Snap Swivel Thoughts

[Ohio Yakker]

I have heard mixed opinions about using snap swivels. I personally use them a lot, mostly because I fish out of a kayak and only use 2-3 rods, so it makes it a lot easier to change lures quickly on the water. As far as i can tell my lures have the same presentation as if they are just tied on. What are some of your thoughts, opinions, or experiences with snap swivels? Are there certain disadvantages that I'm missing?

Thank you in advance

[the reel ess]

I used to use them and speed clips then I had a big fish straighten out a clip and lost it. I've been considering going back with a reputable brand, but that's not on the shelf at Wal Mart and I haven't looked at Academy. So I tie directly right now. It's what I see the pros doing and their paychecks depend on it.

I think a snap will help some baits' actions and can't think of any that will be hurt by using one. It will add some wider wobble to cranks. Just understand it's probably not as strong as the hook on most baits unless you get a very heavy duty one. So set that drag and play the fish. I would only use one on the rods I change baits on a lot. And those would be my treble lures. In that case I would have the drag preset loose.

I never use swivels because I don't fish in-line spinners anymore.

[Deleted account]

I sometimes use snaps, and sometimes swivels, though not often. I don't have a LMB application where I use a snap-swivel. We do use them in the salt quite a bit.

[flyfisher]

it takes about 45 seconds to tie a knot so i go that route with the exception of crank baits where i will use a snap but no swivel.  I have yet to have one open up on me but i do change them out every few trips because opening and closing hem has to weaken them i would think.  

As far as action goes, the added weight in the front of the bait will change the action, depending on the presentation of course and also will collect more grass.  

There is an easy solution, buy more rods   I also fish out of a kayak and bring anywhere from 6-7 rods with me so i don't have to switch out baits,  It is easier to just grab another rod when needed.

[the reel ess]

2 minutes ago, flyfisher said:

it takes about 45 seconds to tie a knot so i go that route with the exception of crank baits where i will use a snap but no swivel.  I have yet to have one open up on me but i do change them out every few trips because opening and closing hem has to weaken them i would think.  

As far as action goes, the added weight in the front of the bait will change the action, depending on the presentation of course and also will collect more grass.  

There is an easy solution, by more rods   I also fish out of a kayak and bring anywhere from 6-7 rods with me so i don't have to switch out baits,  It is easier to just grab another rod when needed.

Yeah, I have a crate rigged for holding 4 rods, my kayak has a flush mount rod holder and I just hold one in the cockpit, so to speak. I keep a couple rods rigged with soft plastics and carry bags of the ones I think I'll need.

[flyfisher]

i used to have rods on my crate but i didn't like them.  My current kayak has a lot of space so i actually have 6 flush mounts behind my seat so i usually gave one in hand and 6 in the holders or depending on the situation, i may use on holder for my stakeout pole and have two rods at my feet, makes it easier to get to the stake out pole.

[Ohio Yakker]

Well my kayak, only being $350, isn't the best for fishing. It is a sit inside with 2 flush mount holders and I added a Ram mount up front. And the back storage area isn't big enough to fit a milk crate or kayak crate. And buying more rods isn't a very good option for me because being a college student there isn't a whole lot in the budget for new fishing tackle (although I like to think there is). I'll just need to get quicker at tying knots, and be more patient. Thanks for all the feedback.

[j bab]

I switched from snaps to speed clips for crankbaits recently. I've found that they don't catch as much moss, but they're also a little harder to use. As far as straightening one out goes, there's no way that will happen on my crankbait rod. I would straighten a hook before I'd straighten a snap, and even then if your rod is limber and your drag is loosened a bit you'll be fine (knock on wood).

[Choporoz]

My dexterity blows.  I've not used a 'good' snap or clip that is much, if any, faster than tying.  Improved clinch takes me less time, usually.   So does palomar unless the eye is really small.  Regardless, I find that I check my line and knots more reliably when I re-tie vice unclip/clip.  I've done away with clips and swivels in all applcations accept c-rig swivels.  I probably could/should use a swivel for flukes and other spinning nightmare baits, but I don't, unless I'm throwing double flukes.

[blckshirt98]

I use Norman Speed Clips and no longer tie direct to anything except spinnerbaits (because the Speed Clip easily slides up and down the wire if it's an open eye).  I don't think bending out a clip will be a problem because I use a fiberglass/composite rod and also with the drag set the fish should never generate enough force to bend the clip out.  Snap swivels I could see the small single wire possibly bending though.

