fishing SWIVELS: talk to me

D

DB731

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Feb 10, 2013
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a few questions from a spinnerbait enthusiast:

1) Are two swivels on the line more effective (for preventing line twist) than one? Three vs two, etc?

2) Are ball-bearing swivels more effective than barrel swivels?

3) Where do "heavy duty swivels" rank? *

4) Stainless steel vs brass, does it matter?

5) Do cheaper ball-bearing swivels significantly underperform more expensive ones?

6) What do you use and why?

7) Maintenance? WD-40? Something else?

8) Found some old brass ones with green stuff on them. Is that stuff removable?

9) Are coastlock snaps the most robust type of connection around? **



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Spro-Heavy.jpg


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039034_rosco_ss_coastlock_snap_only_250_.jpg
 
I use the smallest swivel (lb. test) I can get away with using, I buy the regular barrel swivel you find in bait and tackle stores. Example: I fish for striped bass and redfish (Red Drum) with 12 lb. test mono fishing line, using a 50 lb. test swivel that is attached to a 30 lb. test leader that I tie to the hook.

I have used expensive ball-bearing swivels when fishing for tarpon because they do a lot of jumping.

I don't use stainless steel because it takes so long to corrode away when lost in the water environment.

Remove the green stuff from the brass ones and use them. WD-40 is good to use, spray it on your fishing lures also because it attracts fish (has fish oil in it).

You should go to a good fishing tackle / bait shop and ask the advice of local fishermen in your area what they recommend. Or, just walk around where people are fishing and see what they are using.
 
I suspect the ball bearing swivels are better than the barrel swivels. I generally don't use a swivel at all unless I am fishing plug type lures and switching lures pretty regularly. After the line gets really twisted up, I cut off a section or about a rod length which is the part of the line that is most abraided by the lure and rod. I have found that your line still gets twisted even using a barrel swivel. On small lures, the swivel reduces the action of the lure somewhat and it's just something else for the fish to see. I am generally using small lures.
'
 
Personally I use Duo Lock snaps instead of a brass swivel. Easier to change lures and the rounded portion that contacts the lure eye is rounded so as not to impede the lure's action. When I do need a good swivel (fishing an inline spinner) there are none better than Sampo. A little expensive but worth every penny!!
 
Ocean fishing the swivel is used between the line and the leader. The leader is usually 6 to 8 feet long. Tying mono to braid with a uni knot is a pain rocking in a boat.
 
I only use swivels if I'm drop-shotting or using a tough leader. I use three ways for drop shot rigs or just ball bearing swivels for tough leaders. Otherwise I always tie my lure directly to the line. Sometimes I'll use a luggage tag loop for pushing cranks and such, but not often.

-Xander
 
sams said:
Ocean fishing the swivel is used between the line and the leader. The leader is usually 6 to 8 feet long. Tying mono to braid with a uni knot is a pain rocking in a boat.
Click to expand...

Yep or using a wire leader for Muskie or Pike.
 
Are you refering to in line spinners? I always considered spinnerbaits as overhead spinners and no swivel is needed because they wont twist line .
 
..so the "heavy duty" swivels (pic above) are basically beefed up barrel swivels?
 
The majority of my fishing is in clear freshwater for trout, bass, and panfish. I never use a swivel even when fishing inline spinners. I try to watch for signs of line twist such as coiling. When I lift the lure out of the water I'll pause for a few seconds allowing some twist to work itself out. I don't use swivels when fishing lures in saltwater because I've had schooling fish bite the swivel and cut my line.
 
I use a snap swivel for slip sinker catfish rigs or really anything bottom feeding. I buy leaders for these rigs so I only tie one knot for the whole rig to the swivel. One palomar knot and the rig is complete. Its a easy simple knot to remember and has very high efficiency. The weight and leader set to preference. You can make your own leaders if you don't want to buy them pre made. They are easy to do with plenty of tutorials out there. I will probably go out and buy a thing of line just to make leaders with to save on buying pre made and make a bunch one rainy day.

Now if I'm bass fishing ill never use a swivel. I have bass rods setup just for soft plastics mainly the Texas weedless worm rig.
 
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Like others said swivels are a good way to connect the tag end of your main line to a shock leader. I like using black stainless crane swivels. Non reflective so won't spook/attract strikes from toothy fish and they don't rust. Also strong for their size. Much stronger then brass barrel swivels. Ball bearing swivels and chain swivels are good if you are trolling at a relatively high speed. And yes coast lock are some of the strongest snaps.
 
My wife and son both fish swivels when we're saltwater fishing. Like Sosa said they use black SS coast locks.
 
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