Theres been lots of discussion over the years about how to tie on a moving bait. I've always used owner cross lock snaps for my crankbaits but I came across the VMC Crankbait snap and picked up a package of size 1 (small) to try. I like the way it has a larger loop to allow the CB a greater range of motion.  What is your preference?

One more question, should you remove the split ring before using a snap. if so, why?

Also, I tie the snap on with a Palomar knot and haven't had one fail yet including last year landing a 12lb pike using a small owner cross lock, 10# C21 and no leader. The fish was lip hooked lucky for me but the knot/snap/split ring handled it with no issue.

It depends on the situation.  This video explains it.

 

 

I fish braid 100%, tie a perfection loop to the end of my leader, and loop on micro-swivel snap, paper clip, or micro-swivel wire bite-trace.  The linear contact of loop-to-loop is stronger than any single-bend knot.  

 

Very few lures I use a Hyper Weld size 2 snap. If the snap improves the lures action like crank baits otherwise tie direct.

Tom

I hardly ever use a TA clip, swivel or duo lock.  They can be bulky, thorw the balance off or just look out of place on some tackle.  If the surf is dirty and Im throwing bug plugs, Ill use a TA clip every now any then when swapping through colors, but in reality I can tie a knot in roughly the same amount of time it takes using clip.

I do not currently use snaps on freshwater, but they are indispensable in the salt. We always removed the split rings to avoid the TA clips getting into the split and causing a lure to come off or something to bend out.

I use snaps with all my crankbaits... Anything else is tied directly.. 

VMC size 0 or 1. Only on crankbaits. I leave the split rings on the bait. 

If I use a snap it stays with the bait and is used instead of a split ring. 

the guide in Brazil showed me a cool way to tie a quick release knot.  no clip needed.

 

if i remember correctly, it is like a easy to remove palomar.  i dont own a single quick release clip thing.

On hardbaits, always. On softbaits very rarely, and when i do, its during the night or super dirty water, which is usually right about now in April where i fish.

When night fishing at night with hard baits or small swim baits I use the tactical angler clips. Makes lure changing a lot easier. The ones I use are the micro clips. Never had one bend or open up. If you’re into tossing big baits you’d probably want to step it up to the 50lb size 

Jigs, plastics, and spinnerbaits get tied on.  Everything else gets a snap.

I usually remove all the split rings that came with my hard baits (jerk baits, lipless etc.) and use these directly with the lures, works really well during the cold weather and works good for some topwater lures too, except frogs.

 

Norman lures speed clips

 

 

8 hours ago, T2DM said:

I usually remove all the split rings that came with my hard baits (jerk baits, lipless etc.) and use these directly with the lures, works really well during the cold weather and works good for some topwater lures too, except frogs.

 

Norman lures speed clips

 

 

wow, those are neat. I'll check them out!

I use these on moving baits, casting gear.

Never with plastics.

I have a favorite bait caster that I may throw a spinnerbait on then switch to a crank bait or vibrating jig, saves time.

I use vmc snaps. I like them if I’m fishing somewhere new and plan to change lures a lot. Until I get it figured out. Otherwise like them on jerkbaits. 

On 4/9/2025 at 7:01 AM, Puggz said:

wow, those are neat. I'll check them out!

Yep, caught my jerk bait PB (7.25lb) using it!

 

Steve Rodgers has a very good you tube vid on using different styles of snaps on crankbaits.

On 4/6/2025 at 10:45 AM, bulldog1935 said:

I fish braid 100%, tie a perfection loop to the end of my leader, and loop on micro-swivel snap, paper clip, or micro-swivel wire bite-trace.  The linear contact of loop-to-loop is stronger than any single-bend knot.  

 

Ron, do you use a perfection loop on a fluoro leader as well to the other end of the small swivel?

I use a snap on the Rapala Original minnow. That's pretty much it.

@Drew03cmc

You can loop-to-loop braid to leader if the size is not too different 

This especially works well in a pinch, when you need to replace leader on the water.  

Here, the braid gets a double surgeon's loop.  

 

For permanent leaders, I prefer sitting under my Ott lamp and magnifier and rolling my Allbright knot, then wet the knot with pink-label Zap CA.  

I went against my long standing rule of no snaps and paid the price.  I was vertical jigging SteelShad blades in 30-40 feet of water and cycling through colors and sizes trying to find the bait de jouir for the day and since they come with snaps, I left one on and was just switching baits.  It saved me time from re tying.  I hooked into a 5lb largemouth and it came up on the opposite side of the boat and after 1 jump, broke free.  I thought my line broke but when I reeled in, there was the twisted snap still tied to my line.  Not just unhooked but bent wide open.  It pains me to say this because I am sponsored by SteelShad but it is what it is.  I’ll always be straight.  

Admittedly, I was waiting for a response like @TOXIC above before responding here.  Snap using enthusiastics often report never having a failure. And that's awesome. 

 Bassheads, like me, on the other side of this fense usually have fallen victim to some type of negative snap using experience.  I am one of those as well.

Accordingly,  no snaps on anything I can change them out with an oval split ring.

V-jig is the exception.

Including but not limited to, cranks, topwater, A-Rigs and the afor mentioned metal baits.

A-Jay

@A-Jay

Don't feel alone - I've been victim to Evil snaps, also, that cost me a couple of Ryuki-S finesse plugs.  

Top to bottom on the titanium-wire leaders :  

Halco leader - excellent snap, heavy enough for offshore

Mako bite trace - very good snap

Dragon bite trace - EVIL

Knot2kinky - best snap I've used.  

Ulucus and Cultiva micro-swivel snaps are both good.  

Tactical Anglers paper clips (25- and 50-lb) are the only paper clips that proof-tested at their load rating when tested by TackleAdvisors.