Fishing Tackle: How to Use a Fishing Swivel?

The details determine success or failure, and this rule can be applied to fishing. Sometimes people think that the details are not important at all when fishing, but these details may finally determine the result of your fishing trip. For example, many fishermen don’t care about the fishing swivel, but if you pay more attention to use it appropriately, you will get an unexpected result.

Many people may say that fishing swivel is just a small device consisting of two rings connected to a pivoting joint, it is not necessary to pay much attention to it. And some people even don’t know how to use it. Today, we will talk about how to use the fishing swivel.

1.How to choose a fishing swivel?

There are 2 kinds of common swivels: ball-bearing swivels & barrel swivels:

Barrel swivels are probably the most popular form due to their low cost and wide range of

sizes that cover seemingly all of the fishing needs. However, their biggest disadvantage is their inconsistency and inability to turn when put under tremendous pressure.

Ball-bearing swivels contain polished stainless-steel ball bearings positioned between its spindle and body. This enables the swivel to rotate freely, negating any twist, even under heavy load. When you're targeting truly big game saltwater species with trolling applications, a stainless steel ball bearing swivel is the only way to go. The perceived disadvantage of ball-bearing swivels is their price.

And here is a skill for you to choose the size of the fishing swivel: Choose the smallest swivel possible for the species you are targeting. For example, if you are fishing for muskies, which are among the largest fish in freshwater, use a size 5 swivel.

2.How to tie a swivel to the fishing line?

After buying the appropriate fishing swivel, the next thing is putting it on the fishing line. I can tell you an easy way to tie the swivel to the fishing line, and it is called offshore swivel knot.

Form a loop at the end of the line and tie it off with a spider hitch knot. To make a spider hitch, double the line, form a loop and hold it with your thumb and forefinger. Wrap the doubled line around your thumb five or six times -- up to 15 times for braided line. Pass the loop through the eye of the swivel. Bring the end of the loop back past the eye of the swivel and hold it against the doubled line.

3.When should swivels be used and not used ?

Fishing swivels are not suitable for every condition, if you want to use a fishing swivel, you’d better know whether or not the swivel applies to your condition.

According to some experienced people, when using a casting lure that is prone to twist during the retrieve, or when trolling live/dead baits that are likely to twist, use fishing swivel can be helpful.

Swivels should not be used when fishing in still water, when the fish are aggressive, or as a direct connection to a hook or lure.

Fishing is easy if you only want to relax yourself and enjoy the holiday. But it is complicated if you want to learn it well, because there are too many details you have to care about. What I want to say is that no matter you want to relax yourself or catch more fish, pay attention to the details will help you more enjoy fishing.