Remove split rings using snaps?

[LuffDaddy]

Hey guys quick question. I know there's going to be different answers so I'm hoping some one can fill me in on the why's. I decided to use berkley crosslocks on my crank rod but I'm torn on a couple things....

 

1. Should I connect directly to the lure or to the split ring?

2. If I do connect to the lure direct, will it hurt to leave the split ring on in case I ever need to use it without a snap for some reason?

3. What kind of difference in action to you notice from one to the other?

 

Thanks in advance for any and all help everyone!

[Dypsis]

Direct to the lure.

Take off Split Ring.

 

[MickD]

I expect direct to lure is best, but if you choose to leave the split ring on the lure, fasten to it rather than just leaving it hanging.  I really don't think it makes a lot of difference unless you're using light, small, cranks.

[burrows]

I am big on square bills and mid divers love fishing a Crankbait always have a cranking rod at hand and I personally have always used a snap connected to the split ring I’ve never had a problem just make sure your using the right size duo snap and your good to go. ?

[Deleted account]

It doesn't make a difference, unless one uses a snap that is too large and overpowers a smaller more subtle bait.

[LuffDaddy]

58 minutes ago, Burrows said:

I am big on square bills and mid divers love fishing a Crankbait always have a cranking rod at hand and I personally have always used a snap connected to the split ring I’ve never had a problem just make sure your using the right size duo snap and your good to go. ?

This is exactly what I was thinking and hoping others would reassure me. 

 

17 minutes ago, reason said:

It doesn't make a difference, unless one uses a snap that is too large and overpowers a smaller more subtle bait.

I got the 60 lb crosslocks from berkley, I believe they are size 3. I mostly use squarebills. 

[Bankbeater]

I’ve always put the snap on the split ring, and I’ve  never removed a split ring from a crankbait unless it was damaged. 

[burrows]

34 minutes ago, LuffDaddy said:

This is exactly what I was thinking and hoping others would reassure me. 

 

I got the 60 lb crosslocks from berkley, I believe they are size 3. I mostly use squarebills. 

I’m not sure what size I use because I buy them at my local tackle shop and size them by eye, but I think I use size 2 P line cross locks.

[tander]

I have always kept the split ring on cranksbaits and have tied direct, never used a snap. A snap is another thing to go wrong and you should retie your knot often which you probably won't do using a snap. JMHO.

[the reel ess]

I always keep a snap on the combo I use for crank/trebles lure and I never remove a split ring. That kind of snap you're talking about is the one to use. I've had a speed clip fail before. I won't use them anymore.

 

A snap can also add to the action of a lure if you don't remove the split ring.

 

Using a snap on that rod is much quicker to change lures, which I usually do on a summer day. I'll start out with a couple topwaters, then change over to a lipless crank most days on that same rod. I just weigh the added time casting against the removal of a split ring. You can check your line after catching fish just as well with a snap as without. The snap gives topwaters like the Pop R a more erratic walking action than a direct line tie with mono.

[Sam]

My input follows:

 

1. Should I connect directly to the lure or to the split ring? - DIRECTLY TO THE SPLIT RING.

2. If I do connect to the lure direct, will it hurt to leave the split ring on in case I ever need to use it without a snap for some reason? - NO, UNLESS IT DESTROYS THE BAITS NORMAL MOVEMENTS IN THE WATER.

3. What kind of difference in action to you notice from one to the other? - NONE.

 

There are no "rules" in bass fishing. We may think there are some rules, but when your adversary has a brain the size of a pea and does not read bass publications or watch bass fishing DVDs and can make a grown man cry, anything goes.

 

This is part of bass fishing. As Frank Sinatra sang, "I Did It My Way."

 

Have fun and next year give us your input as to what you discovered using snaps on and off split rings.

 

Happy Thanksgiving!

[J Francho]

1. Should I connect directly to the lure or to the split ring?

I cut the split ring off and connect direct.  Around 2/3 of my cranks have a snap on them already.

 

2. If I do connect to the lure direct, will it hurt to leave the split ring on in case I ever need to use it without a snap for some reason?

It may foul more frequently.

 

3. What kind of difference in action to you notice from one to the other?

None.

