Use of snap swivels?

[N.Y. Yankee]

I like to use a good snap swivel and tie it on with my best knot then connect every lure I fish with it. I hate tying knots on lures. I try to use the smallest snap I feel I can get away with and I use good quality ones too. Anything wrong with universal use of a snap swivel?

[devinrhall006]

I honestly haven't tried any yet but I might some day.  It doesn't take me too long to tie a good knot and a swivel could be the difference in catching a fish or not catching a fish I'd think.  I've heard good and bad about swivels so i'm mixed about them.  I have some and might try them eventually but to me tying a knot real quick isn't a big deal and fishing require patience and tying knots is a part of that.  I'm sure small swivels are fine though and don't make a huge impact, I catch bass with a good sized obvious weight on my line so  swivel shouldn't bother them much.

[J Francho]

Snaps, sometimes.  Swivels, sometimes.  Snap Swivels, never.  Certain lures require a swivel, like spoons and inline spinners.  For those, I attach a small split ring to the lure, and then a swivel to the split ring. 

 

[fullcoupe]

I used to use snap swivels; they are definitely convenient especially if you have one rod and want to make a quick change. The problem is that they usually disrupt the action of the bait in some way, get fouled up, or will bend out on a snag or bite. Snap swivels are longer than most swivels and snaps, so they have a tendency to find their way around hooks and get wrapped around your line during casting. Once I got multiple rods I gave up on them - not worth it. My 2C...tie straight to the bait. The more you do it, the faster you'll get at it. 

 

 

[MassYak85]

2 hours ago, J Francho said:

Snaps, sometimes.  Swivels, sometimes.  Snap Swivels, never. 

This

 

I used to use them when I first started but I had way too many break. Plus you don't need the extra terminal tackle messing with your lure action. 

[Darren.]

Waaay back I used snap swivels all the time. And I did

catch fish. But unless I'm tying a saltwater rig, I don't 

use snap-swivels. Just snaps.

 

Not sure why not, but I've trusted opinions on the matter

from guys "in the know" and wandered away from it for

freshwater purposes.

[NHBull]

Snaps to avoid O rigs on CB, Swimmers and surface

 

Retie the snaps often

 

Edit....have friends that used swivels and have witnessed several break....I don't see the need

[OkobojiEagle]

I've used snap/swivels attaching spinnerbait blades... it makes changing blades on the go a little easier.

 

 

oe

[FCPhil]

I just use snaps. Eagle claw ones from Walmart which work will. I never uses swivels but I also use a baitcaster with braid and never fish spoons or inline spinners. As you know wire snaps are far less visible than a barrel swivel, but they seem not to be turned off by hooks which are much bigger than either.

[12poundbass]

I recently got the Booya Boo flex in my MTB pro box. So far so good, especially in these pike infested waters in Michigan.

[tcbass]

I like these KVD Fastachs. Super strong, easy to use, cheap, and available.

 

 

 

 

[Hot Rod Johnson]

The advantages of using "Snap Swivels" are they prevent line twist... Easy and Quicker to change your fishing lures.. Disadvantage is your lures don't get retied often like they should creating a frayed fishing line and weakened knots... If a lure gives "Line Twist" then I use a "Swivel" attached to that particular lure... The swivel always stays connected to that fishing lure...

[BuzzHudson19c]

Depends on the lure. I always use a snap when throwing a spook. I never use a snap when throwing a frog. Circumstances dictate tactics.

[Kyhokie]

There is a time and place for everything, including snap swivels. The time is never, and the place is nowhere. 

[Hot Rod Johnson]

3 minutes ago, Kyhokie said:

There is a time and place for everything, including snap swivels. The time is never, and the place is nowhere.

 

LOL, No truer words have been spoken... With lures that twist the fishing line, unless you use a split ring and a swivel you can waste a lot of time and aggravation trying to untwist the line... Very few lures come equipped with a "Snap Swivel"...

[LxVE Bassin]

I don't see a use for snap swivels in bass fishing. I think it adds more weak points. One or the other, not both!

[J Francho]

14 hours ago, OkobojiEagle said:

I've used snap/swivels attaching spinnerbait blades... it makes changing blades on the go a little easier.

 

 

oe

 

And this is proper use.  The original intention was to be able to change out trolling weights to get the baits to the right depth.  I like this application as well.

[collards]

I use them all the time. I am handicapped and it is near impossible to tie lures on. I catch lots of fish. Sometimes I wonder if folks just want to brag on how they tie. If you catch fish, you catch fish. I also now use omega pro & bullet reels. I have very good spinning & baitcasting, but it is hard for me to cast right now. The bullet caste a mile and the omega pro is really smooth. I am just happy to be able to fish. If I can't use the omega etc., I will be at a pond with an old cane pole. Fishing is fishing for me. I am just glad I can still do it.

[J Francho]

@collards, the P-line Technical Snap seems like it would help you a great deal.  The Bullet and Omega are indeed nice reels.  I'm glad you can still fish, too.

 

http://www.tacklewarehouse.com/P-Line_Technical_Snap/descpage-TPBB.html

[NHBull]

My buddy just ordered some KVD fastach in various sizes.

Will report back how they do

[tcbass]

1 hour ago, NHBull said:

My buddy just ordered some KVD fastach in various sizes.

Will report back how they do

 

 

Love them. I think size 3 is what I use.

 

 

I use them with spinner and buzzbaits too, just put a little piece of rubber tubing over the line attach part of the lure and the fastach won't slide around. 

[gilkeybr]

As someone who sucks at tying leader knots, I hate having to re-tie between lures because it means my leader is always shrinking and eventually i'll have to tie a new one!  But for the last 4-5 years I have always gone without snaps/swivels

 

 

[Doelman]

Snap swivels?  No, just snaps or swivels.  I use snaps all the time up in canoe country when I only bring two rods with me.  I typically use the smallest ones possible that exceed whatever pound test I use, just make sure to buy quality ones.  They don't last forever though!  Make sure to constantly inspect your knot/line/snap.

 

I never noticed any reduction in catch rate, but honestly the fish up there are voracious most of the time.

[N.Y. Yankee]

I appreciate all of your input!

[Subaqua Adinterim]

There are benefits to using a quality snap swivel in certain situations.  The little cleo lure pictured above would be a good application for a snap swivel, as the split ring and swivel is rigged to replicate a snap swivel.  Many spoons, such as a little cleo, don't come with any connection at the top other than the hole in the metal.  These types of lures are perfect for a snap swivel.

 

The benefits of a snap swivel are ease of connecting and changing lures, as well as eliminating line twist.  The eliminating line twist part may help prevent break offs, as there will be less side to side tension on the line if the swivel is turning and twisting rather than your line; especially when you are fighting a fish or it is thrashing back and forth when you are trying to land it.

 

If you use a swivel, make sure that you go with a quality one similar to the Spro coast lock ball bearing snap swivel.  Also, try to use the smallest swivel you can get by with.

 

Good luck with your fishing.