Snap swivels

[Wired Wrong]

How many here use snap swivels on spinning gear to reduce line twist?Are they needed on crankbaits for line twist? Thanks

[Glenn]

Nope, never use them.  Here's how you can avoid line twist - it really works!

 

 

[Gundog]

Had a really bad experience with snap swivels once and never used them again. The snaps kept opening and I lost several lures in fishes mouths. I know some people use them but I never will. 

[jbsoonerfan]

I have caught 40lb catfish on snap swivels and never had a problem. But for some odd reason I refuse to use them on 2lb bass LOL!

[Deleted account]

There are good quality snap swivels that won't open. That being said I only use them rarely on some spinners and spoons and mostly for pike and pickerel. Unless it's a newer Norman® no swivel required for crankbaits.

[Spankey]

Not sure of the need for snap swivels. Sometimes just the snap comes in handy. I don’t use either all that often. Some Rapalas don’t come with the split ring, like the original floater diver. They should be tied with a loop knot vs. a knot sinched up tight to the eye. Might be called a Rapala knot not sure. Over the last few years I’ve purchased a few better quality spinning reel. I believe line twist is controlled better with them. My results with line have been better. The line that’s on my spinning setups that I use the heck out of is not on there very long. Maybe two outings than I strip it off/back. I don’t keep line on very long and rarely have line issues. I just but mono and Fluor in bulk to keep costs down. 

[Oregon Native]

I'm a duo loc fan and have been for years and years.  It's a rare day they open and I only use them so that I can change lures easier and get freedom of movement from my hardbaits.

[Crestliner2008]

Snap swivels add way too much hardware close to the action of your bait. A plain, wire snap (solo), without a swivel, is the way to go. Glenn gave you some great advice in preventing line twist above. In the rare case where you would need a swivel in your line, add it about 18" up from your lure. Yeah, this does add more knots to the equation, but learning to tie good knots is paramount to fishing success. This way, the swivel will not interfere with the action of your bait.

 

And if a swivel is required, I'd highly recommend a quality crane style like a Spro, or a ball bearing model. The barrel swivels (that come with most snap swivel combinations) have the twisted eyes. This creates more drag on the swiveling action, thereby defeating the purpose. Stick with a quality crane or ball bearing model of appropriate size.

[TOXIC]

Line twist is inevitable.  You can minimize it, you can try to control it or you can take steps to remove it.  I don't like swivels or snaps (unless it's a c-rig).  I cut and retie if I want to change baits.  I address the line twist issue a few ways.  Make sure your bulk spool is feeding the line so that it minimizes twist when I spool up, after spooling I ALWAYS put my rod in a secure holder and walk the line back off my spinning reel.  Usually into my neighbors yard, then re spool it holding the line with my fingers at the reel to get any twist out as I respool it.  When fishing, always close the bail by hand and if I notice a lot of twist I will feed out a bunch of line (with no lure attached) and then respool it back onto the reel.  Finally, I change my line out after I've treated it a few times with conditioner and it isn't responding. And as a side note....if you are fishing plastics, make sure you rig them so that they don't spin and twist up your line.  That's probably the hardest thing to do and the biggest mistake I see a lot of fishermen make.   

[scaleface]

Its hard to prevent line twist . On some lures I add a swivel, not a snap swivel ,  a few inches in front of the lure . Removing line twist there are a couple of things i do.  Remove hooks , lures ... and let it out behind the boat troll a hundred yards then reel it back in . On shore , walk it off in the grass then reel it in . Whenever I put fresh line on a spinning reel or spin-caster I always walk it out in the grass .

[FCPhil]

11 hours ago, Wired Wrong said:

How many here use snap swivels on spinning gear to reduce line twist?Are they needed on crankbaits for line twist? Thanks

I never use swivels, but baitcasters are all I use. But I ALWAYS use snaps. The Eagle Claw black wire snaps from Walmart work fine. 

[NYWayfarer]

I don't use them anymore. There main purpose for me was not preventing line twist but for ease of swapping lures.

 

Now I cut off the old lure and tie on the new one with a fresh knot. Leaving a snap swivel on all day without retying is asking for a lost lure.

[Bankbeater]

I use duo-lock snaps for some topwaters, crankbaits and lipless cranks.  Everything else I tie on.  I was a little kid the last time I used a snap swivel.

[tcbass]

I use these on all of my baitcasting rods.

 

 

Much stronger than regular snap swivels.

 

 

Haven't lost one in years (knock on wood).