Using a barrel swivel to easily switch out lures is a common practice among bass anglers, and there are several reasons why it can be beneficial. The main advantage of using a barrel swivel is that it helps prevent line twists, which can occur when you rig a soft plastic bait like a jerkbait on a hook and twitch it while reeling. Line twists can affect the presentation of your bait and potentially decrease your chances of hooking a bass. By using a barrel swivel, you can eliminate or reduce line twists, allowing your bait to move more naturally in the water.
Another benefit of using a barrel swivel is that it can act as a weight, providing extra casting distance and helping to drive the bait down in the water column when paused. This can be particularly useful when fishing in deeper water or when you want to target bass at different depths. The added weight from the barrel swivel can also help improve the overall balance and action of your lure.
Additionally, in clear water situations, some anglers believe that a barrel swivel can mimic a small fish being chased by another fish. This can make your bait appear more natural and potentially attract more bites, especially when fishing in clear water conditions. However, it's important to note that this is a subjective belief and may not always be the case.
It's worth mentioning that the use of a barrel swivel does require tying multiple knots, such as a palomar knot to attach the swivel to your mainline and a double fluorocarbon knot to attach the fluorocarbon leader to the swivel. These knots should be tied properly to ensure a strong and reliable connection. The length of the leader can vary depending on personal preference, but a range of 12 to 18 inches is commonly used.
In conclusion, using a barrel swivel to easily switch out lures can be advantageous in terms of preventing line twists, adding weight for longer casts and depth control, and potentially enhancing the bait's natural appearance. However, it's important to consider the specific fishing conditions and experiment with different setups to determine what works best for you.