i know how to do 3 knots with precise perfection all i need to know,,,  the rapala knot ,the trilene and the uni

snap swivels etc scare the snot out of me. i have always had a fear they might come undone or fail if you happen to get a really good fish on. has anyone ever had such a thing happen?

robbie

Well for a few decades now it hasn't happened to me, I ll post it the day it happens ;D

snap swivels etc scare the snot out of me. i have always had a fear they might come undone or fail if you happen to get a really good fish on. has anyone ever had such a thing happen?

robbie

Yes I have, but it wasn't the snaps fault.  I have a real bad habit of not retying often enough, especially with a snap. And the little hook end of a snap will start to fail by increasing the angle of the bend as the pressure put on it by the pull of the fish and the lure itself is a weak point in its design.  What I do is bend the hook part so the angle is less then 90 degrees, and I check it through out the day, adjusting as necessary. I also cut and throw out bent up snaps as needed, and I always replace the snap before the next trip out.  As far as knots go, a Palomar knot is great simply because the line goes through the snap twice.  

for cranks and jerks, i always tie a UNI to a snap. works great. I only use the UNI knot actually.