FS Digest

I've researched enough to know that the general consensus is to tie directly to lures / jigs and don't use snaps, and especially don't use snap/swivels; their extra weight adversely affects the action and it's way more hardware than most fish wanna bite into. I'm pretty good with knots so that's not a problem, but here's my issue:

I typically fish from a kayak so I can't just move on to another spot as easily as in a boat, which means I have to spend more time trying to figure out what those fish want where I am by splashing a lot of different baits. When the bite is tough, like it is right now on my lakes, I go through a lot of leader tying on new lures and jigs just to find one that might work, and it's not at all convenient to have to keep tying on new leaders in such a small space. I can do it, I have been doing it, but it's an annoying waste of good fishing time.

So I'm gonna try using snaps for the first time just so I can swap out new baits as quickly and efficiently as possible. Not snap swivels, just snaps -- to keep the influence of the extra hardware on the lure to a minimum. Once I find a bait that's working good I'll tie that on directly, but while I'm prospecting I'm gonna try using a lightweight snap.

I obviously won't use the lightweight snaps I bought when fishing for striper, for instance... I don't need to prospect those as much -- a dozen or so casts with just 2-3 different baits will usually give me all the info I need and I can tie on the right bait. But for LMB / SMB, crappie, bluegill, etc. I think a snap will save me so much time that it'll make up for the small amount of extra hardware.

If it doesn't work I'll just tie on much longer leaders and go back to tying bait direct, but trying out the snap idea can't hurt that much, can it? ;)

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by Racklefrack

FS Digest

Some snaps are better than others, some days the fish care about the snaps but most days they dont. I do a lot of pike fishing and always use a titanium leader with a snap on the end. Still catch plenty. I even use them for trout, really really tiny ones. Smaller they are the less they effect the action. Still Break at over 20lb too. If I feel like the action is being ruined or the snap is spooking the fish I will remove the snap. Snaps can definitely up your catch rate, especially at times when you have to change a lot. Like on small rivers with lots of different depths and current and other features etc. If you don't have a snap you can get lazy and just leave one lure on and not catch as many fish.

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by bushcrapping

FS Digest

I'll admit that I didn't spend the money on the best snaps -- yet -- but I did buy as light a weight a snap as I could find in a cheap price range. If it works out I'll invest in much better snaps; if not, I've only wasted $5.

The 20# breaking point shouldn't be a problem; I typically fish with 20# braid and a 6-18# leader depending on the rig so the line will likely break before the snap does, and I've never had line break yet. I might not even use the snaps on my ultralight rig with 2# line... we'll see how small they actually are when they arrive and I'll decide then.

Fingers crossed :)

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by Racklefrack

FS Digest

I think your best bet is to just go out to the water and see which lures work better being directly tied vs snaps/snap swivels. I find that using a snap swivel while using spinning lures, like a Jakes spin a lure, helps with line tangling and gives the lure the same or better presentation. Or I have also found that using a snap when using a crankbait enhances the presentation. However, a majority of the lures I use I just tie directly. I find that there's just less room for error and less money spent when I end up snagging a lure.

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by JRam41

FS Digest

Right now the bite is so tricky that I won't know if they didn't bite because of the snap or the bait or the temps or the water level or the season or the shorter days or the moon phase or the... you get the idea ;) It'll be easier to tell come spring.

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by Racklefrack

FS Digest

Just remember that fishing is supposed to be fun. Don't overthink it too much and I am sure fish will start to come your way. Try out new things, try out old tactics. You never know what will work until it works!

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by JRam41

FS Digest

I guess it depends. I use a swivel and clasp when im trolling to avoid line twisting if the bait gets tangled etc. Its the worst when the line gets a huge amount of twist to it.

Ive heard the odea that the extra stuff a swivel adds to a bait will make a fish not want to bite.... Well i guess if its a really finicky trout or some highly intelligent fish, but i fish mostly for bass and they could care less about anything to do with the bait, if it moves its gonna get hit. So ive def used a clasp and swivel when out bassing.

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by tsbphoto

FS Digest

I moved a lot of bait this weekend and they wouldn't hit any of it, but I wasn't using snaps yet so that couldn't have been the problem :)

But I agree that I think bass intelligence is overrated -- if they were smart enough to avoid snaps and swivels, or even different types of line for that matter, then they'd be way too smart to bite down on a metal hook or wooden lure or a plastic worm.

I'm gonna stop overthinking this now.

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by Racklefrack

FS Digest

Yea that little snap is no good but the giant treble hook, thats fine hahaha

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by tsbphoto

Fishon Fishon Loc: Baton Rouge Louisiana

Personally I use swivels all the time I’m a bank fisherman for the most parts, it doesn’t affect the bite if the fish are hungry they bite if the fish are pissed off they bite no mater what line, rod, reel, hook, swivel you use it’s the bait so I change a lot till I find what they want then I find when I catch 4 or 5 bass I will retie the same swivel and remember Fishon Fishon!!!!

Huntm22 Loc: Northern Utah. - West Haven

In fishing for trout here in Utah I use a #2snap to the lure and still catch too many. Maybe we have dumb trout cause One day last week I brought 83 to the boat in 12 hrs trolling. They were between 12 - 20 “. We can use two poles and I always had a fish on one or both poles all day long. They were hitting anything green in the morning and switched to red in the afternoon. Using a snap to change lures more quickly thinking I could get a break but they just kept hitting. Sooo for what it is worth - they did not mind the snap at all. Going out again tomorrow - will see if they are still hungry!

Spiritof27 Loc: Lincoln, CA

Tie a perfection loop at the end of your line. Pre-rig a bunch of different lures/set ups and tie another loop on the tag ends. Quick change artist! Just loop them together and they come right apart.

spoonplugger Loc: goldsboro,nc

fished this past sat caught 42 bass 1 catfish 38 of the fish hit the lure that had a snap.They didn't care, i've caught 1000's of bass always used a snap . Most people say it affects the action of the lure. But how do you know it its an adverse effect it may make it more appealing. Plus the sight of it may be an attractant . So just use # 2 or 3 crosslock style and don't give it another thought. If you are not catching fish it is because your depth or speed was off. Either 1 or the other or both.

oldsalt Loc: Holland Pa

My time tested and go to setup is this: tie barrel swivel to end of line, tie 24" leader to swivel, attach a clip (tactical angler clip) to end of leader. I feel clips are superior to snaps. Clips enables quick changes, are strong and can be small. The swivel combats twisting but is far removed from the lure. As a bonus, i attach a teaser (fly) at mid leader. This creates the appearance of the lure chasing a smaller prey. I get hits on both the lure and the teaser.

Ron620DVS Loc: Guntersville Alabama

Baksyn Genuine Parts Snaps, $9.99.. Six Sizes to chose from, also great for crankbaits and jerkbaits.

Owner Hyper Welded Quick Snaps 6pk, $4.49, Three sizes to choose from.
Featuring a smaller profile (shorter) than typical snaps with a wide radius bend on the "lure-end" for more bait action...