Hey guys, would love to hear feed back on using a snap ( no swivel) when attaching crank baits and jerk baits, it makes it easier to change baits when trying to find what they bass want but not sure how it effects the bass.

After reading about Speed Clips in these forums, I got some and tried them last week for the first time.  The jury is still out, but is leaning heavily towards 'no'.  There were a couple of baits where they hung between tie-down-eye and bill -- no worse than using wrong size split ring, but annoying.  I sensed action was limited, but not dramatically or measurably.  Mostly, I didn't see them saving me enough time to compensate for the annoyances.  I have the least dextrous fingers of anyone I know -- tying can be a challenge.  But those d**n clips weren't any better -- maybe with a pliers and/or more experience, but it seems a retied palomar is about as fast.  Besides, re-tying forces me to check the knot and last foot or two of line more frequently than I might otherwise.

I use snaps on jerk baits and some crank baits.

 

Check out the KVD Mustad Duo-Lock Snap, Black, 40lb is a good size.

 

Quality snap at a reasonable price.

 

A-Jay

no snaps for me, but I'm not saying they aren't useful.  Palomar knot takes about 5 more seconds than using the snap, plus I have fat fingers and get frustrated trying open and close those things.

I use them all the time on cranks and have for the last couple of years but not on jerk baits. I haven't had any issues out of the ordinary or noticed any difference in action. I don't throw extremely light weight cranks though. I do not use snaps on traps, however. I tend to use the smaller snaps that are 20lb on square bills though.

Yes, I use them sometimes and like them! You have to get the correct size though. Too small and they will bend up on a good fish, too big and they will get tangled and effect the action. A good all-around size is #1, but its too light to be used with anything around wood or snags. You want duo-lock for sure. 

I swear, unless you have some sort of neuromuscular disease ( like Parkinson´s ) that impedes your ability to tie a knot it only takes a few more seconds to tie a knot properly. Besides, using snaps doesn´t mean you can skip one of the most important aspects which is checking the condition of your line in search of signs of wear and tear, cut and retie.

I remove the split rings from my cranks. A #2 duo lock works great. Around 2/3 of my baits have snaps on them already. Makes easier than digging in another box for a little snap. I use a Palomar knot, which is much easier to tie to a snap than a split sing on a bait. You don't have to worry about the split in the ring either, though those rate times when the snap gets goofed up on the cast makes it wash over a split ring. I don't think either is better than the other. I just prefer my way for myself, and share that with others. If it works for them, then that's cool. If not, it's good too.

I swear, unless you have some sort of neuromuscular disease ( like Parkinson´s ) that impedes your ability to tie a knot it only takes a few more seconds to tie a knot properly. Besides, using snaps doesn´t mean you can skip one of the most important aspects which is checking the condition of your line in search of signs of wear and tear, cut and retie.

 

 

All the bass pictured in the links below were caught on jerk baits with the use of a snap.

 

For me it's not a matter of my inability or desire to retie.  It's all about fishing effectively.

 

Rather than fumbling in the 4 foot waves, trying to get a 5 inch jerk bait with three trebles through the loop of a Palomar knot, a snap is a no-brainer.

 

And for the record, I am in fairly good health.

 

A-Jay

 

 

http://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-forums/gallery/album/369-a-week-on-lake-erie/

 

http://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-forums/gallery/album/530-lake-erie-october-2012/

I use them a lot, but I prefer to use the Tactical Anglers Power Clips in the 50lbs rating.  No snags from vegetation as you retrive your lure.  I think Eagle Claw also makes a version similar.

 

http://www.amazon.com/Tactical-Anglers-Power-Clips-50lbs/dp/B00CFTOB22

I always use Norman Speed Clips.

snaps and sometimes snaps with split rings - sometimes neither - fine tuning - that's my way

as a co-angler...therefore limited in number of rods.... i always have a duo lock snap on the rods i use for crankbaits, jerkbaits, topwater.  it is much easier and quicker to change and adapt as my boater changes speed/location, etc.  i still check my line just just as often as i do with all presentations.

so...yes... duo lock.  and there are times on a spinning setup, if i am concerned about line twist, i'll use a duo lock with a swivel. 

None for me.  I just prefer to tie direct to the lure or the split ring.

No snaps of clips for me.  I've got the stubby finger syndrome and I find the snaps and especially the Norman speed clips a pain to use.  I make sure I've got decent split rings on the cranks and tie direct to them.

 

Once upon a time, I thought the speed clips were THE answer, but I didn't account for how stubby my fingers were.  Now all the speed clips are being repurposed into jika rigs.

I do not use snaps on any crank or jerkbait.  I fish them off the split ring.

Guys thank you once again for all you help

I use snap ball bearing swivels on all my crankbait  rod setups were I can. I believe it gives me a freer, more side to side wobble  movement on my crankbaits. It's a smoother action. My other rod setups I use the standard snap swivels. Plus I have a hard time retying in the dark and low light. I even use snap swivels on my Carolina rigs on the hook end. I have most of my plastics pre hooked for a faster change over.

I use snaps on all my cranks and jerkbaits. 

as a co-angler...therefore limited in number of rods.... i always have a duo lock snap on the rods i use for crankbaits, jerkbaits, topwater.  it is much easier and quicker to change and adapt as my boater changes speed/location, etc.  i still check my line just just as often as i do with all presentations.

so...yes... duo lock.  and there are times on a spinning setup, if i am concerned about line twist, i'll use a duo lock with a swivel.

When I use a clip it's Norman's for the same reasons. Yes, they can be a pain sometimes to open.

For me I guess it's a confidence thing.

Mike

I like to tie without any swivels and snaps for the most part but only because I have more confidence when I have less hardware on my rigs. With that said, obviously using swivels and snaps is effective since many people use them with plenty of success, and as long as you have confidence in wha you are using, you will do well.

 

When it comes to line twist, a good quality ball bearing swivel is extremely helpful, and I also feel it helps when fishing a weightless presentation as it helps with extra weight.

Sorry, correction, I use the locking ball bearing snap swivels.

I once purchased them from cabelas but they just became too expensive. I know get them from eBay.

Remember to retie often, after a hard fight too.

No snaps for me, I retie often and usally snip off a foot or

so of the main line.

I use Duolocks, I buy mine off Ebay for cheap although I know they are not originals for the price none has ever failed.  I do use them quite a bit in freshwater, not as much in salt but I have used them there as well.  I use the lures just the way the manufacturer packed it, don't add or subtract anything.