are plenty of opportunities for, for example, predator fish in inland waters or sea bass on the coast.

In the colder months, however, the risk changes significantly. Cold water can quickly become dangerous if you capsize. Good clothing, personal protective equipment, knowledge of the water, and attention to weather conditions are therefore essential.

A Gear Keeper helps keep your equipment secure, but it is, of course, no substitute for safety equipment.

Safety always comes before material.

Sea fishing: salt, wind, waves, and gear that shouldn't go anywhere

Also in sea fishing, your material has to endure a lot. From the beach, pier, boat, or kayak, you deal with different conditions than at a calm pond. Wind, waves, and movement make it even easier to lose tools.

From approximately May to October, various summer species migrate towards the Dutch coast. These include sea bass, mackerel, and garfish. In the colder period, both the conditions and the fish species caught shift.

Especially when you move a lot or use different tools, it is handy if important tools remain attached to your equipment.

With a suitable Gear Keeper, you don't have to consciously put a tool away after every use. You let go of it, and the retractor does the rest.

Which Gear Keeper do you need for your fishing tools?

Not every angler uses the same tools. And not every tool has the same weight. That's why there isn't one Gear Keeper that is automatically the best choice for every application.

Within the assortment, you can look at, among others:

• RT3-0012 and RT3-0014 for suitable applications with fishing tools;
  
• RT4-1072, RT4-5272, RT4-5741, RT4-2240, and RT4-2230 for various tools and mounting situations;
  
• RT5-2101, RT5-2102, RT5-2103, and RT5-2106 when an RT5-series version better suits the application;
  
• AC0-0307 as a handy attachment solution for kayak and boat fishing, for example for securing a paddle or rod.

When choosing a Gear Keeper, pay particular attention to the weight of your tool, the desired pulling force, cable length, and attachment method. A heavier retractor is not automatically the best choice. It is precisely a Gear Keeper that is well matched to your fishing pliers, tool, or other equipment that ensures you can use it pleasantly and safely.

Are you unsure which Gear Keeper best suits your application? On our website, you will find a handy selection guide that helps you step-by-step in choosing the right retractor. In addition, we have an extensive knowledge base with practical information, explanations, and videos about the different Gear Keepers, attachment options, and applications. This way, you don't have to guess which model you need, but you can choose a Gear Keeper that truly matches your equipment.

And your smartphone while fishing?

Quickly taking a picture of that beautiful pike, perch, or carp is part of the experience for many anglers. But a smartphone requires a different solution than a disgorger or other fishing tools.

Therefore, do not automatically use one of the above Gear Keepers for your phone. For smartphones, cameras, and tablets, specific Gear Keeper models are available that are better suited for this application.

This way, you can secure both your tools and your phone with a solution intended for the respective application.

Frequently asked questions about Gear Keeper and fishing

What is a retractor for fishing?

A retractor is a retractable attachment system that allows you to attach fishing tools to your clothing, bag, boat, kayak, or other equipment. You pull the tool towards you when you need it, and the cord automatically retracts afterward.

How do I prevent my disgorger from falling into the water?

By attaching the disgorger to your equipment with a suitable Gear Keeper, the disgorger remains secured. If you accidentally let go of it, it remains connected via the cord.

Which Gear Keeper is suitable for my fishing pliers?

That depends, among other things, on the weight of the pliers, the desired cable length, pulling force, and attachment method. Models such as the RT3-0012, RT3-0014, and various RT4 and RT5 versions can be used for fishing tools. Always check the product specifications to choose the right combination.

Can I use a Gear Keeper while kayak fishing?

Yes. Especially from a kayak, securing material is useful because a released tool can immediately disappear into the water. The AC0-0307 can also be a handy attachment for, for example, a paddle or rod.

Can I use the same Gear Keeper for my smartphone?

For a smartphone, preferably choose a Gear Keeper that is specifically designed for phones and that application. The models mentioned in this blog are focused on fishing tools and other equipment.

More fishing. Less searching.

Ultimately, you don't go to the waterfront to deal with your equipment.

You go for that quiet moment early in the morning. For the excitement when your float pulls away. For that unexpectedly hard bite. For the adrenaline of a predator fish that dives away one last time just before the net.

And maybe a little bit for the story you can tell later. At such a moment, you want your equipment to just do what it's supposed to do.

A Gear Keeper is only a small part of your total fishing equipment. But if it means your disgorger is within reach at exactly the right moment - or your favorite tool doesn't sink to the bottom - such a small part suddenly turns out to be quite valuable.

View the Gear Keeper retractors for angling and choose the version that suits your fishing tools and fishing method.

Want to know more about Gear Keeper retractors?

Do you want to better understand what a retractor is, how it works, and what you can use it for? Then read our detailed explanation of [what a retractor is]. Here you will discover how the retraction mechanism works, what possibilities there are, and what to pay attention to when choosing a retractor.

Do you regularly use your Gear Keeper while fishing? Then it will inevitably come into contact with water, sand, mud, and dirt. Good maintenance helps to keep your retractor in optimal condition. Therefore, also check out our practical explanation of [cleaning a retractor] and read how to clean and maintain your Gear Keeper correctly.

This way, you not only get more out of your Gear Keeper, but you also ensure that it is ready for your next fishing session.