Swivels vs. Naked Hooks

[gshaw]

I'm fairly inexperienced with, I'll call it "hook fishing". Typically I've tied a leader or a swivel onto my line and use cranks or jigs.

If using a technique utilizing tieing a hook on (eg. slip bobber), how adverse are fish to a rig that has a hook cliped on a swivel? Am I better off just tieing the hook straight onto the line without a swivel? I just love the quickness and ease of clips/swivels and I don't want to remove them if I don't need to.

[riverrat56]

I have a friend that loves snap swivels too, I laugh at him when we are out fishing because he hardly catches any. The swivel adds to much bulk and weight to the hook, if using a minnow it restricts its swimming action. I never use snaps anymore, even with cranks or spoons its always direct tie, for me its not any slower because i tie knots very quickly, and I have confidence I will get more bites, and if I'm not using a snap then it can't pull out.

If you want to have the convience of a snap, there are companys that make just a little "J" shaped peice that works just like a snap but is much less bulky.

[GenzisGod]

My personal opinion is that you are better off tying a hook directly to the line any time you can. I feel, again this is my own opinion, that you get a more sensitive feel without the swivel. Also, with the swivel, you have 2 seperate knots and tying directly you only have 1. I feel the more knots, the odds go up that something could go wrong. It takes me 30 seconds to switch hooks on a clevice whereas it may take a minute to a minute and a half to tie a new hook on. That little of time to me is worth it.

[EBass]

Snap Swivels have a time and place. Using them with a bare hook isn't one of them. Use a Polomar knot, it's easy, fast and strong. So tie direct. My .02

I do use a the Snap part on my crankbait rod. I take off the O-ring on the cranks when I get them. Then I can switch crankbaits fast and won't limit the action since there is only one axis point where the snap meets the lure's ring.

I can't remember when I used a Snap Swivel the last time. I'll use the Snap or the Swivel, but not combined.

[ZapBranigan]

Ditto to all the above. I try not to use any more hardware that needed. Execption's Some crank baits run better with a swivel on. Also Inline spinners especially old ones can start to spin your line. Bare hooks NEVER... and try to get by with the thinnist hook you can. Wire hooks like Tru Turn for pan fish.

[dockehr]

Well, I'm going to disagree with most of the previous posts. Whether fishing with minnows, crawlers or leeches it is just about impossible not to end up with significant line twist unless you use a swivel or if using a snelled hook (Lindy Rig) a snap swivel.

About the only time that I tie direct with no swivel is when I'm jigging. I use a snap swivel when ice fishing with jigs as I pre-tie a fair number of jigs to a leader. Anyway it works for me.

dockehr

Lindy Tackle

[CrappieJohn]

I have to side with Doc here. I jig about 95 % of the time and tie directly to the jig. Sensitivity requires this. But when using anything trolled or prone to movement, the swivels are essential to keeping the line from twisting.

I do a lot of shore casting in lake Superior. It makes no difference what the lure is or what kind of line you have spooled, without a swivel it soon becomes a tangled mess. And trolled baits can pick up a smidgion of debris and get to rolling like crazy and you won't even be aware of it. Here again.....tangle city.

[Aquaman01]

I love to drift a minnow on a barehook w/splitshot, but I pay for it with tangles and wasted line off the spool.

I use a swivel, snap or barrel, whenever I think I can get away with it without impeding the action of my bait. I've yet to experience a tangle from line twist with braid on a baitcaster, though.

[wishiniwerefishin]

I use snaps about half the time, mainly for the convenience of it. I know my dad uses them much more often than i do, mostly because his eyesight is starting to become worse and he has a hard time tying a knot quickly, so for him a snap is a much better option. However, whenever i am jigging or fishing live bait with a plain hook, no lindy or anything, i will tie directly to my line, i seem to have much better luck with this and better "feel" with the hook/jig directly on the line.