Welcome Ric.

 I am no expert.  I have used snap swivels with different lures and even 3/0 and 4/0 hooks weedless.   It is convenient but sometimes when I do this though I feel a little lazy.  Certain lures may not display the right action in the water when attached by a snap swivel. I most always use snap swivels with trout spinners because it helps keep down line twisting.  It's always good to get into the habit of tying and checking your knot frequently because you might just get that Biggn on and lose em due to lose knot.  Some people might say the swivel might spook certain fish.  I don't know if this is the case. The palamar knot is a good knot to tye.

 

Double 4 in and pass through

Tie an overhand knot

Pull loop end enough to pass over hook swivel or lure ( big lures can be a problem)

 

Pull the tag end and line to tighten and clip excess

Works good on Power Pro and other braids.

Dan "Stealthfisher" Doc NAFC LIFE MEMBER I FISH, THEREFORE I AM <*(((>>>< ><<<)))*>

hay rickrod49

I trout fish all time i use the plamar owning on all my rig you will not lost  a fish with it I troll with the palamar knot it a good one for all your rig .

troutchaser fun fishing &god bless

troutchaser2

I too prefer to use a snap swivel on soft baits mostly. I bury the snap part into the body and just leave the barrel exposed so it can spin. And the second reason it is a lot faster to change baits because I have to dig out my glasses every time I want to tie on a new lure....... LOL tuff getting old. But on spinner baits and top waters I tie direct to the lure with the palmaer knot.

 

 

I enjoy the peace that fishing gives me.......... I fish for the moment............. Teach a kid to fish and they will teach thier's:)

Good Point Fly, I bury the snap too. It just seems to fit better that way.  I think the Palamar Knot is going to win the "Knot Wars".     Since I'm getting older, my arms seem to be getting shorter. Can't seem to hold anything far enough away from the old eyes to focus.  You know what they say, "The first thing to go is your vision" and then I think it's the hearing.  My wife is always saying, "Aren't you listening to me??"    I hate to think of what goes Next!!!

                    

Dan "Stealthfisher" Doc NAFC LIFE MEMBER I FISH, THEREFORE I AM <*(((>>>< ><<<)))*>

I find that using knots on jigs and some crankbaits is necessary for that particular lure to work well.  I like to troll and so I use a lot of barrel swivels and also snap swivels simply because it would take forever tying knots all the time.  When using steel leaders I also use snaps, infact most come with them already attached.  There is a time & place for either, and knowing which to use when, is determined by the fisherperson at any given time and place...My two favorite knots are the palomer and improved cinch. 

LM since 2005 Bushwacker Deputy Sherif

Stealthfisher, Great reply I like the ideas you shared with Rick.  Turnip I also use the polymer knot.  I don't use swivels as much as I should they would probably work well when I use cranbaits.  I do use them on my inline spinners like Wordens Rooster Tails. 

I use them whenever I use spinners or trolling.  The rest of the time I tye the knot...
LM since 2005 Bushwacker Deputy Sherif

I used to use mostly knots, especially with live bait, until I had a stroke a few years ago. Now my hands shake if I try to do something fine like tie a fishing knot. So now, I use snap swivels almost always. Oddly enough, the palomar, a very easy and usefull knot, is now harder to tie than a trilene or improved cinch. Go figure.  GOOD FISHING GL 

I mostly use the improved cinch knot.  To tie the palomar knot, you have to run the line through the eye of the hook twice.  By that time, I have an improved cinch tied and am casting.  I know what you mean about hands shaking.  I occasionally have that problem too!  Also, in low light I have a problem seeing to tie the knots!  I haven't used swivels for years, but have started trolling and am getting line twist.  Have gotten some good quality swivels for that.

Gary

http://i228.photobucket.com/albums/ee176/goinfshn/bassfight.gif Life Member NAFC, West Virginia State Police Retired, United States Army Retired

Thank you all for your advice. So, if I have this right - I use a knot for jigs, topwaters and some crankbaits which includes topwaters. I heard that you should tie on buzz baits - true?

Thanks Basser.   I appreciate your post.  A little praise goes a long way. It helps guys like me feel more confident and more likely to offer advise or input. And I also don't mind when someone may disagree with something I post, because alternate opinions will help me to look at a situation in a different light.  This is how we all will learn from each other.  One thing I have learned about snap swivels is that you have to check and or change them every now and then because then can tend to get a little beat up and bent out of shape the longer you use them.

