i only have one rod and reel and i fish alot of tournaments but i dont know what i should do , because i am constantly fishing different forms of cover and i need to use different lures , but i dont know if i should use a snap swivel or what. what should i do?

You have a couple of options:

1. Buy more rods for specific applications while on the water. Even if you buy 1-2 lower end rods and reels a year it won't take long to have alot of rods. I've bought several  $60 diawa combos on sale that work really good at BPS

2. Learn how to tie knots quicker  

3. Use a swivel, personally I don't like to cause it gives me one more thing to blame when I break a fish off , and some  guys would even tell you that it will take action away from some of your baits.

4. Be specific about what you are going to fish, which means you might have to passs up several fishy spots in order to get to one that will fish what you have rigged.

Just my 2 cents worth

Harshman

Whenever I got serious about bass fishing I too only had the one rod/reel combo. I would use a snap swivel and then started buying some lower line stuff along. After I had collected about a dozen lower end rod/reel combos I started upgrading its been a few years now but I have upgraded em all and still have the other "just in case", backups I guess you could call em.

I AGREE WITH BASSMASTER.....BUY LOWER END STUFF AND SLOWLY BUY A NEWER HIGHEND COMBO EVERY YEAR OR WHEN YA HAVE THE MONEY.

What type of rod do you have right now? If I was fishing a tournament, I'm pretty sure that I could make it through with only two rods if I had to. I'd say a 7' MH Baitcaster, and a 6'6" M Spinning. These two will handle almost anything you need for a day of bassin'.

I always tie directly to the lure, and so tying and retying is just part of the daily routine for me. I am constantly retying after any decent fish, hangup, or the notice of any line wear, and so, for me, a snap swivel wouldn't really help me out too much. It may be a little time consuming, but it can mean the difference between being in the money and not in a tourney for sure.

When I go out, I try to leave with a plan. Consider keying in on one or two forms of structure or cover that you think will hold bass. This will limit the types of lures you are using, and you won't have to be constantly changing baits.

If money is a reason for not buying a rod and reel and you need to fish, i would stay with just snaps NOT swivel snaps.

What type of rod do you have right now? If I was fishing a tournament, I'm pretty sure that I could make it through with only two rods if I had to. I'd say a 7' MH Baitcaster, and a 6'6" M Spinning. These two will handle almost anything you need for a day of bassin'.

I always tie directly to the lure, and so tying and retying is just part of the daily routine for me. I am constantly retying after any decent fish, hangup, or the notice of any line wear, and so, for me, a snap swivel wouldn't really help me out too much. It may be a little time consuming, but it can mean the difference between being in the money and not in a tourney for sure.

When I go out, I try to leave with a plan. Consider keying in on one or two forms of structure or cover that you think will hold bass. This will limit the types of lures you are using, and you won't have to be constantly changing baits.

thanks for the help