What Kind Of Swivels Do I Need?

[The Brim Reaper]

I plan to attach a fluorocarbon leader to braid line on a couple of rods. I've never used swivels before, so I'm not quite sure what type I need.

[Sam]

Barrel type, no snap, in black.

If you are really concerned about the fish breaknig the swivel you can consider the saltwater swivels.

The smallest size you can get away with is the best. You don't want the fish hitting the swivel.

Here are the BPS offerings:

http://www.basspro.com/Snaps-%26-Swivels/_/S-100010005

[The Brim Reaper]

Barrel type, no snap, in black.

If you are really concerned about the fish breaknig the swivel you can consider the saltwater swivels.

The smallest size you can get away with is the best. You don't want the fish hitting the swivel.

Here are the BPS offerings:

http://www.basspro.c...s/_/S-100010005

Thanks for your response. The first rod is just for panfishing with soft plastics, so I'm not really concerned about that. The second rod is an inshore saltwater rod, though. Can you explain the sizing to me, please? What's small, what's large? I'm not sure what size line is going on the inshore rod, but the panfish rod will have 20/6# braid. What size swivel would suffice for it?

[smr913]

Are you dead set on using swivels? It is common practice to connect braid to leader with a uni to uni or albright knot. The problem with swivels is that it creates unnecessary failure points in the set up.

[The Brim Reaper]

Are you dead set on using swivels? It is common practice to connect braid to leader with a uni to uni or albright knot. The problem with swivels is that it creates unnecessary failure points in the set up.

I'd like to at least give them a try.

[Sam]

Swivel sizes vary by manufacturer. Please view the following web page for an idea about swivels and their sizes.

https://www.google.com/search?q=swivel+sizes+chart&hl=en&rls=com.microsoft:en-us:IE

In the meantime please order a Bass Pro Shops and a Cabala’s catalog. They are free. You also need to be placed on their mailing lists. You can view the various swivels in each catalog and decide which ones serve your needs the best.

As smr913 says, you will have two weak points when using a swivel. So I suggest tying the swivel onto your line with a Palomar Knot in this manner:

Tie the swivel to your line rigged on your rod and reel using a Palomar Knot. Then take three feet of line off the rod’s tip and cut it. Now take the swivel, with the three feet of line tied to it, and tie it back to the main line off your rod and reel with another Palomar Knot.

This gives you a swivel tied on with two Palomar Knots and about three feet of leader, which you can cut into the desired length. Tie your bait or hook to the end and you are ready to go.

I would suggest a small swivel for panfish and a larger one for bass.

I like black, as I don’t want the fish to hit the swivel and not the bait.

So check out the chart, order your catalogs and create the rig that you believe is right for your fishing techniques.

Remember, you may have to experiment with a number of sizes before finding the ones that you like best.

[The Brim Reaper]

Swivel sizes vary by manufacturer. Please view the following web page for an idea about swivels and their sizes.

https://www.google.c...soft:en-us:IE��

In the meantime please order a Bass Pro Shops and a Cabala’s catalog. They are free. You also need to be placed on their mailing lists. You can view the various swivels in each catalog and decide which ones serve your needs the best.

As smr913 says, you will have two weak points when using a swivel. So I suggest tying the swivel onto your line with a Palomar Knot in this manner:

Tie the swivel to your line rigged on your rod and reel using a Palomar Knot. Then take three feet of line off the rod’s tip and cut it. Now take the swivel, with the three feet of line tied to it, and tie it back to the main line off your rod and reel with another Palomar Knot.

This gives you a swivel tied on with two Palomar Knots and about three feet of leader, which you can cut into the desired length. Tie your bait or hook to the end and you are ready to go.

I would suggest a small swivel for panfish and a larger one for bass.

I like black, as I don’t want the fish to hit the swivel and not the bait.

So check out the chart, order your catalogs and create the rig that you believe is right for your fishing techniques.

Remember, you may have to experiment with a number of sizes before finding the ones that you like best.

