There’s often a lot of debate among anglers about whether or not to use a swivel with a lure. We were also of the opinion that pro anglers don’t typically use swivels. But since we were working on this article, we decided to test it ourselves. Our conclusion? Using a swivel does offer some benefits, and you should consider using one with your lure.

However, we’ll also share the opinions of other anglers and explain why you should use a swivel, as well as the advantages we noticed after testing it.

What is a Swivel?

A swivel is a small device used in fishing to prevent the fishing line from twisting. It consists of one eye, hole, or ring on each end of a pivoting center, allowing attached items to rotate freely. Common types of swivels include barrel, crane, rolling, and ball bearing swivels.

Each type serves a specific purpose and offers different levels of performance and durability. Barrel swivels are the most basic and affordable, while ball bearing swivels are known for their smooth rotation and high strength.

Barrel swivels are typically used for lighter fishing and are best suited for calm waters where there isn’t a lot of movement. They are cost-effective and easy to find, making them a popular choice for casual anglers. Crane swivels offer slightly better rotation and durability, making them suitable for moderate fishing conditions.

Rolling swivels are more advanced, providing smoother rotation and better strength, ideal for heavier fishing where line twists are more likely. Ball bearing swivels are the top choice for serious anglers. These swivels have internal ball bearings that ensure the smoothest rotation and highest strength, perfect for heavy-duty fishing in challenging conditions.

Pros and Cons of Using Swivels (Based On Our Testing)

Pros

Prevents Line Twisting

Swivels are particularly useful when using lures that spin, such as spinners and spoons. They prevent the fishing line from twisting, which can save you from a lot of headaches on the water.

Line twists can weaken your line, causing knots and reducing your chances of a successful catch. By allowing the lure to spin freely, swivels keep the main line straight and intact, which is crucial when dealing with species that put up a strong fight.

Quick Lure Changes

Swivels make it easy to change lures quickly. If you’re testing different lures to see what the fish are biting on that day, a swivel can save you time and effort. This convenience is especially valuable in competitive fishing or when time is limited.

Instead of retying knots every time you switch lures, you can simply clip a new lure onto the swivel, keeping you in the action longer and increasing your chances of a successful catch.

Useful in Strong Currents

They help keep the line stable in strong currents. Strong currents can cause your line to twist and tangle, but a swivel helps maintain the integrity of your setup.

In fast-moving waters, a swivel can make the difference between a successful fishing trip and a frustrating tangle of line. It allows the lure to move naturally with the current without causing the line to twist, ensuring your setup stays effective and tangle-free.

Effective with Active Fish

Swivels are beneficial when fishing for species that twist and turn aggressively, like catfish. These fish can put a lot of stress on your line, and a swivel can help manage this, preventing line breakage.

Active fish species are known for their strong, erratic movements, which can easily twist and weaken a line without a swivel. By absorbing some of the stress and rotation, a swivel improves your chances of landing these challenging catches.

Cons

Weaken Main Line

Swivels can add extra weight, causing the main line to drop and potentially weaken it by rubbing against sharp objects. This can be a significant drawback, especially when fishing in areas with a lot of underwater obstructions.

The added weight can also affect the casting distance and accuracy of your lure. It’s important to consider the type of fishing you are doing and the conditions of the water when deciding whether to use a swivel.

Potential Rod Guide Damage

Swivels can damage rod guides if reeled in too far, leading to line shredding. This can be an expensive mistake, as damaged guides need to be replaced to maintain the performance of your rod. Proper use and awareness of your equipment are essential to avoid this issue. Always ensure the swivel doesn’t come into contact with the rod guides during retrieval.

Extra Hardware

Additional hardware can sometimes spook fish and increase the risk of snagging. Fish can be wary of unusual items in the water, and a bulky swivel might deter them from biting.

In clear water or when targeting particularly cautious species, the presence of a swivel might be enough to reduce your chances of a bite. It’s important to weigh the benefits of using a swivel against the potential drawbacks in terms of fish behavior and the specific conditions of your fishing environment.

Situations When Swivels are Beneficial

Using Spinning Lures

Spinning lures are designed to create a lot of movement and flash in the water to attract fish. This spinning action, while effective at drawing in fish, also causes significant line twist.

Without a swivel, this twist can build up and cause severe tangles, making your fishing experience frustrating and potentially damaging your equipment. By using a swivel, you allow the lure to perform its intended action without the negative side effect of line twist, ensuring a smoother and more enjoyable fishing experience.

Trolling

Trolling is a popular technique for covering large areas of water and targeting a variety of fish species. However, the constant movement of the bait, combined with the boat’s motion, can quickly twist your line. This can lead to knots and weak points that reduce your chances of landing a fish.

A swivel acts as a buffer, allowing the bait to move naturally while preventing the line from twisting. This ensures that your setup remains effective throughout the trolling session, increasing your chances of a successful catch.

