Who Uses A Snap To Connect Your Crankbait

[Big Stick Joe]

So i just read the "Hot weather crankin" on the main page and something caught my attention that i need some advice on. Is there any type of advantage to using a snap with your cranks? I understand changing out baits in seconds is a big one but does it help or hinder the action on your crankbaits. See this portion in the article threw me for a loop because i was always told to tie the line directly to the bait. What are you guys thoughts on this?

 

Thanks.

Joe

[Dyerbassman]

I have done both and caught fish both ways. The action of the lure may change with a snap, but sometimes that change can help, too. Snaps will gather more weeds and crap at times, but like I said, both have worked for me.

[Dwight Hottle]

I always use snaps in mostly open water. They improve bait action over tying direct imo.

[JeziHogg]

I always use Norman speed clips

[Dave P]

I use them exclusively. They don't hamper the action at all, but I use the smallest and lightest ones I can find. I've never had one fail.

[Sensei]

I almost always use them unless I find a lure that's working well and want it to collect less weeds. For instance if I'm ripping lipless cranks out of grass the snap can make that more difficult.

 

I would think the disadvantage of tieing direct with no snap or split ring would be the change in the lures action. The snap allows for quick changing of baits, it acts like the split ring and allows the bait to pivot about it. The snap will also collect more weeds.

[TNBassin']

I tried to use some dual locks on my cranks, but most of my lures that had that nice tight wobble ended up getting more of a wide wobble to them. I was killing bass on red eye shad tying to the split ring, but when I used the dual locks that tight wiggle was gone and didn't catch one bass. Ended up putting all of my split rings back on and ditched the dual locks.

[Big Stick Joe]

So this question is to all the people who use snaps. Do you attach the snaps to the split ring or do you connect the snap directly to the lure?. I hardly HARDLY catch bass on crankbaits so i would love to try something new that might improve my chances.

[Jrob78]

If you use snaps you need to remove your split rings and snap directly to the bait. Also, you need to make sure to check your line often and retie when needed. Snaps can help develop some bad habits if you aren't vigilant about your line, you still have to retie.

[Big Stick Joe]

Thanks Jrod.

[JeziHogg]

If you use snaps you need to remove your split rings and snap directly to the bait. Also, you need to make sure to check your line often and retie when needed. Snaps can help develop some bad habits if you aren't vigilant about your line, you still have to retie.

I never take the split rings off, just put the Norman speed clip right onto the split ring, no problems there.

[bigbill]

On my topwater poppers I leave the split ring on them so the snap swivel can be attached to it. I use the ball bearing snap swivels all the time. Even on my Carolina rig hooks. Using snap swivels gives my 

crankbaits more side to side action. Snap swivels let the cranks actually hinge smoother.

 

Plus I can't tie knots in the dark, I can just tie them in the daylite. I got old so fast.

[jtharris3]

I use both the cross lock snaps or the Norman speed clips EXCEPT on my lipless cranks. I tie directly to the split ring on those. I find the cross lock snaps work better on the smaller lighter baits such as Rapalas and the speed clips work best on larger and heavier baits.

[ChicagoEd]

I never take the split rings off, just put the Norman speed clip right onto the split ring, no problems there.

Bill Norman Speed clips! I read your post and thought what is that? I just googled it, what a ridiculously awesome tool. I've been having the same issue with my cranks, tie direct get good action or use a snap to change out quickly. If these speed clips do what they advertise I'm sold! Wow never thought I'd get so excited over a little piece of metal. I love this forum!

[ChicagoEd]

I use both the cross lock snaps or the Norman speed clips EXCEPT on my lipless cranks. I tie directly to the split ring on those. I find the cross lock snaps work better on the smaller lighter baits such as Rapalas and the speed clips work best on larger and heavier baits.

Why don't you use them in lipless cranks?

[OkeechobeeAngler]

Bill Norman Speed clips! I read your post and thought what is that? I just googled it, what a ridiculously awesome tool. I've been having the same issue with my cranks, tie direct get good action or use a snap to change out quickly. If these speed clips do what they advertise I'm sold! Wow never thought I'd get so excited over a little piece of metal. I love this forum!

They work as advertised and are virtually weedless. 

[ChicagoEd]

They work as advertised and are virtually weedless.

With or without split ring? I was hoping there was a you tube vid on these but no luck. So line directly to speed clip and then speed clip to split ring? Or straight to lure? Also, do you use these for jigs? How about trigs?

[ChicagoEd]

Never mind just found a tackle warehouse clip. Easy breezy can't wait to try these.

[jtharris3]

Why don't you use them in lipless cranks?

 

For two reason, 1. It hinders the action of the bait and 2. when casting with the snap on it I have found that the bait would foul with the line getting caught up in the hooks. YMMV

[Big Stick Joe]

I'm trying this out today with just some regular snaps that i would use on a C-rig. On 2 different Crankbaits, i took the split rings off and put the snap directly on the lure. I don't think i'm going to mess with my rat-l-traps but if i catch a fish today on one of those modified baits, i'm sold. lol

[Bankbeater]

Sometimes I do and sometimes I don't.  It depends on where I will be fishing, the type of bait I will be using, and what cover/structure is in the lake.

[Sam]

I do. I do.

[Felix77]

I have done both and caught fish both ways. The action of the lure may change with a snap, but sometimes that change can help, too. Snaps will gather more weeds and crap at times, but like I said, both have worked for me.

x2

[NWBasslover]

Most cranks are designed to be used with a split ring/snap, hence that's how they come. I always remove the split ring and use a snap, gives the same spacing on the bait to allow for the same action.  If you tie direct, you are actually lose action on some of your crank baits...don't do it!

 

Tight lines,

Matthew

[Dave P]

So this question is to all the people who use snaps. Do you attach the snaps to the split ring or do you connect the snap directly to the lure?. I hardly HARDLY catch bass on crankbaits so i would love to try something new that might improve my chances.

To the split ring.