Hey all.  I have a quick question about spoons.  I heard somewhere that when you are using a steel or equivelent type leader, that you should attach a swivel to the leader (where you would normally attch the lure) then attach the other end of the swivel to the spoon, to enable the lure to move more freely.  Is there any truth to this?  Wouldn't there be a good chance that the swivel would break?  Any info is appreciated.  Thanks
Natashia NAFC Life Member....... Fishing Queen

Very interesting question!  I actually went and checked my leaders...I found swivels on the ones I have. Swivels serve two purposes, one is that it helps reduce line curl and the other is that it aids the action of the lure.  I hope this helps! 
LM since 2005 Bushwacker Deputy Sherif

Hello, Natashia.  What's up, Turnip?

 

All of my steel leaders have a swivel on the end that's tied to the main line, Natashia.  The lure ends of mine just have heavy-duty snaps to fix the lure to... no swivels on the ends the lures get clipped to.  Two have the snaps attached with heavy-duty split rings, the rest have the snaps tied directly in the wire loop at the end.  So, I must've bought cheap leaders because as far as having a swivel at both ends, I don't.  A couple of my spoons came out of their packaging with swivels on from the manufacturer, though.  But if Turnip says have them at the lure end, too, then by all means do so... he definitely knows what's up, & he's probably caught more fish than I've driven by.

If I'm not fishing, I'm thinking about it. Keep the line fresh, the hooks sharp, and have fun fishing. God bless you. -Sonny, Life Member since 2002

Oops!  I didn't mean the lure end...Sorry for the confusion!  I really don't see an advantage for a swivel at both ends...But hey, I am always up for learning something new!
LM since 2005 Bushwacker Deputy Sherif

So, its best to just leave the movement to the swivel that is already on the leader than to add another swivel directly to the spoon? Or would two swivels not hurt anything?  I just worry about the potential of the swivels snaping.  I too have a few spoons that came with swivels on them from the manufacturer.   Hmmm....I guess that must be there for tying line right to the swivel on the spoon....
Natashia NAFC Life Member....... Fishing Queen

Hello again, Natashia.  To answer your first question, I would say, "Yes."  If the leader manufacturer only put one swivel on it, it probably only needs the one.  As far as having two swivels on the leader, I don't know.  Like I said before, some of the spoons I've got came with swivels, like the Krockodile spoons, and these swivels held up well when I hooked up.  And, yes, I did tie directly to the 25 lb. or 50 lb. test mono leader with those (I use heavy monofilament leaders in clear water... I am absolutely convinced that steel leaders will scare away the muskies and larger pike when the water's like gin).  My best guess with swivels would be "you get what you pay for."  Buy cheap swivels, get cheap swivel performance.  But I don't personally believe the extra swivel's necessary on the wire leaders that already have one.  In fact, they may even be overkill.  The spoons I bought that didn't have swivels on them... the Red Eye Wigglers, the Johnson Silver Minnows, the Dare Devles... seemed to work just fine on the steel leaders with just the one swivel up by the main line.  And they have the teeth marks in the paint to prove it!
If I'm not fishing, I'm thinking about it. Keep the line fresh, the hooks sharp, and have fun fishing. God bless you. -Sonny, Life Member since 2002

Thanks for the replies.  I guess the only way I am going to use a swivel directley on the spoon is if  I'm rigging it straight to the line. 
Natashia NAFC Life Member....... Fishing Queen

***************************************************************

Natashia

Most leaders come rigged with a barrel swivel on one end and a snaplock on the other end  you attach your main line to the swivel and the snap lock to the lure

 I think what they are refering to and to answer your question would be to put a split ring on the casting spoon to attach the leader to and not a swivel 

Looking at the picture of the daredevil casting spoon below you can see how small the hole is in the spoon  if you attached the snaplock directly to the spoon a big pike or muskie could use the spoon as leverage against the snaplock to open it or brake it off... Putting a split ring will help to prevent that from happening and help to keep the action of a spoon as natural as possible   

 

Quick note:

Use the shortest leader you can get away with when fishing a casting spoon (at least 6" long but no longer then 12" ) you want to keep the casting spoon and rigging as light as posible because most casting spoons are designed to run just below the surface ( also make sure the leader is black in color )  don't ask me why? black just seems to work the best

Stop on down to the meets thread and take a look at the La Crosse meet topic your more then welcome to join us . we have a great bunch of guys and gals that attend  each year.

Take Care and God Bless

 

 

"Friends are GOD's way of showing us that we don't have to fish alone"
"Take a child fishing"

(Wi) Life Member

Jerry K.

I always use a 12" leader because often times when you get it close to the boat a good size pike will roll and wrap the line into its sharp gill plate and cut it. A 6" leader may not be long enough to prevent that. The split ring is the way to go.

Be Fishers of People. You catch, He Cleans. Life Member since 2/17/92 One of the "Illinoiz Boyz" "When the Power of Love Overcomes the Love of Power, The World Will Know Peace" - Jimi Hendrix "War without end, random murders, missing wives, child abuse and continuing corruption do not shake my faith in a Higher Power...... they unsettle my faith in mankind."

I have just discovered I have steel leaders with swivils at both ends!  lol!
LM since 2005 Bushwacker Deputy Sherif