Topwater tie direct or snaps okay?

[Fishin' Fool]

For the best action should I tie my bait direct or are snaps (not snap swivels) okay as a way to change quickly?

[Molay1292]

I don't know if there is a correct answer to your question the way it is worded.   I don't think one way will out perform the other in all instances. If you have your topwater bait selection narrowed down to a dozen or so, try them both ways and you will soon have your answer.

[buzzed bait]

i always tie direct, but even if i used the snaps, i wouldn't use them on topwater as they're sure to change the action of the bait.

[Fishin' Fool]

19 minutes ago, buzzed bait said:

i always tie direct, but even if i used the snaps, i wouldn't use them on topwater as they're sure to change the action of the bait.

I don't fish alot of topwater so that's helpful 

[iiTzChunky]

I was using swivel snaps on a top water frog and noticed it worked much better for me without the snap on there. But that's my 2 cents and I don't know much. 

[punch]

Which topwater baits? You need to get more specific. I'd never use snaps or swivels personally, but some baits (like a spook) work best if you tie a loop knot. 

[Fishin' Fool]

7 minutes ago, punch said:

Which topwater baits? You need to get more specific. I'd never use snaps or swivels personally, but some baits (like a spook) work best if you tie a loop knot. 

Lucky Craft Sammy or Gunfish

[bigturtle]

always snap

[the reel ess]

I always tie direct. I've seen a few pros recommend the Rapala (loop) knot.

[Team9nine]

21 minutes ago, Fishin' Fool said:

Lucky Craft Sammy or Gunfish

Snap or light split ring - or loop knot if you feel lucky. Does depend upon bait though, as there are several that are more commonly tied direct to.

-T9

[roadwarrior]

For me it's direct tie only.

 

[Sam]

Buzzbaits and Toads - Snaps are OK

All other topwaters you need to tie direct so you do not impact the movement of the bait and make it look "unnatural."

Remember, a lot of research and development went into topwater baits to make them move in different natural manners and a snap will cause the nose of the bait to bite the water and cause the bait to act "different" than what it is supposed to do.

[Frogfather]

I have been using speed snaps for my square bills. After 2-3 years of doing this, I learned a few things. Snaps didn't inhibit my catching or landing of fish. The reason why I use them is to simply have the ability to change lures quickly. Final thing I learned, it not always speedy. The d*#@ things are small. This summer I'll tie direct because I have great faith in the knot I use and speed of cutting off lure and re-tying will be faster than snap. Forgot to add, frog and top water: No snaps, I simply don't see the benefits. If it works let me know, I'll give a shot! 

 

Tight Lines!

[Chris at Tech]

For me -- snaps for walking baits, tie direct for poppers.

[papajoe222]

The last few years, I've gone more to using Fas-Snaps on the majority of my hard baits, including topwaters.  With poppers, I'll sometimes tie directly with a Palomar knot if I want it to spit more.  If you do decide to use a snap, make sure it's a cross-lock as the cheaper type will fail you given the chance (read; Loose Big Fish).  The other thing I recommend is to retie frequently.  They make it easier to change lures quickly, but they also make it easier to forego checking your line and knot.

[fishballer06]

I use snaps for almost everything, but I take them off if I'm fishing a popper. A snap will pull the head down some and change the popping of the lure. 

[Fishes in trees]

Many of my hard baits come with a split ring on them.  I tie direct to the split ring.   Many top waters don't.  In these cases, I generally tie some kind of a loop knot.   At a seminar at BPS (more than ten yard ago)  I asked Shaw Grigsby questions about this topic.   He said he tied loop knots 

and recommended the King Sling.   It is relatively easy to tie, IMO.   If I feel like I'm going to be throwing a Pop-R or a Spook a lot, I will double up the line and tie the king sling with the doubled up mono.  This can be a chore, but if you take the time to tie it correctly it makes a very strong loop knot.

 

[Oklahoma Mike]

21 hours ago, Fishin' Fool said:

Lucky Craft Sammy or Gunfish

Yes, a snap will work well with those baits. For poppers and prop baits, tie direct.

[Mr Swim Jig]

I always tie direct for top water baits, to me adding a snap just adds another possible weak spot.