swivel snaps

[mr bean]

Does anyone uses these on crankbaits or jigs, I have a friend that uses one for everything. Neither me or him have many rods in his case just one in my case 2. He likes them just for a quick lure change. This past year I never used one. I just cut off the bait I was using and tied on a new one. To me a fish would wonder what that swivel was and maybe not bite. what is yalls take on this?

[Cravin]

I've never been a fan of them, You can learn to tie a fast knot and not deal with it possibly affecting the way a bait runs.

[vicdotcom]

To me a fish would wonder what that swivel was and maybe not bite. what is yalls take on this?

I think a fish would wonder "what those sharp pointy things hanging off that fish that im about to bite into" rather than worry about a swivel. LOL they have the same chance of noticing either I would say.

I used to use the lock snap and still do from time to time. But I learned to tie knots really fast now and I do that instead.

When I was using lock snaps for crankbaits and topwaters though, i didnt notice any less bites. Those are more reaction bites so i think it matters less. If it were soft plastics, I would never snap lock though. Some say it messes with the action of hard baits, but I dont think it does to much. Not anymore than tying a rapala knot.

Thats my take.

Vic

[burleytog]

With practice, you can tie a palomar knot as quickly as you can use a snap.

[ROCbass]

I use them with cranks some of the time so I can change lures quickly, although as others have said you can learn to retie almost as quickly with enough practice. When I am using inline spinners, I almost always use one because they help to reduce the line twist these lures tend to create

[Micro]

I used snaps (no swivels) for the first time in a long time yesterday on some cranks I was fishing.  It was 31 degrees, water was about 35, and after awhile I could barely feel enough to tie a not.   The pickerel didn't seem to mind them.  

[Muddy]

I use Cabelas Sure Lock Snaps, no issues and for a guy with neuropathy in my fingers they are a God Send

Snap Swivels were said to mess up the action of lures, so being curious this is what we found last year using Snap Swivels with these lures( note plain snap had no effect on these lures)

Original Floating Rapala: Killed the wobble, made them nose heavy

DT's :Made the Wobble tighter and nay thing over 6 ft of water they ran profoundly to the left ( using bait casting equipment) and on a lot of fast retrieves wanted to roll over onto their side

Bomber 8 A's Rolled onto their side on deep or rapid retrieves

Norman Cranks (dd22') Messed up to a tighter wobble and did actually turn onto their side

That was enough for me ; My Experience:

Plain Locking snap: good way to go

Snap Swivel: not good in these applications

[roadwarrior]

I have been experimenting with snaps (no swivel) on

bigger lures that are not effected by the nominal weight.

I don't notice any negative impact on the action of the

lure. However, I'll stick with direct tie for soft plastics

and jigs.

8-)

[Muddy]

I have been experimenting with snaps (no swivel) on

bigger lures that are not effected by the nominal weight.

I don't notice any negative impact on the action of the

lure. However, I'll stick with direct tie for soft plastics

and jigs.

8-)

 Absolutley, only direct tie with these applications.

[Daniel My Brother]

A question for you guys who use snaps with your crankbaits:

Do you first remove the split rings from the front of the bait?

[Muddy]

Excellent Question!  I leave them on, however on some you can get 2 different wobbles out of the same bait by

1. Changing the snap size

2. Changing the split ring size

3 Discarding the split ring altogether

basically : a lot of the plugs with split rings , make it easier to attac to with the ring.

[SirSnookalot]

I don't like swivelsnaps, especially for top lures. Duolocks are light and work well and would be my choice.  Personally I tie everything and never use a barrel swivel to attach my leader.  If you feel the snap is not affecting the lure action and you prefer the quick change, I would definatley use them.

[J Francho]

Excellent Question!  I leave them on, however on some you can get 2 different wobbles out of the same bait by

1. Changing the snap size

2. Changing the split ring size

3 Discarding the split ring altogether

basically : a lot of the plugs with split rings , make it easier to attac to with the ring.

Add back to back snaps to that list.

[J Francho]

I use snap swivels for one thing: Attaching a slinky weight to a bottom bouncer rig.  This is for trout and catfish in current, not really bass.

I generally remove the split rings, and in most cases, a #3 Duo-loc snap does the trick.  For jigs, please tie direct.  You will lose connectivity to the bait, causing you to miss bites,  and it will foul too easy.

[islandbass]

Use them at your own risk with more expensive lures and if you're fishing from the shore.. After some time, they can pop open when they hit the water (after the cast), and cheaper snap swivels do so for sure. I am speaking from experience.

Some baits the action will be affected and others not.

One case I might use them is with inline spinners when I'm too lazy or field tesing newly made inline spinners. The loss of an inline spinner is far easier to swallow than a lucky craft.

[J Francho]

After some time, they can pop open when they hit the water (after the cast), and cheaper snap swivels do so for sure.

I've actually had some respected name brands just plain fail - some on the back cast.  I used to use a snap swivel for spooning and spinners for trout, salmon, and springtime smallies that come in for the alewife feeding frenzy, but now simply use a split ring and simple barrel swivel: http://plan-b.smugmug.com/photos/252900414_dmtJR-L.jpg

BTW, some of the hand made inline spinners I use approach a Lucky Craft in price.

[Bassaholic84]

I use to use them and then one day fishing at a pond i caught a decent size fish and lost it.  When i got the end of my line my lure was gone, swivel still tied on (so knot didnt break) and the swivel was bent right out of the snap.  I immediately stopped using them and probally never will again.  They are convenient but not enough to loose a fish