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How do you feel about swivels? 2025


fishing user avatarAds7633 reply : 

When going braid to a flouro leader on spinning gear, do you prefer a line to line knot or a swivel in between the two? Which do you think would lead to more line failures? Does line twist come into play when using braid?


fishing user avatarScott F reply : 

Braided line does twist on spinning reels but it is not nearly as noticeable as it is with mono or fluoro. When it is highly twisted, slack line will wrap around your rod tip.

I never use leaders with braid so my opinion is, no knot or no swivel. No leader makes life easier.


fishing user avatarroadwarrior reply : 

Swivels are for C-rigs, not for line connections.

 

:winter-146:


fishing user avatarDelaware Valley Tackle reply : 

Certain baits, flukes and inline spinners for example, tend to exacerbate line twist. A swivel can help then. As a simple connection they serve no purpose. 


fishing user avatarnew2BC4bass reply : 
  On 1/12/2016 at 9:19 AM, Scott F said:

Braided line does twist on spinning reels but it is not nearly as noticeable as it is with mono or fluoro. When it is highly twisted, slack line will wrap around your rod tip.

I never use leaders with braid so my opinion is, no knot or no swivel. No leader makes life easier.

One reason why I seldom use a leader.

For those of you that think braid will not get line twist on a baitcast reel, try throwing a spoon tied direct for several hours.


fishing user avatarww2farmer reply : 
  On 1/12/2016 at 9:24 AM, roadwarrior said:

Swivels are for C-rigs, not for line connections.

 

:winter-146:

Yup. Learn the "Alberto" knot for line to line connections. It's simple and very reliable.


fishing user avatarsmallies24/7 reply : 

Ive used a swivel on a drop shot for the last two years, and my line snapped at the swivel once in two years. It was probably from me being lazy not re-tying for a while. But with hundreds of fish and only one failure which was presumably my fault, I will continue to use one, as I feel is does help reduce line twist. 


fishing user avatarblckshirt98 reply : 

I used to use a double-uni to connect braid to fluoro but had a lot of breaking issues.  I now use a small Spro Power Swivel to connect and no longer have any breakage issues.  Usually the hook will bend before the knot fails.


fishing user avatarFishes in trees reply : 

I could see using a tiny ball bearing swivel to connect braid to fluorocarbon instead of some connector knot and I don't use swivels very often.  Try it and see if you like the knot or swivel best.  I might try that some next season.


fishing user avatarzdunham reply : 

I agree with Roadwarrior, I use knots to connect line to leader, swivels for C-Rigs.


fishing user avatarCatt reply : 
  On 1/12/2016 at 9:24 AM, roadwarrior said:

Swivels are for C-rigs, not for line connections.

 

:winter-146:

Or holding blades on spinner baits!


fishing user avatarGoose52 reply : 

As DVT said, it depends on the bait you are intending on using. For baits that don't have a tendency to spin, tie line-to-line. If using a bait that might spin, use the swivel.

Keep in mind that tying line-to-line, and using a compact knot, will usually allow that leader knot to pass through the rod tip-top and guides, thus allowing a longer leader (if desired) and no special casting issues. Using a swivel (which you don't want to have passing through the guides/tip-top - if it even fit) means that the length of the leader will be hanging off the rod tip on the cast - usually requiring a modification to the casting stroke.

For me?  I fish weightless single-tail grubs a LOT - as in thousands of fish caught. Since grubs spin like crazy, I have to use a swivel between the mainline and the leader. The leader is usually only about 24" or less to reduce casting issues. I usually use a roll-type cast with this length leader.


fishing user avatarJ Francho reply : 

If you use a swivel to make the leader connection, thread a 6mm plastic bead onto the mainline before tying the swivel.  This will help protect the tip top ring if you reel up too far.


fishing user avatarAds7633 reply : 

Thanks for the input!


fishing user avatarBuckeye Ron reply : 

Only time I use a swivel is when I'm casting along the shore at the beach on the Gulf coast of Florida. I use braided line and a 20# fluorocarbon leader connected by an 80# swivel. Works great for what I'm after.


fishing user avatarcorn-on-the-rob reply : 

There is certainly a benefit to having a FC leader when it comes to abrasion resistance (compared to braid), line visibility, and to conserve mainline braid when you break off.

