best tie for bodybaits

[kozlov1]

I found something interesting when I posted a general question... Everyone seems to have an opinion on how to tie body baits... swivels vs. no swivels direct tie on.... just thought this may need a little more debate with reasoning... I decided that I'm going to take off the ring and do a rapala knot directly... at least for next time out fishing... unless someone can change my mind....

Ed
p.s. I've fished port sheldon twice this week and nothing.. not even a hit.

[SalmonBum]

I Tie all Body baits Directly with a Rapala Knot.

[King Crawler]

I have always been of the opinion that the lure has better action if it can swing free. I usually keep the splint ring on and tie directly to that. If no ring,then I use a loop knot. I try to avoid adding a swivel at the terminal end of my line.

[fishlocater]

I always tie a small straight ball bearing swivel ( I use sampo swivels) to my main line with a palomar knot, then a flourocarbon leader (regular flouro or line is not as nick resistant to teeth) ,then a small straight snap. If you tie the leader to the swivel before you tie it to the main then all knots can be a polamar, otherwise the leader knot to the swivel must be a trilene or improved clinch knot. Having a swivel connector helps to keep line twist out if a bait becomes weed fouled. The straight snap doesn't interfere with lure action, especially if you remove any split rings attached to lure. That's just the way I do it, not as complicated as it may sound. I feel that the flouro leader helps the catch rate in clear water. All fishing days are enjoyable! Mike

[salmon_slayer06]

Berkley makes a cross lock snap thats very small and can hold up to 30 pounds. I have used them for my body baits. No problems, and hammered the walleye useing them. Its small enough to not bulk up the lure and is not very visible to the fish since it is black. Through a test I did, I found that useing black snaps over shiny metal stainless ones did better. Days I tried the shiny snaps I caught maybe 2 walleye. Than as soon as I tied on the black ones that Berkley makes my catch rate improved. It was simple as that. I now use them on all my body baits. For spoons I use Berkley ball bearing cross locks, unless I rig up heavy artillery I use the Sampos.

[Hi Ho Silver_Joe]

Small snaps work, but check the tuning every time you put a bait down. Pull it quickly through the water and make sure it swims strait.

here is the Rapala knot.

http://www.steelheader.net/knots/rapala_knot.htm

[Far Beyond Driven]

I slide a bead on my line (8mm), then tie on a ball bearing swivel with a palomar knot. I leave the tag end about an 1" long after trimming the knot. I then tie a 5' leader with a small snap on one end, and a double overhand loop at the other. Slide the loop through the ball bearing swivel, then run the leader through the loop and pull it back on itself.

I use my planer board rods in the rivers with this set-up for steelies.

The bead helps me know where swivel is when trying to get lures back out of snags, and the bead and the long tag end catch debris while trolling and keep it from sliding down the line to the lure or wrapping up in the swivel and binding the swivel. The bead also acts as a planer board stop.

The loop knot is the weakest link in the system. If I have to break off it will break there 95% of the time, and although I lose a lure, I save the bead and swivel, and I have a tackle tamer with many leaders on it tied up. Much easier with numb hands in the winter and spring.

FBD, Holland, MI

[outfishin_]

So am I reading right ? don't snich this knot down on the lure?


Small snaps work, but check the tuning every time you put a bait down. Pull it quickly through the water and make sure it swims strait.

here is the Rapala knot.

http://www.steelheader.net/knots/rapala_knot.htm

[Hi Ho Silver_Joe]

So am I reading right ? don't cinch this knot down on the lure?

ciched knots restrict the movement of the bait. This knot won't cinch down. That's why everyone has been suggesting it. ;)

[Oldgrandman]

ciched knots restrict the movement of the bait. This knot won't cinch down. That's why everyone has been suggesting it. ;)

...or use a swivel. Same principle isn't it?
I do well using a swivel, coast locks are great but I prefer the loop on the end kind (cross lock?) for better centering of the bait in the loop. Ball bearing preferred. Split ring on the lure. Check tuning often like after a big fish or snag, have a tunafish (I think it is called) handy for correcting the side swimmers.
Thats how I catch em FWIW.
Oh yeah, hope to have the first report of the season Sunday.

[Hi Ho Silver_Joe]

...or use a swivel. Same principle isn't it?


Let's make sure we're talking about the same thing. Swivels are not needed on body baits. (swimming baits) they won't spin unless they're very poorly tuned. If the bait isn't at risk of spinning, it doesn't need a swivel. (less is more) You can tie direct using a Rapala or similar non-cinching knot or run a snap only. ALL snaps should have a rounded end and should be as small as possible. Match the # test of the snap to the # test of the line. The snap should have a rating slightly higher than the line.

[Oldgrandman]

Hi Ho Silver_Joe I am more or less with you I think. Talking body or crank baits like rapala or thunderstick. Swimming baits if you prefer.
I use a swivel, or a snap is good too and may even be better, just to switch baits easier. Not needed for sure but I do not think it hurts if the right one is used. Most important is the correctly tuned bait so it runs straight or true for either method.

[Hi Ho Silver_Joe]

Hi Ho Silver_Joe I am more or less with you I think. Talking body or crank baits like rapala or thunderstick. Swimming baits if you prefer.
I use a swivel, or a snap is good too and may even be better, just to switch baits easier. Not needed for sure but I do not think it hurts if the right one is used. Most important is the correctly tuned bait so it runs straight or true for either method.

We're on the same page. bottom line... No swivel with bady baits. Snaps only or tie direct.

[walleyewarrior1]

Just my 2cents but I run snapswivels on all my raps whipping or pulling wire.never seems to hurt anything plus like mentioned lot easier to change plugs.

[kozlov1]

I tied my body baits with the rapala knot... how long can you troll that before you need to change it... it seems there would be some wear and tear on the line... also the loop I ended up with is about the size of a tylenol asprin.... is that too big too small...