Bert Swope
The primary advantage of fishing swivels is that they prevent your line from twisting in the water, especially when fishing with lures that spin or rotate while in motion. This is especially beneficial when casting lures with unpredictable motion patterns.
You might need a swivel when trolling for large game fish or using a lure that moves unusually. Additionally, the swivel helps prevent your lure from getting snagged on the structure while trolling.
What are 3 Way Swivels?
A three-way swivel is a type of swivel that allows you to attach both lure and bait. They can be used for various rigging techniques, such as trolling, drop rigs, and bottom rigs.
When Should I Use Swivels?
Only use swivels if they can withstand the strain placed upon them by fish. Be mindful that some swivels may break if snagged on something or hooked into an aggressively fighting fish.
When not to use swivels?
Swivels probably aren’t necessary if you’re just going out for a day trip with your family. On the other hand, professional anglers who put money on the line might want to consider investing in one as part of their gear.
Swivels are ideal for beginners, as they allow you to quickly switch your lures and bait without stopping fishing. Plus, with multiple leaders attached together, it’s even simpler to switch up tactics quickly.
1. They Prevent Your Line From Twisting In The Water
If you want to prevent twisting of your fishing line in the water, swivels are an ideal solution. Swivels are small pill-shaped pieces of metal that connect two portions of your line with tiny hooks or loops.
Spikes come in a range of sizes and are tailored for specific purposes. For instance, rolling swivels with round eyes are popular freshwater fishing tools; size 2 is ideal for carp fishing, while size 12 works great when light lingering or searching for silvers.
Additionally, some swivels feature ball bearings inside them, making them rotate more quickly than barrel swivels. Consequently, these devices are much better at preventing line twist.
Swivels offer another advantage, enabling you to change lures faster and easier. This is particularly useful for jerk baits or other hard baits that require frequent pauses.
However, snap swivels do have several drawbacks. One major disadvantage is that they may come undone and scare away fish who try to approach your lure.
Additionally, swivels can negatively impact the action of your lures – particularly topwater, suspending, and twitch baits.
This occurs because the swivel adds weight to the front of the lure, potentially making it too big or bulky for fish to see clearly. As a result, there may be fewer hookups overall.
To maximize efficiency and protect your reel, only use swivels when they are certain to prevent line twisting in the water. Not only will this save time, but it will also protect it from unnecessary wear and tear.
2. They Make It Easier To Change Lures
Altering lures is an excellent way to keep your fishing equipment fresh and exciting. Additionally, it helps you learn which lures work best for different fish species, giving you greater versatility as a fisherman.
Snap swivels are one of the quickest and most convenient ways to change lures quickly. This makes it possible to quickly switch out lures without having to tie a new knot each time.
However, it’s essential to know that not all swivels are created equal. Metal swivels may be quite sharp and could potentially scare away fish. On the other hand, rounded swivels tend to be much less likely to do this.
Additionally, using a swivel that has a ball bearing is recommended. This will prevent your line from twisting and guarantee its strength.
Another advantage of a swivel is that it reduces tangles between your hook and mainline. This is especially helpful when fishing in difficult-to-access spots like the ocean, where coral or rocks could catch and pull your hooks out of the water.
Swivels can be invaluable when fishing for safety and efficiency. Not only do they keep your line from twisting in the water, but they also help prevent you from losing valuable tackle if something snags on it.
Swapping lures with a swivel is an efficient way to save time and effort. Getting kids excited about trying multiple baits can be challenging, making it much simpler to quickly switch up what lures you use.
3. They Make It Easier To Troll
Swiveling your line with a swivel attached means you won’t have to constantly adjust your lure and sinker when trolling. This lets you focus on what’s working and adjust tactics as necessary.
Barrel swivels are the most common type and come in all sizes. Unfortunately, they’re not designed to support heavy loads and may twist when casting bait or lure, especially when trolling, as the line can become tangled with the swivel while pulling a large weight across the bottom.
Ball-bearing swivels are engineered to prevent line twist by featuring polished stainless steel ball bearings between the spindle and body. These swivels rotate much easier than standard barrel swivels, which in some cases may virtually eliminate line twist in certain situations.
Crane swivels are ideal for drop shotting or using multiple bait hooks with a weight attached. At the top, they feature two rings, an attached ring connection, and another ring-hook connection at the bottom.
Use a swivel that can accommodate both your main and leader lines for maximum versatility. Doing this prevents any losses should your rig get caught at the bottom and need to be cut free.
Selecting the correct swivel protects your line and rod guide from damage. Stainless steel swivels are the best choice here, as they won’t rust or corrode as quickly as other materials.
Swivels offer another advantage, enabling you to quickly and efficiently switch out lures to identify which ones are working and which aren’t. This increases efficiency while making it simpler to catch more fish.
4. They Make It Easier To Change Sinkers
A fishing swivel makes changing sinkers much simpler when you’re fishing. Instead of needing to tie a different knot each time, simply connect your line to the swivel and snap on your new sinker.
Swivels can also be utilized to prevent your monofilament line from twisting. This is especially essential when trolling, as line twists can lead to lost fish.
Swivels often feature a snap at one end, making it simple to attach them onto your sinker. This feature is handy when changing lures or rigs frequently since you don’t have to re-tie each new set.
You can also use a finesse swivel to attach a drop shot weight to your line. These swivels look like regular swivel rings but include an added clip-on ring to that you can attach the weight.
Comparing swivels, you will discover various types available – each with its advantages and drawbacks. Some are more expensive than others, but all work well under certain conditions.
Barrelled swivels, for instance, perform best when used with light loads and under pulling tension. They’re capable of withstanding various rigging techniques and make ideal bottom trollers.
Another type of swivel is the crane swivel, designed to prevent line twist while trolling. Although more expensive than other options, these can handle heavier loads and feature internal ball bearings that enable them to turn smoothly even under extreme pulling tension.
The barrel swivel is the most common type of swivel anglers use when trolling. Constructed from nickel plated brass, these swivels offer strength but may be difficult to see due to their small size.
5. They Make It Easier To Change Leaders
Fishing swivels are an efficient way to switch leaders without spending time tying line knots. They connect two pieces of line together with a ring, making switching between lures and sinkers simpler.
Swivels come in various shapes and sizes, such as ball-bearing or barrel-shaped. To avoid any issues, ensure the swivel matches your leader’s and line’s size.
Swivels designed for fishing line twists are essential to keep the leader straight. This makes casting and trolling with your rig much simpler.
Swivels with snaps can be a convenient way to change leaders quickly. However, it’s essential to understand that these swivels may not fit all lures and rigs – always check the packaging before purchasing.
One common type of swivel is a three-way swivel, which features three rings attached. This allows for attaching an additional leader line with weight for trolling rigs.
Swivels have a ring that can attach tippet rings, providing extra line strength. Plus, this helps protect your tippet from fish teeth that could damage or cause it to deteriorate faster.
Swivels are another advantageous feature, as they’re one less thing that could go awry while fishing, allowing you to focus on other setup elements. Furthermore, swivels increase versatility as a fisherman by enabling you to experiment with various baits and lures more quickly to determine which ones work best.
