Is it better to use a loop knot, regular knot, or a snap with these baits?

i like the rapala knot but yesterday it slipped on me which sucked...  i was using a jerk bait and jerk i did and all of a sudden no more slack my lure was off but my knot came in perfectly fine... i think it might of been my line being a bit small only at 8lbs, other than that i like that knot it gives the lure a lot of move to it..

I tie directly to the eye of my spook.

No snap or swivel for me, I tie directly to the eye and use the improved clinch knot.

Later,

On a Spook, I always tie directly to the eye of bait (old school) and snug it up real tight with a Trilene knot. Then I force it down to the bottom of the eye. Some modern Spooks have the eye bent down already, but I still make sure my knot is holding at the bottom of that eyelet as well. Old habits die hard I guess.

On Sammys it doesn't seem to make as much a difference! Often times I'll be using a hard jerk, with a small snap; and when I switch to the Sammy, I don't remove the snap. It may not be best, but I still catch lots of smallies this way.  

palomar

So I went out today and tried a direct tie, a loop knot, and a snap, and I couldn't really see any significant differences.  They all seemed to work well, so I guess I'll probably just use a direct tie or a snap.  I like the idea of a loop knot, but I have heard of too many people having knot failure with it.

Palomar to a Duo-Loc snap.

Palomar to a Duo-Loc snap.

^

Palomar to a Duo-Loc snap.

2X

Palomar to a Duo-Loc snap.

Works for me...and will allow me to change up without having to retie!!

Thanks

Palomar to a Duo-Loc snap.

Works for me...and will allow me to change up without having to retie!!

Thanks

Ding ding ding...we have a winner.

Why Duo lock snap and not swivel snap?

is duo lock better than swivel?

Snap swivels were not made for attaching baits, they were made for attaching weights to your line.  They complicate the rig, fail often, and foul more often.  We use them when river fishing bottom bounce rigs and slinky weights.

The reason I use a Du-Loc snap is not really to make it easier to change baits, but because the baits action is better and I get to use a Palomar connection, which is a very strong knot.

I use the same for hard rip/jerk baits and cranks.  Over half my baits already have a Duo-loc on the nose.  I cut the split rings off as well - they often cause the bait to run foul, and the knot is stringer when tied to the snap, and will never get caught in the split ring's gap.

Retie after every fish, regardless of line condition.  Check your line and knot every five casts or so, more often if you're fishing heavy cover.  When in doubt, retie.  Don't let convenience trump a solid connection.