How to Use a Snap Swivel

Snap swivels are good for hooking lures to fishing line.

Many anglers who fish with artificial lures enjoy trying a wide variety of lures, but do not like retying their line every time they change lures. For those fishermen, there are snap swivels, which reduce line twist and make it easy to change lures. The best time to use snap swivels is when the fish are biting aggressively. When they are not, fish may be turned off by the metal in front of the lure.

Things You'll Need

• Lure
• Snap swivel
• Rod and reel
• Line

Instructions

1. Decide what fish species you are targeting. Snap swivels are available in a variety of sizes and strengths. The smallest swivels work for small species like crappies and sunfish, but if your targets are muskies or northern pike, you will want the strongest snap swivel you can find.

2. Tie the swivel to the end of the fish line using a Palomar knot (see Resources).

3. Press on the snap to open it. Thread the eye of the lure onto the snap, then press the snap closed to secure the lure.

4. Change lures by pressing the snap open and removing the snap from the eye of the lure. Thread the snap through the eye of the new lure, and press the snap closed.

References

• Field and Stream: How to Pick the Right Snap-Swivel

Resources

• Animated Knots: The Palomar Knot