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To Clip or Not to Clip...
That is the question.I always use a duolock type clip for crank baits. I do that for two
reasons. First is because I feel it gives me a much better action than
tieing driectly onto the nose ring of a crank bait. The second is because
of being able to change baits quickly. I have had circumstances where I
have caught a couple fish and then the stopped hitting, but they would still
chase. As soon as I changed colors or body styles just slightly I would
nail a couple more int he same place. I know some guys can break off and
retie quickly, but I feel the pressure of time with bait in the boat instead
of the water. Now lets get to topwater. With buzz baits, except some swimming minnow
types or a Norman's weeedwhacker you have to tie directly on, but I'm
talking about stick minnows or poppers. I usually work these baits on the
same rods as I do crank baits for much the same reason. To keep fish from
pulling loose on a run. As a result they often get put on the clip that I
already have tied onto the line. I also seem to get a lot of fouling of the
bait particularly when working a stick bait like an Excalibur spittin image
all the way back to the boat. I am wondering if eliminating the clip will
reduce the back and forth action just enough to keep the bait from over
running the line and fouling.
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Bob
Jan 30
2005
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| Unless I'm forced to use a leader, usually wire because of pike/muskie
cutoffs, I rarely use a snap or clip. I have had snaps open up when I'm
really pressuring a fish, so I try to avoid that when ever possible. I do however realize that some crankbaits have reduced action when the line
is tied directly. So, for lures like that, I simply put a split ring on the
line tie and cut/retie when I want to change lures. Yes, I know that this
takes a little bit of time, but I also found that I had a tendency to go too
long on retying and lost fish too. I prefer to have as few connections between me and the fish as possible,
especially ones that are easy to open like a snap. Tying direct might solve the topwater problem, hard saying. |
Steve
Jan 30
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| Some crankbaits, like the Luhr Jensen Speed Trap, come with high-quality
clips rather than split rings. If used to unclip a lure and put another in
its place, it's no longer on the original lure. You either snip it off and
retie, or eventually put on split rings, or buy another pack of clips. I agree with Steve... my concern is my going too long without retying, where
the knot becomes strained by pulling free from hang-ups, or the lower
several feet of line becomes abraded and weakened. If I had the self
discipline to check you line regularly and retie, I might do well whether I
used rings or clips. Otherwise, being forced to retie every time I switch
lures takes care of the problem. Another point... while I'm a big proponent of changing or adapting lures to
meet changing conditions, or switching lures as I experiment to find one
that triggers bass to strike, I've fished with several guys who spend too
much time tinkering with their tackle and too little time fishing. Rather
than change lures frequently, I'd recommend looking at other variables....
lure placement and presentation, or retrieve rate and pattern, for example.
A clip might tempt me to switch up too frequently. Joe Haubenreich
--
Staring at a computer screen?
Rather be fishing? Free SWL background at:
www.secretweaponlures.com/scrsvr.htm _______________________
"Steve @ OutdoorFrontiers" <stevehuber@outdoorfrontiers.com> wrote in
message news:Py8Ld.24783$b_7.6725@fe04.lga... Unless I'm forced to use a leader, usually wire because of pike/muskie
cutoffs, I rarely use a snap or clip. I have had snaps open up when I'm
really pressuring a fish, so I try to avoid that when ever possible. I do however realize that some crankbaits have reduced action when the line
is tied directly. So, for lures like that, I simply put a split ring on the
line tie and cut/retie when I want to change lures. Yes, I know that this
takes a little bit of time, but I also found that I had a tendency to go too
long on retying and lost fish too. I prefer to have as few connections between me and the fish as possible,
especially ones that are easy to open like a snap. Tying direct might solve the topwater problem, hard saying. |
Joe
Jan 30
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| I solve the clip failure problem by simpley tossing them in the trash after
a bunch of hard fishing. Three or four times a day normally or anytime they
get too distorted. I have noticed I get more line failures from damaged
line than from knot failure since I went back to tying a half blood or
trilene or modified clinch (or whatever you want to call it) knot. Lots of guys don't like clips, and that ok. I always say if its working for
you don't let somebody talk you into changing. Something I forget
sometimes.
