To Clip or Not to Clip...

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.

"Bob La Londe" wrote in message
...
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.

--
** Public Fishing and Boating Forums
** www.YumaBassMan.com

"Marty" wrote in message
...
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.



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 Kidd

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.

--
David Norton

"Andrew Kidd" wrote in message
news:TkALd.40532$EG1.17978@attbi_s53...


"Marty" wrote in message
...
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.



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 Kidd

"Bob Rickard"
But then again, I have
never broken a rod either. Maybe it's just the luck of the draw?

Never? Really? Big burly handsome guy like you?

Warren ;-)

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 .

Down, Rover! I get sooooo tired of always being hit on. It sure ain't easy
being a sex object!

"go-bassn" wrote in message
...

"Bob Rickard"
But then again, I have
never broken a rod either. Maybe it's just the luck of the draw?

Never? Really? Big burly handsome guy like you?

Warren ;-)

I say. . . clip clip clip clip. Never had a prob with em.

--
God Bless America

Josh The Bad Bear

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.

--
** Public Fishing and Boating Forums
** www.YumaBassMan.com


"Joshuall" wrote in message
...
I say. . . clip clip clip clip. Never had a prob with em.

--
God Bless America

Josh The Bad Bear