Mepps and swivels

Dr G · 02-05-10, 04:10 PM

I'm thinking of trying some Mepps Aglia Spinners #2 and #3's this year and I'm wondering what size and style of swivels are best?

Marty · 02-05-10, 08:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dr G

I'm thinking of trying some Mepps Aglia Spinners #2 and #3's this year and I'm wondering what size and style of swivels are best?

I don't know what's best, if there is even a best, but I use small ball-bearing swivels. They can be expensive but you want to make sure they actually swivel, otherwise the purpose is defeated.

Rebbasser · 02-05-10, 08:55 PM

Dr. G, I wouldn't use one. I don't trust them. At all. Many moons ago I watched my favorite crankbait go sailing off into the murky depths when the swivel came open. Since then I tie directly to the lure. If you do go that route don't use anything other than a locking swivel. I trust a Palomar knot much more than a swivel.

CamG · 02-05-10, 08:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rebbasser

Dr. G, I wouldn't use one. I don't trust them. At all. Many moons ago I watched my favorite crankbait go sailing off into the murky depths when the swivel came open. Since then I tie directly to the lure. If you do go that route don't use anything other than a locking swivel. I trust a Palomar knot much more than a swivel.

Sound advice here. Another problem with using a swivel is that it makes a lure get "hung" quite a bit easier, and tends to actract extra moss and algae bloom.

keithdog · 02-06-10, 12:15 AM

The problem with not using a swivel with in line spinners is that in line spinners can cause quite a lot of line twist. I'd use a good quality ball bearing swivel with any in line spinner. For a #2 and #3 Mepps I'd go with a #1 Sampo ball bearing snap swivel. Stay away from the cheap crane swivels you see at most department stores. Sampos are expensive, but in all the many years I have used them I have never ever had one fail. And I've drug some pretty good size branches back to the boat and shore with them tied on.

screwballl · 02-06-10, 12:21 AM

The only time I use a locking swivel is for panfish, usually worms... otherwise for swimbaits or baits that can cause line twist, I use a regular closed swivel setup

stuff like these:

otherwise for bass fishing I just tie the line directly to the lure

Dr G · 02-06-10, 11:15 AM

Yea, in most instances I wouldn't consider a swivel but with these Mepps spinners I'm assuming that without one I'll have to deal with a lot of line twist. So I appreciate the feedback and will look into the more quality items that Keith suggested. Screwball's suggestion seems to eliminate the problem of the swivel failing since it's closed. Thanks folks.

BigBassin144 · 02-06-10, 11:38 AM

I've never had a swivel fail, but on a few occasions, I have had a snap fail. Now I only use certain snaps, and I only use them for cranks.

If you don't trust snaps (and don't trust most of them), tie a quality swivel (ball bearing swivels are the best) to your line, tie about a foot of line to the other end, and attach your spinner to that. I definately wouldn't use an inline spinner without some kind of swivel.

BB

screwballl · 02-06-10, 12:15 PM

Agreed, the closed loop swivels work the best, better to spend an extra minute tying it on than to worry about losing a 10 pound bass due to a snap or open loop swivel. Also don't go much more than a foot up the line as a quick emergency reel in or multiple strikes may cause that swivel to get tangled in your rod loops (my 7 year old daughter did that this past fall on a bream/bluegill setup)

BrownHL · 02-09-10, 05:01 PM

Mepps Aglia inline spinners are fished with small swivels, as with any inline spinner. Otherwise line twist will occur because the shaft will revolve in the direction the blade spins. Weight forward in line spinners, as used for walleyes, do not require a swivel. As stated above, use a quality bearing swivel over a barrel swivel.

islandbass · 02-09-10, 05:29 PM

For that size inline spinner, I would choose a size 10 swivel. With that said, I strongly prefer to have the swivel as part of the lure, not at some point above it. I make my inline spinners with the swivels attached for the following reasons:

That's 2 knots you're going to have to tie:
1) Main line to swivel
2) Swivel to learn

We all know that knots are the weak link in the chain, so to speak. You now have three possible points of failure. The point is moot if you're fishing for lesser species like blue gill and the like, but if you have the bass of a life time on and you half-baked your knots, that seems like a recipe for disaster.

Reb, I would agree with you on swivel snaps, but a good swivel should not fail. I can relate to your experience. I too have watched a favorite lure fly off because a swivel snap came undone during the cast. The only silver lining is that each of those casts were the farthest I ever made.

basstastic · 02-09-10, 06:15 PM

Another thing about the inline spinners that i have experienced is that a fish with any size to it is gonna bend your lure up and ruin it's action. I only fish them in river systems but i always have good luck on them just make sure you have enough for the day.

