Hello everyone. I’ve never fished a rooster tail but have been wanting to as I hear they can generate multiple bites from different species and is also a good lure for trying out new spots. My question is do you have to add a swivel and a leader to tie on a rooster tail?  Some people swear by this to avoid line twists but I’ve also heard some people say but they tie the rooster tail directly to the line. Thoughts?

I always used a snap swivel using spinners-no leader needed 

Depends on how fast you retrieve it. Any inline spinner is going to twist the line if you try to burn it in as the blade can't quite spin fast enough so the lure itself spins. Slower retrieves are the ticket.

 

I never use swivels with inlines...just keep my retrieve rate slower.

You don't have to use a swivel, but I always do. Don't let the "I don't like rooster tails because they don't spin right" crowd dissuade you, they catch fish, as do most spinners.

11 minutes ago, Deleted account said:

they catch fish, as do most spinners.

Indeed they do - this was caught on a Blue Fox Flash Spinner

Awesome catch!

Thanks you all for the insight. Can’t wait to try it out. 

I've been fishing some inlines this summer. I don't use a swivel. You won't get very much line twist if you can retrieve them just fast enough to make the blade spin. Most of mine are Mepps, but the slow retrieve speed seems to apply to all these baits.

I use a snap swivel when fishing inline spinners for any species.  Line twist isn't always a problem, but is a possibility.  As others have said, you don't have to use a swivel, but as far as I am concerned  it sure doesn't hurt to use one.  

I've fished Rooster Tails, and other similar lures for years. I've fished them both ways, with and without swivels. Years ago on Yakama Bait's (Rooster Tail parent company) website, I saw a modification that eliminates the need for a swivel. It's not on the website anymore, hopefully I can explain it. 

 

Take your needle nose pliers and bend just the line tie portion 90 degrees. If you bend the shaft closer to the body, it could add pressure to the clevis thereby slowing the blade rotation. I bend mine where the line tie is inline with the shaft, but I don't know that it matters. This mod works. 

I seldom used swivels and fished Roostertails a lot in my youth.  Will catch many varieties of fish.  My largest smallmouth was caught on one while letting it troll behind the boat while I was rowing from one spot to another.  A BeetleSpin with a small Mister Twister Curly Tail Grub was another favorite lure that would catch about anything.

I use the Blue Fox Vibrax Foxtail, I prefer a a size 10 spro barrel swivel to reduce line twist. 

I tie directly to the bait.  I also just retrieve the spinner fast enough to make the blade spin. 

I throw roostertails quite often for bass and trout. I throw them on spinning reels with 6 or 4 lbs line. Sometimes I'll use light braid like 6 or 8 lbs J-braid.

I always use a swivel. The smallest i can find - usually size 10 to 14. I use about a 12"  mono leader from the swivel to a quality snap. That way i can easily change colors and weights as needed. Just keep an eye on the leader line because sometimes the blade with make contact with the line and cause abrasion.

I catch lots of spotted bass on a white 1/4 oz roostertail. I usually throw out to about 10' of water and let it sink all the way to the bottom. Then snap the rod to get the blade spinning and reel very slowly in. Usually the slower the better. Unless they are chasing baitfish, then you can cast directly to the action and try to keep it closer to the surface.

 

I do the same for trout.

I used to fish inline spinners a lot, mainly Shysters because that's what my dad used, but occasionally Rooster Tails and a couple of Mepps.

 

I sometimes used a swivel, sometimes not but never seemed to notice any line twisting. Shysters have kind of a bent loop you attach to so you're not really running it in a straight line, maybe that helps with the twist. I also find Shysters easier to "get spinning" than Rooster Tails, maybe that's why too. 

 

I've always had decent luck with Shysters and I don't know why I seldom fish with them anymore. I don't know if they're even still made. A local shop near me that has a bunch of old school discontinued stock has some on the shelf but I never see them anywhere else.

I've found that with the Mepps Aglia spinners I use that a swivel and snap is necessary when fishing for trout in current, not as much for bass or panfish in ponds/lakes

Interesting discussion. I can’t keep from getting line twist. I’ve taken to adding a ball bearing swivel to the front of my roostertails and that alleviates the issue 100%.

I use a swivel most of the time. If I'm not, I pause after one or two casts and let the line untwist.  What I really try to avoid is having the line twist carry past the last 10' of line.  At the very least, I want to cast out all of the twisted line every time.  Once the line twist makes it back to the line that stays on the spool I'll have trouble with wind knots and loops.  

 

One thing I didn't see anyone else mention is current.  IMHO, if you fish flowing water the swivel becomes more important.

Get a Medium  to medium light spinning rod, 2500-3000 series reel with 8 pound test of your favorite line. Cast your bait out and reel up the slack when you reach your desired depth. Once you start to feel the weight of the lure give it a quick small vertical pop of the rod tip. This will start your blade spinning as sometimes it can get stuck under the body of the lure. Reel at a slow speed just fast enough you can feel the blade thumping. Enjoy. You can also hold the rod tip high if you are trying to keep the roostertail close to the surface. I do this for schooling bass all the time.You can also give the rod tip small pops along the way to entice the more finnicky fish to bite but most of the time I haven't ever needed any help getting a fish to hit a roostertail. I've never used a swivel and feel like I've never needed one.