Knot vs. a Snap Swivel

[Walleye #1]

I was watching a fishing show this morning, because it was way to cold to venture outside....anyways they were fishing on URL for crappies and eyes and using jigging spoons, what I noticed is that they had a swivel on. Do alot of you prefer to do this so you can swap lures quicker, or do you feel tying directly to the lure is the better method? Just curious. I have always tied directly to the lure, I guess I have just thought it gives most jigging spoons better action.

Walleye #1

[blueroof]

Were they using snaps with swivels, or just snaps? I sometimes use the snaps without swivels. Most of the time I just tie directly to the line, especially when it has a split ring to tie to already.

LB

[Walleye #1]

Hard to tell for sure..but it look like snaps with swivels.

Walleye #1

[Sifty]

All my jigging poles have just a snap on them.

I like to think I'm trying more lures with the easy of the snap.

Sifty

[PerchPounder]

I use a duolock to attach all of my jigging spoons and swimming lures not just for the ease of switching but also to remove them before I put my rod back into the rod bag.

[L_Cappo]

i use the snap with the swivel.

[Sandmannd]

I use the snap/swivel in the summer, but for ice, I always just tie on.

[Northlander]

Crosslock snap here as well. If Im using a twisting/traveling lure I put a small swivel on my line about 2-3' up.

[Gator Slayer]

no-knot snap. Less bulk but still easy to quick change baits.

[talltines]

Definitely tie directly to the jig,hook,or spoon. All three are designed to be tied direct. You will alter the action the jig is designed to do. Also adding more hardware never is the answer for negitive mooded fish. Take the extra minute and tie direct i know tou will catch more fish for your effort.

[PerchJerker]

I agree with talltines, I always tie direct for all ice fishing applications.

[Bulldoggr]

If you ever go into Gander or cabelas you may have seen some of the promo videos they have playing above the Lure displays. One comes to mind where the manufacture reccomends you use a Snap and a swivel combo.

They go on to say that the snap allows 100% of intended lure movement where tieing directly does not allow this. They also go on and mention putting a swivel on your line 18" up or so from the Snap.

I have noticed that scince doing this. I have noticed my lures seem to have a bit more action to them. i also have noticed that when the lure comes to rest it does not spin in the water from the line twisting up.

Depending on which length rod I am using for Jigging, ( airplane , Rapalas, or even the Chubby Darter ) depends on where i tie my swivel. For example if i am using my 24" rod I have the swivel tied at about 18" so i can still wind my line up all the way and hook onto the hook Eye on my rod near the Handle base for storage.

My 28" rod I tie close to 20"

I based my Comparison on watching my lures with my aqua view.

I will say i belive that i have gotten more hits on a lure when it was at rest and nott spinning in a circle compared to when it used to spin. But this is just my Observation

[Steve Foss]

Unless I'm using total finesse gear with ultralight line for very shy pannies (pretty rare), I always put on a black crosslock snap (not including swivel.) Ease of changing lures isn't the bigger deal for me. The snap allows a LOT more freedom of lure movement than any knot, and I do just as well with the snap fishing next to folks tying directly to the lure. Since most of my jigging lures twist the line, I also put a black ball-bearing swivel about 2 feet to 3 feet up the line, and then put a fluoro leader in the same test as my main line between the swivel and the snap.

[Zenit]

 Originally Posted By: talltines

Definitely tie directly to the jig,hook,or spoon. All three are designed to be tied direct. You will alter the action the jig is designed to do. Also adding more hardware never is the answer for negitive mooded fish. Take the extra minute and tie direct i know tou will catch more fish for your effort.

Well, I'm going to respectfully disagree, it really depends. There are some ice baits (Salmo Chubby Darter comes immediately to mind) where the manufacturer says a small snap is the minimum required for the proper action of the lure. There are a few jigging spoons where a small barrel swivel tied 12 inches of so above the spoon/and or snap eliminates the line twist inherent in a lot of jigging spoons (which is one of the reasons I really like the new Lindy Rattl'n Flyer jigging spoons, glides down without line twist.)

I usually take three rods with me on every trip - two are the rigs I use with Genz Worms, Genz Bugs, Gitzit jigs, etc., and those of course I tie on directly. The rig I use with jigging spoons, Chubby Darters, Jigging Raps, I use a small snap to the lure and a small barrel swivel 12 or so inches above the lure. Works great, minimal line twist if any and I get the proper action(s) that I am looking for.

