I spun up some needlefish and decided that I didn't want to put grommets in the belly holes. The first thing a friend of mine says is "where are the grommets?" I feel that they are not that necessary. I'd like to hear what some of you think.

i use them .. With the mamouth cows I haul in, I fear the barrel swivel working on the wood/sealer.. This could be all in my head . I take an extra step and marine epoxy mine in .

no

Depends on my mood if I use them or not.

You guys talked me into it ... will try no grommet next batch of needles ... will try little hole too ..

Thanks guys. The only time I use them are on some of the big swimmer I make. I guess they would be good to use on the softwood like red cedar. Time to go smack some sense into my friend.

I like to use them! I like the finished look! Call me strange but I like to dot all the "i's" and cross the "t's"! It protects the belly hole from getting pounded to heck and I think the fact that you might get a little noise from the swivel hitting the grommet is not a bad thing! Some will say it will enable the fish to leverage the swivel against the edge of the grommet but I have not had one fail yet?! Its all up to the individual.....some like them, some don't!:cool:

Of course I use AYC not a hard wood.

your strange

Hard wood no... soft wood yes... both work with no issues, I prefer to use them to acheive a "finished" look....

I use them on everything.. makes it look all nice and purty:rollem: