To Swivel Or Not

[Hamilton Reef]

To Swivel Or Not

Swivels on baitcasting or spinning gear generally are considered the mark of an amateur, used mostly because the novice cannot master the somewhat tricky line-to-leader knots that evade these metal fixtures.

http://outdoors.tbo.com/outdoors/MGB7Z97U9HE.html

[waterfoul]

Ahhh.... it's all about salt water fishing. So I guess we're ok here in Michigan!

[Hamilton Reef]

Bigger fish salt water and bigger fish Michigan can both use the same basic swivel principles. The article was on swivels.

[ESOX]

I only use swivels when casting spinners or spoons.
Or on my catfish rigs, they like to roll a lot.
Or on my muskie trolling rigs, the big swivels do a decent job of catching weeds 5' up the line from the bait.
Or any time I want to get a little extra depth out of a body bait.
Other than that I don't use swivels.:lol:

If I am not using a swivel, I'll use a plain wire snap to facilitate lure changing. Braids dont need to be retied nearly as often as mono.

[fishon1219]

I use swivels when I am vertical jigging the DT river for walleye. I tie my fire-line to one end and my florocarbon to the other. I used to tie the 2 together with a blood knot but after a few trips I would get bad line twist. After I started using the swivel the twist went away. Besides when my hands are cold it is easier to tie 4 lb leader to the swivel than to mess with the blood knot.

[SeanJB]

I use swivels a lot. Mostly because I like to change my lures very often to try diffent ones. And yes I still consider myself a novice fisherman. But trying to tie a knot after dark on a nice chilly night gets to be a lot more work than its worth. And the instant fishing becomes work it is time to stop and take a break. Luckily I haven't had that problem yet. Fishing is still VERY fun and relaxing. Come on Spring!!!

[Hamilton Reef]

I use coastlock swivels. I also lost a steelhead contest once when my coastlock swivel broke on a large fish that would have easily put me in first place by several pounds. I still use coastlock swivels. :banghead3

[stinger63]

I dont use a swivel on my lure ,I use just a plain snap at least when I fish the big river from the wall.Now out in the boat I use them just makes it easier to change the lure.In the river the fish seem to be more finicky at times and presenting a bait with a little more stealth the wire snaps seem to work better at least for me.When salmon fishing from the boat the swivel gives the lure more action without the ring on it.It seems to work better that way at least from experience.

[Bass Whore]

I found somthing better than snap clips. I always used snap clips but had some issues trying to get the clip in some of my top watter lures like the chug bug and others like that. I use clips for the simple fact that I am LAZY and get sick of cutting and tieing line. These I found at Bass Pro. I know the picture doesnt show much but its a slick idea and actually holds up better than the snap clips.
http://www.basspro.com/servlet/catalog.TextId?hvarTextId=1625&hvarTarget=search&cmCat=WISHLIST&hvarAID=wishlist

Oops found a better pick here
http://www.landbigfish.com/images/store/Norm-SpedClip.jpg

[Burksee]

Hey Bass Whore! Welcome to the M-S.com site! Glad to see another "local" joining the ranks of the best site around for Michigan sportsman! :Welcome: :woohoo1:

Nice lookin rig, I'll have to look those up my next trip (lunch hour) to BPS!

BTW - Keep an eye on the "Outings" forum, there's a few of us around the Highland, White Lake, Milford, Waterford and Davisburg area. We'll be having a M-S.com meet and greet at the White Lake Inn sometime soon! ;)