A Guide To The Different Types Of Fishing Swivels

A swivel is two rings or clips that attach in the middle of a ball or barrel, and rotates separately from each other. One end of the swivel attaches to the fishing line while the other end is attached to tackle or bait. The swivel helps to prevent line entanglement. It also helps to prevent the sinkers from sliding down the line.

Swivels should not be used when you are fishing commercially or for large game. The swivel provides a weakened link on the line, providing a easy snap. However, they are perfect for when you are trolling.

There are three main kinds of swivels: barrel, crane and ball-bearing. The barrel swivel is the most affordable, but it is not always the most practical. The barrel swivel doesn't rotate as freely as the other types of swivels, therefore it does not always work in the way it was designed to be used. The crane swivel looks like the barrel swivel but its inner working are much smoother. the ball bearing swivels are the most expensive and the strongest.

Each of these types of swivel is available with snaps on one end which make for faster changeover than with knots. Snaps may be rounded or angular, the latter providing the more reliable grip. It may be best to use black, rather than shiny swivels as they will not reflect sunlight and attract fish higher up in the line that may chew through it.

Swivels are a great tool to keep in your tackle box, but they should be used sparingly. Swivels can change the way bait flows in the water; scaring the fish away, rather than attracting them.

While the swivel's rotation helps to prevent a monofilament from getting tangled when reeling it in, the swivel itself can get caught on the line, particularly with snaps. Angular snaps protect better against clips spontaneously opening than do rounded ones.

Swivels can be very useful tools for angling, but care must be taken to attach and use them properly.