Should you use snap swivels with fishing lures? Underwater lure test

Are snap swivels good for fishing? Snaps and snap swivels have been used by fishermen for decades. Some love them, others hate them. They allow you to quickly change lures, but have some negative effects too. We review the pros and cons of using snaps and snap swivels, and test their effects on lure action and appearance underwater by using several crankbaits.

This is my favorite snap and snap swivel:

#crankbait
#snapswivel
#fishingbasics
#bassfishing

[caitlinlaster]

Quality content. Straightforward examples and explanations with awesome and very helpful underwater shots. Love your videos

[peterbedford]

When they're biting almost anything works and when they're not, almost nothing works

[HaasGrotesk]

There are so many myths in fishing and this is one of them. Swivels are great and there's no need to go without one. I even use steel leaders and I catch a bunch of different type of fish. I even use damaged or bent leaders and they catch fish. I use damaged lures that have lost their original action and I still catch a ton of fish. People think fishing is a high detail sport where every single thing matters. It doesn't.

[bryankautz]

Pretty much tend to use snaps/swivels 80% of the time. Mainly for convenience of the quick change & reducing twists.
The thing I never understood about the ctritism of 'changing the look of the lure" is that no one ever seems to mention the 2-3 big treble hooks hanging below the body of a lure having any effect on a fish's interpretation of the presentation. If they'll hit on replica minnow bait like a Rapala with unatural things (hooks) hanging off their body I don't see how something smaller like a snap would discourage a strike. Just thinking out loud here, if anyone has an reason/opinion I'm open to thoughts. 👍

[terrywolverton]

THANKS! I switched away from snap swivels many years ago because everyone said they effect the action of crankbaits negatively! After watching your video testing I'm going back. More casts, more fish! Thank you!

[c_vincent_p]

I realize that this video has some time on it, but as a new fisherman, with a young son, we’re both kinda learning together. This video answered a lot of questions that I had about using “helpful” devices to make our fishing experience easier and better. I’ve been told a few times that it really hurts your chances of catching fish, but as a newer fisherman, I don’t want to spend half the day cutting the line and rebooking up another line (again and again).
You have a new subscriber, sir. Thank you for this info!

[biologicalhunter]

When I'm fishing saltwater in my kayak where I can only have two or three rods, the ability to adapt and change quickly is essential. I used to be totally against snap swivels but they have made my life so much easier and being able to adjust to different depths while trolling for grouper is absolutely incredible

[Larry]

This past summer, I found it very convenient to change through multiple lures/hooks all day with one pre-tied Mustad Duo Snap (size 0). It is small enough to be inconspicuous yet plenty strong at 58 lbs rating. Ref MA028-BN

[jeffarmfield]

I was really excited to see this vid as I fish with a snap swivel and have always wondered if there was a difference. With the snap only all 3 lures seemed to flick back and forth a little slower than either of the other set ups. The straight tie and snap swivel set ups seemed to work about the same. It was certainly close enough to convince me to keep using the snap-swivels on everything but topwater. One thing I will mention, I've also often wondered if having that metal snap swivel somehow alerts/spooks the fish enough to hesitate and not bite. If it could be done in a somewhat scientific way, I would love to see a video that managed to compare the strike rate of fish on the same lure each set up in these different ways.

[TGormania]

Your videos are very helpful to me. I use snap swivels. Since I am still learning, I find this the best option for me right now. I was out on the kayak today and I used at least 6 different types of bait/lures and I was not getting anything. No hits, nothing. Even at the pickerel hot bed...nothing. I was done but while I was paddling back I had a Rapala Silver Floater trolling behind me. I got a 14" Smallmouth and that is my largest bass to this point. I was pretty happy.

[chriscantona]

I really like simple Snaps for my light River-setup where I allmost only present small (4-8gram)

I fell in love with these things, as they have a very favourable weight distribution and they do not drill your line at all, which is why the Snap is perfectly fine with them and the setup looks clean and minimalistic.

No idea if the fish really care, but I do, lol.

[Ricolicous]

My grandad loved fishing snappers and tuna, he passed away when I was a kid, I never got to watch him reel one of those monsters in. I found his old tackle and it’s a bunch a new hooks, snaps, and swivels, it looks like that’s all he used. I never knew such an item existed. Very convenient, but I don’t always fish with a snap on, recently I’ve just been tying knots. I’m trying to notice a difference. Nice video 👍🏽

[clintonroppolo]

Glad you did this video. Recently lost the vision in my left eye and struggling with knots. The side by side demonstration you did shows me I'll be ok putting on a snap swivel before I leave the house and if something happens while I'm out I can tie a new one on in a shady area and be good to go. I cant do that with knots. Thank you.

[Spanktracula]

So glad I found your channel, as an adult learning to fish with not a lot of help your stuff is straight forward and to the point. This video made me feel better about using snap swivels. Which I did because like a kid, I get bored and want to try out all the lures I bought and probably don't need.

[mcszynski]

When youre using snap with cranks, get rid of split ring. Producers keep those for people not using snaps, mostly not in europe(where its very common).
So simply:
line to crank - use ring between;
snap to crank - get rid of the ring as it will affect the work of the lure.
I got this knowledge from Salmo owner, who was designing lures for years.

[jamesjordan]

As someone new to fishing I found this very informative. I couldn’t tell much difference in the action of the lures. I can see the advantage of being able to quickly change lures if you’re not great at knots or your fingers are freezing. Great video!

[blainejackman]

Very well done videos. All I’ve seen have been excellent. Clear, concise, and very informative with great under water footage that shows how the bait is working.

[eric-qpwu]

I have a child who’s interested in fishing. Using a snap swivel for his set up is a great idea. Thank you for the idea!

[paules]

I use a snap swivel for everything! I even use it to tie my leader to my main line. It's easy and I don't have line twists. I use a loop knot at the start end of leader to connect to snap swivel that's tied to end of main line. 👍

[Emslander]

Thank you for this video. I have about a thousand different lures and have felt stupid and guilty for wanting to quickly switch them. I’m a guy returning to fishing after fifty years. It’s all new to me.