Snap Swivels?

[MNfishguy]

 I like to use snap swivels when fishing because it allows me to fish with fewer poles.  It seems to work fine, however I wondered what other people thought of them. 

[jderry]

I have been using the Mustad Fastach clips with and without their ball bearing swivels.

 

Seem to work decently

[wisconsin heat]

NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO

 

I cannot stand them. I do use snaps, duo-lock snaps. What I do is I remove the split rings off of the front of my hardbaits and then just use a one of the duo-lock snaps. I use a smaller size because a lot of metal hanging in front of your lure is not only a visual turn-off, but also because it can negatively subdue and ruin actions of crankbaits and jerkbaits. It also can make topwaters sink/work improperly. You would only want the swivel if you were fishing a lure that causes line twist like a spoon. Otherwise it is just extra, unwanted, messy hardware.

[wisconsin heat]

These are the kind of snaps I like. 

They are good all around, strong enough for what I need, don't affect action of my lures, and are small enough that it doesn't bug me.

 

These are the Fastach Clips jderry mentioned.

I tried them, and they work well, I just didn't like the length of them. I prefer the duo lock style.

[tomustang]

Just the snap, not swivel, on certain rods like cranking.

[Ginosocalbass]

I use the snap only, I like the Spro 70lbs for my jerkbait rod.  It makes it easy to cycle through jerkbait type and color to find what the fish are keying in on.  also it helps some jerkbaits suspend without any need to modify the bait itself. 

[Raul]

Snap swivels are for lures that twist the line like in-line spinners or spoons, Other than that you only need the snap. On the other hand I just want to ask after reading: "it allows me to fish with fewer poles",how many rods you need to fish ? just curious.

[Snakehead Whisperer]

Snap, yes. Swivel, no. There are so many snaps on the market and it's such a simple design, just get whatever works. I make my own, it's cheap and they work. I copied the design of the KVD snaps, they're simple, strong and easy to change out crankbaits.

 

If you fish crankbaits on snaps, you may want to remove the split ring from the front of the bait. Sometimes the snap hurts the action, other times it doesn't really matter. Depends on the lure. I don't really use them for anything else. 

 

This is the style I like. It's called the Mustad KVD Fastach Clip.

[ClackerBuzz]

http://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-forums/topic/145579-using-snaps/

[SirSnookalot]

As far as catching fish it doesn't make a difference.  I personally do not use snap/swivels or duolocks, I tie everything.  I have friends that do use the cheapest snap/swivels, seldom retie the knots, and use no shock leader and use wire, a set up I would never consider.  Have yet to see one ever fail due to corrosion, btw they catch just as many fish as I do.

What ever works for you.

[MNfishguy]

Thanks for responding Raul.  In responce to your question about "how many poles do you need to fish?" I personally have two poles that I use.  That's why I use the snaps so I don't always have to retie rigs.  However, I fish with friends who like to use a lot of poles.  They fish with four to six poles (individually) in the boat at a time each with a different rig so they can quickly switch rigs.

[SirSnookalot]

Thanks for responding Raul.  In responce to your question about "how many poles do you need to fish?" I personally have two poles that I use.  That's why I use the snaps so I don't always have to retie rigs.  However, I fish with friends who like to use a lot of poles.  They fish with four to six poles (individually) in the boat at a time each with a different rig so they can quickly switch rigs.

I fish with 1 rod (poles are used when sitting on a bucket), I retie when I change lures or need a fresh leader.  I stick with a lure quite a while before I change, a retie is no big deal.

[Driftb]

The first time I took my neighbor Ed to a pond I hit that you have to drag the boat over three beaver dams to get to, he proudly showed me how he uses a piece of vinyl tubing over the  line tie on a spinnerbait so that he could use a snap swivel.  I told him he should get rid of  that snap swivel because if he hoooked a big bass it would likely break.  He laughed at me.  "Why would it break?  I always use them"   I told him go ahead, but he might lose the fish of a lifetime.  I am guessing it wasn't more than an hour and Ed had a big one on.  When it jumped, I am guessing it went 24" or so, about the max you will see in this area.  Long story short, the bass ran and Ed's line suddenly went slack.  When he pullled it in, he had half a  snap swivel.  I didn't say a word.

