Using A Snap Swivel With A Crankbait

[Ash1983]

Just curious if anyone used a snap swivel with their crankbait, I was reading in one of the fishing articles a snap swivel will give a deep diving crank another point to pivot and is a good idea to use.  Does anyone use snap swivels for shallow or mid running cranks? 

[Grizzn N Bassin]

No i will mostly tie direct, only time i use a snap is when im fishing my spinning rod trying new stuff off

[Dwight Hottle]

Just curious if anyone used a snap swivel with their crankbait, I was reading in one of the fishing articles a snap swivel will give a deep diving crank another point to pivot and is a good idea to use.  Does anyone use snap swivels for shallow or mid running cranks? 

 

 

I think you're confusing snaps with snap swivels. Use just a snap for attaching your crankbait, no swivel needed. The only time you need a snap swivel is with a bait causing severe line twist. l

[JeziHogg]

Try Norman speed clips.

[Crestliner2008]

I agree with Dwight.

[BobP]

I build and fish crankbaits and the extent to which little bitty differences can change their action is amazing.  You can notice a difference in action between the size or shape of the split ring used on the line tie.  You can bet the fish notice too!  Using a snap swivel will produce an even greater difference because its bulk in front of the bait can significantly change the water flow over the bait's surfaces.  The effects are greater the smaller the crankbait is.  Should you do it or not?  Not so easy to answer.  I don't buy the theory that a swivel gives the bait an extra pivot point so is a better thing to use.  The only real right answer is to experiment for yourself with a particular crankbait and see how different connections to your line affect its fish catching ability.  And when you find a method that both you and the bass agree works best - KEEP USING IT.  But don't think that method will automatically translate to other crankbaits, because it won't.

 

I like the convenience of Norman Speed Clips and usually remove the stock split rings from crankbaits to attach them direct to the clip.  I forgot to remove the split ring from a Fat Free Shad one day so just clipped the Speed Clip on the split ring.  Caught bass like crazy.  Took off the split ring before the next outing, used the clip, and couldn't buy a bite.  If I believed in voodoo like most fishermen, I would conclude that the split ring + Speed Clip was the magic solution.  But that's just worthless anecdotal b.s. because another day is a day with different fishing conditions.  Were the fish still there, at the same depth, and in the same feeding mood as before?  Was I still throwing the crankbait on the same line?  Trying to draw a valid conclusion about the split ring - Speed Clip question is pretty fruitless unless you experiment under controlled conditions, preferably on the same day, and then continue experimenting over more fishing trips/more days so you can get valid numerical results.  Not many crankbait fishermen are going to do that.     

[Ash1983]

Yeah, you guys are right, the article said snap, not snap swivel. I had never heard of a snap until this site. Are they good to use with other lures like jigs and tubes as well?

[5dollarsplash]

They tend to catch a lot of gunk on anything that sits on the bottom. I prefer to tie direct for the lures you mentioned.

[A-Jay]

They tend to catch a lot of gunk on anything that sits on the bottom. I prefer to tie direct for the lures you mentioned.

 X2

 

Me too.

 

A-Jay

[bassin is addicting]

i will use a snap if i am fishing from the bank and limited to one rod.  it is much easier to change baits, etc.

i've used them in the past when fishing in a tournament out of the back of the boat since i am limited to the number of rods and i need to adapt quickly to whatever the boater decides to do.  i've even used one with a jig.  but it certainly is not preferable for that.   i think they can serve their purpose and as mentioned above...do they change the action of a crankbait...yes...but who knows if that is good or bad...that day...at that location, etc..

[doyle8218]

I don't use a swivel but I use Norman speed clips.

[Mumbly]

i will use a snap if i am fishing from the bank and limited to one rod.  it is much easier to change baits, etc.

 

This is exactly what I do as I often bank fish.

[Washout]

I use snap swivels sometimes. Not very often. They do junk up fast. I try to crank through schools and I am willing to miss some fish for the ability to change baits quickly. I'm not smart enough to know any better. I think our water clairty has a large bearing on my decision to do that. It's more about finding a cadence and a wobble for me. If I go to bigger baits, I always tie direct.