Snap Swivels vs. Direct Tie On

[WOLFER 123]

I've always wondered if tying a jig or spoon directly to the line is better than attaching a jig to a snap swivel as far as White Fish and Walleye (or any other fish for that matter, except a Pike) are concerned. Any comments or suggestions?

[Mikezilk]

I tie directly to my line for everything.

Trout, Whitefish, Goldeye, Perch are direct to line and never had any problems.

Walleye and Sauger I will use a light fluro leader tied directly to the lure.

Pike I used a heavy braid with heavy fluro tied on for leader. Hook is tied directly on to fluro. Havent lost a hook due to poor connection or teeth since.

Have lost a few to under sized line on a big fish, but that is it.

[baptiste_moose]

I tie directly to my line for everything.

x2. Takes 2 seconds and it takes the spook factor completely out.

[Fishnafterwork]

I always do direct tie... I find better control and it's more natural...The lure moves more naturally ... Especially if there's a chance of catching trout with their spooky nature and good eye sight loosing the snap swivel has helped me tons...& if you need the free movement of the lure that snaps provide there's knots that do the same if not better IMO

[Willowtrail]

I use suffix 832 on all my spinning and casting setups. I tie on flurocarbon to all the setups. Sometimes 3' to 12'.

I tie lines together with double uni knot and then fluor direct to lure.

[fish gunner]

Depends on presentation /lure choice for me . Spoons,spinners,rattlers I use a swivel. Jigs, stick baits , fly fishing , trolling bucktails I tie direct.

[HunterDave]

I tie directly to my jig/lure for icefishing (except pike) and that's it. All other times I use a snap swivel because I change my rigs/lures fairly often. I don't think that fish get too spooked by a swivel when you have 2' of willow branch or 3" of lure on.....lol. It might make a difference with a jig but the walleye and occasional pike that I catch on jigs in the summer don't seem to mind the swivel too much. :)

For those of you tying your line right to your lures.....
Don't you ever have any problem with your line getting all twisted and prone to coiling up when using lures?

[buckmasterjr]

For walleye and whitefish i directly tie

[Moosetalker]

Line to a snap swivel then another swivel wih 18" flourocarbon/mono leader to diff types/colour of jigs.
Use a lindy rig tube for storage. Saves having to thread and tie in a dark tent to change hooks. And you can use Palomar knot on all tieons

Allso you dont have hooks catching the fabric in rod locker bags when your finished.

[fish gunner]

I tie directly to my jig/lure for icefishing (except pike) and that's it. All other times I use a snap swivel because I change my rigs/lures fairly often. I don't think that fish get too spooked by a swivel when you have 2' of willow branch or 3" of lure on.....lol. It might make a difference with a jig but the walleye and occasional pike that I catch on jigs in the summer don't seem to mind the swivel too much. :)

For those of you tying your line right to your lures.....
Don't you ever have any problem with your line getting all twisted and prone to coiling up when using lures?

I place a swivel without snap at leader main line connection . 2'ish for casting, just less than rod length for trolling.

[BeeGuy]

I detest snap swivels.

Swivel and split ring for all my swivelling needs. In a variety of sizes.

I direct tie jigs.

Spoons, spinners and other rotational or laterally moving lures get a swivel

[HunterDave]

I place a swivel without snap at leader main line connection . 2'ish for casting, just less than rod length for trolling.

So every time you switch from a red devil to a 5 of diamonds to a Mepps black fury you have to re-tie your lure? I'm way too lazy for that plus it cuts into the amount of time my line is in the water.

[Zip-in-Z]

Depending on what I'm fishin for & what presentation I'm using I have a number of different options to choose from, & I still like using these ... the quick snap is less than 1/8" length.

http://www.golfwrx.com/forums/public/style_emoticons/default/hi.gif

Zip ...



.http://i1281.photobucket.com/albums/a515/ZIP-IN-Z/P1060252_zpsb3af78f3.jpg

[huntsfurfish]

I prefer to tie direct. Sometimes use a snap or snap swivel. Casting or trolling spinners I will put a swivel 2-3' up the line(leader).