[Big Rick]

I use the Mustard Fastach snap and never take the split ring off. I always attach the snap above the split ring and have had no issues whatsoever. If anything, certain bait movements may cause the split ring to click against the snap for additional drawing power. depends...

[burrows]

9 hours ago, J Francho said:

1. Should I connect directly to the lure or to the split ring?

I cut the split ring off and connect direct.  

 

why would you cut off the split ring when you could easily remove it and use it for some other purpose later?

[fin]

Some deep-diving cranks have a recessed eye, and it can be tough to get snaps down in there. I remove all of my split rings except for those with the recessed eye, but obviously it's not absolutely necessary. Except for topwater lures or very small suspending lures. On topwater, it can make a difference in action, and suspending lures can sink.

[RFSims]

On 11/20/2018 at 6:40 AM, Burrows said:

I am big on square bills and mid divers love fishing a Crankbait always have a cranking rod at hand and I personally have always used a snap connected to the split ring I’ve never had a problem just make sure your using the right size duo snap and your good to go. ?

Same here

[burrows]

19 hours ago, Hank. said:

Some deep-diving cranks have a recessed eye, and it can be tough to get snaps down in there. I remove all of my split rings except for those with the recessed eye, but obviously it's not absolutely necessary. 

Removing the split ring may or may not actually create better action of a Crankbait I’ve thought about removing them ? indolence on my part. Some crankbaits like the speed trap don’t have split rings and it’s a direct tie. 

Pop-r a loop knot is always optimal because most of them don’t have split rings and if that’s the case I never use a snap on a pop-r unless that specific type of popr comes with one. I might start to experiment with this more to see if it really matters or impedes the action of a crank bait. For now I’ll probably continue to use snaps on my jerkbaits and crankbaits since I don’t see a difference in my observation of them in the water not even on my jerk baits they still seem to have the balance I believe to be optimal.

[LuffDaddy]

Great responses from all! Thanks much, it's greatly appreciated. So I've been using the snap for the last week or so and have been going to the split ring, it's been so much more convenient than trying to get it into the tiny eye. So far, so good! Caught a few nice ones one it with zero issues. 

[NHBull]

I have done it both ways, and since I use a snap for convenience, most of the time it is easier  to connect it to the split ring

[Comfortably Numb]

Snap to the split ring the line tangles easier on the front hook which is annoying.

[Dbchristian32]

I always snap to the split ring and I will agree, sometimes the front hook will get hung on the line but it rarely happens. My favorite lures still catch just as many fish, I’ve tried snapping directly to the lure and snapping to the split ring. 

[fin]

On 11/23/2018 at 4:39 AM, Burrows said:

 

Pop-r a loop knot is always optimal because most of them don’t have split rings and if that’s the case I never use a snap on a pop-r unless that specific type of popr comes with one. I might start to experiment with this more to see if it really matters or impedes the action of a crank bait. For now I’ll probably continue to use snaps on my jerkbaits and crankbaits since I don’t see a difference in my observation of them in the water not even on my jerk baits they still seem to have the balance I believe to be optimal.

Yeah, what I meant to say was I don't use a snap with topwater. I used to use the no-slip mono knot a lot, which is a loop knot. I'm not so sure if I like it with a popr, but I can see why some folks like that.

 

I've seen some jerkbaits and crankbaits run sideways if they don't have enough weight on the front. A heavier front hook can compensate for it.

[J Francho]

On 11/21/2018 at 7:00 PM, Burrows said:

why would you cut off the split ring when you could easily remove it and use it for some other purpose later?

Because cutting it off takes less than a second, and I can't think of a time I've ever needed a tiny split ring for anything.

 

If I ever need a tiny key ring, I'll save one. ?

[The Bassman]

I use a lot of smaller cranks so the split rings are tiny. They get swapped out for VMC 00 crank snaps. My eyes can't hardly see the split section and tying there is an accident waiting to happen.

[burrows]

16 hours ago, J Francho said:

Because cutting it off takes less than a second, and I can't think of a time I've ever needed a tiny split ring for anything.

 

If I ever need a tiny key ring, I'll save one. ?

I keep them and use them for replacement split rings or for whatever, spinnerbaits or modification of jerk baits or something but I do ultimately end up using them.