     

Dan "Stealthfisher" Doc NAFC LIFE MEMBER I FISH, THEREFORE I AM<*{{>>< SPARE THE ROD, SPOIL THE FISH! <*(((>>>< ><<<)))*>

Great advice guys...I've been reading these post and expecting someone to comment on the Different types of swivels...that is , Steel or Brass. I've tried both and was sorry i wasted my money on the Brass ones. I was thinking along the lines that brass won't rust so it's a good choice but forgot the common knowledge that brass is a much softer metal and as so dosn't have the repeated SNAP that the Steel has. I believe I lost a big Bass last season due to the fact that my Brass Swivels popped open!  I found that after usinmg them 3 or 4  times they just didn't reset tight, so  i just threw them away because of that. Being a retired mechanic, I should of known better, Am I right about this or am I doing something wrong????

Just something else to think about.  I was fishing last year using a Rapala.  Several times I saw it coming through the water on it's side where it had hit some structure.  I learned how to tie the Rapala knot and started catching more bass and no more sideways lure! 

Gary

http://i228.photobucket.com/albums/ee176/goinfshn/bassfight.gif Life Member NAFC, West Virginia State Police Retired, United States Army Retired

i think snap swivels are better. you dont have to cut the line each time you change a lure and it keeps the line from twisting.

all good input, i usta use um, but try not to now, i use the rapala suspend knot alot, and take off the split rings off any other suspenings now too,  rapalas are meant to be fish'd that way but Bass pro brand work just as good that way too! 

i know last year we hit a patch of sun fish, these litle guys would not touch my buddies half a worm, he had a swivle, but i caught half a dozzen in 20 minutes?(half a dozen sounds better than 6 LOL)  i thought it was my good skill and all till i re look'd at his swivle, he  had three knots on it, 2 past knots that he left on and the one that tied his line? so yes it is skill i guess to know or learn to hide those little things... he is new'r to fishing!  but i'l learn um all i know.....um... ok i'm done!LOL 

Everyone here seems to be satisfied with the level of their success when they use a snap swivel to connect line to lure. If that's the case, and it makes things easier,  we see no reason to to do anything differently.

Extra hardware, however, deadens the action of crankbaits, and reduces a soft plastic bait's somewhat natural appearance. If you're not getting bites, or experience numbers of short strikes, one of the first things to consider is eliminating the snap and tying direct.

The Palomar and Improved Clinch are easy line-to-lure knots, and they're strong. You can find them in the Knot Wars section.

Hey, Rickrob.  Whenever you can get by without using swivels or snap swivels, don't use them.  Some anglers use them so they don't have to cut the line as often.  You should be cutting the line any time you feel or see nicks or stretched-out spots even when using this hardware.  The editor also brings up some good points in the Feb 29th entry.  Your lure won't tangle with the line nearly as much during the cast if you 86 the hardware, either.  So, unless you're physically challenged, get by without them whenever possible.  Some general rules I use:

 

Use a swivel:

(1) whenever you'll be using a lure that can twist the line, such as in-line spinners, spoons & pre-rigged plastic worms that don't have attached swivels.  (2) on Carolina Rigs.

 

Use a snap (or snap swivel) when using:

(1) crankbaits that don't have an attached split ring. 

(2) lures or live bait rigs where you're not running into snags (open water, smooth bottoms, etc.) trolling or drift fishing.

 

Tie directly to the line when using:

(1) spinnerbaits, buzzbaits & jigs. 

(2) in-line spinners, spoons & pre-rigged plastic worms that have swivels (tie onto the swivel). 

(3) crankbaits that have attached split rings (tie to the split ring). 

(4) Texas Rigs (tie to the hook). 

(5) lures or live bait rigs where you'll be running into snags trolling or drift fishing.

 

Keep the line on the reels fresh, keep the hooks sharp, & have fun fishing.  God bless you.  -Sonny, Life Member since 2002

 

For the best of both worlds use a swivel or snap with a leader.  I use this rig for inline spinners and large baits in current.  It keeps the action correct on the lure and cutdown on line twist

Bass, The bait of Champions!

Click the link for my fishing photos http://www.flickr.com/photos/tankdg...316284623/

GOOD STUFF IN THIS FORUM. MY RULE OF THUMB.IF IT SPINS,USE A SWIVEL. I BUY MY SWIVELS AND SNAPS SEPARATE AND IN BULK. I PUT THEM TOGETHER AS NEEDED. I PREFER THE (DUO-LOCK) AS DIAMOND SNAPS CAN KILL A CRANKBAIT'S ACTION. ALSO USE THE MINI SNAPS FOR QUICK CHANGE. TOPWATER,ALMOST ALWAYS HAVE TO TIE ON.