I was out in the boat trying to organize some tackle. I discovered a couple of spinnerbaits that needed the blades changed out. After struggling with the little snap rings and barrel swivels. I was curious as to if anyone had ever changed out the barrel swivel to a a basic snap swivel to make changing blades on the fly a quick ordeal? I am going to pick up some tomorrow and give it a shot.

I tried that once.  Got a bunch of muck and weeds caught on it cast after cast throughout the day.  Never tried it again.

Get a pair of jewler's split ring pliers.  Makes changing blades/hooks a breeze and you don't have the problem of moss or weeds clinging to the snap.

To echo what papajoe 222 wrote - get a good set of split ring pliers..  I got a pair at Cabelas made by Texas Tackle because they were recommended by that tackle evaluation site - Tackletour.com.  They weren't cheap - $16 dollars or so.  All  they do is split rings.  But they do split rings very well.  They make any hood or blade changing chore easy.  I was always the guy who put off messing with spinner bait blades or changing hooks on cranks because I thought dealing with split rings was a pain.  Not any more.  Get the right tool and it is simple.

 

I also think that what Glenn posted was correct.  Using a snap swivel on a spinnerbait to make changing blades easier isn't a good idea.  It attracts too much gunk.

Get a pair of Texas Tackle Split Ring Pliers, the ones with the orange handle.  They make changing out anything on a split ring a breeze.  You can find cheaper pliers but they won't be as easy to use.

I have done it but prefer the split rings.

I have used a snap temporarily while trying out different blades on a particular bait, running it through debris-free water. Once dialed in, the regular swivel goes back on. Get split ring pliers either way; you'll never regret it.

I always use a snap and will change blades periodically. I don't have the problems as the other posters have mentioned, but I don't fish the same waters either.

I tried that once. Got a bunch of muck and weeds caught on it cast after cast throughout the day. Never tried it again.

Yelp, been there, done that, aint going back!