I generally fish mainly artificial. I like to use clips on my leader for easy changing of baits(rather than re-tying a new knot everytime). I know some people that don't use clips bc they believe fish can see them, making them less likely to strike. Does anyone know the truth behind this. Is it better to just tie my lure straight to the line, or do the clips work just fine?

No clips for me. I tie directly to the lure. Besides I don't trust them to hold up to the monster of a lifetime.

I don't use a clip or snap swivel on my line. In the past I did but got fed up with losing fish due to the snap swivel breaking, bending, or coming unsnapped and causing me to lose a fish. Now I'll use a small barrel swivel tied to my main line and a short fluorcarbon leader (maybe 8-16") tied to the barrel and use a loop knot on my lure. I've never had a barrel swivel fail me. Now if I lose a fish, it's my fault, not some 12 cent piece of bent wire.

i generally use barrel swivel with split ring or solid ring.

line>solid ring>barrel swivel>split ring>lure
or
Line>barrel swivel>split split ring>lure

it allows easy change of lures and action of lure is better and not to mention you will not have line twist when your hooked up to a fish.

i use hammerhead swivels because i target 100lb+ fish but get the one to suit your applications

to open the split rings you need a pair of split ring pliers. can get them at bass pro shops or online.

here are a few sites to look for terminal tackles

anglers-proshop.com
tackledirect.com
anglerscenter.com

If you're fishing for reds and trout in the bay, just go with straight 20lb line. You don't have to worry about snap swivels or clips. If you're surf fishing or at the jetties, I would recommend using some sort of 18-30" wire leader because of spanish macks and kings.

I have found that Trout and Reds will very rarely cut your line. Trout teeth are sharp on the ends... pointy, not on the sides like shark and mackeral. The thing that MAY cut your line on a redfish is the plating on the outside of their gill plates. That RARELY happens with good flourocarbon though. Just my 2 cents.

If you use a snap swivel, I doubt it would make that much of a difference in the whether or not a fish bites it or not, especially in dirtier water. If you're in clear, skinny water... it may make a difference.

Some people say shiny swivels or barrels will draw strikes from macks or other "very" toothy criiters causing cutoffs. But if using a spoon I don't now how to keep line from twisting.

use the twist clips that dont have to unsnap or anything you just twist your hook or lure right on and twist it off. very easy and it holds up really well