I'm just starting to get into crankin' hot n' heavy and really love it. There sure is a huge selection of 'em though. Kinda tough figuring out which ones to buy. Anyway, my question is: I've seen a couple of people using those "quick snap" swivels when fishing cranks to change baits quickly and easily. Do these hinder the bait or the action at all? Are they worth buying to be able to change out without re-tying every time?

I can probably retie as fast as you can re-snap. If not, then we're talking a fraction of a second behind.  Now, are you really losing that much time fishing?  

IMO, stay away from anything attached to your lures except the line attached to your reel.

Are they worth buying to be able to change out without re-tying every time?

If you are lazy enough not to retie oftenly then you are lazy enough not to check the condition of your line looking for signs of wear; then there you are reeling in you crank, a big momma strikes ( doesn 't have to be a big momma ), you pull, she pulls and .......... PRACK !, the line breaks leaving you with the Whiskey Tango Helo face and blaming the line for breaking.

Yes, you can use SNAPS ( not snap swivels ) for your cranks as long as you check the condition of your line oftenly, cut and retie as needed.

Raul pretty much hit the nail on the head. You don't need them.

The quick snaps add another friction breaking point. I have read a long discussion on these boards that many stated the swivels actually make the action better, I can not confirm or deny this. I personally don't use them, but if your going to, make sure to get swivel snaps. I saw Bass Pro Shops® Pro Qualifier Swivels with Snap recommended a few times as well.

The quick snaps add another friction breaking point. I have read a long discussion on these boards that many stated the swivels actually make the action better, I can not confirm or deny this. I personally don't use them, but if your going to, make sure to get swivel snaps. I saw Bass Pro Shops® Pro Qualifier Swivels with Snap recommended a few times as well.

The swivel doesn 't make the action better, the snap does, lots of high quality hard swimbaits do come with a snap, actually they need it to make the bait wobble more freely, the same can be applied to cranks, there are baits that have a better action with a snap ( like the Rapala Original Minnow ).

Checking your line condition frequently looking for signs of wear is something you have to do, doesn 't matter if you tie direct or use a snap, changing baits quickly is no excuse for being lazy.

I 've fished for more than 30 years, the only time I use a snap/swivel combo is when I fish with in-line spinners because those no matter how much the manufacturer claims they still twist the line.

Also, if you are going to use snaps for crying out loud, DON 'T BUY "EL CHEAPO" !

Well there ya go I learned something new as well. Thanks for clearing that up Raul err Yoda  ;D, I had thought the swivel allowed a better side to side or roll action.

X2 on don't use cheap swivels. I bought a pack the other day, and the first time I used a panfish a stinkin' panfish snapped one in two. The snap was gone, only the swivel was left. It must have been perch or some such because this pond I was fishing hasn't had bass stocked yet.

instead of using a snap , why not tie a loop/rapala knot?

i personally dont tie them because ive never been able to tie them right , but every crank i cast , the action is just fine with a uni or palomar knot.

Raul knows.

Use a high quality SNAP (NO SWIVELS) on your cranks. I prefer to remove the split ring on my cranks when I'm using a snap (which is 99.9% of the time).

Snap to line-tie = optimized action.

Tying directly to line-tie = inhibited action.

This is a fact....so use a high quality snap, or directly to a split ring for optimal action.

You can use loop-knots if you want - I only use them on very small, very light baits. I think it's inferior to a snap when you start getting into normal sized bass lures and conditions.

Crosslock snaps are the strongest, surest connection to your lure. They aren't quite as easy to use as duo-locks, but they can't pull apart, and they can be had in smaller, lighter configurations that work great for finesse cranking.

Anybody who says a snap is a "weak link" either doesn't buy good snaps or is inexperienced at using them.