Use of snap swivels?

[J Francho]

@RichPenNY I in fact will add a Duolock to that Cleo setup pictured.  All my spoons have a split ring and swivel.  The added Duolock let's me use a Palomar knot without much hassle, and change out baits quickly.  I have yet to find a snap swivel that measures up.

[scaleface]

 I understand not wanting to retie often but your running a risk  . Theres an excellent chance that a big  bass  will snap your line because it is damaged , all because you dont like tying knots . The palomar  is super easy to tie . 

[CTBassin860]

Never swivel snaps.I only use the regular snaps on my crank rod for quick changes.

[Subaqua Adinterim]

1 hour ago, scaleface said:

 I understand not wanting to retie often but your running a risk  . Theres an excellent chance that a big  bass  will snap your line because it is damaged , all because you dont like tying knots . The palomar  is super easy to tie . 

No matter what you are doing - tie direct, snap, snap swivel; whatever the connection - check your line often and retie when necessary.  I have retied a snap swivel when the line looks frayed or worn in the same way that I retie a direct knot to the lure.  Taking your time on that one knot to make sure it is right, is a good idea anyway.

 

Sometimes I choose to use snap swivels and I like them.  I understand that some others may not like them; I will not dismiss their choice, but will offer why I like my option and why I feel it helps me enjoy fishing, which is why I fish.

I would recommend a quality coast lock, ball bearing swivel like a Spro or Sampo, if someone decides to fish this way.  

[Subaqua Adinterim]

8 hours ago, J Francho said:

I in fact will add a Duolock to that Cleo setup pictured.  All my spoons have a split ring and swivel.  The added Duolock let's me use a Palomar knot without much hassle, and change out baits quickly.  I have yet to find a snap swivel that measures up.

John - I'm just trying to understand.  If you are attaching a Duolock to a swivel, aren't you just creating a snap swivel, albeit an upside down one?  If you are in effect engineering your own snap swivel, is this how you get it to "measure up", by using higher quality components?

[Choporoz]

I don't use snap swivels and rarely use swivels....but I TRY not to berate those that do....

 

At any rate, avoiding knots may not be the best reason for particular equipment choices.   For those of us that are knot in @collards' situation, I strongly suggest making yourself more comfortable with your knots.  When I want to learn a new knot, I take a length of line (or lines) with me when I before I sit down in front of the TV (or even just sitting out on the deck with a cigar).    I just tie and retie until I'm comfortable and/or confident.  No matter what terminal tackle you choose, you are probably going to compromise your chances if you don't tie your knots well, won't retie as often as you should, or introduce weak links.

[J Francho]

14 minutes ago, RichPenNY said:

If you are in effect engineering your own snap swivel, is this how you get it to "measure up", by using higher quality components?

 

Yes.  It's also less expensive.  It's one Duo-loc, per many swivels.  I can use a smaller swivel with a #3 Duo-loc.  SO, I'm tying the Duolock to the line, and attaching the swivel that's already on the spoon to that.  It's sort of a reverse swivel.  I've had just about every brand of snap-swivel fail on me, including Spro, LakeMaster, Eagle Claw, Sampo...  I like a Spro or Raven swivel, as small as I can get away with, Owner HyperWire rings, Lazer Claw Duo locks.

 

I've even tie my own pike leaders, using my preferred components.

[BigAngus752]

I could (very likely) be doing something wrong, but I hate to spend a ton of time tying on new lures while I'm on the water so I sit at night in front of the tv and tie 6in to 8in leaders with loops at the end on my spinners and crankbaits.  I keep snap swivels on my two rods that I use for these types of lures and then I can quickly change colors, sizes etc. while fishing but the snap swivel doesn't interfere with the action of the bait.  They do tend to tangle a bit in the tackle box but shaking the leader free is much faster than clipping the line and tying on a new lure.  But I'm slow at tying so I'm sure most of you guys are much better at it.  

