Snap

Snaps

A metal connector between fishing line and a lure. Snaps are knotted to the fishing line and connected to the wire line-tie loop of a lure or to a split ring (see) that is connected to that loop.

In many cases, fishing line is tied directly to a lure. Lures that spin or roll when retrieved or trolled cause twist in the fishing line; twisting is countered by using some type of swivel (see). Lures that do not twist, which includes some spoons (see) and virtually all floating/diving plugs, do not need a swivel; they can be fished with a snap for two reasons, the most important of which is to enhance lure action. This is usually done with lures that do not have a split ring attached to the line-tie area. You can put a split ring there and tie the line directly to this, or you can use a snap; the snap should have a rounded bend to facilitate lure movement. The second, and subordinate, reason for using a snap is simply for convenience sake. A snap makes it easy to change lures quickly without having to retie knots. This may be especially useful with some lines that are difficult to tie knots in, such as thin-diameter microfilament lines (see: line).

Though convenient, snaps lead to problems and should only be used if really necessary. Poor quality snaps, or light snaps used with too heavy tackle, are the main causes of problems. They can be the weakest link in the angler-to-fish scenario due to their strength. If the rated breaking strength of a snap is 10 pounds, for example, and you’re using 20-pound line, it’s very possible that you could force the snap open, and lose the lure and/or fish, when maximum pressure is applied. It is unlikely that you’ll know what the breaking strength of most snaps is when they are preattached to a lure or when buying them in bulk (though some have the strength noted on the packaging), but you can test the lighter ones with a heavy-duty spring scale.

It would be worthwhile to clip a few different snaps around a firm object, attach a reliable scale to the clips, and then pull on them until the clip breaks, noting how much pressure it takes to do so. The amount of force that it takes to open, straighten, or collapse a snap is a key to its usage.

Though you should generally use the size of snap that complements the lure and line diameter, strength is a function of size and thickness of the metal, so take this into consideration. It is misguided economy to use thin metal snaps—especially the common two-piece safety snaps that are cheap and popularly used in freshwater—so avoid these or replace them on lures or rigs that come equipped with them.

Strength and ease of use are also functions of the locking design. The safety snap model, which has a sharp bend and doesn’t really lock (the tag end sits in a guarded channel), is one of the poorest snaps but cheap and commonly used. A similar two-piece snap is the interlock (or lock snap) model, which is only slightly better because the tag end rests in a guarded channel and tucks around the edge for more holding power. Both of these are subject to failure after repeated opening and closing.

One-piece all-wire snaps in which the tempered wire wraps around itself are better than the previous items. The common duolock model has a double-end opening that allows attachment to two items with closed eye rings; this is a good, moderately priced, easy-to-use connector that is also found as part of light- to medium-duty snap- swivels. This snap is used by many freshwater anglers when tied to spoons and plugs, and is favored because of its rounded bend. Another popular and strong model is the crosslock, which has double ends that meet on the same plane and abut each other; the bend is less rounded, however, so it does not maximize action for some lures. Other types that are especially popular in saltwater include the coastlock snap, which has a single-opening end that is especially strong and common on many big-game swivels; the tournament snap, which is similar to but stronger than the coastlock; the heavy-duty corkscrew snap; and the McMahon snap, a dual grip model.

Other types of connectors that can loosely be considered snaps include a variety of lightweight light-wire models for fly fishing, some of which are really spring clips, and connecting links, which are double-looped wire with a sliding sleeve.

As for color or finish, some anglers prefer flat black; others silver and gold. The silver and gold colors sometimes help attract fish, which is viewed positively by many freshwater anglers and negatively by most saltwater anglers. Fish attracted to the snap may strike ahead of the lure instead of at the body of the lure where the hooks are; in bigger and toothier saltwater species, this may result in cutoffs.

Safety

Interlock

Duolock

Crosslock

Coastlock

McMahon

Connecting link

Corkscrew snap/ball bearing swivel