If I am searching for the "right" lure, I might use a snap at the end till I figure out the bite. Allows for quick change.

[EZM]

Depends on what I'm doing ......

I run braid almost exclusively (except on my ultralight gear) and use a swivel to a fluorocarbon leader to eliminate line twist.

I will tie on flys, jigs, buck tails, circle hooks, drop shots and other fine presentations.

For cranks and spoons (in order to change up quickly and where spooking isn't a big concern) I use a swivel snap.

Pike, of course, requires a steel leader or heavier fluorocarbon leader.

[EZM]

I detest snap swivels.

Swivel and split ring for all my swivelling needs. In a variety of sizes.

I direct tie jigs.

Spoons, spinners and other rotational or laterally moving lures get a swivel

Tied coast locks? I assume you are thinking about eliminating failures on those typical junky swivel snaps .....

Coast locks work great and are super strong ..... with a small size 6 @300lbs test - these are awesome.

[fish gunner]

So every time you switch from a red devil to a 5 of diamonds to a Mepps black fury you have to re-tie your lure? I'm way too lazy for that plus it cuts into the amount of time my line is in the water.

See first post . Spoons get snap swivel

[EZM]

Depending on what I'm fishin for & what presentation I'm using I have a number of different options to choose from, & I still like using these ... the quick snap is less than 1/8" length.

http://www.golfwrx.com/forums/public/style_emoticons/default/hi.gif

Zip ...



.http://i1281.photobucket.com/albums/a515/ZIP-IN-Z/P1060252_zpsb3af78f3.jpg

I lost a epic fish on one of those - straightened the hook on the clasp loop and pulled it right through. ......I sat on the lake for 45 minutes drifting around before I even looked up from the floor of my boat.

I got home and trashed all of that type of snap swivel. One valuable lesson on a contender sized pike that swam away free that day.

Since then I have been doing some "destructive testing" on all sorts of designs of swivel snaps using a vise, my trolling ball, and a 2x4, and found the coast locks to hold up the best.

Sampo is the best brand that I've found;

http://www.basspro.com/Sampo-Ball-Bearing-Swivel-with-Solid-Ring-&-Coastlock-Snap/product/15169/


They are probably fine for your average quarry - but you never know when the big one will eat your bait.

[RavYak]

I honestly don't think that it really matters for walleye, never caught a white fish so can't comment on them. I have caught a bunch of walleye using steel leaders so what I figure is that a snap swivel sure as hell isn't going to scare them away, as mentioned if you are using say a spoon then you will definitely want a swivel in there somewhere. That said I do tie on jigs as I think they perform a little better without the snap.

What I use is the following

Pike or pike infested walleye lakes: Titanium leader
Walleye: Swivel most of the time, direct tie on if I am only jigging
Trout: Most often direct tie on, odd time a swivel depending on lures I am using.
Perch: Direct tie on

[AppleJax]

I lost a epic fish on one of those - straightened the hook on the clasp loop and pulled it right through. ......I sat on the lake for 45 minutes drifting around before I even looked up from the floor of my boat.

I got home and trashed all of that type of snap swivel. One valuable lesson on a contender sized pike that swam away free that day.

Since then I have been doing some "destructive testing" on all sorts of designs of swivel snaps using a vise, my trolling ball, and a 2x4, and found the coast locks to hold up the best.

They are probably fine for your average quarry - but you never know when the big one will eat your bait.

Ever use the drag on your reel?:)

[EZM]

Ever use the drag on your reel?:)

Yes.

Works great.

How do you suggest I keep a big girl from going into the sunken timbers and tree roots using my drag?

Maybe it's a better idea to try and bull dog her out and and take a risk instead of having a zero chance of getting her out of there without a snag.

:):snapoutofit:

[AppleJax]

Yes.

Works great.

How do you suggest I keep a big girl from going into the sunken timbers and tree roots using my drag?

