Snaps? Swivels? Knots?

[ScottND]

What type of snaps, swivels and knots do you use for jigs, cranks and rigs?

[prov1900]

I dont use snaps other than the ones on the bottom bouncers. Three way swivels sometimes for river walleyes. For my lindy rigs with/without spinners, I like the lindy swivels for ease of slipping on snelled line. Everything else including jigging and crankbaits, I use improved clinch knots. Rarely have a problem. If I am casting Rapalas that dont have the ring on them, I will use the Rapala knot.

[big musk411]

I usually buy the higher priced snaps and swivels, there is nothing more frustrating than a broken swivel.

As far as knots go, I vary between palomar and improved clinch. Each of these knots has some strengths and weaknesses. I think that they are about the same strength. In my opinion the Palomar is the easyest knot to tie. I alsways use palomar knots for jigs and small things. The drawback of the palomar is that it is difficult to get a big rapala through the loop and not possible to tie when you are tying a leader to a swivel that is tied to your line. In those cercumstances I use the improved clinch knot.

One of my fishing buddies always ties a swivel and an 18" leader on before his jig. I thought it was idiotic for years untill I realized that it greatly reduces line twist. I stil tie directly though.

[slick814]

Jigs I tie directly. Cranks I normally use a barrel swivel, and with rigs of all sorts, it depends on the conditions, location, etc.. If I'm using a bottom bouncer type of set-up, then a swivel. If it's something with more current (river fishing, sometimes trolling in higher wind, waves) then I go with a 3-way set-up.

[Down Deep]

I use Spro. Pricey but you get what you pay for. I use mono almost exclusively sand therefore, use the improved cinch or fiisherman's knot.

[Ralph Wiggum]

With superlines (ie Power Pro) you should always use a palomar knot. The other knots will slip (trust me, I've tested a lot of knots to see what works best).

[Blue Kayak]

I've just started using 80 pound PowerPro for catfishing. I believe PowerPro's brochure says that the Uni knot is even stronger than the Palomar (for PowerPro). Also, there is a knot for snelling hooks that is even stronger than the Uni. I've just started using Super Glue on the knots and think it helps. Always moisten any knot before tightening.

PowerPro's HSOforum has some knots, but more are shown in their brochure that comes with the line.

[Ralph Wiggum]

It says that the Uni is stronger, I know, but it just isn't true. I thought the same thing earlier this spring and talked to a few guys who said otherwise. So, being the inquisistive guy that I am, I tested them out. Trust me, the Palomar beats any knot that I've tried in Power Pro.

[slick814]

SCience is on Ralph's side in this one. the Palomar has been proven to be the strongest knot out there. Along with being so easy to tie, most of us can tie them in the dark.

The Trilene and Uni, if I remember correctly came in #2 & 3, with the rest of the knots tested were all good in their proper uses, but not as strong as the top 3.

And to finish answering the original question, I use mono, braid, Flouro, depedning on the situation... and I use either a Palomar or Trilene knot, depending on the situation...

[Ralph Wiggum]

Quote:

---

Science is on Ralph's side in this one.

---

Funny thing is that I'm a scientist

All the other knots I've tried have slipped with Power Pro, while the Palomar holds up until the line actually breaks (and, yes, I moisten the line before snugging it and pull it tight--with a vise-grips even).