Thanks!

[NBR]

If you use a double uniknot or a barrel knot you can reel the knot through the tip eye and still cast very well.

[BASSHUNTER1961]

Connect your braid to the floro with an Alberto knot. The knot is easy to tie, and will allow you to reel it through the guides allowing for a leader almost as long as your rod.

[new2BC4bass]

I'm getting the impression that the OP is desiring an easier way to replace leaders than having to splice lines. At least for me, it is easier to tie a single knot than to splice 2 lines together. Maybe I need more practice.

The only time I will use a swivel is when I want to quickly change lures. However, for some reason I have come to distrust using a swivel. Whether it is because it could become another place for failure, rob the lure of its action, or become another place for the fish to strike at, I couldn't say.

If not for quickly changing leaders, then I would take the time to connect with an Alberto Knot. This knot is super strong, and goes through guides very well. Better than a Uni-to-Uni Knot which is also very strong, but more bulky. The original Albright would be my second choice for connecting the two lines.

[bigt89]

me personally i stay away from them. I'm just getting back into freshwater fishing but in salt water they are a big no no. to obvious to see and just very bad period. just to test out the difference between a direct tie with palomar knot vs a swivel on the same bait the one with no swivel produced a lot more fish then a swivel and swivels are probably your worst night mare when striper fishing. lines break to much because of them at least in my experiences. even when i go bass fishing i just got back into it again 2 weeks ago i never use swivels. they also ruin the true swim of swim baits. i can go on and on about my dis likes of them.

[SirSnookalot]

I have to chime in on this one. I use swivels for everything, I only tie line to leader when fishing for spanish mackerel, if you ever caught one you would know why.

The most import thing about a swivel is making sure it isn't too small to go thru the top eye on your rod. For years I was using crane swivels #7 and #5 (a barrel swivel is different), I now use BB swivels #2 and #4. The jury is out but I've recently gone to the Chinese BB swivels, very cheap and with some very high tests, but not enough time and fish caught to recommend them. Their numbers run different, I just bought 100 #3, test about 90lb, I'll use those for snook ,tarpon and bass, I have #2 @ 130lb test for rods with a bigger top eye, I'm using those offshore.

The actual knot is not the important issue, tying correctly what ever knot you choose is critical, a properly tied knot will hold. All I use is an improved clinch for braid and an ordinary clinch for leader attachment, lures get a double wrap loop knot. My lines as far as braid goes, are 10# for bass, 15 or 20# for snook and tarpon and 30# offshore, I have 100% confidence in these set ups. If you are not comfortable with these knots, try the palomar, it's ok too. Just to clarify I don't fish for big tarpon, only juveniles and they run 10-50#. I match the swivel to the rod, not the fish.

[Crestliner2008]

I've been using crane swivels on most of my braided lines for a long time. Do not use a "barrel" type swivel! These are the kind that come on cheap "snap swivels" you get at Walmarts. The eyes are connected to the body by visible wire twists. They can easily bind up and defeat the purpose. Cranes are designed to be as nearly free turning as can be, without actually going to a ball bearing type. I highly recommend the Spro "PowerSwivel". The tiny size #8 has a 50# test rating and is about as free turning as any ball bearing swivel. I use this in conjunction with a 2 1/2' fluoro leader and have had no problems. JMO.

[The Brim Reaper]

I have to chime in on this one. I use swivels for everything, I only tie line to leader when fishing for spanish mackerel, if you ever caught one you would know why.

The most import thing about a swivel is making sure it isn't too small to go thru the top eye on your rod. For years I was using crane swivels #7 and #5 (a barrel swivel is different), I now use BB swivels #2 and #4. The jury is out but I've recently gone to the Chinese BB swivels, very cheap and with some very high tests, but not enough time and fish caught to recommend them. Their numbers run different, I just bought 100 #3, test about 90lb, I'll use those for snook ,tarpon and bass, I have #2 @ 130lb test for rods with a bigger top eye, I'm using those offshore.

