Snap Swivels

[smr_hga]

Ok i have a simple question here; will snap swivels limit the movement of certain lures? I know snap swivels actually aid lures like spoons, but will they mess up the movement of other lures like topwater, crankbait, spinnerbait, etc?

[Senko lover]

Wouldn't put one on a topwater but otherwise I've seen people put them on just about anything and catch fish.

[desmobob]

Wouldn't put one on a topwater but otherwise I've seen people put them on just about anything and catch fish.

 

^ +1.

 

When I was younger and a "one rod" multi-species spin fisherman, I used them religiously.  The make it very easy to change baits, plus help eliminate line twist.

 

Lately, bass fishing, I find myself tying on direct or using the Mustad Fastach clips on my hard bait rigs.  Barrel swivels get used on drop-shot rigs.

 

Tight lines,

Bob

[Snakehead Whisperer]

Snap, yes. Swivel, yes. Snap swivel, no.

I use snaps all the time for crankbaits (although depending on the lure it may work better without the front split ring.) I also use swivels quite a bit for things like a Carolina rig, etc. I have yet to have found a good use for a snap swivel in bass fishing (or any of my own fishing, for that matter.)

A swivel on a crankbait or topwater will ruin the action, imho.

The only lure I would think of using a snap swivel on is an inline spinner.

[blckshirt98]

I wouldn't use one on a bait where you tie your line to a wire (i.e. spinnerbait/buzzbait) - the snap will slide up and down the metal wire when you cast and doesn't always settle at the "tie" location when you retrieve.

[K_Mac]

Snap, yes. Swivel, yes. Snap swivel, no.

I use snaps all the time for crankbaits (although depending on the lure it may work better without the front split ring.) I also use swivels quite a bit for things like a Carolina rig, etc. I have yet to have found a good use for a snap swivel in bass fishing (or any of my own fishing, for that matter.)

A swivel on a crankbait or topwater will ruin the action, imho.

The only lure I would think of using a snap swivel on is an inline spinner.

Great answer. I completely agree.

[Snakehead Whisperer]

I wouldn't use one on a bait where you tie your line to a wire (i.e. spinnerbait/buzzbait) - the snap will slide up and down the metal wire when you cast and doesn't always settle at the "tie" location when you retrieve.

Not that I recommend it, but I've seen people modify spinnerbaits/buzzbaits to accommodate the use of a snap. Usually they add some heat shrink tubing or aquarium tubing to the wire so that the snap doesn't slide down.

[WIGuide]

I'm really unsure where all the hatred for snap swivels comes from. I tie direct on virtually everything, but I used to use them all the time and never had an issue with them. I wouldn't recommend them for spinnerbaits/buzzbaits unless you're going to modify them so it won't slide out of the hair pin.This past season I used one on my mid depth cranking rod and again had no issues. It doesn't kill the action of the bait at all. My suggestion is if you want to use one, go right ahead. If you feel it changes the action of a bait, simply cut it off and tie direct instead.

[K_Mac]

The biggest problem with both snaps and swivels is most people, especially newer fishermen, don't retie them often enough. I use snaps at times with cranks, but I am careful to retie regularly. The added size and weight of a snap swivel does impact action on many baits IMO, and is just one more thing to catch junk in the water. Just my $.02.

[bigbill]

Retie, retie often.

I use the better quality ball bearing locking snap swivels on my topwater, crankbaits and spinnerbaits.

On the crankbaits and topwater spooks using locking snap p swivels they allow more side to side movement and a much smoother action. If the bait has a rattle it's ringing the dinnerbell.

I use the standard locking snap swivels on my c-rigs.

[buzzed bait]

Lately, bass fishing, I find myself tying on direct or using the Mustard Fastach clips on my hard bait rigs.  

 

Southern bass prefer the Ketchup Clips....

[bigbill]

Southern bass prefer the Ketchup Clips....

Southern bass prefer hush puppies with ketchup clips.

[blckshirt98]

I don't use snap swivels, but I use the Bill Norman Speed Clips, on pretty much everything that isn't a spinnerbait/buzzbait.

[Last_Cast]

I like to directly tie on my stuff, when I feel lazy I'll put one on, I have a buddy who uses snap swivels all the time.

[desmobob]

Southern bass prefer the Ketchup Clips....

 

 

The automatic spell-check/correct really does some great stuff to me sometimes.  :-)  I just sent a message to a friend that included the name "Fra Putorti."  My MacBook changed his name to "Far Putout."  What the....

 

Tight lines,

Bob

[Bass newb]

I'm really unsure where all the hatred for snap swivels comes from. I tie direct on virtually everything, but I used to use them all the time and never had an issue with them. I wouldn't recommend them for spinnerbaits/buzzbaits unless you're going to modify them so it won't slide out of the hair pin.This past season I used one on my mid depth cranking rod and again had no issues. It doesn't kill the action of the bait at all. My suggestion is if you want to use one, go right ahead. If you feel it changes the action of a bait, simply cut it off and tie direct instead.

^^this.

I use them for everything. I mod all my wire baits for them with heat shrink tubing. They impede the action of nothing that I've seen so far. They do however, make all things dealing with lures and knots and line twist, much easier to deal with, and much faster.

