to snap or not to snap

[RIJIMMY]

I was just rummaging around teh SWE webs site and came upon an article by Steve McKenna about artificials.
I noted the following
"Furthermore, I would strongly recommend connecting your running line to shocker with a high quality ball bearing barrel swivel (color-black). This will prevent line twist which which can be a nightmare, particularly with spinning outfits. Also, at the other end of the shocker trace, tie on a top shelf snap, also in color black. This will aid in chnging lures and will provide added action to your artificials."

I tie a bunch of leaders with just a barrel swivel and always tie direct, unless using a spook. I've always beleived that the snap would deter a fish from hitting the lure, perhaps that is stupid since the big trebles hanging off the lure do not affect them. So, if its good for Steve, it must be ok. Its just going to bug me if I do it and confidence in your offering is a big part of it for me, what do others do?

[t.orlando]

I always use a snap. Only use Breakaways now, have mangled all others(not even on large fish either)

[Bronko]

Originally Posted by t.orlando

I always use a snap. Only use Breakaways now, have mangled all others(not even on large fish either)

Ditto. Breakaways only for me, been that way for a couple of years. IMO the best clip there is.

Also, I think you are right on with the "treble" thought process. If they are gonna crush it with 3 sets of VMC's dangling off it, the breakaway clip ain't gonna make a difference.

[Clogston29]

i always use a snap with plugs. coastlock with large plugs, small breakaways and duolocks with smaller plugs (bombers, etc.). I feel that the fish I miss because they see the snap balance out the fish that I catch because I was able to change lures quickly and easily. if I tied direct, I'd end up leaving a plug on longer than I should out of laziness. if I did more daytime site fishing, I'd probably ditch the snap and lighten the leader, but at night, I've never noticed a problem.

oh, by the way, the smaller breakaways and duolocks will break your heart, but I use them anyway and just try to be careful and pray. lost one of the biggest fish that I've hooked to a straightened duolock in the wash.

[striperman36]

I alway use a snap regardless. Breakaways for sure. Have broken every other one.

[Flaptail]

What's good for another may not be good for you. I use a breakaway kwik link connector, never had an issue and certainly no failures like sampo or coastline snaps did. I used to use ball bearing swivels but they are a. too expensive and b. A Krok ss swivel works just as good if not better as they don't corrode as fast.

Tying direct is essential in some applications like excessive fire in the water or moonlit nights. I do way with both swivel and snap/connector on nights the fire is heavy and lessen the leader pound test as well.

But these are from my experience, there are many other ways to accomplish the same thing and some may be better. It what works for you.

Just because someone writes an article don't take it as gospel. It's thier personal experience, yours will be different and if whatever way your rigging works for you, as they say, don't fix it. Writers give advice based on thier experience, I do it, I am sure Steve does the same but you may know something we don't which I find is more common than one could know as there are thousands of ways to rig and take bass, to say one is better than another can only be based on ones experience and there is always something to learn thats what I love about sharing tactics and technique.

[ThrowingTimber]

if the 4/0 trebles dangling off the lure arent a deterant to the fish strking...... why would a snap be? now if you're fishing albies, tuna etc its a whole diff ball game, but bass and blues should be np.

[fishaholic18]

Originally Posted by ThrowingTimber

if the 4/0 trebles dangling off the lure arent a deterant to the fish strking...... why would a snap be?

Thats what I figure too Vic.
Although, I usually tie direct, no snap or swivel(just a matter of pref.). I hardly ever have a line twist problem. I primarily use 50# PP with a mono shock leader tied with an albrite knot.

[LeCounts1099]

I always use a snap when plugging... as my surf- bag is my palette & I'm always painting as I cast my various different color & shape offerings!

That is, starting out at least! IF the bite on a certain night on a certain plug or lure is hot-- then I'll cut off the snap & direct- attach that plug to my 50 lb. leader... that's why ALL my plugs get a split- ring on the front loop/ eye! You don't want to direct- attach most plugs to leader minus that split as it can & will hurt most lures' action usually if you do...


Too... I eschew the highly- popular Breakaways (man, does that name scare me!)... for a much bigger/ over- sized Crosslock- type! A MUCH bigger size snap than I see 99.5% of other guys use!


The bottom line: I've found absolutely NO evidence that X- largish (black!) snaps turn off Bass, esp. night- time (but not even daytime really-- esp. when the water is roiled / cloudy as it should be if you're pluggin' daytime!)

AND: whereas early on I lost 1- 3 big fish per year to snap- failure/ openings with "common size/ type" snaps... Now I'm going on 8 years or so since I made the switch to oversized-- and I've not lost one fish to a snap opening/ failing since! (And yes, I still do manage to land-- & release!-- my share of Large every year!)

[RIJIMMY]

I change plugs regularly but always re-tied. I am used to doing it in the dark. After a few plugs, the leader would be too small and I'd get a new one. Sounds like I may be simplifying this year. thanks

[JLH]

Lost a nice fish to a snap straightening out, since then I always tie direct... If I am worried about dampening the action I'll add a split ring to the plug and tie to that. May have to check out the breakaway snaps if you guys are having good luck with those.

[emgred]

Breakaways - work great!!