How to Use Ball Bearing Swivels

Every time your fishing line gets a twist in it between the rod and the lure or the rod and the fish you are catching, it weakens. If the twists are few, the weakening is negligible, but as the number of twists in the line increase, the weakening becomes increasingly substantial. Eventually the line will break easily and unexpectedly. One solution to the problem is to install a ball bearing swivel between the rod tip and the lure or hook at the end of the line. As the lure or fish on the end of the line spins, the swivel will allow the line to rotate and maintain its strength.

Things You'll Need

  • Fishing rod and reel
  • Ball bearing swivel
  • Fluorocarbon leader material
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Instructions

    • 1

      Tie one end of the fluorocarbon leader to one of the line tie loops on the swivel using a Palomar knot.

    • 2

      Tie the line from the fishing rod and reel to the line tie loop on the opposite end of the ball bearing swivel using a Palomar knot.

    • 3

      Tie the lure or hook to be baited and trolled to the free end of the fluorocarbon leader using a Palomar knot.