Picked up a couple of these at a yard sale. The problem is, I am not sure how these were meant to be used.
Do you just unwind all the line, tie to the rod, untie when done and rewind the line on to the holder?
Or did you tie the line, and leave the excess on the keeper?
Just cannot get it in my mind how these are supposed to be used.

There are different types of cane poles. The original ones were actually made from cane plants and the line was just tied to the tip of the pole. The line was the length of the rod and you would just sling the line out then lift the pole in the air to retrieve the line. In some cases a line keeper was added to the back of the rod to hold the line when not fishing. Modern ones are made of fiberglass or other material and may be telescopic. In some models the line is run through the inside of the rod. If you want to send a picture of the rod that would help.

https://www.fieldandstream.com/how-build-bamboo-cane-fishing-pole/

I am asking about real cane poles. Just wondering if the line keepers were a one time use thing, or if it was common for people to remove the line when done fishing.
Seems that having one or two line keepers ready as backups would be handy.

Use a rubber band

I'm not familiar with the "line keepers" but what we did was like stated above. Just tie line on the length of the rod or a bit longer, and fish. when done, just twirl the rod wrapping the line around it and stick the hook into the base to keep it tight. simple

a pic might help.

The ones I remember were on a telescoping pole. when the pole was collapsed , there were two metal prongs about 6-8 inches apart, and you
wrapped the line around these. I have never seen these on a " cane " pole "

Mo

I see modern made ones that come with the cane poles at Walmart.
Also, I have seen, and have, some made from thin wood.They are shaped like a H, with lone, bobber, and hook wrapped around it.
Just thinking, maybe these were a way of keeping extra line and tackle in case you got hung up, and needed to re- rig your pole.
Yes I just twist the line around my pole when not fishing.