Quick change snap choices

[Earl Ledge]

I’ve recently gone through six or so Lingcod lures (now positioned carefully on the bottom by my guests over the last few weeks). This has lead me to pick up some new materials. What are your preferred quick change snaps? I’ve just bought a dozen of the kind my commercial troller brother used to use to attach flashers, however my fingers aren’t as strong as they once were. Also I almost choked when I got home and noticed they were a buck thirty each. Do different kinds fish better than others? How strong do they have to be for codfishing or halibut? Do the bulk cheap Amazon ones let you down or work ok?

 

[tinboatrobb]

I like the duo lock snaps. Change your hooks to something a little softer. When I hook bottom I motor away slowly and most often the hook will bend and I get me jig back.

 

[CBsqrd]

Coastlock ball bearing snaps are my go to. When I see Sampo brand ones I stock up.

Those Hawaiian snaps are great for trolling where the force is in one direction, but I’ve lost several jigs where the snap opened up just from jigging (yes, they were closed properly). I don’t know how they manage to self open, but it must have something to do with the jig eye sliding up and down the snap and getting twisted around.

 

[Flashman]

These kind will open jigging. I've lost a couple jigs and brought a couple up that are half open. I've been giving serious consideration to switching to split rings and just carrying a set of small split ring pliers.



These pliers are small, stainless, cheap and readily available. PNT, Harbour Chandler and Amazon have them. I've been happy with them so far.

Mustad Split Ring Plier

Marine & Fishing Experts since 1985! Largest chandlery on Vancouver Island. Boating & fishing products along with friendly staff for a pleasant experience. 🌊⚓🎣

harbourchandler.ca

 

[Fishalot]

Anybody have a good source for Sampo Coastlocks?

 

[Aquaholic]

Anybody have a good source for Sampo Coastlocks?

I got mine at PNT.

 

[Earl Ledge]

These kind will open jigging. I've lost a couple jigs and brought a couple up that are half open. I've been giving serious consideration to switching to snap rings and just carrying a set of small split ring pliers.

View attachment 94419

These pliers are small, stainless, cheap and readily available. PNT, Harbour Chandler and Amazon have them. I've been happy with them so far.

Mustad Split Ring Plier

Marine & Fishing Experts since 1985! Largest chandlery on Vancouver Island. Boating & fishing products along with friendly staff for a pleasant experience. 🌊⚓🎣

harbourchandler.ca

Well I’m kind of surprised you found them opening. Mine were old commercial fishing stock but now I’ve run out, it I never had one open on me. I wonder if the split ring plier would help handling the ‘banjo’ shaped ones I put in the picture above…

 

[Captain PartyMarty]

just order these cross lock snaps, they are the only thing I use, easy to open, but never have I had one open on there own
https://www.ebay.com/itm/222801956974?var=521651967969

Add either a ball bearing swivel for trolling or a big barrel swivel for jigging

 

[Flashman]

Well I’m kind of surprised you found them opening. Mine were old commercial fishing stock but now I’ve run out, it I never had one open on me. I wonder if the split ring plier would help handling the ‘banjo’ shaped ones I put in the picture above…

Ya, I was surprised as well. It's happened multiple times to me. I've talked to other people who have had the same thing happen. They are great for trolling, not ideal for jigging.

 

[Aquaholic]

Ya, I was surprised as well. It's happened multiple times to me. I've talked to other people who have had the same thing happen. They are great for trolling, not ideal for jigging.

they must get caught sideways for that to happen, and pulled apart with pressure on the line other wise they are strong as you know what.

 

[Earl Ledge]

they must get caught sideways for that to happen, and pulled apart with pressure on the line other wise they are strong as you know what.

I guess. I’m using 12 to 16 ounce swim baits usually. The kind with the hook sticking out the top and what I call a ‘leadhead”.

 

[Flyflicker]

We’ve always used those back in the day on the commercial freezer troller, never had one fail. But when jigging for bottom fish we would use brass split rings At the bottom of the jig and the hook. Strong enough for bottom fish but if you snag bottom then sometimes you would get your terminal tackle back minus the hook as the brass split ring would pull apart. I buy my brass split rings at PNT.

 

[sly_karma]

I just refuse to have those Hawaiian snaps on my boat. Fkn things never open for me when wanted. If you need a tool to use a so-called quick release snap, it's a fail. Duolocks for me.

 

[Aquaholic]

Main line to flasher, flasher to leader they seem fine.

 

[terrin]

I like the duo lock snaps. Change your hooks to something a little softer. When I hook bottom I motor away slowly and most often the hook will bend and I get me jig back.

What would you say is a softer hook? Thanks

 

[Aquaholic]

What would you say is a softer hook? Thanks

The stock treble hook on the old classic style of cod jig is quite soft, this is why some of the guys are recommending much higher pound test lines because if you hook bottom, you just wrap the line around a cleat and knock the motor in gear and it will straighten out the hook and you get your jig back.

 

[Earl Ledge]

The stock treble hook on the old classic style of cod jig is quite soft, this is why some of the guys are recommending much higher pound test lines because if you hook bottom, you just wrap the line around a cleat and knock the motor in gear and it will straighten out the hook and you get your jig back.

Well that’s an idea, now how to jury rig a soft black steel treble hook on top of a swim tail lure. And remove the strong stainless one. For my guests, especially…

 

[scott craven]

I just refuse to have those Hawaiian snaps on my boat. Fkn things never open for me when wanted. If you need a tool to use a so-called quick release snap, it's a fail. Duolocks for me.

Me too !!

 

[Unreel]

Corkscrew swivel snaps, never once had one open up on me. Unlike the others mentioned already in this thread.

 

[Dogbreath]

Corkscrew swivel snaps, never once had one open up on me. Unlike the others mentioned already in this thread.

Agree but decent products are hard to find do you have a source you're willing to share?