[catchaser19]

Has anyone had one of those cheap barrell swivels like the ones you find at wally world by danielson break on a cat. and what do ya think they are wieght rated for by size pound ratio?

 

[Catbird]

Catchaser, I haven't had one break but I don't use them either...lol I don't like to rely on what the manufacturer rates their tackle at so what I do is test it myself before using. The way I would test is drive a nail in a post, wood deck, etc., and rig it up with a short piece of heavy line. I use a cheap mechanical scale (the $5 kind) and while watching the scale I slowly pull till something breaks. This isn't real accurate but will let you know if you want to use them or not. Good Luck!

 

[Gator]

I have had them break on me one time not on a cat however. That is why I use only shamano Live baut or ball Bearing swivels any more.

 

[Desperado]

I have had them break. I went with berkley swivels rated at 100lbs. (black ones)and never had a problem since.

 

[blackwaterkatz]

I prefer the berkley swivels, too. They are better quality and smoother. I've never had the others fail, but I think the berkley just works better. I can feel the difference between the two.
I've also tried some ball bearing swivels, but can't enough difference to justify the cost, for my purposes.

 

[jtrew]

I often use a swivel between my braided line and my mono leader, but it's generally on the order of 2/0, so I don't have to worry about it breaking. My rule of thumb for swivels in catfishing is to figure out what the minimum safe size is, then use one twice that size. I would never, never, never use a snap swivel of any make or model, except maybe to hold my sinker, and not even then if I'm trying to make long casts.

 

[BIG GEORGE]

I guess the moral of all the good posts above is don't cut corners on terminal tackle. LOL!

 

[Kittyhunter]

I use those cheapo swivels from Walmart. I think they are #3, not sure but they are pretty big. I've successfully landed a 35 lb'er and lost a 50 or so at the boat, not due to the swivel though. I've been hung up and pulled so hard the loop in the end of the swivel bent into a triangle but never seen one break. I also use cheap Lazer Sharp hooks from Walmart too. #6 Circle Sea hooks. They are about $7 for about 50 hooks. Never had one of them break either. Want to know some more? I use $20 Walmart rod and reel combos called Catfish Combos. They look like big Zebco reels. I also use 30 lb. Walmart line. If you can't tell by now, I'm a firm believer that you don't have to spend a fortune to catch big fish. It's all in how you play 'em. The one that would have gone 50 or so, I fought him for about 10-15 minutes, got him to the boat and almost had my hand on him when he jerked his head. I had the line wrapped around my hand (stupid idea, I know but I had gloves on) and when he jerked, the line broke in my hand. Never grab the line, the pole will flex but your arm will not. If i'd brought him over to me with the pole, the line wouldn't have broken.

 

[WylieCat]

Kittyhunter I appreciate you buying at Wal-Mart. While I don't work there, I do own stock in the company!!

I tell guys that I hunt with; don't shoot a bullet that you can't buy at Wal-Mart. If you are out of town or out of bullets the night before opening day, then you dont want to have to wait until your local hunting store opens the next morning!!