Swivels, Minimum Rating: 2 stars & up

Fishing Swivels

A fishing swivel is a metal auxiliary device made up of two or more elements that can rotate independently around each other. It typically consists of a sphere or cylinder in which two rings rotate in opposite directions, with one attached to the leader and the other to the main line.

Some swivels even contain a mini bearing inside the cylinder. The swivel can be simple, double, or triple, depending on the number of elements that can twist. When a swivel is used in conjunction with a clip, they will together form a carabiner.

The main advantage of a swivel is that it reduces or prevents the twisting of the fishing line. This twisting is detrimental for the angler as it can weaken the line's strength and may hinder the proper presentation of the rig or lead to issues during casting, such as the formation of so-called bird's nests (multiple coils of line that tangle and create knots).

Sizes of Fishing Swivels

The sizes of fishing swivels are generally indicated by a number from the smallest (size 20) to the largest (size 3/0). For swivel sizes from 20 to 1, the higher the number, the smaller the swivel. For swivel sizes for larger fish from 1/0 to 3/0, the higher the number, the larger the hook.