How Many Largemouth Bass Does Using Swivel Snaps Cost Me?

[tcbass]

Since I don't have a lot of rods I use the same few but change out lures quite often. I've caught fish on everything I've ever used almost but I wonder if I a losing fish by using a swivel snap.

I do a lot of topwater frog fishing especially with Ragetail Toads and now my KVD Sexy Dawg, I use spinnerbaits (which I have tied to a leader with a loop since a swivel snap won't go on it), jig, senko, and now fluke.

How many fish do you think I'm missing because I'm using the small swivel snap?

[Bluebasser86]

Very few. Fish will eat and Alabama rig with all that wire and snaps sticking out all over, I doubt your little snap is scaring many. I'd be more willing to bet that it may cost you a few fish by hampering the action of the bait you're fishing, especially if you're using it with topwaters. 

[Jrob78]

If you're going to use a snap, at least use a good snap.  Those swivel snaps are junk and you don't need the swivel anyway.  Get some decent duo-lock snaps and you will be good to go.

[SirSnookalot]

There are ball bearing ones made which are better quality, even the cheap ones with a barrel swivel probably won't break, but they are cumbersome.  Only fishing with or without the hardware will give an answer if there is a strike difference, my opinion is probably not.  I personally tie a loopknot for lures.

[Sam]

You are probably missing very few.

 

I use a "snap" without the swivel  which allows me to change out lures fast.

 

I do this on both a baitcaster and spinning rig set up.

 

Have not had many problems other than having the snap get caught up in a buzzbait or a spinning bait from time to time.

[Crestliner2008]

I tend to agree with what has been said so far. The added hardware of the swivel with the snap does dampen the action of most presentations. Just go with a quality snap (without the swivel) and you'll be putting the odds in your favor, instead of the bass.

[Oregon Native]

If you're going to use a snap, at least use a good snap.  Those swivel snaps are junk and you don't need the swivel anyway.  Get some decent duo-lock snaps and you will be good to go.

Yeah this

[K_Mac]

I don't use them. I have in the past used a good snap on crankbait combos. It only takes a few seconds though to re-tie and then I have a freshly tied knot. The biggest problem I see with most people who use snap/swivels or snaps is they don't re-tie often enough...

[PersicoTrotaVA]

I don't use them anymore, I have in the past.  It takes me 30 seconds to tie a palomar knot and maybe a minute to tie a loop knot and I like to keep in practice of tying knots so I can stay proficient at it.

[TNBassin']

I don't use them anymore. I tried to use them on crankbaits and they sucked. Even after I removed the split ring, the duo locks still threw off the action. Baits with a tight wiggle suffered the most. My red eye shads went from fish catching monsters to "why the hell am I not catching any" with those things on.

[F14A-B]

Lost a big striper (saltwater ) because of snap swivel failure.... I don't use them... I used a small snap for crankbaits years ago.... Caught hoards of fish.... I just tie direct mostly.... When Carolina rigging I use Spro hardware... It is good stuff!

[einscodek]

I lost one fish to a snap failure and that was enough to go on a search for the better snap swivel setup.

I've also lost expensive swimbaits on swivel failures as well..

..but I've yet to fail after using interlock snaps where I cut out the swivel and re-install Spro power swivels rated at 50lb.. small but strong!

So interlock snaps + Spro powerswivel.. try it

[tmier]

I tried to use them on crankbaits and they sucked. Even after I removed the split ring, the duo locks still threw off the action. Baits with a tight wiggle suffered the most.

I used snaps on everything until my cousin moved back up here to NW Ohio from Florida. He explained that fishing with snaps and swivels on high pressure lakes will kill my presentation most of the time. I ditched the swivels and snaps and started using flouro leaders, and started to catch fish regularly.

[WRB]

Learn to tie good knots quickly instead of using a snap swivel on every lure you mentioned. The snap swivel causes you more trouble when casting your lures as it allows the line to tangle with hooks or blades in flight. Tying leaders on lures creates 2 knots to fail. There isn't an upside to use snap swivels with most bass lures with one exception; inline spinners. Using a good quality snap for deep diving crankbaits shouldn't affect the lures performance.

Practice tying a few good knots like the Palomar and San Diego Jam knots, both take less than 30 seconds.

Tom

[Scorchx1245]

Re tie. Bass beat up your line I can retie in less than a minute. Especially when finesse fishing it's something extra for the bass to see. Hurts the action on some bats too.

[Kevin Beachy]

I'm against using them... My swivel broke one time when i had a big fish on....

[iabass8]

bout tree fiddy

[Raul]

I' ve said it many times, it takes you a few seconds to tie a knot, snaps, unless for a specific reason like some sort of neuromuscular disorder ( my friend Sam has Parkinson's ) or some sort of atmospheric anomaly that doesn't allow you to tie a knot ( like waves ) are not needed. But what do I know ? I've only being doing this for more than 40 years......

[K_Mac]

I' ve said it many times, it takes you a few seconds to tie a knot, snaps, unless for a specific reason like some sort of neuromuscular disorder ( my friend Sam has Parkinson's ) or some sort of atmospheric anomaly that doesn't allow you to tie a knot ( like waves ) are not needed. But what do I know ? I've only being doing this for more than 40 years......

Raul when the waves are bouncing the boat too much to tie a knot, it is time to call it a day! I have been there though. Trying to maintain control of the boat while tieing a knot with the wind howling can be a serious pain.

[Raul]

Raul when the waves are bouncing the boat too much to tie a knot, it is time to call it a day! I have been there though. Trying to maintain control of the boat while tieing a knot with the wind howling can be a serious pain.

I agree completely, that's why I mentioned that circumstance and when waves bounce your boat to the point you can't tie a knot what are you doing ? It's time to go home.

[SweepTheLegAU]

Snaps are going to make it much harder to bring you bait through grass cleanly. 

[papajoe222]

I'd day go with retying and only use the swivel snap with a presentation that warrants it like an in-line spinner or pre-rigged worm.  I retie frequently, more to eliminate breakoffs from knicked or freyed line that from changing lures. Find a knot that you have confidence in and can tie correctly that doesn't take a lot of time to do.  The best knot is a failure waiting to happen if you rush tying it as you'll likely tie it incorrectly.  Stick with that knot and kiss the extra hardware goodbye.

[SirSnookalot]

I see Walmart snap swivels and barrel swivels used all the time down here, most of the time the people aren't casting lures, I have no explanation as why they use a snap swivel.  I have seen 1 break in all the time I've been down here, someone using a small one for small fish and gets hit by a good sized tarpon.  I do use a snap swivel in only one presentation, not even closely related to bass or even inshore fishing, 45# sampo with a crosslock snap, it has never failed for my barracuda fishing, only used with surgical tubes.

For typical cast and retrieve a snap swivel or even just a duolock on occasion get tangled on the lure, they can pick up vegetation and muck, just not a clean set up.  I use the loopknot for all lures except jig heads and jigs which I use an ordinary clinch.  I don't ever worry about knot failure, that doesn't mean it doesn't happen once in a while.