Maybe it's a better idea to try and bull dog her out and and take a risk instead of having a zero chance of getting her out of there without a snag.

:):snapoutofit:

Wow...just a simple question lol. :love0025:

[EZM]

Wow...just a simple question lol. :love0025:

No worries .......... an emtional moment for me ........ I'm not kidding about sitting there drifting around and looking at the floor of my boat for 45 minutes.

You and Geezle know the spot............. it was there on in inside edge of those sunken timbers off the reef.

Caught the girl on the down slope at the bottom and she went up and over and toward those sunken timbers.

I hate fat chicks ..........:)

I might go the rest of my life and never hook another one like that.

[AppleJax]

No worries .......... an emtional moment for me ........ I'm not kidding about sitting there drifting around and looking at the floor of my boat for 45 minutes.

You and Geezle know the spot............. it was there on in inside edge of those sunken timbers off the reef.

Caught the girl on the down slope at the bottom and she went up and over and toward those sunken timbers.

I hate fat chicks ..........:)

I might go the rest of my life and never hook another one like that.

All good, your love if the sport will keep you coming back:) Its the ones I didnt catch that keep me going lol. Ive just never had a swivel straighten out on me, couldnt imagine on a big hog like that...:angry3:

[silverdoctor]

Lost a 20+ pounder in Fawcette Lake a bunch of years ago. she hit the surface, seen my mug, rolled and snapped me off.

Steel leader whenever there are pike around - neither pike or walleye seem to care. anything else, i'll tie direct.

[EZM]

I've had lines snap or knots break and even a few swivel snaps open up but this was a EPIC FAIL and it just simply pulled through the catch on snap like wire .......... funny thing is the line was only 14lb braid.

I'm guessing it was the constant pressure I had to keep on her as I was barbless and trying to keep her away from the junk.

I now use 30 lb to hunt girls.

[silverdoctor]

I've had lines snap or knots break and even a few swivel snaps open up but this was a EPIC FAIL and it just simply pulled through the catch on snap like wire .......... funny thing is the line was only 14lb braid.

I'm guessing it was the constant pressure I had to keep on her as I was barbless and trying to keep her away from the junk.

I now use 30 lb to hunt girls.

I've had swivels open or pull straight a few times too. The wire that snaps the swivel is typically bent 90 degrees, bend it down further. When it's closed, it'll take much more to straighten it out. I do that simple fix to all my swivels now, never had one let go since.

40 pound braid, 30 pound leaders when there's a chance at bigger pike now.

[HunterDave]

Geez, are you guys using those swivels that don't have the bend in them at the clasp or what? My line would snap long before it'd straighten out my swivel. I use lighter line with a medium light action rod though so that might be the difference and I don't usually hook +20lb pike either.

[RavYak]

My guess is that the snap wasn't closed 100% at the time of hookup or somehow the line got wrapped around it or something like that and unsnapped it. It takes an awful lot to open up even the crappiest swivel snaps and unless it was the miniature size for trout or something like that I just don't see it happening.

[slough shark]

I've had a couple pike over the years bend the snap swivel right out (using the standard 30 lb leaders) or snap the wire leader portion while ice fishing. I now make my own leaders using heavier duty hardware, one just doesn't have the luxery of drag on the tipups...

[Kim473]

I tie direct to all my hooks unless i'm fishing for pike, trolling with spoons or raps. Need the leader for pike and the swivel to stop line twist. All jigging is direct tie.

[BeeGuy]

Tied coast locks? I assume you are thinking about eliminating failures on those typical junky swivel snaps .....

Coast locks work great and are super strong ..... with a small size 6 @300lbs test - these are awesome.

size 6 @ 300lbs?

do you have a link?

I think it is more like 50lb

anyhow, I'm not going to pay that much for a snap swivel. another reason why a split ring and swivel is a functional alternative

[Cal]

I use snaps or snap swivles whenever I can get away with it. Because I dont use very heavy gear I've never had snap failures. I use these realy tiny Mustad snaps and then either clip them to a swivle, or tie a piece of mono between them and the swivle depending on what I'm doing. Because these snaps can be opened at each end I have a whole system around using them, I can switch from lures to slip bobers to lindy rigs without tying tying a single knot.