 

I do use duo lock snaps though, on crankbait, jekbaits and topwaters, and I have had a few come open while fighting a fish. I make sure the snaps are the heavier wire ones, not the real light flimsy ones.

[hatrix]

The first time I took my neighbor Ed to a pond I hit that you have to drag the boat over three beaver dams to get to, he proudly showed me how he uses a piece of vinyl tubing over the line tie on a spinnerbait so that he could use a snap swivel. I told him he should get rid of that snap swivel because if he hoooked a big bass it would likely break. He laughed at me. "Why would it break? I always use them" I told him go ahead, but he might lose the fish of a lifetime. I am guessing it wasn't more than an hour and Ed had a big one on. When it jumped, I am guessing it went 24" or so, about the max you will see in this area. Long story short, the bass ran and Ed's line suddenly went slack. When he pullled it in, he had half a snap swivel. I didn't say a word.

I do use duo lock snaps though, on crankbait, jekbaits and topwaters, and I have had a few come open while fighting a fish. I make sure the snaps are the heavier wire ones, not the real light flimsy ones.

Well he had to of had a garbage snap. I use duolocks and other types sometimes. But the ones I use will not break even if I were to hook like a 30# catfish or carp. You can even get eagle claw duolocks and they are tuff. Just don't buy super thin wire ones that are flimsy and bend easy. My snaps are generally rated higher then my line.

[J Francho]

Snaps: yes.

Swivels: yes.

Snap-Swivels: never.

[Snakehead Whisperer]

Snaps: yes.

Swivels: yes.

Snap-Swivels: never.

Well said.

[SirSnookalot]

Well he had to of had a garbage snap. I use duolocks and other types sometimes. But the ones I use will not break even if I were to hook like a 30# catfish or carp. You can even get eagle claw duolocks and they are tuff. Just don't buy super thin wire ones that are flimsy and bend easy. My snaps are generally rated higher then my line.

I have acquaintances that are not interested in fishing with a more sophisticating set up, they use Walmart snap/swivels or Walmart barrel swivels, could be as cheap as it gets.  I have not seen any fail due to stress or saltwater corrosion.  In the past I've used duolock style snaps, and I would again without reservation, can't remember any of them failing.  At present I'm content tying everything.

[J Francho]

I've had 30# Laker brand snap swivels open up on me. That's why I went to Dou Locks.

[hatrix]

I've had 30# Laker brand snap swivels open up on me. That's why I went to Dou Locks.

I know I have said snap but I don't actually mean snaps. I just call everything snaps. I also use duolocks. I said it in another post before. Some of them are so tuff you kinda need pliers to squeeze them open. I can't imagine those opening up or breaking. Something else is going to break before those.

[J Francho]

 

Some of them are so tuff you kinda need pliers to squeeze them open.

Yep, chipped a tooth on one once, lol.

[OkobojiEagle]

ball bearing swivels on in-line spinners, but never metal snap attachments.  Re-tying your knots often is a good thing!

 

 

oe

[hatrix]

Yep, chipped a tooth on one once, lol.

LOL what? You bite duolocks to get them open? That's hardcore. I took a tiny chip out of a tooth biting my line before. That tooth is actually had a big chip in it already from fighting when I was younger though. Even so you really shouldn't bite you line and even more so once you start getting into the heavier stuff.

[J Francho]

 

You bite duolocks to get them open?

 

Yep, and I'm line biter, lmao.

[einscodek]

Strong wire interlock snaps only.. I've had all other snaps fail on me one way or another.

Nothing like losing a fish due to a snap failure!

I pulled in a fish once and the spro hypersnap arm had skipped the main wire and nothing was keeping the lure on the snap except a hope and a prayer hanging on an open bottom arm.. that was luck.. most of the time I lost lure and fish with them ridiculous snaps.

[FunkJishing]

each of my set-ups has a small black clip tied on (no swivel bearing). If you have many set-ups you dont have to change lures as frequently all you have to do is grab another stick. BUT in the event of you having to change a lure, the clips make life easier. just use the best knot you got when tying your clips on. they dont kill the lures action, just use the small black ones. they're strong and less bulky.