Fishing in Strong Currents

Fishing in strong currents presents unique challenges, as the water’s movement can cause your line to twist and tangle quickly. This not only makes fishing more difficult but can also weaken your line and reduce its effectiveness.

By using a swivel, you allow the line to move naturally with the current without becoming twisted or tangled. This ensures that your setup remains stable and effective, allowing you to focus on fishing rather than dealing with line issues.

Dealing with Active Fish

Active fish species are notorious for their strong, erratic movements, which can quickly twist and weaken your line. Without a swivel, this stress can lead to line breakage, reducing your chances of landing these challenging fish. By using a swivel, you provide a point of rotation that absorbs some of the stress and prevents the line from twisting.

This ensures that your line remains strong and intact, increasing your chances of a successful catch and making the overall fishing experience more enjoyable.

Situations When to Avoid Using Swivels

Inshore Fishing

Inshore fishing often involves navigating waters with a lot of underwater structure, such as rocks, coral, and submerged vegetation. These structures can easily damage your line if it comes into contact with them. A swivel can cause the line to droop, increasing the chances of it rubbing against these sharp objects.

This can weaken the line and lead to breakages, reducing your chances of a successful catch. When fishing in these conditions, it’s often better to avoid using a swivel and instead focus on maintaining a tight line to minimize contact with underwater obstructions.

Using Certain Lures

Certain types of lures are designed to have a specific action that mimics the natural movement of prey. This action is crucial to their effectiveness in attracting fish. Adding a swivel to your setup can interfere with this action, making the lure move unnaturally and reducing its appeal to fish.

For example, spinnerbaits and jigheads rely on a precise movement to attract bites. A swivel can disrupt this movement, making the lure less effective. When using these types of lures, it’s often better to avoid a swivel to ensure the lure performs as intended.

Fishing in Weedy Areas

Fishing in weedy areas presents unique challenges, as the vegetation can easily get caught on your fishing gear. A swivel can act as a magnet for weeds, collecting plant matter and debris as you retrieve your line. This not only creates a mess but can also interfere with the lure’s action, making it less effective in attracting fish.

The added weight and bulk of the weeds can also make casting and retrieving more difficult. When fishing in these conditions, it’s often better to avoid using a swivel to minimize the risk of collecting weeds and ensure your lure performs as intended.

How to Effectively Use Swivels?

Placement on the Leader

Proper placement of the swivel is crucial to ensuring it performs effectively without interfering with your lure’s action. Placing the swivel at the top of the leader, away from the lure, allows it to absorb line twists without adding bulk near the bait.

This ensures that the lure can move naturally, maintaining its effectiveness in attracting fish. Additionally, positioning the swivel further up the line helps distribute the weight more evenly, reducing the risk of the line drooping and coming into contact with underwater obstructions.

Choosing the Right Swivel

Choosing the right swivel is essential to ensuring it performs effectively and lasts a long time. High-quality swivels are made from durable materials that resist corrosion and wear, ensuring they remain strong and reliable even in challenging conditions. It’s important to choose a swivel that matches the strength of your fishing line and the type of fishing you are doing.

For example, if you are fishing in saltwater, it’s important to choose a swivel that is resistant to corrosion to ensure it performs well over time. Additionally, choosing a swivel that is appropriately rated for the size and strength of your line ensures it can handle the stress of your fishing setup without breaking.

Knots for Swivels

The type of knot you use to tie your swivel can significantly impact its performance and reliability. Certain knots are better suited for tying swivels, providing a strong and secure connection that ensures your swivel stays attached to your line.

The FG knot is highly recommended for line-to-line connections, providing a strong and reliable connection that can handle the stress of heavy fishing. Other knots, such as the Palomar knot and the Improved Clinch knot, can also be used for tying swivels, but it’s important to test them to ensure they provide maximum line strength.

A strong knot is essential to ensuring your swivel stays securely attached to your line, providing reliable performance in challenging conditions.

Can You Use a Swivel With a Crankbait?

You can use a swivel with a crankbait, but it’s important to understand its impact on the lure’s action. Crankbaits are designed to mimic the natural swimming motion of baitfish with a precise wobble and diving movement.

Adding a swivel can disrupt this by introducing an extra point of rotation, leading to a less natural, erratic motion that may reduce its appeal to fish. The swivel’s weight can also affect the crankbait’s buoyancy and diving depth, making it run shallower or deeper than intended.

However, using a swivel can be beneficial in certain situations, like when dealing with significant line twists from strong currents or specific types of fishing lines prone to twisting. In such cases, opt for a high-quality, low-profile swivel that minimizes interference with the crankbait’s action.

Placing the swivel further up the line, away from the lure, helps maintain the crankbait’s natural movement while still reducing line twist. This approach ensures you get the best performance from your crankbait while addressing any line twist issues effectively.

Expert Opinions and Fish Chart’s Angler’s Experiences

We took part in different conversations on fishing forums and Facebook groups and here’s what we’ve found about using swivels with the Fishing lures.