How to Choose Fishing Swivels: Barrel Swivels, Rolling Swivels, Crane Swivels, Ball Bearing Swivels
Introduction
Fishing is a timeless pursuit, cherished by anglers around the globe for its blend of relaxation, challenge, and connection with nature. Whether you’re an experienced fisherman or a novice just starting out, understanding the importance of fishing swivels can significantly enhance your fishing experience. In this blog post, we'll dive into the world of fishing swivels – what they are, why they matter, and how to choose the right one for your needs.
What Are Fishing Swivels?
A fishing swivel is a small but crucial component in any fishing setup. It is a metal or plastic device that attaches to the end of your fishing line and allows it to rotate freely. This rotation helps prevent line twist, which can occur when using spinning reels or when casting and retrieving lures
5 Common Fishing Swivels Types
Before you get started to how to choose the fishing swivels, let’s learn more about some common fishing swivels types:
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Barrel Swivels |
Barrel swivels are the initial and most common fishing swivels, with a rotating cylinder in the center with two metal rings attached at each end. The center portion is usually rounded in the shape of a barrel. While barrel swivels are very inexpensive and easy to use, they are not very effective at preventing line twisting because the metal rings at each end do not rotate as effectively as a ball bearing swivel. |
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Rolling Swivels
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The rolling swivel has a cylindrical center shaft in the middle, which is stronger and smaller than the Crane swivel, while being more expensive to manufacture. It is lightweight and can be used for saltwater fishing, offshore fishing, jigging and high-speed trolling. |
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Crane Swivels
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The performance of the Crane swivel is between that of a barrel swivel and a ball bearing swivel. It is more similar to the barrel swivel, but with a little better loading performance. Effective in preventing line twisting and tangling of the lead and bait. The Crane swivel is a good choice when fishing for catfish with lead wires, as well as when using crawler rigs, spinning blades, spinnerbaits and live bait. |
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3 Way Swivels
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The 3 Way Swivel has three rings. One ring is used to attach the main line, one ring is used to attach the hook/bait, and the third ring is used to attach the lead weight. Usually, a line with less tension is used on the lead weight than on the hook. If the lead drop is hooked in the presence of a fish, the lead weight will disconnect before the lead with the hook and fish. A 3-way swivel is the most commonly used trolling leader and allows the lead weight to be made near the bottom without getting snagged. |
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Ball Bearing Swivels |
Ball bearing swivels are an upgraded version of other swivels, with 6 built-in balls. Therefore, it will be stronger than barrel swivels, rolling swivel swivels and other swivels, and can be rotated more freely, which is more effective in preventing positive line twisting, and is resistant to corrosion, impact and wear. |
How to Choose Fishing Swivels
After you get the differences among this fishing swivels, you must know which swivels type are the right for you. Besides, when selecting a fishing swivel, it is important to consider the following factors:
Swivel Size Chart
The size of the swivel is similarly to the size of fishing hook, with the smallest size starting at #12 and gradually increasing as the number drops to #1. After reaching size #1, the swivel size switches to #1/0, and rises to size #12/0, which is the largest swivel size.
In general, choose the smallest possible swivel according to the corresponding strength value of the fish species, as an oversized swivel may spook the fish. Match the size and strength of the swivel to the type of fishing you plan to do. Heavier, larger swivels are suitable for big game fishing, while smaller ones are ideal for finesse fishing techniques.
Fishing Swivel Material
The swivel is mainly made of nickel plated graphite and brass with stainless steel rings on both sides. This makes the swivel shine in the water and attracts the attention of the fish while fishing, the fish may get spooked or the fish may bite the swivel instead of the lure causing the line to be snapped.
Another type of swivel is the black nickel coated swivel. This is a chemical treatment that turns the entire swivel black but may weaken the brass and eventually cause the brass swivel to break. However, there is also an all-stainless-steel swivel that performs the best but is expensive.
5 Best Fishing Swivels
If you want pick up some reliable fishing swivel quickly, the following 5 best fishing swivels can meet all you need.
Owner Micro Hyper Barrel Swivel
- Used for any fishing application to eliminate line twist
- Made from the highest quality stainless steel, built to be strong and durable for all types of fishing.
Spro Ball Bearing Swivel 2 Welded Rings
Spro Premium Ball Bearing Swivel offers anglers the ultimate in smooth rotation and exceptional durability.
- 2 Rings for More Flexibility
- Super Strong
- High-quality material
Dr.Fish 20/60pcs Ball Bearing Swivels 33-507lb
Dr.Fish ball bearing swivels loaded with high-class stainless steel balls, provide maximum protection against twisted and tangled lines. A must for trolling, downriggers, saltwater and big-game fishing.
- Abrasion resistant, anti-corrosion
- Highly-polished stainless steel bearings, spin easily
- Solid welding ring in each end
- Black Nickel Color won’t spook fish
Tsunami Three Way Swivel (Black Stainless) - The Saltwater Edge
- The Tsunami three-way swivel is made from 100% stainless steel, great for saltwater.
- Corrosion proof for lasting durability.
- Heavy duty construction. Can be set for using these swivels for different types of fishing rigs.
Conclusion
While often overlooked, fishing swivels play a vital role in ensuring a smooth and successful fishing experience. By preventing line twist, improving casting distance, enhancing lure action, and offering versatility, swivels are indispensable tools for any angler’s tackle box. Whether you’re targeting trout in a serene river or marlin in the open ocean, the right fishing swivel can make all the difference. So next time you head out on your fishing adventure, don’t forget to bring along this essential piece of equipment!
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