Why are the use of snaps and swivels frowned upon? 2025
Apples reply :
I've heard from several anglers that using snaps and swivels are frowned upon. Is this true? If so why? Thanks
J Francho reply :
Snaps are fine, I like Duo Loc snaps. Swivels are fine. Spro makes a reliable swivel. It's snap swivels that are the problem. They're usually cheaply made. I use them on any bait that has a split ring to attach. In fact, I remove the split ring altogether. That isn't necessary, but it's what I do. Jigs, hooks, spinnerbaits, buzzbaits, I tie direct.
Scott F reply :
Snaps are OK, but swivels generally are not needed. Some guys may use swivels with to counteract spinners that are twisting their line.
Fun4Me reply :
I prefer to tie direct to my baits. Snaps and swivels are just one more point of breakage to me.
doyle8218 reply :
On 8/4/2016 at 8:15 AM, J Francho said:Snaps are fine, I like Duo Loc snaps. Swivels are fine. Spro makes a reliable swivel. It's snap swivels that are the problem. They're usually cheaply made. I use them on any bait that has a split ring to attach. In fact, I remove the split ring altogether. That isn't necessary, but it's what I do. Jigs, hooks, spinnerbaits, buzzbaits, I tie direct.
Me too but I like the Molix Hyper Snaps.
Gundog reply :
On 8/4/2016 at 8:34 AM, Fun4Me said:I prefer to tie direct to my baits. Snaps and swivels are just one more point of breakage to me.
^^^^This. I've had problems with snaps in the past and decide not to use them anymore.
davecon reply :
Vegetation ! Snaps and swivels are magnets for the stuff.
iiTzChunky reply :
I found out that the weight of them messed with the baits I'm throwing
hawgenvy reply :
I sometimes bank fish with a certain friend of mine who always uses a snap swivel. I'll typically catch 3-4 bass for every one he does. Of course, there are other variables, but I suspect his extra hardware is a factor. Anyway, lures are designed to have a certain action, and that design is based on the lure tied clean to the line.
BillyBassMaster reply :
Use to use swivels, but it just gets caught in weeds.
Shak Muscles reply :
On 8/4/2016 at 11:44 AM, hawgenvy said:
I sometimes bank fish with a certain friend of mine who always uses a snap swivel. I'll typically catch 3-4 bass for every one he does. Of course, there are other variables, but I suspect his extra hardware is a factor. Anyway, lures are designed to have a certain action, and that design is based on the lure tied clean to the line.
I suspect that you are also a much better fisherman than your friend!
Alonerankin2 reply :
Used snaps for years. No issues. ( use spro )
I also use spro bearing swivels on Carolina rigs. Some believe a snap interferes with the action of a crankbait, ( balsa ) I do not..
Use quality stuff though.
Bankbeater reply :
I like duo-lock snaps for most topwater baits, crankbaits, spinnerbaits, and bladed jigs. I have had some issues over the years with cheaper snaps breaking, but since I started buying the better ones I no longer have that issue. Besides picking up moss, the one big issue I have with them is that they can get tangled up in the treble hooks and line. Frogs, and bottom contact baits I tie the line directly to the bait.
Crestliner2008 reply :
I agree with what has been said. Go with just a snap and forget about ever using snap-swivel combinations. They are an abomination! The snap affords the minimal amount of hardware and yet gives your bait the best possible action it is designed for. Not to mention the ease with which you can change baits.
One word of caution however, that most folks tend to overlook. Snaps can and do fail! I've lost several bass over the past two seasons due to the snap breaking at the bend. I like using jerkbaits quite often and the repeated opening and closing of the snap along with the twitching motion of this presentation, puts wear & tear on the wire of the snap.
And worst of all, it's not very apparent to the angler. So now, I use a snap for one trip out.....then replace it before my next day on the water. Could save you an expensive lure, not to mention the hazard to the fish taking it.
"hamma" reply :
here's my take:
I only use berkley crosslock snaps and snapswivels when called for. And the reason being they are the strongest there is out there ,..literally. Sampos are good but still arent as good.
hooks, jigs, jigheads, spinnerbaits and buzzbaits without a loop, all get tied on directly.
Spoons and inline spinners get a snapswivel, as they need to spin freely.
Jerkbaits, crankbaits, topwaters usually come with a split ring on them, I take that spilt ring off and use a crosslock snap. It aids to change lures and still allows the lure to move correctly unhindered.
Now these snaps and snapswivels are designed in such a way that they don't come apart on their own, or fail. Like the cheapo's,.. BUT, some lures are tough to get on there so you need to open up the first bend just a slight bit with 2 pairs of needlenose pliers. If done right that snap will last a long time and you will be able to sneak any sized eye on it.