02-06-10, 11:38 AM	#8
BigBassin144 BassFishin.Com Premier Elite Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Toledo, Ohio Posts: 9,463	I've never had a swivel fail, but on a few occasions, I have had a snap fail. Now I only use certain snaps, and I only use them for cranks. If you don't trust snaps (and don't trust most of them), tie a quality swivel (ball bearing swivels are the best) to your line, tie about a foot of line to the other end, and attach your spinner to that. I definately wouldn't use an inline spinner without some kind of swivel. BB __________________ As of June 14, 2014 the members of the BF.com forum have moved to basschat.yuku.com!

02-09-10, 05:29 PM	#11
islandbass BassFishin.Com Super Veteran Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: WA State Posts: 1,783	For that size inline spinner, I would choose a size 10 swivel. With that said, I strongly prefer to have the swivel as part of the lure, not at some point above it. I make my inline spinners with the swivels attached for the following reasons: That's 2 knots you're going to have to tie: 1) Main line to swivel 2) Swivel to learn We all know that knots are the weak link in the chain, so to speak. You now have three possible points of failure. The point is moot if you're fishing for lesser species like blue gill and the like, but if you have the bass of a life time on and you half-baked your knots, that seems like a recipe for disaster. Reb, I would agree with you on swivel snaps, but a good swivel should not fail. I can relate to your experience. I too have watched a favorite lure fly off because a swivel snap came undone during the cast. The only silver lining is that each of those casts were the farthest I ever made. __________________ ARX "If people concentrated on the really important things in life, there'd be a shortage of fishing poles." Doug Larson (Shimano 2005 Reel Catalog)

02-05-10, 04:10 PM	#1
Dr G BassFishin.Com Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Toronto, ON Posts: 49	Mepps and swivels I'm thinking of trying some Mepps Aglia Spinners #2 and #3's this year and I'm wondering what size and style of swivels are best?

02-05-10, 08:55 PM	#3
Rebbasser BassFishin.Com Premier Elite Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: San Antonio, TX Posts: 10,141	Dr. G, I wouldn't use one. I don't trust them. At all. Many moons ago I watched my favorite crankbait go sailing off into the murky depths when the swivel came open. Since then I tie directly to the lure. If you do go that route don't use anything other than a locking swivel. I trust a Palomar knot much more than a swivel. __________________ It's happened to the best of them: John 21:3

02-06-10, 12:15 AM	#5
keithdog BassFishin.Com Premier Elite Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: IN Posts: 8,308	The problem with not using a swivel with in line spinners is that in line spinners can cause quite a lot of line twist. I'd use a good quality ball bearing swivel with any in line spinner. For a #2 and #3 Mepps I'd go with a #1 Sampo ball bearing snap swivel. Stay away from the cheap crane swivels you see at most department stores. Sampos are expensive, but in all the many years I have used them I have never ever had one fail. And I've drug some pretty good size branches back to the boat and shore with them tied on.

02-06-10, 12:21 AM	#6
screwballl BassFishin.Com Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: NWFL Posts: 654	The only time I use a locking swivel is for panfish, usually worms... otherwise for swimbaits or baits that can cause line twist, I use a regular closed swivel setup stuff like these: otherwise for bass fishing I just tie the line directly to the lure

02-06-10, 11:15 AM	#7
Dr G BassFishin.Com Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Toronto, ON Posts: 49	Yea, in most instances I wouldn't consider a swivel but with these Mepps spinners I'm assuming that without one I'll have to deal with a lot of line twist. So I appreciate the feedback and will look into the more quality items that Keith suggested. Screwball's suggestion seems to eliminate the problem of the swivel failing since it's closed. Thanks folks.

02-06-10, 12:15 PM	#9
screwballl BassFishin.Com Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: NWFL Posts: 654	Agreed, the closed loop swivels work the best, better to spend an extra minute tying it on than to worry about losing a 10 pound bass due to a snap or open loop swivel. Also don't go much more than a foot up the line as a quick emergency reel in or multiple strikes may cause that swivel to get tangled in your rod loops (my 7 year old daughter did that this past fall on a bream/bluegill setup)

02-09-10, 05:01 PM	#10
BrownHL BassFishin.Com Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Posts: 64	Mepps Aglia inline spinners are fished with small swivels, as with any inline spinner. Otherwise line twist will occur because the shaft will revolve in the direction the blade spins. Weight forward in line spinners, as used for walleyes, do not require a swivel. As stated above, use a quality bearing swivel over a barrel swivel.

02-09-10, 06:15 PM	#12
basstastic BassFishin.Com Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 92	Another thing about the inline spinners that i have experienced is that a fish with any size to it is gonna bend your lure up and ruin it's action. I only fish them in river systems but i always have good luck on them just make sure you have enough for the day.

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