Do you use snap swivels?

How many of you use a snap swivel between your line and your bait and why or why not? I will be the first to go I catch alot of flack for doing it but i prefer to use the snap swivel so i can change baits fast as well as prevent line twist And yes i do carry several rigged poles in the boat at all times. Those who give me a hard time for using the swivel tell me it takes away from the action but i don't see how that would be so. I would like to hear opinions from others.

I dont at line end, I just think it looks even more un-natural then just a slab. I do use them on a pole I have rigged with braided and a 4 foot mono leader, swivel between the braid and mono.

I use a regular barrell swivel tied above my slab, cuts down the line twist.

I break off some much with a full spool of line out I dont have to worry about line twist.

I have and do use snap swivels. I have found that in some applications they are an asset to removing and replacing lures quickly. I have noted that some lures tend to foul or run altered on their retrieve(ie. flip on their side, run far left or right). I typically try a new lure with and without to see which I preferr or if the lure runs true and natural. I also vary the size of swivel to see how this will affect the lure.

I never use them. Just one more thing to fail. My buddy would always use them until he lost what could have been his biggest fish of the year. The snap was straighten out.

I would say to use the extra time and tie on a barrel swivel. You will kick yourself when you lose the big one.

I do like to use the snap swivel when the fishing for striper or sandys. When the bite is frantic I tend to forget to check my line for damage from the teeth. I have thrown some slabs away before. The snap swivel is just enough protection that it will usually get me thru the morning.

I don't use them on most rigs, but I do like them on my crappie rigs. I put a small swivel about a 14" above my jig. I don't like my jigs spinning underwater and the swivel allows the the line to turn some without affecting the bait.

I keep one rod rigged with a snap to try different baits. Once I settle in though I tie on. The big exception is roostertails which will not act right with a swivel.

I fish in a lake infested with lure eating snags. I figure a snap swivel is gonna cost me about 25¢ more an hour to fish with

I use 'em just fine for slab or spoon applications. Don't use the plain brass ones with no turned up end on the snap and use a size comparable to your line. Also, the strongest are the ball bearing barrels. Too often I have snagged up someone's lost rig consisting of 20 lb. line with a crappie gauge swivel. That is a recipe for failure. Don't use them for smaller in line spinners, diving crankbaits, jigs, topwater, where the action will be detrimentally affected by the extra drag through the water. i.e. don't get lazy using them

I use 'em, reason being I fish on a kayak and the last thing I want is a hook in my finger because I'm trying to tie a palomer on a crank, saves me a lot of time

I did make the mistake of taking on a 40" red at braunig with a cheap snap swivel, she straightened her true. Worst part was that she was already getting tired but as soon as the net came out, she spooked and took the run under my yak and that was that. I now use the berkley 60 lb snap swivels, they seem to be much more durable and small as well. I took on a 24" red and 20" striper without feeling worried, on 12 lb test.

my .02

I use them all the time for quick bait change. The only time I do not is when I think it will affect the action, IE (cranks, swim bait, mepps spinners). I do make sure they are strong enough (that is the key). I have not had a problem. I mostly slab, but I also have not had a problem throwing rattle traps, humdinges, what ever with them on into schooling fish.

Hope this helps

Since I have innerflow rods, the end of the line has a swivel to keep it from going into the rod. I tie on a new flouro leader everytime I fish and I tie the lure, hook directly onto the line/leader. The swivel is so I don't twist the bejeebers out of my line.

Trolling live bait, no troubles.

I use Bill Norman Speed Clips with a swivel about a foot or so above. Keeps twist out and makes it fast to switch baits. I fish in a kayak too and tying lures on can be a hazard. Have never lost a big redfish due to the clip. Most hooks will straighten first.

No, I don't use them, and really have no reason why. Maybe its my blackbass background, I've just never used them! I have enough problems keeping my lures tied on directly to the line.

Kinda like Matt said one more thing I gotta buy! JMO..

Lots of great answers here Thanks for the input and keepem coming.

I will use a swivel with the Kahuna Spoon to avoid line twist

I only time I use a swivel is when trolling (which is very seldom....maybe 10 to 15% of the time). My line of thinking is that I want to keep all the unnatural metal off my line. For example, there is a place that I fish for White/Hybrid bass that they just don't like metal/lead slabs or spoons, but I can kill them with 2 to 4" curly tails/sassy's etc.
With this said, I believe catching fish consistently is more about confidence in what you are using (once you have the fishing basics down).