[hatrix]

I don't use them together but individually. Only really spinning get swivels if it needs one. I do use a lot of snaps any more. Last year I really started using snaps and messed around with different kinds on ocassion. This year I am on some next level snap stuff. I use the hell out of them know and have tried tons of kinds. Duolocks are always a sold choice. I really like Fas-Snaps also they are probably the best for crankbaits. The KVD fastich work really good to and what I have been using lately.

[Further North]

I use them at the ends of leaders for pike and musky...I'm not going to re-tie wire leaders, or heavy fluorocarbon line as often as I want to swap lures.

 

I use them on in-line spinners and spoons.

 

Hadn't thought of using shrink tuping to use them on spinner baits...I'll add that to my box of tricks - thanks.

 

One place I use snaps (seldom swivels) religiously is on pike and musky flies.  Once I tie my leader, I want to avoid having to cut it it short until it gets beat up.

[Jrob78]

I'm really unsure where all the hatred for snap swivels comes from. I tie direct on virtually everything, but I used to use them all the time and never had an issue with them. I wouldn't recommend them for spinnerbaits/buzzbaits unless you're going to modify them so it won't slide out of the hair pin.This past season I used one on my mid depth cranking rod and again had no issues. It doesn't kill the action of the bait at all. My suggestion is if you want to use one, go right ahead. If you feel it changes the action of a bait, simply cut it off and tie direct instead.

The main problem I see with snap swivels is the people generally using them are beginners and they use the super cheap brass ones with the terrible snaps.   Those aren't fit to use for panfish in my opinion.  They use them so they don't have to retie often, as they aren't super comfortable with knots.   They also use them with everything they fish, mainly because they are inexperienced and don't know any better.

 

If you are a knowledgeable fisherman using a quality snap swivel and making an informed decision, there is no problem with it.

[Snakehead Whisperer]

I'm really unsure where all the hatred for snap swivels comes from. I tie direct on virtually everything, but I used to use them all the time and never had an issue with them. I wouldn't recommend them for spinnerbaits/buzzbaits unless you're going to modify them so it won't slide out of the hair pin.This past season I used one on my mid depth cranking rod and again had no issues. It doesn't kill the action of the bait at all. My suggestion is if you want to use one, go right ahead. If you feel it changes the action of a bait, simply cut it off and tie direct instead.

No hatred intended in my post (can't speak for others.) For me it's a matter of preference and feel. I tend to finesse fish, as opposed to power fishing (even with stuff like crankbaits and spinnerbaits I'm slow and methodical.)

 

For me, snap swivels kill my feel. It's similar to how I could throw a crank bait on a fast action rod, but I never do. I know lots of anglers who do things that I'd never imagine doing, and many do really well. 

 

I'm one of those people, though, who uses different knots for different presentations and different line types. It may be out of stubbornness, or it may be that I'm on to something. The world may never know.  

[S. Sass]

Not to derail the subject as I have, as a kid, 40yrs ago used the "cheap brass" ones with my Zebco 33. But I haven't used any since I was old enough to buy my own tackle. I don't like the gold ones from appearance they look cheap, and they do seem to be cheap quality. 

 

So what are the top quality snap swivel brand and style these days? 

[hatrix]

Really just about any duolock is good. Even a pack of eagle claws for .97 work like a champ. You will have a hard time bending one out. You can hardly get the heavier ones open and you kinda need pliers they are so hard to squeeze. Those mustad KVD ones work really good also and I have never had a issue yet.

[Lendiesel22]

Not that I recommend it, but I've seen people modify spinnerbaits/buzzbaits to accommodate the use of a snap. Usually they add some heat shrink tubing or aquarium tubing to the wire so that the snap doesn't slide down.

Other than toothy critter applications this seems unnecessary.

[Lendiesel22]

Not that I recommend it, but I've seen people modify spinnerbaits/buzzbaits to accommodate the use of a snap. Usually they add some heat shrink tubing or aquarium tubing to the wire so that the snap doesn't slide

[WIGuide]

The main problem I see with snap swivels is the people generally using them are beginners and they use the super cheap brass ones with the terrible snaps.   Those aren't fit to use for panfish in my opinion.  They use them so they don't have to retie often, as they aren't super comfortable with knots.   They also use them with everything they fish, mainly because they are inexperienced and don't know any better.

 

If you are a knowledgeable fisherman using a quality snap swivel and making an informed decision, there is no problem with it.

No doubt, those cheap ones are crap. You might as well just take your bait off and throw it in the lake because that's what's going to happen sooner or later. 

 

No hatred intended in my post (can't speak for others.) For me it's a matter of preference and feel. I tend to finesse fish, as opposed to power fishing (even with stuff like crankbaits and spinnerbaits I'm slow and methodical.)

 

For me, snap swivels kill my feel. It's similar to how I could throw a crank bait on a fast action rod, but I never do. I know lots of anglers who do things that I'd never imagine doing, and many do really well. 

 

I'm one of those people, though, who uses different knots for different presentations and different line types. It may be out of stubbornness, or it may be that I'm on to something. The world may never know.

I hear ya, when it comes down to it there's no right or wrong way to do it, just what works for us and we have confidence in. There have been multiple threads here on people asking about snap swivels though and the general consensus seems that the majority of people come out talking like they're straight up Satan spawn. There's also a lot of people that chime in that they'll use a snap, and others who say they'll add a swivel, but it seems the majority even of those people speak of a snap swivel like it's the devil. I guess as fishermen we are just a quirky bunch haha