Xrks And Red Eye Shad: Swivel Or Not?

[TNBassin']

Just got some Xcalibur XRKs and some Red Eye Shad, and was wondering if they perform better with or without a barrel swivel? And if a barrel swivel is recommended, what size?? Thanks.

[MarkH024]

Never. Tie line straight to lure.

[papajoe222]

I don't use a swivel on any type of crank. The reason for this is that, unless the bait is tuned perfectly, there is always a little more resistance on one part of the bill than the rest. The majority of the time, it isn't noticeable during your retrieve. A swivel will allow that bait to spin on you much easier than just attaching directly to the split ring. Attaching a swivel is a great way to check that your bait is tuned properly, but if you're constantly bumping cover and changing retrieve speed (which you should be doing) it won't stay perfectly tuned and will end up rolling or running excessively to one side.

That said, I do use a snap on many of my cranks, especially when I'm doing a lot of bait changes. It just makes it faster and easier on these old eyes than retying. Don't be fooled into thinking that it's a better way than tying direct to the split ring. Even if you remove the split ring and clip directly to the eye you loose a little of the lure's built in action.

One more observation I'd like to pass along; check your line constantly when cranking. It's so easy to reel your bait in, and cast it right back out that it's easy to forget to check. I make it a point to check that line for a foot or so above the lure after every fish I catch and reguardless of how it looks, I cut and retie after getting snagged.

[TNBassin']

Thanks for the help guys. I appreciate it.

[Dwight Hottle]

  On 9/14/2012 at 6:10 PM, MarkH024 said:

Never. Tie line straight to lure.

X2 or you can use a small crosslock snap for quick lure changes.

[SirSnookalot]

I'm a swivel man, always use them with a leader as I fish braid exclusively. I haven't encountered any problems with the action of any kind of lure. The size of my swivel is predicated on the top guide, I don't want to reel the swivel thru it. For me barrel swivels are out, very reduced rotation, cranes are better and I use nothing but ball bearings. Whether you use them or not is up to you, I see no advantage one way or the other as far as catching fish. I use duolocks for freshwater, only modification is the addition of a small split ring as many top lures have a concave face and the duolock is pain to use.

[Mike L]

  On 9/14/2012 at 6:47 PM, Dwight Hottle said:

X2 or you can use a small crosslock snap for quick lure changes.

Yep! I use Norman speed clips

Mike

[tholmes]

  On 9/14/2012 at 6:10 PM, MarkH024 said:

Never. Tie line straight to lure.

X3^

I don't know if a swivel would affect the action of the lure or not, I just never have seen the need the use them on crankbaits of any kind.

Tom

[Crestliner2008]

  On 9/14/2012 at 6:10 PM, MarkH024 said:

Never. Tie line straight to lure.

I do hope you are referring to tying to the split ring that is supplied on most crankbaits. Never tie directly to the eye of the bait. I always use a snap, but a leader with a swivel about 2' above is good as well. JMO.

Edit: If I use a snap, I remove the split ring!

[MarkH024]

  On 9/17/2012 at 11:24 AM, Crestliner2008 said:

I do hope you are referring to tying to the split ring that is supplied on most crankbaits. Never tie directly to the eye of the bait. I always use a snap, but a leader with a swivel about 2' above is good as well. JMO.

Edit: If I use a snap, I remove the split ring!

Yes, to the split ring.