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Bob
Jan 30
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| I too have had split rings on my stick and crank baits for as long as
I can remember. I first did it to lessen the places a weed or other
chaf could attach to my lure. I also have had snaps open on me. It's
no fun to watch a hard fought fish swim away with your lure in its
mouth. danl4x@charter.net
Remove the x for e-mail reply
www.outdoorfrontiers.com
www.SecretWeaponLures.com |
Dan
Jan 30
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| Learn to tie a Rapala knot,Gives the action you are looking for, and
eliminates unecessary mechanical parts.
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D
Jan 30
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| >>>eliminates unecessary mechanical parts. Too lazy :<} And the 2 knots I know took me years and years to
master. :<} danl4x@charter.net
Remove the x for e-mail reply
www.outdoorfrontiers.com
www.SecretWeaponLures.com |
Dan
Jan 30
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| I have had bad luck with the Rapala knot weakening and eventually breaking
where it had rubbed & chafed against the eye of the lure. Conversely, I have
never had a real Duolock snap open on me during use. But then again, I have
never broken a rod either. Maybe it's just the luck of the draw? Bob Rickard
(AKA Dr. Spinnerbait)
www.secretweaponlures.com
-----<=x O')))>< ----- Original Message -----
From: "D, Norton" <therodmaker@hotmail.com>
Newsgroups: rec.outdoors.fishing.bass
Sent: Sunday, January 30, 2005 1:05 PM
Subject: Re: To Clip or Not to Clip... |
Bob
Jan 30
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| A plain old Loop Knot is easier to tie. |
Jerry
Jan 30
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| eh?
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David
Jan 30
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| I've been using small duolock snaps for as long as I can remember and can
only remember one fish lost because of the snap. Going too long on one knot
is not a problem, as I am checking frequently. Just so you know where I'm
coming from, I'm strictly a casual angler, never fished a tournament, and
have 100% confidence in the snap. |
Marty
Jan 31
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| I like the snaps as well, and have had little trouble with them. You just
need to pay attention, and do a little bending yourself if they look a
little "off". |
Andrew
Feb 1
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| That's nice for those of us who don't suffer arthuritis. But as one who does
,I can tell you that those damn little clips are insufferable.
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David
Jan 31
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| Never? Really? Big burly handsome guy like you? Warren ;-) |
go-bassn
Jan 31
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| Even with a good pair of needle nose pliers? It's quite possible that
they're not for everyone... |
Andrew
Feb 1
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| You guys have really got me to thinking here...I have always just tied
my line to the baits, never used a ring, or clip. I like simplicity, but
now I wonder if I have missed some fish I should have caught :). Ya'll will have to forgive me...I'm from the old school, and don't take
too easily to anything different than what has worked for me. I catch my
fair share of bass, and enjoy every minute of it...but even an old dog
can learn a new trick or two I reckon. Do rings and clips really give
the bait that much of a difference in action? I use the rod tip to
introduce most of the action I want...do the clips and rings just make
that easier to do? I doubt I'll change anyway though <grin>. JK P.S. I'm pretty fast at tieing knots...22 years in the Navy :). |
jbkbub
Jan 31
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| Down, Rover! I get sooooo tired of always being hit on. It sure ain't easy
being a sex object! |
Bob
Feb 1
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| I say. . . clip clip clip clip. Never had a prob with em.
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Joshuall
Feb 1
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| I have also never hada problem with a clip. I have used the cheap Renegade
ones from Wally World, and the Bass Pro Shops ones. I prefer the BPS
becasue the Renegades come in assorted size packs only. Also the BPS clips
come in bronze or nickle colors. That way I can use the bronze most times,
and the nickles when fishing shiny baits. As I said before, if it works for you.... I use spinning rods for lots of
stuff other guys only use baitcasters. It works for me. Same with clips.
I have also run inline spinners with no swivel in ultraclear heavily
pressured waters. It caused problems with the line, but I am convinced I
caught more fish. Again... If it works for you. However guys, my Q was about topwaters. I did get some feedback about using
or not using them directly relating to topwaters in my forums. Basically
the only definitive response was that a clip allowed too much free movement
for poppers and spook type baits causing them to foul on the line. That is
what I have experienced. Since I had intended to set one of my light rods
aside for topwater with mono instead of the flouro I use on everything else
anyway thats no big deal. Just reminds me that I'll be a little slower to
change baits when fishing topwaters. I respool any mono filled reel more
often and am a lot more critical of mono connections and line anyway.
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Bob
Feb 1
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