Just started reading this forum last week and love the information Ive been soaking up.  Now I actually have a question that I have not seen covered which has to do with swivels.  I am used to trout fishing up here in Washington but have been getting into the Bass for the past year.  

Anyways, do any of you use swivels when you use lures for bass since it makes it so easy to just swap them out when the lures arent working?  Or do you all just cut the line and retie each lure?

I retie my lures.  snap swivels usually hinder action on lures in my opinion.

I tie 90% of my lures on.  The only time I don't is with crankbaits and sometimes jerkbaits.  With those I will take off the split ring in the nose eyelet of the lure and tie on a clip (with no swivel).  This makes chaning lures very easy and I don't think it hurts that action all that much.  I never use a swivel (except for tying on the bottom weight of a drop shot rig.  The weight really turns and twists your line).

I only tie one on 30mins-1 hour before dark, then I switch to top waters, and divers...    I hate tying in the dark, on a boat!  lol

I like to tie everything directly to the lure. I think it helps the lure performance and its good practice for tying knots.

I'll occasionally use snaps, but not swivels. I think it's a good idea to check your line and re-tie often, so snaps really don't save that much time. I use lighter line than most people, so I have to check the line often. With practice, you can tie a good knot almost as fast as you can change out baits using a snap.

Cheers,

GK

so it would be ok to use swivels with top water lures, but just re-tie all other kinds?  i guess i can spend the extra 30 secs to re-tie if itll catch me more fish  

Depending on the lure being used, you want to do different knots.  When using a jig, I found that using a homer knot works best.  Tying on hard baits, top water, divers, etc. I like to use a double clinch knot...  Don't ask why because I can't tell you.  Just something that I have always done!  If you learn these two knots well, you can tie them in the dark, or very little light, at least.    I will fish at night, mostly jigs, and top water, but there is always that chance that I will snag something and have to tie the knot in the dark!  lol  This is when it gets frustrating, and may take you several minutes to re-tie something!  

so it would be ok to use swivels with top water lures, but just re-tie all other kinds? i guess i can spend the extra 30 secs to re-tie if itll catch me more fish

You do not need swivels. Just use a snap or tie your lure directly to the line. Whatever you prefer.

I allways use a snap.

maybe im using the wrong vocab, not sure.  when im saying swivel, i mean those brass colored things that have an eye hole on one end and a clip (like a safety pin) on the other end.  its easy to clip the lure on that safety pin.  regardless, sounds like its not a good idea to do that and just tie each lure on.

Top swivel with snap bottom snap.

I use snaps but it's not a must!

I retie my lures. snap swivels usually hinder action on lures in my opinion.

I don't know about hinder but they do change the action to a wider wobble and a more loose action like using a loop on your line rather than a tight knot to the lure. I use a #1 snap swivel with spinning gear and I have noticed less line twist the wider action seems to work ok for me.

ahh, the picture explains it all.  didnt even know they sold just the snap part.  thanks you guys

ahh, the picture explains it all. didnt even know they sold just the snap part. thanks you guys

No problem, that's what were here for!