The actual knot is not the important issue, tying correctly what ever knot you choose is critical, a properly tied knot will hold. All I use is an improved clinch for braid and an ordinary clinch for leader attachment, lures get a double wrap loop knot. My lines as far as braid goes, are 10# for bass, 15 or 20# for snook and tarpon and 30# offshore, I have 100% confidence in these set ups. If you are not comfortable with these knots, try the palomar, it's ok too. Just to clarify I don't fish for big tarpon, only juveniles and they run 10-50#. I match the swivel to the rod, not the fish.

Alright, then. You recommended that I use 20lb braid for inshore fishing, Snook. What size fluorocarbon line should I use for the leader, and how long of a leader do you suggest?

[The Brim Reaper]

I've been using crane swivels on most of my braided lines for a long time. Do not use a "barrel" type swivel! These are the kind that come on cheap "snap swivels" you get at Walmarts. The eyes are connected to the body by visible wire twists. They can easily bind up and defeat the purpose. Cranes are designed to be as nearly free turning as can be, without actually going to a ball bearing type. I highly recommend the Spro "PowerSwivel". The tiny size #8 has a 50# test rating and is about as free turning as any ball bearing swivel. I use this in conjunction with a 2 1/2' fluoro leader and have had no problems. JMO.

Thanks for the heads up about barrel swivels. Which size do you recommend for panfishing?

[new2BC4bass]

Well now after reading the last 2 posts I may have to change my opinion, and give a try to your suggestions. My experiences with swivels are limited to cheapos found at discount stores. It would be nice to be able to change lures in seconds on at least one rod. True....retying shouldn't take long, but besides cutting line off, I also have a habit of sticking myself. Must come with old age. Don't remember doing it much when younger. Course that could be a memory problem caused by age as well. :)

EDIT: Apparently old age has slowed my typing as well. Two posts while I was pecking away.

EDIT2: Ok. I see I have got my terms confused. Snap swivels are what I was thinking of.

[The Brim Reaper]

Hey, guys, is the triple surgeon's knot any good? I'm going to practice the other knots you suggested, but I'm curious about the TSK.

[The Brim Reaper]

Well now after reading the last 2 posts I may have to change my opinion, and give a try to your suggestions. My experiences with swivels are limited to cheapos found at discount stores. It would be nice to be able to change lures in seconds on at least one rod. True....retying shouldn't take long, but besides cutting line off, I also have a habit of sticking myself. Must come with old age. Don't remember doing it much when younger. Course that could be a memory problem caused by age as well. :)

EDIT: Apparently old age has slowed my typing as well. Two posts while I was pecking away.

Lol. Don't feel bad. At least you can type. Some people don't know how to do it at all!

[SirSnookalot]

If I were fishing a beach I could go with 15# braid and a little lighter set up, 7'6" rod med 8/17 rod and 4000 spinning reel. If a sea wall or jettie I'd jump up to 20# braid and mh 10/20 rod, 4000 reel, 20# braid. I no longer use F/C line or leader, have never seen any advantage to it, my catch and land rate is identical. My rule of thumb is double the line, 15#line = 30# leader and 20# line = 40# leader, I cut mine from Ande or Big Game, I keep them about 2'. I make a long flowing movement rather than a snap cast, I do get more distance with less effort by letting the rod load up. I am not an expert regarding your local species, but in general work the trough. The trough (aka the swash) is the first few sets of waves off the shoreline.

[SirSnookalot]

@ new...........I do not use a snap swivel for fast change, I do however use a duolock, for that purpose for freshwater, I tend to be lazy and use the same leader and lock for a few weeks. In saltwater I change my leaders whenever it's needed, 2 or 3 times in a few hours. I strictly attach lures with a loop knot, no duolock in salt. A decent crane swivel is far superior to any barrel swivel like the ones in Walmart.

[new2BC4bass]

Thanks a lot. I will give the cranes and duolock a try.