How To Use A Barrel Swivel

Allow me to introduce y'all to one of the almost misused and misunderstood saltwater angling tactics known to man…

The Hinge!

We have received numerous questions from our readers (and the Salt Strong Insider Club) regarding the utilize of swivels on fishing leaders while inshore angling.

And later on hearing so many different questions (and some horrible advice that accompanied in some of the comments), nosotros knew nosotros had to make this blog to articulate up when (and when not) to use a hinge.

Here'south a short list of the well-nigh common questions near fishing swivels:

1. Should I use a hinge?
2. If so, where should I place the swivel on the leader assembly?
3. If I use a swivel, what knots should I use to tie a hinge to a leader?

And then this post will address these iii questions in hopes that it helps others become more aware of the pros and cons of swivels along with how to most finer rig them when they're used.

Note: If you lot have any tips you'd like to share almost using swivels, then please use the Comments section at the lesser of this post and so others can acquire from you.

Should Yous Ever Employ A Hinge For Inshore Fishing?

Many anglers have asked nearly using swivels, and the true answer is that information technology all depends on what type of fishing you lot're doing and what sort of bait or lures you're using.

From my experience (lots of inshore line-fishing and a fair amount of offshore fishing), I've found the best results going without swivels in nigh situations.

But at that place are certainly some instances where I believe swivels are necessary, so I admittedly always take at least one swivel in my tackle box at all times.

Since swivels should merely exist used in specific situations, we'll cover those first before diving into the reasons why I believe swivels should exist avoided in most cases farther down in this mail service.

Why It's Better To Not Use Swivels (In Most Cases)

There are multiple benefits to NOT using swivels when it comes to inshore fishing.

Here are the meridian 3 reasons not to use swivels while inshore fishing (in my opinion).

1. Swivels put the more fragile main line at risk of getting weakened

Although the weight of most swivels is minimal, even the smallest amount of weight tin can crusade the master line to drib lower than information technology would with a line to line knot which increases the odds of the lighter main line rubbing up against sharp objects on the bottom.

And when fishing shallow oyster bars with long casts, even the slightest dip of the line beneath the surface can crusade the main line to rub upwardly confronting the very sharp oyster shells which volition create weak points in the line that often aren't known until it'south also late and the biggest fish of the day got off from a broken line.

ii. Swivels tin damage rod guides

I remember the first time I noticed my brand new line looking like it was getting shredded past some sort of underwater structure.

But I was fishing grass flats so there really wasn't anything out there that could practice the damage that I was seeing…

Then I started looking at my rod guides and noticed a slight fracture in the pinnacle ane which was created a abrupt edge inside the guide.

And as my line was getting retrieved, it was getting pulled straight over that precipitous edge which was shredding my line.

After asking around trying to larn how that type of fracture was possible, I realized that a common cause of chipped rod guides is from swivels that get reeled upwardly too far and slam up into the guide.

All it takes is one forceful blow, and the rod tip will demand to be replaced or else your line will become shredded past whatever sharp edges from the fracture.

Not fun!

3. Time – It takes longer to tie ii knots for the swivel than one line-to-line knot

This one is minimal and of course dependent on how comfortable you lot are with line to line knots compared to line to swivel knots, just information technology's however a factor.

And sometimes every second counts when the fish are feeding.

If you are using a swivel considering y'all can't tie a line-to-line line-fishing knot, here is my communication…

Acquire how to tie a solid line-to-line knot (similar the FG knot).

However, if you are in a state of affairs when a swivel really is the best solution, hither are the answers to the other two most popular questions we become about saltwater fishing swivels.

When It'south OK To Employ A Hinge

The cadre do good of a swivel is to prevent your line from twisting, and so situations in which line twists are a chance is when swivels should be used.

Note: Line twists are bad for anglers considering twists tin can weaken the line and they also can cause the line to get itself into knots when casting (ex: those pesky wind knots).

The only situations when I use swivels are:

1. When using a casting lure that is prone to twist during the retrieve (ex: weedless spoon)
2. When trolling live/expressionless baits that are probable to twist (ex: trolling ballyhoo while offshore fishing)
3. When soaking live/dead baits in areas with current

And when using lures/baits that have a depression risk of causing line twists (which is almost ever for most inshore anglers), I'll only utilize my line to line knots to make the connexion… explained below.

Where Should You Place The Swivel?

In the rare instances when you would use a hinge for inshore fishing, here is my advice.

The platonic place to have a swivel (if you're going to use i) is at the summit of the leader… away from your lure/claw.

This allows for the swivel to be on the line to absorb line twists from the bait without being an unsightly bulk right adjacent to the bait that can cause more than fish to get spooked.

Note: If y'all're inshore fishing, so I highly recommend reading a post about tying leaders that I did specifically for inshore anglers (click here).

What Knots To Use For A Swivel?

Before hosting many knot tests over the past year and half since launching Salt Strong, I used to only use whichever knot a trusted friend or family fellow member taught me while growing up.

Considering I thought that as long equally my knots aren't unraveling, then they are the acme choice.

Only I no longer feel that way after seeing firsthand how pregnant one knot's breaking point can exist compared to another knot the didn't slip either (sometimes one is over 30% better than another).

So I at present always recommend for anybody to make fourth dimension to test out knots with whichever line you line to use to make sure that you're maximizing your overall line strength.

Here are links to some of my knot contests which show exactly how to tie the peak knots for each type of connection in case yous'd like to come across the results from my testing:

Line-to-Line Knot Contests

• Complect to Leader
• Mono to Leader

Line to Claw/Lure/Swivel Contests

• Braid to Swivel
• Mono To Claw/Lure/Swivel

Conclusion

There are many applications for swivels in saltwater angling, only when it comes to inshore fishing I've been finding the best results WITHOUT them (except when using lures that are prone to twisting line or offshore fishing when you have a bait that is twisting).

Although a hinge certainly can't preclude all twists from moving up into the main line, they certainly can help prevent some twisting.

And if you lot have a different fishing application where swivels tin can be helpful, then I'd certainly beloved to hear about information technology…

Just use the comments department below then others can benefit from your knowledge besides.

Fish On!

Related Posts:

• How To Necktie A Fishing Leader for Redfish, Snook, and Trout
• How To Make A Grouper Rig That Saves Time, Coin, & Marine Life

P.S. – If you think your angler friends or fishing networks would like to see this, delight Tag them or Share this with them. It would mean a lot to me.

Source: https://www.saltstrong.com/articles/fishing-leader-with-swivel/

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