Crankbaits, snap or no snap??????????

[eyedabassman]

I want to fish alot more crankbaits this year. So I don't know too much about them becaues I am a jig and plastic kind of a guy. So do you crankers use a snap? What are the pro's and con's to them? It would make it alot  faster to change baits and not tying  every time you want to change color or size. I don't have the bucks to invest in 3 or more crankbait rods. Just would like your input, Thanks :-/ :-/ :-?

[Redlinerobert]

I prefer to use an O ring on my crankbaits.  It allows them to swim much better.  

[LakeAnnaBasser]

X2 on redlinerobert

[Lil Baby Cousin Ray-Ray]

i keep hearing it so im wondering what kind of O ring are you talking about

[CrazedL.IFisherman]

I used to use snap swivels but they definitely are too big, im not positive but am afraid they due in fact effect the motion of the lure, what im about to use this year are dual lock snaps, much smaller and therefore shouldnt hurt the movement of the bait much if at all, also my fishing buddy loves using em' just my .02 cents

[Stringjam]

I prefer a high quality snap (like a size 1 Berkley CrossLock).    I can't with my naked eye discern any difference between the action of a bait tied to the o-ring, and the action when the o-ring is removed and a snap is used in it's place.  

Some lures (like a Wiggle Wart) actually work better with a snap because the line tie is too shallow to accomodate a split-ring - - which, if used, tends to bind in the eye.        

Master crankbait designer Tom Seward prefers snaps - - and if you'll notice, the baits designed by him (Poe's Competition Cedars, Luhr-Jensen Speed Traps, Hot Lips) all come with snaps.

Perhaps on an ultra-light crankbait where added weight to the nose would degrade the action, a lightweight o-ring would work better......but a size 1 CrossLock is pretty darn small and light.        

[T-rig]

I allways use snaps! Depending on the size of lure your using you should use a size 0 to a size 3 snap.

I find it's alot quicker to change lures.

[MALTESE FALCON]

I use Duolock snaps and I can't see any change in the action of my cranks or jerks.

Falcon

[Bankbeater]

I use snaps all the time with crankbaits and I don't see any change in the way the baits run.  Make sure you use a high quality brand or the fish could pull the snap apart.

[roadwarrior]

Well, I don't have any opinion because I never use snaps. I do have a couple of suggestions however:

1. I have found being persistant with a lure pays off, if it's really the right lure. Changing a profile, tweaking speed or adjusting to depth may be critical, but changing colors usually isn't.

2. You still need to check your line often and retie occasionally.

[jdw174]

Snaps all the way.  Vary size according to lure size.  And I don't see where it hurts lure action one bit...

[Valascus]

Wow...there seems to be an exodus to snap land. I remember not long ago when this question was asked the majority said "no."

Well, I will be one in the few so far. I DO NOT use snaps. I cannot tell if it alters the action of the bait or not, but quite frankly, I don't wanna even take the chance of it altering it.

Another reason I don't use snaps is because t only takes me a few seconds to tie my not, and it MAKES me make sure my knot is a good one. If you are just unsnappin' the cranks from the snaps and not re-tying then you are just increasing the chances for knot failure.

The final reason I don't use snaps is I don't like to use all that hardware. The less hardware I have on my line the better for 2 reasons. 1) It looks more natural to the fish and 2) Removes any chances of the snap itself failing.

[Guest whittler]

Snaps for me, duolock or crosslock, the baits I sell however will come with an oval split ring. Most folks want o-rings because that is what they are used to and because some pro said you must use oval or tear-drop rings, but they never take the time to test for themselves. Brian Bee's handmade baits reccomends the use of a snap over split rings and I agree. I am lucky to be able to test my baits in a school swiming pool, gin clear water, measured depths and lines on the bottom so you can see every little move the bait makes. Snaps for me.

[Bud]

    use Duolock snaps and I can't see any change in the action of my cranks or jerks.          

Iike wise I use them all the time.

[BIG M]

BPS fast-lock snaps, size #1 and #2.   I use these on every bait I make and there is no change in the action of the bait.  

I would advise to stay away from oval split rings.

[lovecranking]

Norman quick clips.

[Dan:]

Norman quick clips.

same. Using only one rod, I have to have a clip of some sort, otherwise it's not even worth throwing a crankbait because it takes too much time and effort to change lures.

[.ghoti.]

I don't use snaps any more. You need to check your line all the time, and re-tie when any damage shows up. So, I don't save any time using snaps. It just adds one more possible failure point to the rig. It also keeps me from changing baits as often. This can be a good thing. I've found that what I usually need to do is change speed, cadence, location, etc, long before worrying about what color I have on. I have changed out quite a few of my baits to oval O-rings. I like these things.

Cheers,

GK

[Rattlinrogue]

I used to use snaps and had good results with them.I did it mainly for the ease of changing baits quickly.Last year I began tying straight to the bait.I tend to stay with the bait a little longer and give it a chance to produce.If I'm gonna change,I'm gonna have to take the time to tie it on.I don't really think snaps affect the action.Now,if I'm uncertain as to what color pattern to use I just tie on several different colors on several baitcasting combos until I find something that they want.Nothing wrong with using snaps,though.

[broncoboxer]

I use snaps.  Love'em.

[sal669]

I don't think there is anything wrong with using snaps/split rings/ O rings/etc, especially if the manufacturer recomands it. If a lure comes with one, I"ll use it.

If the lure doesn't come with one I am using the "loop knot". I am checking my line often and retie as needed.

[RoLo]

I always tie direct to the manufacturer's original equipment, without adding or subtracting any hardware.

It's their product, so I give them the benefit of the doubt.

Roger

[Floridabassking352]

No snaps. I never use 'em.

[cleo26]

would a snap make a crankbait appear larger then it really is? no snap for me

[Bluecraw]

Wow...there seems to be an exodus to snap land. I remember not long ago when this question was asked the majority said "no."

Another reason I don't use snaps is because t only takes me a few seconds to tie my not, and it MAKES me make sure my knot is a good one. If you are just unsnappin' the cranks from the snaps and not re-tying then you are just increasing the chances for knot failure.

I'm with you, Valascus.  Most crankbait companies don't design there lures with the addition of a snap, the ones that do include whatever hardware you need.  But the main reason I don't use them is because of the line.  The weakest part of your line is the knot and if you've been fishing with a particular crank for a while and are ready to try another one, then you probably need a new knot.

Plus, I would imagine that most of us here could probably tie-on a different lure as fast as unsnapping and snapping one on.... :