How bad is it to always use swivels?

[GrundleLove]

I seem to find myself always using swivels to attach my lures to my line, i like to use different lures when i fish from the shore and i find this to be the most effective way...maybe its because I'm lazy and don't know of any quick effective knots? How much is my laziness affecting the effectiveness of my fish catching.  Feel free to shun me. :-/

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

When you "always" do something the same way, you're limiting your effectiveness. With that said, I use snaps regularly. Mostly for moving baits like cranks. If I use a swivel to prevent line twist it usually in-line and part of a snap.

[Nibbles]

Do you mean snaps?

The only time I would ever say it would be a bad idea to use snaps is with topwaters and suspending jerkbaits. They're not good with topwaters because they unbalance them significantly and cause the lures to be nose-heavy.

Suspending jerkbaits weigh a specific amount so that they can suspend. Adding a snap may affect the weight of the jerkbait, causing it to sink instead of suspend.

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

Do you mean snaps?

The only time I would ever say it would be a bad idea to use snaps is with topwaters and suspending jerkbaits. They're not good with topwaters because they unbalance them significantly and cause the lures to be nose-heavy.

Suspending jerkbaits weigh a specific amount so that they can suspend. Adding a snap may affect the weight of the jerkbait, causing it to sink instead of suspend.

Good point. I remove the split ring if using a snap on these type baits. That offsets the effect, but still may want to tie direct to certain baits.

[J Francho]

Do you mean snaps?

The only time I would ever say it would be a bad idea to use snaps is with topwaters and suspending jerkbaits. They're not good with topwaters because they unbalance them significantly and cause the lures to be nose-heavy.

Suspending jerkbaits weigh a specific amount so that they can suspend. Adding a snap may affect the weight of the jerkbait, causing it to sink instead of suspend.

Not if you use the right size, and remove the split rings.  #2 Duo Locks work well with most jerkbaits in the 85-120 size.  I've gone up to #3 for a Sammy 100 with no issues, though a #2 is preferable.

[OHIO]

I used to use snaps on every lure, but I still caught fish.

I started tying directly to jigs and soft plastics and the sensitivity increased some, but I didn't notice any difference in the number of bites.

I think you will be fine, but I would try tying direct.

[J Francho]

Explain how a split ring is more sensitive than a snap? Or are you removing the split ring and tying to loop? That would kill the action, depending on bait, line size and type, among other things. I'm just getting the sensitivity deal there.

Oh, for the OP, don't use a snap if its a jig, spinnerbait, or a hook.  We're talking about baits with split rings that you tie to.

[RandySBreth]

Not if you use the right size, and remove the split rings. #2 Duo Locks work well with most jerkbaits in the 85-120 size. I've gone up to #3 for a Sammy 100 with no issues, though a #2 is preferable.

Yep. What he said.

[OHIO]

Explain how a split ring is more sensitive than a snap? Or are you removing the split ring and tying to loop? That would kill the action, depending on bait, line size and type, among other things. I'm just getting the sensitivity deal there.

Oh, for the OP, don't use a snap if its a jig, spinnerbait, or a hook. We're talking about baits with split rings that you tie to.

I assumed that the OP was talking about snaps instead of swivels because I don't see how swivels make it easier to attach lures.

I said that tying direct is more sensitive than using a snap, but if he is in fact talking about swivels, my answer still holds true.

[J Francho]

Huh? Makes no sense to me. I really don't get it. Is there a difference in the sensitivity of the metal in a snap compared to a swivel or a split ring? :-/

I tell you what, I fish all winter for trout that would eat most of the bass we all brag about. The rig uses 8# mono, two swivels, a bobber, and is fished on an ultra lite power, ultra slow action rod that is about as sensitive as leaving your hand in a bowl of ice for ten minutes. Oh yeah, your hands feel like that anyway, most days.  Guess what, I feel the take every time, before the bobber does its little dance.

Way too much theory going on, and not enough practice. I personally don't care if you use a snap, or tie to the split ring. Don't tell me you do it because one is more sensitive than the other. Tell the truth: YOU HAVE MORE CONFIDENCE that way.

