The way I was taught uses no swivel at all. Get some 3/16 and 1/4 inch solid core lead from any fishing tackle store and a couple of different diameters and thicknesses of black tubing. I usually get mine at Kitsap Sport (other fishing tackle places should do) and test to see how it fits the lead. Once I went to Sportco and all Bill Herzog had was once size and said, one size fits all. I disagree. Sometimes the tubing is too loose and you loose alot of lead or it is too tight and its hard to put in the tubing. Cut your tubing into 1/8 -1/4 inch lengths and put into a small box with your hooks. Carry these with your hook sharpener, your scissors, pliers or leatherman's tool, yarn and lead.

Grab a piece of the tubing and put it through your mainline, and (sharpen hook if necessary)then tie on hook. Tie on yarn. Cut excess line and yarn. Cut lead to desired length, spit on it for lubrication, and put in tube. Adjust to desired length by sliding up or down. I go about the length from my elbow to fingers. Push excess line through eye of hook while tying on you eggs or other bait and tighten.

If your knot is rated at 85% and you're using 10 lb test the strength ahould be 8.5 lbs. If you use a swivel then your strength would only be about 6.86 lbs (.85 x .85).

It takes me about two minutes to rig up this way and re-bait after breaking off on a snag.

Anybody else do it this way? It seems to be the cheapest and fastest way to rig-up besides crimping on hollow core lead which might abraid your line more. You don't have to worry about pre-tied leaders, swivels, making slinkies or punching holes in lead.

www.netbyte.net/steelheadman

"If your knot is rated at 85% and you're using 10 lb test the strength ahould be 8.5 lbs. If you use a swivel then your strength would only be about 6.86 lbs (.85 x .85)."


And what point on your line would have a strength of 6.86lbs?