Does anyone use the small gold swivels for Jigheads? Or does it have to be a knot?

Hello, still learning to catching white perch/crappie/sacalit from the banks, and I am not very good at knots and prefer the smallest size gold swivel to quickly switch jig heads and hooks, but I know it is essential for the jig to be horizontal in the water.

I am not sure if swivels get the job done and wanted to know if anyone uses them? If not I will get better at these knots, but man the convenience of being able to switch without hassle is great.

I have caught fish on the swivels but I know most people will look down on them plus it can bend but shouldn't with crappie I think.

TIA!

In some cases where I constantly change lures, I have used swivels. For jigs, I typically use a surgeon's loop knot, which allows the jig to float around in the horizontal orientation no matter if the line is straight or being dragged, and your swivel is doing the same thing.

A very good thing about practicing different knots is that you can easily carry a small coil of line (bright braid or mono) and bread bag ties (to make safer eyes to tie to) with you. Waiting anywhere can become a practice season. You will be surprised at how soon you’ll become proficient at a few of the various knots needed. Learn the knots needed for braid vs mono. Good luck as you learn about fishing, tackle, being a good sportsman, etc.. You have joined the right group for attaining all these.

I don't and never have used swivels direct to a jig. I've always thought of them as "extra hardware" that's not really needed.
I tie my jigs on with a Improved Clinch knot, but a loop knot could be an alternative to using a clip or swivel.

While I understand the idea of a jig being presented horizontally as ""essential" ... I've had success with the Improved Clinch Knot in all the "casting" techniques I use. And the only time I use a loop knot is when using a double jig rig, and I tie the upper jig on a loop knot & the bottom jig is tied on with the Improved Clinch.

In any event, a "swivel" doesn't really help all that much with countering line twist. Even the ball bearing ones, much less the cheap ones, don't really help that much. A clip (like the duo-loc snaps) would be my choice for a "quick change" solution, but still comes in 2nd to the loop knot IMHO.

I just shy away from using the extra hardware, & even a loop knot, when using a single jig ... for this reason : I fish my jigs in heavy cover & the swivel/clip or loop knot can be a hang up point that a knot tied directly to the jig doesn't present.

I 2nd the Improved Cinch knot. Loop for certain lures and presentations.

Thank yall for all the advice! I am definitely in the right group

I'm sure it would work ok. I only use a loop knot or improved cinch knot on jig heads. If my eyes were better I bet I could tie a knot in 30 seconds

Lately i've tried some very small black barrel swivels i found out i had tied directly to braid & then a clear mono leader to the swivel & jig head & it's worked great.

I use large swivels on the rod's main line then add a jig rig.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by canebreaker

I use large swivels on the rod's main line then add a jig rig.

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My dad does some thing similar.

Only use the uni-knot for everything: line-to-lure and line-to-line. Some find it more difficult to use, but with practice even in wind, it never fails.

I have used the "Fas-knot" to be able to change baits fast .

It “has” to be a loop knot , nothing else is even a close second with a jig ….for sure :cheers2

I use a uni-knot. Ties really quick. A draw back using a swivel to change baits is getting weak spots near a lure in the mono. Swivels usually don't bother the fish though . Fish not near as picky as fishermen. More about presentation than the lure/jig.