A red flag is thrown up in most people's minds when they hear "connection knot", they start losing confidence in the approach since more knots are necessary.

If you find the right knot, and learn how to tie it proficiently, having an "extra" knot won't even cross your mind. I highly, highly recommend the alberto. It's fast, simple, and one of the strongest knots for any diameter of line in the "fast/simple" category.


fishing user avatarSam reply : 

Ads, just remember that each knot is a "weak" spot in your line.

The fewer "weak" spots the better.

When you tie line to line please use a strong, fast drying glue that you paint over the knot.


fishing user avatarJ Francho reply : 
  On 1/13/2016 at 7:10 PM, Sam said:

Ads, just remember that each knot is a "weak" spot in your line.

I love saying this, too.  However, I also fish for steelhead in winter, and the terminal rigging for a float setup can have 5 knots.  These are fish that regularly go over 10 lbs., and I typically use no more than 8# main, and 2-6 lb. leader.  Yes, the long float rod absorbs a ton of stress and I don't make jarring hooksets, but I guess the point is, MAKE SURE YOUR KNOTS ARE WELL TIED, AND TEST THEM. 


fishing user avatarRaul reply : 
  On 1/14/2016 at 12:01 AM, J Francho said:

I love saying this, too.  However, I also fish for steelhead in winter, and the terminal rigging for a float setup can have 5 knots.  These are fish that regularly go over 10 lbs., and I typically use no more than 8# main, and 2-6 lb. leader.  Yes, the long float rod absorbs a ton of stress and I don't make jarring hooksets, but I guess the point is, MAKE SURE YOUR KNOTS ARE WELL TIED, AND TEST THEM. 

That last part should be bolded.

POORLY TIED KNOTS ARE A WEAK SPOT IN YOUR LINE.


fishing user avatarJ Francho reply : 

Exactly!


fishing user avatarRaul reply : 

More on the subject of swivels, I do use swivels for certain rigs like C-rig, a snap swivel combo for in-line spinners and spoons, but I also use it for dropshotting, I carry pre rigged D-shot rigs and the way I connect them to my main line is through a swivel, when I´m done I just cut the knot.


fishing user avatarblckshirt98 reply : 
  On 1/14/2016 at 3:33 AM, Raul said:

More on the subject of swivels, I do use swivels for certain rigs like C-rig, a snap swivel combo for in-line spinners and spoons, but I also use it for dropshotting, I carry pre rigged D-shot rigs and the way I connect them to my main line is through a swivel, when I´m done I just cut the knot.

I've always thought about pre-rigging dropshots as well but could never think of a way to store them where they won't get tangled up.  How do you store your pre-rigged ties so they're easily accessible and don't turn into a tangled mess?


fishing user avatarJ Francho reply : 
  On 1/14/2016 at 8:34 AM, blckshirt98 said:

I've always thought about pre-rigging dropshots as well but could never think of a way to store them where they won't get tangled up.  How do you store your pre-rigged ties so they're easily accessible and don't turn into a tangled mess?

Try one of these:

 

61mXGXLkftL._SL1000_.jpg


fishing user avatarRaul reply : 
  On 1/14/2016 at 11:27 PM, J Francho said:

Try one of these:

 

61mXGXLkftL._SL1000_.jpg

Man those look nice !

The truth is that I´m not much of a dropshotter, a styrofoam cube is good enough to wrap the rig around it and not having them tangle up, besides, I don´t carry a lot, only a couple of rigs is enough.


fishing user avatarblckshirt98 reply : 

Awesome, I'm actually going to get one for my trout setups for sure!  Trying to rig up a size 16 treble on 2 lb test with numb fingers in the cold is a *huge* pain.


fishing user avatarJ Francho reply : 

I use something similar for my float rigs for steelhead, but since I run straight fluoro on most of my DS rigs, I don't bother.  I can tie them up pretty fast now. 


fishing user avatarTucson reply : 

Nice organizers.  I use a section of foam pipe wrap.  The built-in slot is helpful.  A piece of pool noodle would work also.


fishing user avatarOnthePotomac reply : 

USE SWIVELS ON

Carolina rigs

Fluke rigs

In line spinners (If line

twist occurs)

 

USE SNAP SWIVELS OR

SWIVELS ON

Standard Spoons

Mepps Syclops




4974

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