YoTone reply :
its a must for me. i use only one rod and reel set up that i use on my lunch break. its not uncommon for me to use up to 5 lures in that time. also when i fish at night its really comes in handy. id probably use a whole spool each season from reties if i didnt use snaps.
but on certain lures it can hinder the action. i find on my plopper 130 it makes it tilt in one direction, but other than that ive really had no issues.
btw ive been using the tactical anglers power clips and it makes switching over so easy.
Hez reply :
On 8/4/2016 at 8:34 AM, Fun4Me said:I prefer to tie direct to my baits. Snaps and swivels are just one more point of breakage to me.
Was taught this early on - still believe in it now. It's adding 1 more factor to the equation to increase the possibility of something going wrong.
WIGuide reply :
Fishermen for whatever reason seem to have this thought process that if you're not doing something the way they do that it's wrong. It's all about finding what works for you. There's nothing wrong with using snap swivels, I just advise you not to use the cheap ones as they have a tendency to fail on a pretty regular basis.
Nice_Bass reply :
I don't use them but folks that throw them under the bus typically are overstating the issues.
on spoons I use owner snagless size 12 in 30#.
I have caught fish well over 30# as well as have broken off many, many times being snagged in rocks and go figure....my 12# line is what breaks and not the hardware every single time.
I would never use something like that on a worm or jig etc. however have used it on a crank before when lazy and honestly...no issue at all.
Ratherbfishing reply :
Some baits (such as in-line spinners and spoons) often benefit from a snap/swivel while for others it's either unnecessary or extra hardware that impairs the action of the lure. IF I use one or the other (or both) (which is rare unless I'm trolling), I use quality ball bearing swivels and the smallest size I can reasonably get away with.
Mswen reply :
I buy snaps and swivels separately and attach them together if I'm going to use both, which is rare. Even inexpensive crane swivels and duo-lock snaps are almost always better quality than most snap/swivel combos. I rarely use swivels except with spoons and in-line spinners, because they collect weeds. I will occasionally use snaps with crankbaits, especially if I know I'll be changing baits often.
When I have to use a wire leader, which has both a swivel and a snap, I notice a few problems. First of all, the extra weight pulls the nose down on lures, affecting the action of topwaters, especially poppers. Suspending baits tend to sink. And the line or leader tends to get caught on the hook, because they allow the lure to tumble more during the cast.
Another issue is that many people who use snap swivels don't bother to re-tie often enough and don't change out snap-swivels until they lose them or they break or rust. Tying directly at least forces you to re-tie every time you change lures. But that's not the snap-swivel's fault.
everythingthatswims reply :
I use a small snap swivel on blade baits and jigging spoons to help with line twist, that is all I use them for.
N Florida Mike reply :
My specialty is soft plastic baits.I NEVER use snaps,swivels etc.I tie directly to the hook.1.Action of the bait is not reduced 2. Fish are not turned off by the extra hardware.3. Bait sinks slower,which is critical.4. I have personally never met anyone who uses them with soft plastics that caught ANY.
A friend fished my home lake in the spring,When catches of 20+ fish are not uncommon,just fishing mornings. Him and his friend caught NOTHING .I couldn't believe it.Found out later they were using snap swivels.
The only advantage I see to them for ANY application is convenience.
S. Sass reply :
That is absolutely amazing. 40 years ago we used snap swivels with Mann's Jelly worms day in and day out with a Zebco 202 and caught literally hundreds of fish out of numerous ponds all over north east Texas. We used them with H&H spinner baits as well
Me and two friends had no internet to tell us it was wrong or to create hysteria about different aspects of fishing. This fishing hype is insane. We had no fluorocarbon we didn't have hooks so sharp you could shave with them heck according to some of the hype the rods we used wouldn't set a hook, the elastic mono was just horrible it broke off every other cast, and the 202 Zebcos were falling off the metal reel seats every 5th cast. We had to keep a screwdriver in our back pocket just to fish. It's a wonder anyone caught a fish period.
Geez swivels no swivels use them if you want or not they will catch a little slime here and there but honestly they are not killing your day of fishing.
mikegsp reply :
I agree with S.Sass 100 % !! I think we sometimes tend to over think things , but it does make for good reading.
gimruis reply :
On 8/4/2016 at 8:43 PM, YoTone said:its a must for me. i use only one rod and reel set up that i use on my lunch break. its not uncommon for me to use up to 5 lures in that time.
This is a good point. Lots of anglers don't have a dozen rods readily accessible so they are forced to make them be used for more than one lure. When I first started I used them a lot because re-tying took up valuable fishing time and I only owned 2 rod n reels. Now that I've been able to accumulate a lot of various rod n reel combos, I don't need to use them much anymore, if at all.
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