Here’s Why You Should Not Use Snap Swivels With Artificial Fishing Lures
- By: Wyatt Parcel
- on July 16, 2020
Here’s a question we get a lot…
Should you use snap swivels with artificial lures?
It sounds like a good idea, right?
It’s so quick to swap out lures, so when the fish aren’t biting, you don’t need to retie a whole new knot, you can just snap on a new lure.
You could test a lot more lures to see what the fish are biting that day!
But is the time you save worth it?
And is that a good strategy?
No and no.
See why in the video below.
Why You Shouldn’t Use Snap Swivels With Lures [VIDEO]
Click here to join the Insider Club
Although snap swivels can save you time, they’re too big and bulky and will most likely scare off the fish either by their unnatural look, or just their presence in the water.
Sure, you might catch a few young, naive, aggressive with it, but if you want to maximize your chances of catching fish, it’s not a good idea.
Plus, you don’t want to be switching lures out too much.
Assuming you’re using a lure that’s proven to catch fish in the conditions you’re fishing, if the fish aren’t biting, your first action would be the change the retrieve (slow it down, speed it up, add some twitches, etc.).
Then, if the fish still aren’t biting, you might want to move spots and find fish that are actively feeding.
And finally, in the grand scheme of things, you aren’t really saving that much time with a snap swivel.
Tying a loop knot can be pretty quick.
Conclusion
Although snap swivels might be convenient, they’re not worth using because they can scare fish off.
Have any questions about using snap swivels with your artificial lures?
Let us know in the comments below.
And if you know someone who uses snap swivels, please TAG or SHARE this with them!
P.S. Want access to our best fishing spots and tips, plus discounts to our online tackle store? Click here to join us in the Insider Club!
Related articles:
Related categories:
STOP WASTING TIME ON THE WATER!
Do what the “SMART ANGLERS” are doing and join the Insider Club.
Here’s what you’ll receive today when you join:
- Weekly fishing reports and TRENDS revealing exactly where you should fish every trip
- Weekly “spot dissection” videos that walk you through all the best spots in your area
- Exclusive fishing tips from the PROS you can’t find anywhere else
- Everything you need to start catching fish more consistently (regardless if you fish out of a boat, kayak, or land).
I think one of the concerns that has not been mentioned is the anglers do not want to have to tie a new leader to the main line. Particularly if it is a Uni or FG knot. It is not that they do not want to re-tie lures, it is that the leader progressively gets shorter and shorter. Thus making it a leader re-tie necessary.
I think this is a bunch of hooey. I have been using snap swivels and catching tons of fish for 50+ years, and I do not sacrifice a few inches of leader every time I change lures. The suggestion that swivels provide an unnatural look is simply absurd, as many (most) lures do not remotely resemble the fish’s natural food sources.
I use barrel snap swivels all time. why? I have diabetic hands (i am 73) and the touch to tie line is basically gone. If I tie line I lose 3 – 5 minute’s each tie. sooo…
What about using quick snaps?
I use snap swivels all the time and we are usually catching only the biggest fish with lures.
Right on!
What about using snap swivels with flouro leader?
Great post. Definitely this one of the informative and useful post to me. Thanks for the share. Top Boat accessories with the best quality of stainless steel. If you want to buy boat accessories with great quality then click the <a href=”https://bluewhalehardware.com/”>snap hook/a>
I swear by the Bill Norman speed clips. They are very small and I can change from a plus to a jig in seconds.
Hi Wyatt, I hope all is well with you. I stopped using snap swivels so long ago that when I found one in my garage, I had to ask what it was..lol, just kidding. However, when I take my trip north for Striped Bass, unless using a Bucktail, I use a TA Clip. The maker, Crazy Alberto uses them ALL the time on any lure and he has caught more trophy fish than anyone, salt and freshwater. He can be found at all of the fishing shows with his line of Tactical Anglers lures etc. The Tactical Angle Clip (TA Clip) uses the paper clip principle. Maybe have a look at it. All the best.
Scott
I have just seen your video on using a snap swivel instead of a loop knot and it is good advice But how about using a smaller stainless steel snap swivel that I think improves my catch rate by adding more reflection in the water stainless being more shiny ?
I would still be opposed to using a swivel. It’s going to affect the action of your lure, and will also clue fish in that there’s something unnatural going on. Hungry fish likely won’t care, but pickier ones might turn their nose up at it.
I don’t use swivels for lures but I do use an quick change clip called the Bill Norman speed clip and I only use it in my plugs it’s very secure much better then any swivel and makes changing plugs a breeze heck bill Norman was a pro circuit bass angler that invented it so why wouldn’t it be good usually anglers that invent things are better then a non angler inventing one especially a pro because that’s how they make there living never ever had a problem with them and they are so small they are probably not even noticed by the fish have caught tons of fish on them and because they are a clip they act like a loop knot giving the plug a lot of freedom of movement but on my jigs I do use a loop knot and my spinnerbait and on my speedclip I use a polomar knot works for me😁
I’ve not personally used them before, but it sounds like I’ll have to check them out!
Thanks for the recommendation Steven!
I use the speed clip also work great, no weight to them
I agree I use them all the time it cuts down on the amount of rigged rods I carry on my boat.