Not sure I understand

Use a swivel for a Carolina Rig (which I wouldn't recommend for a spinning rod) or for spooning. Leader is usually 1' - 2' long. Spooning can work out pretty well in the winter.

Thank you. Do I always use a leader or just on swim, jerk and how about plastics?

hi jim, i use a swivel when catfishing. slide an egg sinker thru your line and then the swivel, i always attach the swivel to the loop end of a snelled hood. never attach a swivel directly to your hook.

you can also tie a swivel on so you can quickly change your cranks and jerks.

swivel directly to the bait or swivel-leader-bait?

If you've ever experienced line twist with a spinning reel, then you definitely should be using swivels. I recently tossed an old reel because no matter what I did the roller would induce twist so the reel quality can have an effect too.

Most people seem to agree that swivels can make lures act in ways they weren't designed to, but they are sure convenient when swapping out lures often. I'd recommend always using swivels to connect your main line to a leader line. It takes time but if you're patient it will pay off, and your knot tying skills will improve as well. Learn how to tie a good palomar knot on all types of baits.

I throw a senko with both a casting and spinning setup. But the spinning setup seems to foul the line a lot. Recently I tried the SPRO Power Swivels in Size 8 that are rated for 50LB Test and the results so far are excellent. A little more cost then a normal swivel but worth the cost. The length from the end to end is about 3/8 inch and the width looks to be about 1/8 inch. The swivel also has no problems going through the eyelets and cast out of them just fine. I use a 2 to 2 1/2 foot leader with this swivel. I also used the spinning rig at the Black River and fished straight with this one rod/reel and not a single foul of the line.

Easiest answer for swivels is to use them when using a leader with soft plastics and when tossing spoons. Other than that it is generally best to tie directly to the lure. Takes longer when changing baits but it's the right thing to do.

I use a swivel on a drop shot rig. It eliminates alot of line twist. I pre tie my leaders w/swivels & hooks attached and wraped around a piece of styrofoam.Leaders are floro. At night I use Stren mono with the floro leaders under a black light. They make retying in the dark alot easier for us old farts. Good Luck

azrockman said:

I use a swivel on a drop shot rig. It eliminates alot of line twist. I pre tie my leaders w/swivels & hooks attached and wraped around a piece of styrofoam.Leaders are floro. At night I use Stren mono with the floro leaders under a black light. They make
retying in the dark alot easier for us old farts. Good Luck

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Sure in hell does for anyone.

I don't like swivels on dropshots. I prefer direct line/hook for sensitivity reasons. I seem to feel a whole lot more of what is happening.

azrockman said:

I use a swivel on a drop shot rig. It eliminates alot of line twist. I pre tie my leaders w/swivels & hooks attached and wraped around a piece of styrofoam.Leaders are floro. At night I use Stren mono with the floro leaders under a black light. They make retying in the dark alot easier for us old farts. Good Luck

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Good idea with the Styrofoam, i'll have to give that a try. Ive been trying to think of a way of storing the pre-tied rigs. When i take the kids fishing I spend half the time tying hooks for them

Biteme said:

Good idea with the Styrofoam, i'll have to give that a try. Ive been trying to think of a way of storing the pre-tied rigs. When i take the kids fishing I spend half the time tying hooks for them

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I use the swimming "noodles" from Walmart and cut them to any desired length. Works great. Just find the smaller diameter ones.