Fishing Swivels & Snaps

Made from two rings connected by a pivoting piece, swivels are a great piece of terminal tackle that is designed to reduce twists in your fishing line. The two most common types of swivels are ball bearing which are made with stainless steel bearings between a spindle and body that allows the swivel to rotate and barrel swivels that are made of a nickel-plated barrel with brass pins. Each offer their own unique benefits. While the ball bearing swivels is great for trolling and handling heavy loads, the barrel swivel is ideal for fishing deep water with a drop shot rig.

The fishing swivel is designed to provide an axis point that allows your tackle to spin and unwind during line retrieval. Reducing the amount of twist in your line prevents tangling which is especially relevant to those using a spinning reel or monofilament test line.

To choose the right fishing swivel, you will want one with a strength slightly heavier than your leader line. While smaller swivels are stealthier, a stronger swivel is going to be more helpful when fighting big game.

When it comes to using swivels when fishing with lures, the answer will differ from each angler to the next, though it will heavily depend on the conditions in which you are fishing. For example, fishing in strong currents may trigger twisting in the fishing line on retrieval – this is something a swivel can help correct and prevent. Additionally, a swivel may be useful when using spinning tackle and can be handy depending on your target species. Fish such as flathead can become restless and aggressive when hooked that may lead to them twisting and spinning which is not ideal for a line without a swivel.

Fishing snaps, or clips as they are alternatively known as, are used to attach lures, jigs and slugs to your line. They are particularly useful when targeting species that are not in an aggressive mood but are still feeding on what's available to them. In these cases, you will want to ‘match the hatch' or imitate the prey. To do so, many lure changes are almost inevitable, however, a lure clip at the end of your leader line can make this process simpler and quicker. Fishing snaps or clips also provides free space at the lure tow point which allows more freedom of movement on retrieval which mimics a more natural swim.

Yes, BCF stock a range of snap swivels in store and online from leading brands such as Rogue and Black Magic. A snap swivel combines both the fishing clip and the swivel into one handy piece of terminal tackle. The snap swivel allows you to connect your fishing line and a lure, permitting one to quickly change lures without tying a second knot and keeping your line from twisting.

After each use, you'll need to give your swivels and snaps a good rinse and allow them to dry before storing or returning to your tackle box. Storing them when still wet can cause rust which will damage their performance. Additionally, after battling a large fish, check that your swivel still rotates freely.