Snap Swivels???

[FishDontFearMe]

hey anyone use snap swivels when using there hard baits? i was taught don't use them to minimize what the fish sees, makes perfect sense. but when i go out to my wife and kid i always set them up with a snap to make there changeout easier on them and on me. so my questions are do any successful anglers use them regularly? and would the benefits of being able to swap out baits quickly and therefore being able to find the "right" one quicker out way the added bulk to the tackle?

[Jacob Robinson]

I dont use them because it can alter the action of the bait. I have always heard that the snap can weaken pretty quick and you not only loose the fish but your bait as well.

[JacobK]

I tried out some snaps this weekend for my cranking rod. The snaps made switching lures a lot easier but you pay the price of sensitivity. I found that while using the snap I couldn't feel my lure's action at times. I attribute it to another link in the chain that leads back to the rod.

All in all I always check my line after every couple casts and after every fish for fraying. I usually find myself retying quite often so it makes no difference in convenience anyways. 

[Sam]

Use them all the time, even on spinnerbaits and buzz baits.

No problems.

Give crankbaits good actions. 

[Boogey Man]

Duo-Lock type snaps yes, snaps with swivels, no.

[Goose52]

All in all I always check my line after every couple casts and after every fish for fraying. I usually find myself retying quite often so it makes no difference in convenience anyways.

x2. I occasionally use duo-lock or cross-lock snaps, but usually just end up direct tying since I'm re-tying pretty often anyway.

I only use snap swivels when using in-line spinners.

[RandySBreth]

Just snaps, not swivel-snaps. Well, I will use a swivel-snap when using an inline spinner, but that's it.

Snaps are great for hard baits. (Cranks and Jerkbaits)

[Raul]

Snap-swivels are only for baits that rotate and cause your line to twist like in-line spinners, spoons, pre-rigged worms, not for cranks, you can use a snap for cranks.

[Oscar O.]

I use duo lock snaps all the time with cranks and stuff. I don't worry too much about the fish seeing the snap since the bait is in motion and the action of the lure seems like it would take the attention away from the snap. I've used snaps with a bed bait + braided line + flippin' stick while sight fishing.... straightened out real quick setting the hook. So for cranks you should be good, and other applictaions be sure to account for the qualities of each component in you arsenal to catch fish (rod reel line).

[Osprey39]

Duo-Lock type snaps yes, snaps with swivels, no.

Bingo.  There's a big difference between snaps and snap swivels.  Snap swivels will kill bait action on certain baits like cranks.  Snaps will not.

I use snaps religiously on my crankbait rods because I like to experiment with different types/sizes/colors until I find one that is working that day.  I have never had one break on me, knock on wood. 

[bass or bass ?]

Duo-Lock type snaps yes, snaps with swivels, no.

Bingo. There's a big difference between snaps and snap swivels. Snap swivels will kill bait action on certain baits like cranks. Snaps will not.

I use snaps religiously on my crankbait rods because I like to experiment with different types/sizes/colors until I find one that is working that day. I have never had one break on me, knock on wood.

X2

[Koop]

retie every time I change, snap is just another weak point in the set up takes me 5 seconds longer

[Stringjam]

Yes - snaps, always on hard baits.

Use a quality snap like a Berkley Cross-Lock.

There's nothing weak about them, and no reason not to use them.

And I swear, if one more person writes something about how using a snap "makes" you not check your line condition.... :

Blaming a snap for your own inability to determine the condition of your line is like blaming your car for running out of gas because you're too lazy to look at the gauge.

[tholmes]

I'll use snaps (Berkley cross-lock) on hard baits and ball-bearing swivels on Kastmasters and such. Never snap swivels.

Tom

[J Francho]

And I swear, if one more person writes something about how using a snap "makes" you not check your line condition.... :

Blaming a snap for your own inability to determine the condition of your line is like blaming your car for running out of gas because you're too lazy to look at the gauge.

So true!  I bet over 75% of my cranks have snaps already attached.  Soon, they all will.  I consider the snap part of the lure, not the line.  That said, if you're not checking your line with cranks, what about drop shots, jigs, spinnerbaits, Texas rigs, Carolina rigs, etc.? 

Either you're checking the line, or you're not.  I'm checking it pretty frequently.  I wouldn't forgive myself losing a fish to laziness.

[RoLo]

The topic is "Snap-Swivels".

I use "snaps", and I use "swivels", but have no further use for SNAP-SWIVELS.

I try to keep one spinning outfit permanently fitted with a 'snap',

because the quick-change capability of a snap encourages lure-change and experimentation,

which is my favorite part of fishing.

I might incorporate a 'swivel' for C-rigging (as a stop), dropshotting and lures that rotate

360-degrees (surprisingly few). For trolling and saltwater angling I'll use a Sampo roller-bearing swivel.

As for "snap-swivels", they've been phased-out of my armory long ago.

Roger