Swivels?

I haven't been fishing for too long and usually use a swivel so I can quickly switch between different jigs/hooks/spinnerbaits with leaders already tied to them. Today I wasn't catching anything and another guy fishing near me was fishing the same bait and was catching a whole lot, and he recommended taking my swivel and bobber off. Right after I did, I almost immediately was pulling in fish. I use really small black swivels, but could they still be too noticable and scare fish away?

Also, when I finally started reeling them in I caught about a 10 or 11 inch tilapia and it was super big around too.

Even small swivels can affect the action of the bait.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by erichkopp

but could they still be too noticable and scare fish away?

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Yes. I never use them for crappie or gills.

I do use them when spinner fishing for trout. They help prevent line twist in that situation.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by erichkopp

but could they still be too noticable and scare fish away?

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Sounds like you're using a "snap-swivel" for changing lures quickly. I've had lots of fish follow, but not bite when using those. I use tube jigs, and they can twist your line pretty good, so I use a plain barrel swivel (no snap-clip) and tie on about 18" of line as a leader that gets tied directly to my jig. If you get good at tying the improved cinch knot, or the palomar knot, you can change lures pretty fast - not as fast as with a snap swivel, but fast enough to not spend a lot of time rigging your gear. Now the only time I use snaps is when I'm fishing for toothy critters like pike and pickerel - and those snaps are on the business end of a steel leader.

I agree, only use swivels on leaders that need them, like wire leaders or heavy mono leaders or on rigs that may twist.
I've had people I fish with use snap swivels to change baits quick, and I always caught at least twice as many fish as them. It ruins action and how many times have you seen a minnow with wire in front of his head swimming around?

I only use swivels when jug or R/R fishing for catfish. I think a swivel affects a jigs action to much.I will use swivels when trolling with any kind of spinner to avoid line twist. Allen

"Just say NO!" to swivels.

Just to add my lil ol .02 to the Great Swivel Debate. Growin' up, we used swivels on our line and still caught fish. But today, I wouldn't use em at all. I prefer the little fas snaps if I plan on changing hooks and lures a lot. The best thing is to tie direct and adjust your knot to make your jig stand up... Right folks?!!!

Thanks guys. I always assumed for some reason that most people used them, but I haven't been fishing too long either. The few times I've fished since taking off the swivel, I've caught more fish and got bites a lot more frequently. Needless to say, I took the swivels out of my tackle box and just spend the extra minute and a half tying my hooks and jigs on. Much better.

I use 8 lb. Blaze green Fireline a lot in woody water .I tried the fast snaps and didn't even get to find how they affected the bite. I caught a sng and when I pulled it off, I straightened the snap out and lost my jig. :confused:
I did find that the remaining snaps, when tossed over my shoulder, quickly sink out of sight and out of mind. :rolleyes:
I've found the quickest way to change jigs or flies is just tie on a new one, look around and take in the surroundings, and enjoy the fact that you have the oppurtunity to enjoy it.:) Mike

I always listened to the critics on swivels also. But I landed this hog on a Mini Swivel.

So much for scaring this Hog away.
1/32 orange head hook with a 2" riverside charteuse jig.
http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q...r24/10vs17.jpg

Tie directly to your lure. Your "Hook up" rate will definitely increase. It seems as if there is more sensitiiivity without swivels.

old ship

It appears the main objection to using a swivel is connecting the lure directly to the swivel and the potential behavior of the lure because of that direct connection as well as the possible visibility of the swivel next to the lure. The technique I use eliminates both issues and I can switch lures more rapidly than anyone can tie a lure to a main line with an acceptable knot.

My main line is terminated with a "size 12" barrel swivel with a lock snap. I have tied a 1.5-2 foot fluorocarbon leader to each of my lures ("double surgeon's loop" for attachment to the swivel and "improved clinch" knot attaching the lure). Even with my 'older' eyes, I can unhook one lure from the swivel and hook a different lure to the swivel via the leader faster than anyone could tie the second lure to the main line.

The result is that the lure 'behaves' as if it is attached to the main line rather than a metal swivel because it is attached to a fluorocarbon leader rather than the swivel. The swivel is small and far enough away from the lure that the swivel's visibility should not be an issue.

The final result has been catching fish as often as when I directly tied the lures to the main line. But, with this configuration, I can change lures rapidly with no 'muttering' and 'swearing', which often occurs when attempting to tie a lure in the rain and/or wind :p.

Attached is picture of the configuration with each component (swivel with lock snap, leader, and jig) visible. The jig is one of Skip's (Crystal Antron Chenille; red/red/fl. yellow, I believe), which I will be 'hunting' with tomorrow evening :D

Regards,

Doc

Doc,

That's a good idea. How do you store your jigs with the flouro leader? Wrapped around something? Or on some type of peg board?

That's a nice looking rod. Are those REC guides?

DrPerf, that seems to be a real good system. Quick and easy. How do you store all your lures with the leader so long though? It seems like that could be a hassle unless you've got a special way of organizing everything. I may have to try that myself.

"deathb4disco" (I love the username, but it is a little extreme :p) and "erichkopp":

I store the jigs in a plastic bag, generally two jigs per bag. The leader is typically wrapped (loosely) around the area between the jig and the body. My experiments has shown that technique does not harm the body of the jig and the leader "straightens out" fairly rapidly after attachment to the swivel and 'hitting' the water. Attached are a couple of pictures.

"deathb4disco": The rod is the G.Loomis DSR820SGLX Drop-Shot. It was a 'bear' to get due to the shortage of good cork. I had it on order for almost a month before it arrived last Wednesday. I have only fished with it once since then, but it is pretty amazing. The rod uses Recoil guides. Below is a link to a TackleTour review, of the rod. The review primarily addresses the rod's use for drop-shot fishing, but I am using it initially for crappie and the occasional bass and catfish that I catch.

TackleTour review

Regards,

Doc