Bass and Steel

[FishingIsFun]

My friend said that bass are scared of steel, so they dont bite on my line alot ..... OKay.... I have regular clear line with a 5 inch long steel connector bracket line, that connects different lures without re-tying a knot. So im just wondering if bass are afraid of the steel? If so should i take it off or if my friend is wrong?!

[bass slayer 17]

im not sure if they are afraid of it but i do know it will hinder the presentation.. i use to use steel leaders alot but i noticed when i took them off and tied directly to the lure i got bit more...  with crankbaits i do use a swivel because it makes the lure wobble more freely and plus you can change quicker..

my advice to you would be loose the steel leader and either tie directly to the lure or use a swivel

[Just_Old_Fisherman]

If you feel you need something for freer action, use a split ring rather than a swivel.  Smaller and serves the same purpose IMHO.

[bass slayer 17]

most cranks already come with a split ring though.. the swivel will give some extra action.. i find that if i tie the line directly to the crank or the lipless crank it will run a little bit more to the side or wont run straight but when i add on the swivel i will get it to run more straight

[SimonDM17]

The only reason to use a steel leader is for pike, or if there's an unacceptable pickerel population.  Bass will shy away from big leaders in clear water, and steel will definitely diminish the action and change the sink rate on baits.  Topwaters won't float, crankbaits will sink, etc.  

Learn to tie good knots, and tie direct.  Use a heavy mono or flouro leader if you're worried about breaking off, and you'll get more bites.

[Sam]

They are not actually "afraid" of steel, but it is something that is "unusual" and "not natural" so they shy away from it.

As stated in the other posts, you need to stop using the wire leader.

If you want to use a clip, then tie the clip to your line using a Palamor Knot and then clip the clip onto the crankbait's split-ring or the eye of your worm hook.

One of the guys in my bass club does this and he changes lures so fast it is almost impossible to see him change the lures on his line.

Remember, you do not want the fish to see your line, if possible, unless you are fishing in the pads and grass and are using a braid line which will blend into the foliage.

And remember, mono for topwaters; flourocarbon for everything else; braid for heavy cover.

Have fun.  

[.dsaavedra.]

bass slayer, i really dont mean to be rude, i just dont want anybody to get confused here.

you can't use a swivel to connect to your lures...

a swivel looks like this:

two loops on either end, neither of which are able to open up to clip onto your bait.

you can however use a snap swivel to connect your bait to your line without retying, however it will hinder the action quite a bit since its heavy. snap swivel looks like this:

two loops, one of which opens so you can clip it to your bait, the other is to tie your line to.

a lot of people will use a clip to quickly put on new baits without re-tying. clips are light and don't affect the action of baits much at all. a clip generally looks like this (there are several styles though):

not trying to be a jacka** or anything, just wanted to eliminate confusion.

anyway, i would say get rid of the leader and just use a clip if you dont want to tie a knot every time. i have found that a clip doesnt work so great with soft plastics though.

[bass slayer 17]

no offence taken... yes indeed there are different names for things and people call them different things.. i guess i have always called what you call swivels ball bearing swivels and i have always called snap  swivels just plain swivels. and when i said swivels i probably should have said snap swivels but i still meant the same thing.... sorry for the confusion...     deffinetly do not use a SNAP swivel for plastics it will mess up your presentation and it doesnt look natural...