Lure fishing for Bass

How do you connect your lures, this is the question, some prefer loop knots but I think a small lure clip is the way to go. There are lots on the market, but not so many that are suitable for using to attach lures. It needs to be light weight and small, the last thing you want is a clip that’s going to effect the action of the lure, you also need one that’s easy to open with cold fingers.

The Emerillons J.B. No. 3 (18kg) is my favourite to attach a plug, it’s very small and being rated at 18kg strong enough, opening couldn’t be easier and you get the feeling that it’s not going to open on it’s own and from experience it never has. But why the swivel, it not necessary for plugs and if you want a really compact clip just snip it off. The other great advantage of the JB is it’s overall diameter, being very small it’s easy to fit through all your rod rings allowing it to be left on your leader.

There is one problem with the JB though and it manifests itself as soon as you start using various hooks and jig heads for soft plastics, it doesn’t fit all of them. Some of the tying eyes on jig heads are small but made up with heavy gauge steel and this can cause a problem for the JB.

As an alternative the Decoy Egg Snap Size:4 (90lb) looks good, but they are a little hard to open and seems to be a bit on the hefty side, I may well try these in a smaller size if available. The Flashmer Agrafe “Americaine” Agrafe Double Inox – No.3 (28kg) seems like a good compromise, it’s open design making it easy to fit to various sizes of tying eyes.

I have to say that despite a few problems fitting the JB to some jig heads I really do like these clips, click the read more to see comparison pictures.

If your wondering about the lure it’s a Duo Tide Minnow Slim 140 Flyer, 21g (sinking)

Emerillons J.B. No. 3 (18kg)

Emerillons J.B. No. 3 (18kg) swivel removed

Flashmer Agrafe “Americaine” Agrafe Double Inox – No.3 (28kg)

Decoy Egg Snap Size:4 (90lb)

Left to right: JB with swivel removed, JB, Decoy Egg Snap and Flashmer Americaine