Ocasionaly for trout and walleye one needs to tie direct.

[fishin_guy]

Fishing in Western Manitoba I have used a little snap swivel on my lines for ease of changing lures. Since many lakes in my area have pike I sometimes use a leader if using an expensive hook. I tried ice fishing on the red River in Winnipeg for walleye and caught nothing. Watched them on the flasher come in then disappear to my buddies line 10 feet away and bite his rod. Exact same lure and bait. On his rod was a swivel and about 3 feet of 6 pound ice line then lure direct tied. That seemed to be the key to why we didn't catch fish. I noticed increased catches using this method. If there is chance of pike I will use the smallest leader in can. Definitely notice that fish notice from area to area what you are using. If you are not catching with a snap swivel direct tie and you should see a change in your catching.

[Walleyemagnet]

Depending on what I'm fishin for & what presentation I'm using I have a number of different options to choose from, & I still like using these ... the quick snap is less than 1/8" length.

http://www.golfwrx.com/forums/public/style_emoticons/default/hi.gif

Zip ...



.http://i1281.photobucket.com/albums/a515/ZIP-IN-Z/P1060252_zpsb3af78f3.jpg

That's exactly what I use. Mind you, if I notice there are fish down there and they're not biting, I'll ditch the swivel and sometimes it makes a difference. I'm too lazy to re-tie every time I want to change up lures, even though I usually have as many as 7 rods going. I think it depends on the lake though. Calling has never been a problem with a snap swivel. Rock Island on the other hand; better to tie direct. Just experiment and see for yourself if it makes a difference or not.

[EZM]

size 6 @ 300lbs?

do you have a link?

I think it is more like 50lb

anyhow, I'm not going to pay that much for a snap swivel. another reason why a split ring and swivel is a functional alternative

50lbs is for crap like Dainelson brand

there are mid market ones here that are not too pricey;

Size 6 - 180lbs - regular grade ones here;

http://www.basspro.com/Offshore-Angler-Ball-Bearing-Swivel-with-Coastlock-Snap/product/10209879/

http://www.matzuo.com/Matzuo_Swivels.aspx

I have a pkg of these premium ones .....

Size 6 - 275lbs.

http://www.berkley-fishing.com/products/terminal-tackle/snaps-swivels/ball-bearing-cross-lok-snapswivels

These (below link) ones are 300lb - #6 pricey but strong ....

http://www.basspro.com/Offshore-Angler-Double-Welded-Eye-Ball-Bearing-Snap-Swivel/product/8550/?cmCat=CROSSSELL_PRODUCT

I like these .....

[BeeGuy]

$5+ for a swivel.

You could catch a tuna or a shark with those.

Or a pike I guess:/

[EZM]

$5+ for a swivel.

You could catch a tuna or a shark with those.

Or a pike I guess:/

They are not cheap - but one can last a few seasons .....

The way I look at things ....... I can't afford to buy cheap stuff ......

The mid market stuff is more reasonably priced and probably is more than enough. I'm convinced the design is simply better. Kind of a pain in the but sometimes when the fingers are cold or the eyelet of your lure is small .... but they should never fail.

I have one tied to every rod right onto the braid - then attach either a mono, fluorocarbon or titanium leader depending on what I'm doing.

[foxracing_23]

always direct tie to the hook/lure. If needed on a lure that spins, or could spin the line up I will put a swivel 2-3 feet up the line. I fish with a guy who puts snaps on every single hook, and leaders, wether fishing perch or trout or walleye, and I easily out fish him 4-1 every single time we go. And this is going on 7 years now...Hes pretty hard-headed :snapoutofit:

[BeeGuy]

You can get these little micro swivels at Bass Pro made by Raven or somebody that come in sizes 0, 00, and 000.

They are great. I use them all the time.

They are very small but will take at least up to 20lb mono