What Are Fishing Swivels?

A fishing swivel consists of two rings or clips attached in the middle by a ball, barrel or some other similar device that allows each end to rotate independently of the other. One end is attached to the fishing line and the other to the leader or directly to the tackle or bait, with the purpose of preventing line, particularly monofilament from becoming entangled with itself or surrounding vegetation. The swivel also serves to prevent sinkers from sliding down the line.

Swivels are less well-suited to commercial or other very large-tackle operations, as they provide a slightly weaker link in an otherwise heavy-duty line. They are, however, useful in trolling situations or when using spinner bait.

The three main types of swivel are barrel, crane, and ball-bearing. The barrel swivel looks like two rings attached to a small cylinder in which each moves independently. It is generally the most economical, but not the most practical as it does not rotate as freely as other types and therefore is best suited to situations where swivel is not priority number one. The crane swivel looks like the barrel, but its inner mechanism allows for smoother swivel, and the ball-bearing swivel has bearings inside the barrel to allow for much freer movement with the greatest strength, making them most appropriate for big game situations. They are, however the most expensive.

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.

While swivels certainly have their place in the tackle box, they are not without limitations. Some fishermen recommend against using a swivel at the bait end as it may change the appearance of the lure enough to keep away the fish. However, they can be purchased in different colors intended to attract fish rather than drive them away.

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.