![]() For offshore trolling, I use ball-bearing snap swivels exclusively. Selecting the right swivel hinges largely on how you’ll be fishing. Some anglers swear by black swivels, while others, including the author, prefer a shiny finish. If you’re unfortunate enough to get that rare bad swivel, it could cost you a fish. This process tends to eat away at the brass, especially if any salt becomes lodged inside the swivel. The swivel is then plated with copper and dipped in a salt bath to oxidize the copper, which turns it black. However, I’ve lost two fish because of black snap swivels that broke during the fight.Īccording to Sampo’s Brian Butts, in order to make a nickel-plated swivel black, the swivel must to go back in the plating line to coat the stainless-steel rings and snaps with more nickel. To begin with, I’ve only been cut off once by a fish that attacked my swivel, and that occurred many years ago. However, I prefer a shiny, nickel-plated finish on my trolling swivels, for several reasons. Many anglers shy away from shiny swivels, fearing that a fish may mistake it for food and cut the line. Most swivels are made of nickel-plated brass, with stainless-steel rings and snaps. However, in certain situations - especially offshore trolling - you can’t afford not to use them. The perceived disadvantage of ball-bearing swivels is their price. This enables the swivel to rotate freely, negating any twist, even under heavy load. ![]() This cutaway view of a ball-bearing swivel shows how the bearings are positioned to reduce friction.īy comparison, a quality ball-bearing swivel contains polished stainless-steel ball bearings positioned between its spindle and body. When this happens, the swivel will fail to perform its job and allow twists to travel up the fishing line. However, when sized inappropriately or subjected to heavy load (e.g., trolling deep-diving plugs, lengthy or repeated battles with big fish, soaking baits in a strong current), the friction within the swivel will slow or halt its rotation. Under minimal load, a barrel swivel should perform to spec. In time, friction will result in some problems, including premature wear and breakage.” “The metal-on-metal grinding inhibits friction-free performance. “It would be somewhat similar to using metal wheel bearings in your car,” says Butts. Maker of the original ball-bearing swivel and a leading swivel manufacturer, friction occurs in a barrel swivel when the brass heads and brass body rub against each other. However, their biggest disadvantage is their inability to turn under heavy loads.Īccording to Brian Butts of Sampo, (315/896-2606 Barrel swivels are extremely popular due to their low cost and wide range of sizes. The basic barrel swivel comprises a nickel-plated brass barrel that has been swaged around brass pins with formed heads and eyes. Quality swivels are available in both ballbearing and barrel varieties for a huge range of fishing applications. ![]() However, two basic designs cover most salt water needs: barrel and ball-bearing. ![]() There are many types of swivels designed to match specific fishing applications. However, thanks to new developments in swivels, these arguments don’t hold as much water as they once did. ![]() Some anglers also believe that swivels spook fish, or worse, look like a tasty tidbit to toothy critters, which could lead to a cut-off. Swivels are snubbed by some light-tackle fishermen who believe they impede casting accuracy by preventing the lure or bait from being reeled to the rod tip prior to a cast. While there are several ways to prevent line twist, one of the simplest is to use a swivel. For example, it can lead to frustrating tangles, rob you of casting distance, and create weak spots in the line. Don’t overlook this small but vital link in your terminal-tackle chain.Īs we covered in a previous column a few months back, line twist can become a serious problem if not kept in check. ![]()
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