When and how to use a snap for hard baits?

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by eric mccarthy on March 10, 2011 at 6:23pm

Jake I really like the rapala loop knot I use it on all my hardbaits and toss the o ring.

Permalink Reply by Zackery Shaff on March 10, 2011 at 7:46pm

I like to use a snap because it allows me to change baits quickly on the water. Just making this easier actually makes me change colors/styles more often during the day and I think it makes me more adaptive to conditions than if I just tied to the split ring. When I use a snap, I prefer to remove the split ring for aesthetics, but I have to admit I am lazy sometimes and just put it on anyways. Action does not seem to be adversely affected by the snap alone, or the snap and split ring, on crankbaits. I do not use a snap on jerkbaits because I am worried about throwing off the wieght and action, but I haven't tried it, so IDK. I like to use a snap in lieu of the rapala knot some guys use on walking baits, but do not use a snap or split ring on poppers. I have not run into particular cranks where a snap doesn't work, but I wouldn't doubt there are some. Make sure to get high quality snaps though, don't want to lose a monster due to a cheap snap.

Permalink Reply by Jeff Grimes on March 10, 2011 at 8:12pm

I personally do not use snaps.....I feel that it affects the action of the baits.  About the only crankbait I leave the snap on is a Speed trap.  I may be wrong, but I feel that it affects the action of most of the baits.  

 

JEff

Permalink Reply by Ronald Hobbs, Jr. on March 10, 2011 at 9:00pm

I don't like to use snaps when I am fishing alot of grass, they catch snot and grass more than the split ring.  I do prefer to use the snaps when I can get away with it. It is way easier to change baits.  Some baits have a recessed line tie and this makes it hard to use a snap, something like a lucky craft staysee, but for the most part a snap is not going to adversely affect your bait, this being said use the right snaps for the right baits.  Don't think you are going to get away with a 200# snap on your cranks.  For the most part with jerkbaits I will stay with the split rings as well.

 

Stick with o rings or tie direct with your topwaters, you don't need the extra weight up front.

Permalink Reply by Pat on March 10, 2011 at 9:10pm

when i use a snap i prefer the norman speed snap light and strong

this is just in case anyone cares what i have to say

 

Permalink Reply by Ronald Hobbs, Jr. on March 10, 2011 at 9:46pm

That one works awesome as well, you just have to make sure you have the right size for the line weight are using.

Pat said:

when i use a snap i prefer the norman speed snap light and strong

this is just in case anyone cares what i have to say

 

Permalink Reply by Pat on March 10, 2011 at 10:33pm

explain?

Ronald Hobbs, Jr. said:

That one works awesome as well, you just have to make sure you have the right size for the line weight are using.

Pat said:

when i use a snap i prefer the norman speed snap light and strong

this is just in case anyone cares what i have to say

 

Permalink Reply by Zackery Shaff on March 11, 2011 at 1:53am

Good points abt the grass and topwaters. I also notice more slime and grass gets caught in snaps. For the walking baits, my fav brand comes with a snap, so its weighted properly with it. May affect the opinion on this.

Ronald Hobbs, Jr. said:

I don't like to use snaps when I am fishing alot of grass, they catch snot and grass more than the split ring.  I do prefer to use the snaps when I can get away with it. It is way easier to change baits.  Some baits have a recessed line tie and this makes it hard to use a snap, something like a lucky craft staysee, but for the most part a snap is not going to adversely affect your bait, this being said use the right snaps for the right baits.  Don't think you are going to get away with a 200# snap on your cranks.  For the most part with jerkbaits I will stay with the split rings as well.

 

Stick with o rings or tie direct with your topwaters, you don't need the extra weight up front.

Permalink Reply by Ronald Hobbs, Jr. on March 11, 2011 at 7:16am

True that would change my opinion, on it, but I know for a fact that snaps don't work well on any kind of popper.

Zackery Shaff said:

Good points abt the grass and topwaters. I also notice more slime and grass gets caught in snaps. For the walking baits, my fav brand comes with a snap, so its weighted properly with it. May affect the opinion on this.

Ronald Hobbs, Jr. said:

I don't like to use snaps when I am fishing alot of grass, they catch snot and grass more than the split ring.  I do prefer to use the snaps when I can get away with it. It is way easier to change baits.  Some baits have a recessed line tie and this makes it hard to use a snap, something like a lucky craft staysee, but for the most part a snap is not going to adversely affect your bait, this being said use the right snaps for the right baits.  Don't think you are going to get away with a 200# snap on your cranks.  For the most part with jerkbaits I will stay with the split rings as well.

 

Stick with o rings or tie direct with your topwaters, you don't need the extra weight up front.

Permalink Reply by Ronald Hobbs, Jr. on March 11, 2011 at 7:20am

The norman speed clips come in different sizes, the small little ones don't work well at all with baits like LV- 500 the bait is too heavy for it and the spring like lock mechanism actually can open up, I would use the heavier of the speed clips.  This being said if I am going to use any pound test heavier than 10 I would use the heavier speed clip, just think if it is easy to put your bait on it should be just as easy to take your bait off, weird things happen when you hook that fish of a lifetime, You will only get one shot at a fish of a lifetime, hence the name.
Pat said:

explain?

Ronald Hobbs, Jr. said:

That one works awesome as well, you just have to make sure you have the right size for the line weight are using.

Pat said:

when i use a snap i prefer the norman speed snap light and strong

this is just in case anyone cares what i have to say

 

Permalink Reply by Jake Anderson on March 11, 2011 at 8:59am

I never thought about it that way..... 

 

Thanks for the input guys...that helps clear some things up.

Ronald Hobbs, Jr. said:

 You will only get one shot at a fish of a lifetime, hence the name.

Permalink Reply by Marc Marcantonio on March 14, 2011 at 4:01pm

I spent many hours testing snaps and split rings (round and oval) on many different types of crankbaits and jerkbaits.  I use a snap on just about every crankbait and jerkbait (except the Staysee as Ron stated due to the recessed eye).  I always remove the split ring.  Make sure you buy stainless steel snaps (Luhr Jensen, DuoLock, Bentz) and they will typically be much stronger than you need. 

 

I do use them on my Sugoi Splash and Lucky Craft Gunfish poppers, and they work great.  Just be sure to use the smallest size with the Sugoi Splash poppers and they will work well.

 

I am not a fan of the Norman's Speed Clips.  I get better and deeper action with the single wire thickness of a clip over a split ring or Speed Clip.  There is less friction due to the smaller bearing point (connection).  The connection is much stronger than a loop knot, especially after multiple hard casts that stress the loop knot. 

 

Using the snap makes it so easy to change color, sizes, and styles of crankbaits that I find myself doing so and ending up with better success as a result.  It is also easier and faster to tie knots to a snap, by simply removing the crankbait first, and this keeps me from breaking off fish due to laziness.  O-rings often have sharp ends where the wire was clipped, then formed.  These can cut your fishing line during a cast or while fighting a bass.  It doesn't happen with a snap.  The right size snap will not weigh down the nose of your lure or hinder the action.  Instead, the rounded bend produces less binding and friction, and increases both action and depth. 

 

If your eyesight is no longer what it used to be, tying knots can be done with your eyes closed with a snap (pun intended).  It is also nice to quickly remove your lure when it is time to store your rod.

 

If anyone needs a supply of O-Rings or Oval rings, come see me!

 

ciao,
Marc Marcantonio

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