Swivels...preference? Solving Line Twist

[humbleangler]

In addition to line twist issues with inline spinners, whopper ploppers, etc., I've been doing some catfishing with cut bait and believe I've been dealing with (or hope to isolate the issue as such) subpar barrel swivels. I bought a bunch off Amazon from China that don't seem to hack it. I often read in these forums a good remedy for line twist is QUALITY swivels...what brands do you define as "quality"?

[Junger]

Mustad swivels: Stay-lock, crosslock snap, tournament snap, fastach

 

https://mustad-fishing.com/products/swivels

 

 

 

[Happybeerbuzz]

I would not consider myself discerning on swivels, and I do not use them all the time. With that said, I have never had any issues with the Bass Proshops private label stuff. Recently, I have been giving Mustad Fastach a go both with and without swivels.  It took me a while to get use to taking them on and off, particularly with split rings. I have to admit that they are growing on me. 

[NHBull]

Vmc stainless

[CrankFate]

All three posts above me are right.

 

I recommend these they are as good as anything and small for the test rating they will not fail:

 

http://dbluefishing.com/goods.php?id=239

 

Disclaimer: I am not affiliated with any company that sells fishing gear.

[jimmyjoe]

   I don't consider any barrel or Crane swivel to be "quality". Not only that, but at least half the ball-bearing swivel brands I've bought have been lacking, usually resulting in about ten percent reject rate. The exception is Sampo, but Sampo is too expensive for me to use regularly. The reason is that when the fish are hitting spinners big-time, I can snag up .... well, way too many times in a day. ☹️   So I usually get VMC (easily available) and spin each one individually with my fingers, and throw away any bad ones. I get better luck than any other brand; about five percent or less reject rate. jj

[Tim Kelly]

No swivel works very efficiently if it's not keeled in some way. For the bait fishing you might want to try attaching the lead to the upstream eye of the swivel, then the upstream eye can't turn and the swivel will do it's job properly.

[smalljaw67]

I'm assuming you are using a spinning reel, right?  If so it may not be the swivel that is the problem, it could be the reel. If it is a spinning reel you need to check the roller bearing on the bait, it need to be turning smooth. If it doesn't then a high end swivel isn't going to help because the line is being twisted at the reel. A drop of good reel oil on the bearing may help but if it is a cheaper reel the line roller bearing may not be very good. Barrel swivels all work the same way so it isn't about getting a good one, you may want a better type. Crane swivels are slightly better but not by much, your best bet is to get a roller swivel but they are much more expensive than barrel swivels. I use the Spro power swivels for free drifting flukes in current, it is a moving water technique that works when fishing is tough.

[ike8120]

This what I use MUSTAD ULTRAPOINT™ BALL BEARING SWIVEL WITH FASTACH CLIP. Not cheap but do the job.

[GreenPig]

Spro Power swivels are small and strong

[Spankey]

2 hours ago, smalljaw67 said:

I'm assuming you are using a spinning reel, right?  If so it may not be the swivel that is the problem, it could be the reel. If it is a spinning reel you need to check the roller bearing on the bait, it need to be turning smooth. If it doesn't then a high end swivel isn't going to help because the line is being twisted at the reel. A drop of good reel oil on the bearing may help but if it is a cheaper reel the line roller bearing may not be very good. Barrel swivels all work the same way so it isn't about getting a good one, you may want a better type. Crane swivels are slightly better but not by much, your best bet is to get a roller swivel but they are much more expensive than barrel swivels. I use the Spro power swivels for free drifting flukes in current, it is a moving water technique that works when fishing is tough.

Great post. The majority of my fishing is spin fishing and I agree 110% about the bail roller. Being a river rat that increases line twist. I would look at your bail roller(s). Excellent advise. I'll second "Junger" on the Mustad products I like them. But some lures are just harder on your line. OP great post.

[OnthePotomac]

I rarely use swivels except on a spinning rod for flukes and then it is a Sampo.  A rare use for me so I don't mind the expense and they last forever.

[TOXIC]

2 hours ago, GreenPig said:

Spro Power swivels are small and strong

There is no higher quality swivel for it's size than a SPRO.  It was one of the products they were known for before they got into the hard bait market.  Personally, I don't use swivels or clips because it just adds more failure points to my setups.  I have multiple options to deal with line twist.

[Glenn]

 

[Sam]

Humble, what Glenn's video offers is excellent and will help reduce line twist.

 

Just remember, the lighter the line on a spinning rig the more line twist you will have to put up with.

 

Since I switch to braid I have reduced my line twist problems by 90%.

 

So give braid a shot, using the same diameter mono as backing on your spinning rig.

 

You may or may not use a fluorocarbon leader. Personal preference.

 

Good luck.

[Derek1]

I just switched to braid because of Line twist. It’s the biggest pia so annoying. It’s even more annoying that I can’t seem to put the bait on straight. 

[Deleted account]

Sampo, Owner, or Spro. You get what you pay for

 

[blckshirt98]

On 5/2/2019 at 5:34 AM, GreenPig said:

Spro Power swivels are small and strong

I use swivels and the Spro power swivels are the only ones I'll use.  The size 10 35lb swivels are tiny and yo won't have to worry about them being a point of failure.

[bigbill]

Line twist. Look it up here there’s two different ways to spool your reels. One way is baitcaster reels the other way is for spinning reels.

 

u been using ball bearing locking snap swivels for many decades. You need to change then often they do wear.  With spinnerbaits, cranks, topwater ect anywhere they see more action they wear.

 

Even with the barrel swivels I change them out more often.

[OkobojiEagle]

Sampo

[TOXIC]

Let's be clear here.  There are 2 types of line twist.  First is the way you spool your reel and 2nd are baits that due to their action, twist your line on the retrieve.  A swivel will not correct line twist if you spooled your spinning reel wrong.  While I'm not a big fan of swivels, they will help with the 2nd source of line twist.  

[RB 77]

Spro. Ball bearing for light weight stuff (Blades). Power swivel for heavy duty applications (Ploppers).

[IgotWood]

A little inconvenient, but it works....let out a bunch of line behind your boat and drag it behind you at a slow speed. Make sure there is no bait, or rig on your line. Just bare line hanging off the back of the boat about a hundred feet. It's a little annoying, but it works. Can do this on your way out, or on the way in from fishing.

[CrankFate]

On 5/1/2019 at 10:32 PM, CrankFate said:

All three posts above me are right.

 

I recommend these they are as good as anything and small for the test rating they will not fail:

 

http://dbluefishing.com/goods.php?id=239

 

Disclaimer: I am not affiliated with any company that sells fishing gear.

I’m bumping this response. If you like Spros — you will love these. Do not let the price fool you.