rapala question 2025

utahbasser reply :

my favorite lure is probably the jointed rapala, but i hate tying the knot. i only get it right 1 out of 10 times and it takes a while. has anyone fished a rapala with a snap and does it make any difference?

guest reply :

I use either Basspro or Cabelas Snaploc clips on em, it is one of my favorite lures, only difference, easy to put baits on 8-)

daviscw reply :

I use snaps for everything. I don't know if that's okay or not, but I still catch fish!

iceintheveins reply :

Snaps are nice for cranks, but I do get a bit better action tying it on directly. I use the rapala knot and have no problems with it, ever. One of the easier knots to tie IMO.

LooksLikeSinbad reply :

I find that snaps usually do not effect the action on my cranks. But, imo they do hamper the action on jerkbaits. I think the slight extra weight of the snap can pull the nose of the bait down.

VA BassHound reply :

I use a king sling knot on my rapalas.

moby bass reply :

Quote
I find that snaps usually do not effect the action on my cranks. But, imo they do hamper the action on jerkbaits. I think the slight extra weight of the snap can pull the nose of the bait down.

What LLS said, but I do occasionally use a swivel. I only use the interlock kind or those with the round end. I think the kind that comes to a sharp angle at the end (don't know what their name is) does inhibit the action of the rapala. The rapala knot is definitely the way to go though.

Maxximus Redneckus reply :

A swivel or snap hampers teh action if they are smaller raps but a j-7 or j9 it dont do too much to bother um of course using a small one is better

guest reply :

Having fished Rapalas for over three decades that above statement does not hold water. I use spinning gear for Rapalas ( FLOATING AND JOINTED) up to F11 or J11, just easier to handle for me. I have the most sucess with the 11's.

Spinning rig: If you want to avoid twist: On the tag end of your line put a small, quality barrell swivel, then a mono leader 8 to 12 inches and then a small duolock snap

Bai Caster: Just a duosnap on the end of your line

Either rig: Polamar or cinch Knot will do

NEVER USE A SNAPSWIVEL at the lure, it will mess up the action.

utahbasser reply :

i throw a j9 and a j11 on baitcasting gear mostly. i was thinking of getting some snaps with no swivel and tying the improved clinch or trilene knot. i am going to try it and let you all knwo how i did

guest reply :

The only clip I did not get along with were the Norman Speed Clips

tyrius. reply :

Quote
The only clip I did not get along with were the Norman Speed Clips

I'm a fan of those!!!

They can be quite the pain to use when my fingers are freezing, but I figure that if they are difficult for me to get open then that should mean that they should be pretty foolproof in holding my lure! 8-)

guest reply :

Thats why TY, I have neuropathy in my fingers from Diabetes and just have too hard a time with them

Marty reply :

I've been using size #1 duolock snaps for years and have full confidence in them.

.dsaavedra. reply :

utah basser, i have three suggestions (in order from best to worst):

1.) LEARN TO TIE THE FREAKING KNOT!!! dont be lazy, practice practice pratice till you can tie that knot with your eyes closed. then you can be confident when you are fishing, knowing you have a good strong knot that wont inhibit the action.

2.) tie the rapala knot to the lure, then cut the line off, leaving the loop on there. then, whever you fish the lure, just tie onto the loop. this wont hurt the action as much as a snap.

3.) use a duolock snap.

fathom reply :

Quote
The only clip I did not get along with were the Norman Speed Clips

x2.

utahbasser reply :

i can tie the knot pretty good now. i just practiced a lot the yesterday and today. i went to try them out with a snap today and it didnt effect the action at all. i don't know what kind of snaps i was using but they were thick metal and hard to open. i will probably just end up tying the knot most of the time

tyrius. reply :

Quote
utah basser, i have three suggestions (in order from best to worst):

Just as a point of clarification the best to worst classification above is opinion. Other people have the opinion that the snap and the knot are equal (ie there is no difference) and therefore tie a palomar to the snap and snap to the crank.

Joel W reply :

I tie directly for everything except Crankbaits as I need to change lures often. Given the option I rather tie a Palomar knot. If not, then I go with a improved Clinch knot. But check the Clinch knot often as they will slip after a while.

.dsaavedra. reply :

Quote

Quote
utah basser, i have three suggestions (in order from best to worst):

Just as a point of clarification the best to worst classification above is opinion. Other people have the opinion that the snap and the knot are equal (ie there is no difference) and therefore tie a palomar to the snap and snap to the crank.

yup they sure are opinions

i ordered em that way because i feel that he would be better off to learn the knots to become more versatile in his fishing instead of taking the "short cut" and using a snap. just my opinion...dont want any conflict

guest reply :

Versatility and knot tying are not related. Whats the difference what knot and or snap you use , so long as it works

Versatility: I have found that using 2 types of snaps: Some wide , some narrow and also an oval one I found that I can get a few different types of action from the same bait, by using different clips.

I am sure you can say the same for some knots

.dsaavedra. reply :

i have to disagree with you muddy.

i think that being able to know how to tie and be able to tie a wide array of knots off the top of your head is being versatile.

perhaps "versatile" is not the best word choice, but what i mean by it is that you are expanding your knowledge. in other words, not confining yourself to only knowing one knot, but knowing several different knots for different applications. are ya following me?

tyrius. reply :

Quote
taking the "short cut" and using a snap. just my opinion...dont want any conflict

No conflict here either, but the use of snaps isn't simply for a "short cut".

guest reply :

Quote
i have to disagree with you muddy.
i think that being able to know how to tie and be able to tie a wide array of knots off the top of your head is being versatile.

perhaps "versatile" is not the best word choice, but what i mean by it is that you are expanding your knowledge. in other words, not confining yourself to only knowing one knot, but knowing several different knots for different applications. are ya following me?

NO I'm an idiot, I can't follow you!

After learing about a dozen Knots , I can get by any hard days fsihing with 3, The Polamar, The Cinch and the Uni/Uni.

tyrius. reply :

Quote
perhaps "versatile" is not the best word choice, but what i mean by it is that you are expanding your knowledge. in other words, not confining yourself to only knowing one knot, but knowing several different knots for different applications. are ya following me?

What I know is that test after test has shown the palomar knot to be superior to all other knots for mono. So, versatility is not necessarily a good thing when using a knot that is shown to be weaker than another knot.

Maxximus Redneckus reply :

i know how to do 3 knots with precise perfection all i need to know,,, the rapala knot ,the trilene and the uni

HydrillaKilla reply :

snap swivels etc scare the snot out of me. i have always had a fear they might come undone or fail if you happen to get a really good fish on. has anyone ever had such a thing happen?

robbie

guest reply :

Well for a few decades now it hasn't happened to me, I ll post it the day it happens ;D

Joel W reply :

Quote
snap swivels etc scare the snot out of me. i have always had a fear they might come undone or fail if you happen to get a really good fish on. has anyone ever had such a thing happen?
robbie

Yes I have, but it wasn't the snaps fault. I have a real bad habit of not retying often enough, especially with a snap. And the little hook end of a snap will start to fail by increasing the angle of the bend as the pressure put on it by the pull of the fish and the lure itself is a weak point in its design. What I do is bend the hook part so the angle is less then 90 degrees, and I check it through out the day, adjusting as necessary. I also cut and throw out bent up snaps as needed, and I always replace the snap before the next trip out. As far as knots go, a Palomar knot is great simply because the line goes through the snap twice.

MN Basser reply :

for cranks and jerks, i always tie a UNI to a snap. works great. I only use the UNI knot actually.

8551

rapala question 2025

related Fishing Tackle topic

previous topic

next topic

most viewed Fishing Tackle topic