To snap, or not to snap? - Striper Talk Striped Bass Fishing, Surfcasting, Boating

tlapinski · 05-02-2005, 06:55 AM

Many fishermen make a big deal over tying direct vs. using a snap. I, for one, used to go with the smallest, strongest snaps I could find as I was extremely caught up on the idea that the bass would be turned off by the sight of a big snap connected to the front of my plug. At times I would even go as far as to tie my leader directly to the plug when I felt the fish were "finicky". My thoughts on this changed one day when I was holding some plugs up to the sky to get a better feeling of the sillouette the fish would see as the plug worked its way across the surface. There it was staring me in the face. 2 big sets of 4/0 treble hooks dangling from the plug. Why would I worry about a tiny 1" snap on the front of the plug looking un-natural, if there is a pair of un-natural hooks hanging from the belly and tail of the plug?

So, why all the worry about a snap turning off a fish, when the hooks seem to be less natural? Do you agree or disagree with this thought? Was I just staring at the sun too long that day?

RIROCKHOUND · 05-02-2005, 07:00 AM

Toby..
Started using breakways with no problem... I agree trebbles are way more visable..

Our mutual quiet friend was doing a job last year using a big rosco snap on his needlefish.....

and he schooled me many nights....

B

Karl F · 05-02-2005, 07:02 AM

Totally agree, I've thought the same thing for years, small snap versus all the ather Hardware

Only arguement that might have some merit is change in action, of snap versus direct.... but, that ain't been proved to me yet.

Slipknot · 05-02-2005, 07:07 AM

I'm with Karl and the only concern for me is the size of the snap effecting the action of the plug. A fish will be less concerned about a big snap, and actually on needles that appear to imitate an actual needlefish, it may be a good thing to have a long snap on the front.

piemma · 05-02-2005, 07:11 AM

my preference is to tie direct. It probably doesn't makea big difference but it's like one plug you use all the time. If you faith in it, then it works. I just have more faith in tying direct. I have fished right beside RIRockhound out on a certain reef and he was using a snap. Didn't make a damn bit of difference. We both caught a ton of good fish.

bloocrab · 05-02-2005, 07:14 AM

Slip, I can't see it changing the action at all, if we're talking about the snap at the connection point between the leader and the main line. If the leader starts from the same point of origin (the knot on the snap, not the size of the snap)...then the action shouldn't change....I would think, but if we're talking about the snap at the plug, sure it will add a little weight to the lure due to how close it is to the plug, also slightly affecting the action...like adding a little more to the lip

Slingah · 05-02-2005, 10:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Slipknot

I'm with Karl and the only concern for me is the size of the snap effecting the action of the plug. A fish will be less concerned about a big snap, and actually on needles that appear to imitate an actual needlefish, it may be a good thing to have a long snap on the front.

amen

bloocrab · 05-03-2005, 12:37 AM

This idiot read the question wrong and had to edit all his posts...

When tying direct, give yourself an extra foot (1') of extra leader for at least 3 lure changes. You'll lose that much because some of the line near the lure may get damaged, fish/rocks depending on structure...That should hold for an average night...unless you have a lot of time to fish that night...bring a spool

Again, I apologize, that must have seemed like I was being a smart

...I wasn't, I just mis-read the question

tlapinski · 05-03-2005, 06:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bloocrab

Again, I apologize, that must have seemed like I was being a smart

...I wasn't, I just mis-read the question

You? Sounding smart? Never...

As far as straighteneing snaps, I had it happen enough on the duo-locks and cross-locks to make me look for another alternative. That was what brought me to try the Breakaways. I heard some very good things from several respected members of this site on them, and have not turned back since I started using them. So far I have only straightened one of the smaller clips, and that was on a jig attatched to a rock. The only lure I have not been able to use the breakaways with is a tin. The large amount of metal around the eye hole does not lend towards the use of the Breakaways. I have tried to put a split ring on the nose of some tins, but they usually get bent out of shape. I keep a couple duo-locks on hand now for when I throw tins.

bloocrab · 05-02-2005, 07:11 AM

Toby...

When using a snap to connect the leader to the main line, I've actually used larger snaps and threw on a teaser and clamped her down tighter, never had a problem landing fish with large snaps......
But - For some reason I attract too many bluefish up this way..and if you look at it from a different light....meaning your plug chasing this small object a few feet infront of it (the snap), the bigger that object the more attention it will draw...if you find yourself in a school of Bloooos, and I've seen this while bridge fishing (aerial view - you learn alot)...the bloo's get attracted to the snap if there's already a blooo on the plug, guess where they're hitting next.... I've switched to breakaways myself...for the better part anyway. When fish are on the feed, they'll hit anything. I wouldn't worry about size...I'd worry about sharp teeth on the leader - my opinion.

tlapinski · 05-02-2005, 07:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Karl F

Only arguement that might have some merit is change in action, of snap versus direct.... but, that ain't been proved to me yet.

The only time I have really noticed this is on the lighter plastic swimmers like Red Fins and smaller bombers. A big snap kept the nose down a bit more and deadened the side to side action. Also had some snaps turn a small floater into a slow sinker. I have used the smaller breakaway snaps for about a season now and I have not noticed any negative effects.

Slipknot · 05-02-2005, 07:19 AM

Bloo, maybe it's the combo of the heavier flouro I would use with a bigger snap??? Can't expect to get the same action with the small mambo with a large breakaway snap on 40 lb flouro as I would with a small snap on 25 lb leader. I know what you mean about the point of pull, but it adds weight.

bloocrab · 05-02-2005, 07:28 AM

With your scenario, I agree totally....

With the snap at the connection point, I'd be a bit more concerned over the thickness/strenght of the line than the size of the snap in affecting the action. Not only does the line get thicker/heavier with added #/test...but it doesn't cut through the water as easily, thus weighing it down even more by adding more resistance. This will intensify as you slow down on your retrieve.

SeaWolf · 05-02-2005, 08:21 AM

the only time i will use a snap is when i think i will be changing lures from time to time during the course of a fishing that day/night. i've learned my lesson on duolocks after having in the period of a few months a couple fish straighten them right out - plug and fish, bye-bye. those were 54's. i leave one of the straightened ones on my mirror as a reminder to never use them again. now, it's breakaways.

ok, toby, how about that 80# leader we use? except on a ultra calm night or full moon, i could care less about using a leader that big.

Maloney · 05-02-2005, 11:53 AM

Back to the old WMI days, and Bassdozer's use of the biggest coastlock...big as a New York cockroach...on everything including the smallest jigs.

t.orlando · 05-02-2005, 01:56 PM

I've always used snaps.