Three-Way Swivels

I'm a lazy fecker at the best of times. So, when I look up trace making websites and the like and see people saying that crimps should be used when making rigs, it all seems a bit like work to me. The result is that when I'm flappers and traces like flappers, I always use three-way swivels. This hasn't caused me any problems yet: any time I get snagged (which seems like all the time) it's never the trace that gives way but the leader knot instead. So I'm left wondering: is it really worth going to hassle of using crimps to keep snoods in place? Admittedly, my casting abilities are fairly modest, and there's every chance that my leader knots are rubbish, which might have something to do with it.

All the same, has anyone ever had real problems using three-way swivels? They're definitely more convenient, so I'm left wondering just why crimps are usually assumed to be the best way to build a trace ...

Any info appreciated.

Lodore

Well for one the less knots the better. And crimps, beads and swivel means your trace is all the one strength.

You say your casting is modest, Three way beads can be quite bulky and reduce casting distance. Your better off with crimps and cascade swivels etc or powergum stopknots are good also.

If your that lazy get yourself some Mustad Cross Line Crimpable Rolling Swivels

3 way swivels are fine over rough ground with one hook were losses are expected. otherwise the crimp bead swivel bead crimp set up makes things neater giving a better presentation. each to there own though.

Cheers for the replies here, lads. I'd never thought that issues I might have with casting might the consequence of end tackle, though thinking about it, it makes sense ...

3 way swivels are fine over rough ground with one hook were losses are expected. otherwise the crimp bead swivel bead crimp set up makes things neater giving a better presentation. each to there own though.

As most of my fishing is over sand, this means I have no excuse

If your that lazy get yourself some Mustad Cross Line Crimpable Rolling Swivels

Didn't even know these existed. Off to the tackle shop with me, for the third time this week. Don't tell the wife

You say your casting is modest, Three way beads can be quite bulky and reduce casting distance. Your better off with crimps and cascade swivels etc or powergum stopknots are good also.

I've no doubt this is true. With that said, put a zziplex rod with a shock leader joined to 6lb main line and I'd still probably be pushed hitting out to past my toes. At least I've got big feet

used to always use 3 ways swivels fro my DIY rigs - until someone gave me a few shop bought rigs - find the crimps /bead swivel/ set up a lot less prone to getting tangle around itself esp in heavt west coast surf. found with 3 ways that i needed to keep really short snoods - never use them now except for single heavy baits when doggie bashin. my casting is crap - so never noticed much difference with distance either way

davy