That's the same reason I use a snap. I'm positive that the Palomar knot will hold better, and never get caught in the split of the split ring. Oh BTW, I can switch until I find the better color patterns (or so I think ;D).

Anyway, the OP is probably using cheap snap swivels to connect his baits. The rule: A swivel, or a snap. Never both. Unless its a spoon.

[OHIO]

OK maybe my wording is wrong.

I wasn't talking about using a swivel at all. I thought the OP meant to say he was using snaps instead of swivels because they are easier to change lures with.

All I am saying is that tying directly to a lure will increase sensitivity over tying to a snap.

If the OP was indeed talking about swivels, then the sensitivity factor still holds true.

It would increase sensitivity to tie directly to a lure than to use a swivel or snap. That's all I am trying to say.

[J Francho]

You're talking about jigs then?  Who uses a snap with a jig?

You gain or lose nothing in the sensitivity dept. with a hard bait, regardless of snaps/swivels/rings.

[OHIO]

You're talking about jigs then? Who uses a snap with a jig?

You gain or lose nothing in the sensitivity dept. with a hard bait, regardless of snaps/swivels/rings.

I said I used to use snaps with every lure I threw, that includes jigs.

Since then I have switched to tying directly to most baits and that has increased sensitivity.

You don't think that tying direct increases sensitivity? In my experiences it has.

[J Francho]

I thought we were talking hard baits, not jigs.  Honestly, no I do not.  But that isn't why I'd never use a snap with a jig.

[OHIO]

I thought we were talking hard baits, not jigs. Honestly, no I do not. But that isn't why I'd never use a snap with a jig.

Why wouldn't you use a snap with a jig if not for sensitivity? Does it affect the action or what? Just curious.

[J Francho]

Picks up weeds, gets stuck in rocks.

[Tin]

I seem to find myself always using swivels to attach my lures to my line, i like to use different lures when i fish from the shore and i find this to be the most effective way...maybe its because I'm lazy and don't know of any quick effective knots? How much is my laziness affecting the effectiveness of my fish catching. Feel free to shun me. :-/

I'm surprised you landed that Mass record 9 pounder with one and it didn't break or bend out. 

[Tin]

I thought we were talking hard baits, not jigs. Honestly, no I do not. But that isn't why I'd never use a snap with a jig.

Why wouldn't you use a snap with a jig if not for sensitivity? Does it affect the action or what? Just curious.

Ever try setting a hook on a jig with 65 pound braid and winch a fish out of heavy cover without the swivel breaking or bending out?

[OHIO]

Change the 65 to 50 and my answer is yes.

[J Francho]

I thought we were talking hard baits, not jigs. Honestly, no I do not. But that isn't why I'd never use a snap with a jig.

Why wouldn't you use a snap with a jig if not for sensitivity? Does it affect the action or what? Just curious.

Ever try setting a hook on a jig with 65 pound braid and winch a fish out of heavy cover without the swivel breaking or bending out?

I would have though the same thing, but why isn't it an issue with frogs, and #3 snap?  Never had one of those open up.  I got a bud that swears by big Norman Speed (euphamism for frustrates me so much I eventually cut it off and retie without it) Clips.

[Skeet22]

While we are on snaps is anyone using Berkley cross locks? I started using them on moving baits and like them alot..

[trevor]

I just tie a uni-knot or a loop knot, and thats it. I never use snaps in freshwater, and I don't feel it hinders me in any way. I use swivels, but never snaps in freshwater.

[I.rar]

i only use snaps (norman speed clips) with crank baits and spinner baits when im changing them often. never with anything else.

[bilgerat]

Cross loc snaps on hard baits.

The only times I use swivels is on in-line spinners, and I use only ball bearing ones.

I agree with JFrancho, the Norman speed clips are a pain in the arse.

[I.rar]

i honestly never had a problem with the norman speed clips but i only bought them because the BPS didnt have berkley cross-snaps. the one thing that worried me is when using the same clip continuously , that it may become brittle like when you bend a paper clip over and over untill it snaps. ive never had that happen though.

or maybe when you guys freeze up there and cant get your fat fingers to open em up .