Garbage Barrel Swivel?

[celf]

Hi All,

 

I just started getting into fishing this year. Today I tied my 3/8 oz. chatterbait to a size 12 Eagle Claw barrel swivel. It got caught up in some weeds/lily pads so I jerked it to get it free, only to find half of the barrel swivel remaining on my line. It really bummed me out because it was a brand new chatterbait (the first day I used it).

 

So, I have a few questions. Are Eagle Claw barrel swivels known for breaking? I don't think I'll trust putting anything else on it now. What would be a more durable alternative? Also, I figured a swivel might be needed because the movement of the chatterbait could cause line twists. Is this an incorrect assumption? Do I need a swivel at all?

Thanks!

[d-camarena]

Dont use barrel swivels, tie directly to lure, i lost a good one at the boat last week due to my swivel breaking. I was using a spro swivel

[celf]

Thanks for the reply! Yeah, I think I'll tie directly, but I thought I read somewhere that you should use a swivel with some spinnerbaits because it puts twists in the line. Am I way off on that? Maybe chatterbaits don't require it but other spinnerbaits do?

[Raul]

Not with spinnerbaits but I highly recommend them for In-line spinners and spoons, those do twist the line.

[Shanes7614]

Thanks for the reply! Yeah, I think I'll tie directly, but I thought I read somewhere that you should use a swivel with some spinnerbaits because it puts twists in the line. Am I way off on that? Maybe chatterbaits don't require it but other spinnerbaits do?

Not true at all unless the spinnerbait does not run true... Meaning the blades are on top during the retrieve. This can be fixed by moving the arm of the spinnerbait so it is inline with the hook. The weight of the jig head part should keep it running true most of the time. However some times you will notice they may tend to lean towards one side with lighter baits and mostly willow leaf models as there is less resistance than with Colorado blades. IMO the baits that cause the most line twist tend to be whacky rigged baits weightless. I used them as a kid and lost a really good fish when a snap barrel swivel I was using still got forced open. If your looking for quick lure changes just check out fastechs. Similar to a corkscrew in a way but hard to exactly explain without seeing them yourself. I mainly use these with jerk baits and crankbaits only.

[Shanes7614]

Not with spinnerbaits but I highly recommend them for In-line spinners and spoons, those do twist the line.

Haha. Good call. Forgot those baits but not baits currently in my arsenal. Those I would use a high quality ball bearing snap swivel for if I used them.

[SirSnookalot]

I see inexpensive Walmart barrel swivels used all the time, have yet to see one break.  A barrel swivel does nothing to prevent line twist, it's only a line connector.  The next step up is a crane swivel, better quality with minimal line twist prevention.  I use Rosco #5 @90# (for wire leaders), but there some brands like Fisher that are so small they can go thru the top guide and are rated at about 100#.  Power swivels are very strong for their size, I've used every thing from Eagle Claw to Spro, they all have worked just fine for me, much better anti line twist.  Ball bearing is the top, at present I'm using DAM swivels, as good as any Sampo or Spro I've used. The smaller the better at twist prevention, mine are #2 or 3 rated at 40#, used on my barracuda rigs, I only use black never chrome.  I do use some larger swivels for offshore, but the majority of my inshore and freshwater fishing is done without swivels.

[smalljaw67]

Number 1, don't use a barrel swivel and snap for anything other than in-line spinners. If you want to change lures out and don't want to keep tying, then the use of a snap, not a snap swivel but a plain snap like a Mustad Duo lock snap. The way your barrel swivel broke makes me thing you were using one much too small for what your were doing, and truth be told it wasn't the correct thing to use no matter what size. The chatter bait already has a Duo Lock snap attached to the blade so if you use a snap to attach to a snap, you make a weak connection. I take it you are using a spinning rod set up, I'm curious as to the power of the rod and what size line you are using. BTW, a size 12 barrel swivel on a 3/8oz anything even an in-line that size is bad medicine, that would be why it broke as those are only rated up to 10lb, a size 12 is what we use for 1/16oz and 1/8oz in-line spinners for trout.

[Subaqua Adinterim]

Never had a problem. I use barrel swivels to transition to floro leader from mono or braid when I'm fishing plastics for bass. When fishing an inline spinner such as a panther martin I tie directly to the lure, always have with no problems. The blade spins better for me this way and since the blade on this type of lure is spinning around the body of the lure, I get little if any twist.

By the way - Thanks to SirSnook for the recommendation, I got some USA braid 10# test and am using it on one of my rigs. Got the Orange color. So easy to see and it works beautifully. Priced right, got it shipped for free to a nearby Walmart and it's made in the USA.

[fishballer06]

The barrel swivel broke? Or your line from the swivel to the chatterbait was gone? 

 

I'm betting that your knot gave out. 

[Shanes7614]

The barrel swivel broke? Or your line from the swivel to the chatterbait was gone?

I'm betting that your knot gave out.

From his original post...

I just started getting into fishing this year. Today I tied my 3/8 oz. chatterbait to a size 12 Eagle Claw barrel swivel. It got caught up in some weeds/lily pads so I jerked it to get it free, only to find half of the barrel swivel remaining on my line.

[Neil McCauley]

Never had a swivel break.

I also have found that swivels actually do little/nothing to reduce line twist.

[Shanes7614]

Never had a swivel break.

I also have found that swivels actually do little/nothing to reduce line twist.

You WILL have one break at some point.

[blckshirt98]

I've had one of the cheaper swivels break on me - I now use the Spro Power Swivels and haven't had any issues, and have complete confidence in them.  Have pulled hard on heavy braid/fluoro and have had the line break/hook bend before the swivel gave.

[Shanes7614]

I've had one of the cheaper swivels break on me - I now use the Spro Power Swivels and haven't had any issues, and have complete confidence in them. Have pulled hard on heavy braid/fluoro and have had the line break/hook bend before the swivel gave.

If they never hit the water before you shouldn't have any issues. But if you use one and then store it and use following seasons your begging for a failure. Forget it if they ever touch salt.

[blckshirt98]

If they never hit the water before you shouldn't have any issues. But if you use one and then store it and use following seasons your begging for a failure. Forget it if they ever touch salt.

 

Good call on the saltwater...I may have used that swivel c-rigging for perch in saltwater.  That very well could have been what caused the swivel failure!

[RoLo]

If they never hit the water before you shouldn't have any issues. But if you use one and then store it and use following seasons your begging for a failure. Forget it if they ever touch salt.

 

Hardware failure is not common, but the probability rises precipitously under two conditions:

> When freshwater hardware is exposed to saltwater   (saltwater carries a host of corrosives in addition to salt)

> When hardware is exposed to abrupt shock "out-of-the-water"

                  (when a jumping fish shocks the line - when swinging a fish over the rail - a fish thrashing out-of-the-water)

 

Roger

[Lunker Addict]

I have had many swivels break and not only cheap ones. I don't use them much anymore for that very reason.

[SirSnookalot]

I don't see any of the swivels breaking, if so it's a rare anomaly.  I'm at saltwater everyday, many of the people keep the same Walmart inexpensive swivels on the the longest time.  I've used crane swivels in the past, never an incident, now I tie with 1 exception.  That exception is #2 40# swivel for use with my barracuda tubes, the cudas are not small and the swivels don't break.  Cheaper ones I would change more often, BB no need.

Even with a lock down drag how many fish are caught that have the power to break 30 or 40#, your knot is going fail long before a swivel will.

[Bankbeater]

Tie directly to the bait.  You won't have to worry about the snap or swivel breaking and your bait coming off.