I just wanted to see if I could get a general idea of how often people use swivels (if at all). I'm just curious if people feel they hinder the action of lures or cause any other problems. I use them quite a bit - I guess mainly out of laziness. I usually fish a lot of spinners, jigs, worms, frogs, etc. - all in the 1/2 oz. to 3/4 oz. range. I've started thinking recently that in the long run I might have to overcome my laziness and just start tying my lures on. I've had a few occasions where the swivel failed and I wound up losing a good lure. Other times when using a spinner the swivel seems to get tangled around itself and the spinner (I don't really know how to describe this - if you've had it happen you know what I mean). Then just the other day I was using a frog and the swivel seemed to be fraying the (braided) line. This is the first time I've seen this, caught it in time however. Anyway just wanted to find out if a lot of people use them and if so do you ever have any troubles with them. Thanks in advance.
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I have always been taught to use swivels with any lures to avoid twisting of the line which can end up in a real bees nest if your not careful. I do not use swivels with jigs and other rubber bait. I would not use a swivel with a frog unless it was a rapala imitation. Some swivels are better than others, I like the "duolock snap swivels" found in the Cabela's catalog.
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Unless I'm trolling I've gotten away from swivels. I use a snap for my crankbaits and tie on direct for all other set ups. Polomer knot every time.
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The only time I use swivels is when I'm using a snelled hook. Whether it be on the bottom or just drifting it down stream.
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If i'm trolling, especially if i'm using a spoon, i'll have a swivel at the TAG end, where the leader attaches to the main line. This avoids the previously mentioned line twist.
When i'm casting, I don't use a snap swivel at all, salt or fresh water. The only exception, of course, would be if i'm tossing a spoon, and then it's not a snap swivel at the lure, it's a ball bearing swivel at the tag connection. I'm pretty sure that live bait fish don't have a snap swivel growing out of their head, so it couldn't be any more un-natural. Loose the snap swivel, and you'll get more bites.
You don't need a swivel in your rig if you're casting a swimming lure like a crank bait or stick bait, or for poppers and other surface lures. Their action doesn't twist the line. You only need to incorporate a swivel in the rig when the action of the lure could potentially twist the line.
For one, and especially if i'm targeting fish that have a keen sense of sight or if i'm in particularly clear water, I use a Fluorocarbon leader. Actually, I use fluoro regardless because it is bad ass and really works. For casting, I almost exclusively use braid line for the main, suffix or power pro, and connect to about a 3 or 4' fluorocarbon leader via an Albright special knot. It's clean, it's strong, and it works exceptionally well.
If you're still tying your main line strait to the lure, or using a snap swivel, you're missing out. Go to fluoro and albright it on. It's worth the extra time, you'll catch more fish.
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I appreciate the feed back from you and the other guys. Regarding the leader, I'm using 12lb (dia) Suffix Braid - would a 10lb. fluoro leader be ok, or would you recommend heavier/lighter? Thanks again for the info.
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I'd go a little heavier with the leader. If you're using 12 pound braid, i'd use 15 or 20 lb fluoro. Make sure you practice the Albright knot. It won't fail unless you tie it incorrectly.
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