[camman]

I use Mustad Fastach and so far haven't had an issue.  Only problems can be a little more difficult to put on, haven't seen any issues from a hook up percentage vs a knot for my crankbaits

[heavyduty]

I use duo lock snaps size 2 (no swivel) on all my setups and I catch as many if not more than folks I fish with. Plastics, cranks, jerks, etc.

[everythingthatswims]

On 4/25/2016 at 10:11 AM, Ohio Yakker said:

Well my kayak, only being $350, isn't the best for fishing. It is a sit inside with 2 flush mount holders and I added a Ram mount up front. And the back storage area isn't big enough to fit a milk crate or kayak crate. And buying more rods isn't a very good option for me because being a college student there isn't a whole lot in the budget for new fishing tackle (although I like to think there is). I'll just need to get quicker at tying knots, and be more patient. Thanks for all the feedback.

I fish 5-6 rods out of my 10' sit in with one flush mount rodholder that I don't even use because it gets in the way of casting. Had enough room to land the fish in my avatar.

[roadwarrior]

On 4/25/2016 at 7:36 AM, the reel ess said:

I think a snap will help some baits' actions and can't think of any that will be hurt by using one.

Topwater lures come to mind.

I never use snap swivels and only use swivels on a Carolina Rig. I think retying knots is as important as checking your line, so I retie often.

 

[the reel ess]

On 4/25/2016 at 11:01 AM, Choporoz said:

My dexterity blows.  I've not used a 'good' snap or clip that is much, if any, faster than tying.  Improved clinch takes me less time, usually.   So does palomar unless the eye is really small.  Regardless, I find that I check my line and knots more reliably when I re-tie vice unclip/clip.  I've done away with clips and swivels in all applcations accept c-rig swivels.  I probably could/should use a swivel for flukes and other spinning nightmare baits, but I don't, unless I'm throwing double flukes.

When I attempt a Palomar with something with trebles I usually end up finding at least three hook points. I try not to rety in the kayak unless it's completely necessary.  But I only have one rod with braid that I use for treble baits.

[Last_Cast]

I mix it up.
Sometimes I use them, sometimes not.

[WIGuide]

I used to use them for everything growing up. Then I started tying direct for everything, and now I'm back to using them on my medium-deep diving crankbait rods. Everything else still gets tied direct. When I do use one, I use a duo lock style snap swivel. I've never bent one out before while fishing. The only baits they could have an effect on are topwaters and suspending baits. 

[J Francho]

Snaps, yes.  Swivels, yes.  Snap-swivels, never.  Each has their applications in bass fishing.  Anytime a split ring is provided for line tying, you can safely replace with a Duo Lock snap.  Swivels are good for lures that twist in the water, like spoons and inline spinners.  If you MUST use both, use them like this, just tie on a Duo Loc, and attach it to the swivel:

 

 

[buzzed bait]

agree with mostly all of the above.  first, i find it easier to just tie rather than using my monkey hands to fool around with any type of snap or clip.  but if you use them, i'd suggest the snaps or swivels, but not snap swivel.  the norman speed clips would be handy if i didn't have the world's most uncoordinated set of grabbers!

[J Francho]

I cannot think of a more ironically named thing than Norman SPEED CLIPS.

[Darren.]

Norman speed clips can actually be very quick, quicker
than snaps if you know what to do  

I forget where, but I learned to place the clip sideways
on the lure and press it into the eye rather than try to open
it and thread it with either fingers or pliers.

This way, the pressure opens the speed clip and you work
it onto the eye. I can do it so easily now. Is easy to get off,
as well.

This, of course, providing you're not trying to get it over a 
thick eye like on a jitterbug or such.

[J Francho]

They win the award for the most frustrating piece of terminal tackle ever created. 

Hate the Drake!

[Darren.]

32 minutes ago, J Francho said:

They win the award for the most frustrating piece of terminal tackle ever created. 

Hate the Drake!

Maybe so, but it really works.

Quote from another forum that might help:

Quote

I used to have the same problem with cold, wet, sometimes almost numb fingers. I found that instead of squeezing them like a clothes pin I held the back and worked them more like a split ring applying pressure to the side, I could even do it with numb fingers.

 

[J Francho]

What really helped me was throwing them in the trash.

[Darren.]

2 minutes ago, J Francho said:

What really helped me was throwing them in the trash.

You're just stubborn