Chefgrw Loc: Ocean shores, WA

Kastmaster comes with a split ring. Is it best to tie directly to split ring or use a snap swivel?

Jwid Loc: Lake Killarney, Ironton, MO

I started using a high quality bearing swivel per advice here on the stage. Prior to that I was getting twists that were becoming problematic.

FixorFish Loc: SW Oregon

Any lure or even bait (we use herring rigged to spin, for salmon, here in the PNW) that SPINS......needs a swivel or snap swivel.....period.
This constant aversion to swivels, that I see in many posts, is simply not a logical choice. The rationale is usually something to the effect of..."added hardware is off-putting to the fish"......pure bunk,imo.
Observe a lure for a moment, and all variety of "extraneous" hardware is on that lure.....a split ring, one or more screweyes that hold... THE HOOKS, for goodness' sake. All of that is present on that lure you paid more for, than your breakfast, and yet, I never hear of any of those needing to be "eliminated for cause", of being something that "will scare off the fish"..... it's just silly to say so.
Considering just the physical volume (in proportion to the lure and it's accoutrements that can't be eliminated if the lure is to have any amount of success at bringing a fish to net)and appearance of a SNAP SWIVEL, it becomes so very miniscule, as to be dismissed entirely.
If you truly disagree with my proposition, put it (a swivel) on the main line and attach a leader between it and the lure....."visual off-putting" avoided. But to not use a swivel, at all, and then #itch about "twists in my line" is juvenile rejection of a known solution. (Which of course, spawns oh-so-many posts of how to undo that twist....which is totally avoidable.....super silly waste of everyone's time, imo.)
And for all those who "don't trust swivel snaps because they come unbuckled".....quit buying cheap terminal tackle, the cost difference is pennies, at best..... you have a substantial investment in all your other gear, why buy Eagle Claw's (love their rods, kinda "meh" on the rest of their gear) crap, when you can get P-LINE'S good stuff..... it's 2'-3' further down the aisle !

IF IT SPINS AT ALL, USE A SWIVEL.... SOMEWHERE !

Be smart, not hopelessly silly.

fishyaker Loc: NW Michigan (Lower Peninsula)

Very rarely do I "not" use a swivel, for the very reasons mentioned above. About the only time I can think of where I don't is when fishing a Hula Popper on the surface, or perhaps tying to a bare hook with bait. Probably a few other instances, but I'd have to think about it. Anything that is going to wobble, or especially spin, works out better with a swivel. Line twist is a pain in the neck...especially when fishing with an ultra light set up with a small reel spool.

In order to save on manufacturing costs a little, some lure companies leave the "attachment" end of a lure body without anything but a hole. In those cases, I like to add a split ring so that it is easier to then attach the lure to your snap swivel...and yes...make it a good quality one (the swivel)!

Spiritof27 Loc: Lincoln, CA

Why would you not?

Chefgrw Loc: Ocean shores, WA

Not necessarily worried about line twist but concerned about the ACTION of the lure ( for instance a kastmaster) when you hook a swivel directly to the lure. Does the swivel not impede the lure action?

Spiritof27 Loc: Lincoln, CA

I don't think so, but the only way to know for sure would be to watch both in action. Not sure a kastmaster has a lot of action, pretty simple design, just kind of a bright and shiny something that they try to eat.

FixorFish Loc: SW Oregon

And just what ACTION do you feel "directly tying" is "helping" ? Surely you don't think that the line is somehow "maintaining an orientation" of said lure, do you ? If so...I wanna hear what/how that perception manifests itself.

Robert J Samples Loc: Round Rock, Texas

My 2 cents worth. Listen to as many or as few opinions as you wish, then go and do as you intended, or not. Fishermen are usually an independent lot, so there. Jusrt Sayin...RJS

FixorFish Loc: SW Oregon

And as the song lyric goes...."you ain't gonna learn, what you don't want to know "....

Jwid Loc: Lake Killarney, Ironton, MO

I fish the Kastmaster a lot. Twist can be a serious issue. There is a lot of movement. It doesn’t pull in straight like you might expect. It tries to go sideways flips and heads the other direction and repeats. The speed of the retrieve controls the spread. A fast retrieve exaggerates the side to side motion.

bknecht Loc: Northeast pa

I admire and adhere to your opinion RJS. Everyone’s opinion differs from either experience or stubbornness , I’m always game to hear other’s advice/opinions and test them out for myself. I’ve been wrong in my thoughts on more occasions than I’d like to admit.

Sinker Rig Loc: Tampa area

I tried those spoons once, the thing did nothing, came straight back with no action, but that was in strong current. I make my own spoons from aluminum, they don't spin much in average current......ripping tides, forget it

panther Loc: Northern California

I fish Kastmasters a lot, and have for many years. I don't want to start any arguments. I just have a different point of view. I always tie directly to the split ring. Sometimes the lure comes without a split ring, then I will add one. I never use a swivel. It is unnecessary, and your line will sometimes hook over the swivel. I don't have trouble with line twist. I either cast the Kastmasters or troll them at a low speed. Maybe if a person trolls trolls them fast there would be line twist...but that is not a technique I have used.

I realize that a swivel makes changing lures easier. But I believe that the action of the lure is better when tied directly to the swivel, so I am willing to take the small amount of time to retie if I want to change lures.

A swivel is one more thing that can catch grass or other debris on the retrieve. So...no swivels on my lures.

Jwid Loc: Lake Killarney, Ironton, MO

Just to be clear. This is what I use. It doesn’t include any kind of snap. Split ring to kastmaster and tied on the other end.