Northwest Fishing Reports

I'm just getting into bass fishing this summer, and I really only have one rod and reel to fish with right now. Its a good all around setup and I'm comfortable with using it for casting as well as drop shotting and other setups (even though I know that's not ideal).

I was planning to set it up with a swivel clip on the end of the line so I can still swap out lures quickly and easily without having to cut the line and re-tie it every time I want to try something different. I was even planning to keep a drop shot rig with a surgeons knot loop about a foot above the hook/bait, so I could easily snap it on and off as well.

Does anyone know if this is a good or bad idea? Will the swivel clip mess up the action on certain types of lures? Or would the clip on the drop shot rig scare away the fish when they see the small extra piece of metal in the water?

Any advice on bass fishing with just one set of gear is greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

I'd avoid the swivel and take the time to re-tie your lures. You'll have to retie anyways when swtiching from cranks to say a worm hook.

I've been fishing with 1 bass pole up until this year, its very do able.

Yes and no. You need to keep in mind that not all lures will be effected the same way by the snap swivel. The drop shot rig, spinner bait or spoon is about all I would hook up to a snap swivel. The rest I'd tie directly or for plugs/swimbaits use a quality double snap, no swivel.

Thanks for the advice and the quick replies. G-man's advice on when to use a swivel makes sense to me now that I think about it a little bit more. I guess I'll just need to get out there this weekend and try some different things out, see what works and see what looks right or wrong in the water. I could probably use the practice on my knots too...

Thanks again!

A lot of the spinner baits you are not able to use a snap swivel... I would never put more hardware on then NEEDED just more for the fish to look at. The more you bass fish with 1 pole the faster and better you will be at tying knots. You will only miss a cast or 2 for every switch.

Don't cut yourself short of learning your knots by taking the "easy-way" out and using a swivel,..IMHO a swivel will just add 2 the issues that you will face in your Bassin experience,..I agree with Taz and all the rest,..definately learn your knots,..it dosen't take 2 much time away from your casting and it will improve your skills as well as aid in giving you some of the confidence that ALL Bassers need on the water,..switching from bait-2-bait with ease using a variety of knots will most asuredly make you feel that you are becoming the Angler that you want 2 be,..also while others watch what you do and trust me they will, they will see an Angler using the skills he/she has learned over time and that will also add 2 your confidence on the water,..put in the time and catch a HOG!

TGL-BB

I'm all for being efficient and taking good short cuts that make sense, but you will thank yourself later if you take the time to retie. I fished for the longest time with one setup for everything. Don't go lazy on yourself.

If you are referring a swivel snap, that is risky. If can pop open at any time and you can lose your lure or worse yet, a nice-sized fish.

You don't NEED multiple setups to bass fish. While they can come in handy, the advantage of using only one rig is there is less to lug around unless you have a rod quiver. :batman:

Snap swivels will kill the action on lures also. If you can save money, try buying another rig.

just remember to re-tie your line after a few fish =)

howardi211 wrote:just remember to re-tie your line after a few fish =)

AND check the knot and line;

after running the lure thru grass, rocks, over/around docks/pilings,

after a number of casts, no set number, just when you think of it, say 20 casts, depending on the quality of line, and how old the line is/how long it's been on the reel.

as they all can fray the line or cause the knot to tighten more and then cause the line or knot to break.

Personaly I check the knot after EVERY big fish, even with brand new line with a brand new knot, I'm sure you can imagine the pressure a big fish puts on the knot, not to mention the shock and pressure of the hookset.

I retie after every good fish, and after two or three smaller ones. Only takes a second, plus I like the added insurance of knowing it's a good knot...(hopefully) LOL

kzoo wrote:Snap swivels will kill the action on lures also. If you can save money, try buying another rig.

I see you are in Seattle... You should let me sell you a bait caster that has hardly been used, maybe 2x. Manafactured by Lamiglass specificly for the now defunct Joe's. Guides Choice, North X Northwest NWG70ULC 7' 0" line wt. 2-8lb test, lure wt. 1/8- 1/2 oz, Ultra light. 2 piece. $25.00

This is more a sidebar than a true opinion.

I use swivels on my gear and catch at about 90+% of someone tied. In a tournament boat with tournament fishermen I tend to hook up just slightly less often, where he may pick two extra fish over my catch during the day if we use the same gear tied v. swiveled.

I keep a swivel on because unlike most bass guys, I regularly switch fish species throughout the day. Mornings for bass, midday for crappie and perch, late in the afternoon maybe bang around for a salmon, and at dusk bass and crappie. Another issue is that we regularly troll, where retying lures can be the difference between trolling through the school and missing the bite.

The Thumb and I use different tactics than most, and that requires the swivels.

Again, listen to those above unless circumstances dictate what you do.

E

There is no wrong way to do it but if u use a swivel on a crank just take the split ring off and u shouldnt have any problems with the action. And for spinnerbaits that have the hair pin style just take a small rubber piece from some tubing and slip it on the eye of the spinner bait then hook your swivel to it and it wont slide on u when u cast. Also as far as worms go u can use a swivel just tie a leader with your worm hook and weight below the swivel. But again there is no wrong way. Good fishin

Fishing with one pole for bassing is very do-able! I think it's better to have 2 though. 1 for plastics/jigs and another for crank baits/spinners. Just my idea.

I know what ya mean tho, re-tie and cutting line over and over through out a trip is annoying when you have to switch up gear! But, I would just cut the line and re-tie rather than do the swivel, etc.. To each his own..

lonnie197272 wrote:There is no wrong way to do it but if u use a swivel on a crank just take the split ring off and u shouldnt have any problems with the action. And for spinnerbaits that have the hair pin style just take a small rubber piece from some tubing and slip it on the eye of the spinner bait then hook your swivel to it and it wont slide on u when u cast. Also as far as worms go u can use a swivel just tie a leader with your worm hook and weight below the swivel. But again there is no wrong way. Good fishin

The only way to fish worms with a spinning reel is to use a small swivel a few inches up from the hook. Otherwise the plastic will spin and flip weird in the water and it ruins the action imo.