[rockman]

No knot snap user here,too.I have used them with Jigging Rapalas, and Nils Master Jiggers for quite a while.Using them allows these swimming lures to 'swing' the most when the lure settles back down after the jigging up motion.They do allow quick change of baits,too.Otherwise,I tie a barrel swivel about a foot up the line, to take care of line twist when using other lures,spoons,etc.Chubby darters I tie directly on the line.

[sodajerk]

I don't trust tying direct to split rings when using light lines. I've had the line get into the split of the ring and work its way around, then off comes your $2-$6 lure.

I use a small snap at the lure and a small swivel 18" up the line when using any lures with action to them.

When tying to a hook eye with a plain hook or an ice jig or the like then I tie direct. I often use the Non-Slip Loop Knot, aka Rapala Knot, which allows the lure to hang and move more freely than a clinch knot will.

[Todd_J]

I use the small and medium sized "Fas-Snaps" I like them alot, very small and tons of action. The small size is a BEAR to attach smaller jigs to unless you use a needlenose or forecepts to grasp onto the snap.

[CNCMike]

I'm with sodajerk. It depends more on the given situation. But the knot itself is very important as well. Surgeons Loop or Rapala Knot are great for tying directly yet still allowing for all the intended movement of the jig.

I even use those knots to tie on my snaps and swivels to make certain I have every amount of movement possible.

Bigger baits = swivels and snaps

Smaller baits/plain hooks = tie direct

IMO anyway

[NyQuiLlama]

I like the medium "fas-snaps" for my two larger jigging rods (walleye). For smaller panfish jigs I tie direct. I don't use a swivel snap unless I'm fishing with spoon.

Some tackle is designed to be used without a snap, some is designed to by tied direct... then there's the debate of which knot to use. The "Rapala knot" for example, creates a loop, whereas the common "improved clinch" holds tightly to the eye of the jig. You can even adjust the angle of the line where it meets the jig with a tight knot.

[rockman]

I have to agree with you on tieing these on the line.I have used these as well with the swimming lures.They work well, but are a bugger to tie with cold fingers.

[Fever]

I agree. Tying direct opens the possiblities of inticing those negative fish. Less hardware is pretty much always better. Yes the snaps and swivels would help in rod storage and orgainzation of lures but isn't it really about the actual fishing?

I'll never forget being at this park at a local lake and seeing a guy and his girl fishing from the dock along with this other younger boy who did not appear to be with them. My dog and I go down to see how their doing. The guy and his girl appear to be in their mid to late thirties and the kid probably around 9 or 10. The guy couldn't understand why they were not catching fish while just 10 yards away this kid was catching fish after fish. Turns out this guy had a rather larger snap swivel attached to a oversized hook loaded with a gob of nigtcrawler while the kid had no swivel and a small hook with a wax worm...

[MnSportsman]

 Originally Posted By: stfcatfish

Unless I'm using total finesse gear with ultralight line for very shy pannies (pretty rare), I always put on a black crosslock snap (not including swivel.) Ease of changing lures isn't the bigger deal for me. The snap allows a LOT more freedom of lure movement than any knot, and I do just as well with the snap fishing next to folks tying directly to the lure. Since most of my jigging lures twist the line, I also put a black ball-bearing swivel about 2 feet to 3 feet up the line, and then put a fluoro leader in the same test as my main line between the swivel and the snap.

I'm in with ya on this style stfcatfish, But I use the Barrel swivel(to prevent linetwist)2-3 ft. above & then tie on the jig/hook/lure with a loose knot to get action. (I'd use the snap swivels more, but I worry that it's just one more connection that might fail)

This is a good thread , Keep up the posts. I like seeing the different syles you all use.

[slipperybob]

I could go either way, depends on what the fish wants.

Typically direct tie is the more stealthy approach to entice negative fish. However if your jig is spinning in circles, it'll really put the fish on negative and a swivel will make the difference. When I go deep water the chance for jig spinning in circles increases and the need for a swivel is much higher. Typically in 10 fow or less I direct tie mostly. Sometimes the smallest of jigs needs that little extra weight and a bb shot lead is too heavy a swivel is the better choice. You get the extra weight as well as preventing line twist.

Snap swivels on spoons can change the action of them, typically making them flutter more. At times it's the fluttering action on the fall that triggers the strike. At other times it's a less fluttering that triggers the strike and that warrants a direct tie on.

Swivels don't really eliminate line twist, they do preven a lot of line twist from the lure from messing things up. The other line twisting comes from your reel on the wind.