[Scott F]

55 minutes ago, BigAngus752 said:

I could (very likely) be doing something wrong, but I hate to spend a ton of time tying on new lures while I'm on the water so I sit at night in front of the tv and tie 6in to 8in leaders with loops at the end on my spinners and crankbaits.  I keep snap swivels on my two rods that I use for these types of lures and then I can quickly change colors, sizes etc. while fishing but the snap swivel doesn't interfere with the action of the bait.  They do tend to tangle a bit in the tackle box but shaking the leader free is much faster than clipping the line and tying on a new lure.  But I'm slow at tying so I'm sure most of you guys are much better at it.  

I understand the convenience of using a snap to make changing lures easy but what purpose does the swivel serve? 

[BigAngus752]

41 minutes ago, Scott F said:

I understand the convenience of using a snap to make changing lures easy but what purpose does the swivel serve? 

You know, I never thought about it like that.  That's a good point.  This is exactly why I came to this forum. Thanks

[Subaqua Adinterim]

2 hours ago, BigAngus752 said:

2 hours ago, Scott F said:

I understand the convenience of using a snap to make changing lures easy but what purpose does the swivel serve? 

You know, I never thought about it like that.  That's a good point.  This is exactly why I came to this forum. Thanks

Also consider using the snap on your main line as suggested and tying a swivel to each of your leader set ups that actually require a direct tie to the lure, such as spinners or EWG hooks for soft plastics. You will then be able to tie a good knot, such as a Palomar to each swivel and have a lower profile connection that can easily be taken on and off and reused.  You will also eliminate any line twist as you will be creating a reverse snap swivel as described by JFrancho above.

 

I attach a snap to anything that it can be attached to directly such as a crank bait , however, for items like hooks I will make a leader that attaches line directly to the hook and then have a swivel at the top which I can attach to a snap on my main line.  This makes changing rigs on the 2 rods that I bring in the cramped quarters of my kayak much easier.  As far as the warnings that you will get about more connections and additional points of failure - if you tie your knots correctly and set your drag properly, there should be little concern.  There are steelhead and salmon fisherman who routinely use multiple line/leader connections to catch heavier fish on lighter lines than most here use for bass. 

 

Your aim is to make your time spent on the water as enjoyable as possible and it's good to look at options that will allow you to do this.  Best of luck.

 

 

 

[J Francho]

15 hours ago, Scott F said:

I understand the convenience of using a snap to make changing lures easy but what purpose does the swivel serve? 

 

Ever used a spoon or an inline spinner?  They generate twist.  The swivel mitigates that.  A swivel can also add a tiny bit of weight and free up a twitch bait, like a fluke, for a more random presentation.  Speaking of, and this is something I learned here, you can put a bead above the swivel when using a fluke, and it looks like a bait fish chasing food.

[Scott F]

13 minutes ago, J Francho said:

 

Ever used a spoon or an inline spinner?  They generate twist.  The swivel mitigates that.  A swivel can also add a tiny bit of weight and free up a twitch bait, like a fluke, for a more random presentation.  Speaking of, and this is something I learned here, you can put a bead above the swivel when using a fluke, and it looks like a bait fish chasing food.

I understand why YOU use a swivel. I was asking the poster I quoted why HE used a swivel. 

By the way, I use inline spinners. My spinners do not cause my line to twist. On my Mepps spinners, only the blade spins not the entire lure lure so the line doesn't twist. 

[J Francho]

8 minutes ago, Scott F said:

On my Mepps spinners, only the blade spins not the entire lure lure so the line doesn't twist. 

 

Correct.  I also use Panther Martins, and they are fixed, so...

 

Also, I'm just reiterating the reasons why you might need one, what the benefits are, not picking on you.  Sorry if it seemed that way.

 

And to dispel the whole "knots are weak points in the system" myth.  For float/drift fishing for salmon, browns, and steelhead we commonly employ two micro swivels, small enough to pass through the guides, in the terminal rig.  That's five knots, using line as light as 4# for fish that can exceed 15#.