Photo Credit - Matt Addington Photography
Products Featured:
St. Croix - Croix Custom Ice Perch/Eye Spoon Rod - CI28MLF
Darren B. asks:
There seems to be an ongoing debate on whether or not a fisherman should use a barrel swivel above a fluorocarbon leader or if one should tie a uni knot. Are there certain times that one should be used over the other? What is your preferred presentation?
The long and short of the matter is that I prefer a swivel when I can. Especially for flutter type spoons as they really swing, tumble, and roll around. Your average lead spoons still will impart some line twist, but not nearly that of a flatter spoon design.
That said, when the bite is hot and something breaks, I choose time and efficiency over tying in another swivel. I’ve never used a uni-knot to connect on ice, but would do so in the event I needed braid. Whitefishing in deep water would be a prime example of that, but I might take the opportunity to use a swivel there as well, unless my leader needed to be long. Green Bay Walleyes and Whitefish again would come to mind given the clarity of water you’re fishing them in. Hope this makes sense, and hopefully it answered your question.
Thanks!
Joel