how do you minimize line twist?

[Nic Gibson]

How do you minimize line twist? 

I am using barrel swivels, and fairly cheap bearing swivels for spoons. I seem to be getting a fair bit of line twist- more than I was hoping for or expecting. 

What are some of your tips for minimizing line twist while trolling- esp on downriggers. 

Related to this, I was using the rubber band method on downriggers for most of last season, but I had a couple of lines break off. It seemed like the line was moving through the 2 rubber bands I had on the line in 8-ft of water, and as I put pressure on it to break free the line would slide a little then snap. Any experience with this? 

 

[N II Deep]

I have never used the rubber band method,  but if the rubber band holds your line while dropping down that may be the issue.

 

I have always run Blacks Releases   https://www.blackmarineproducts.com/product-page/black-s-downrigger-release-clip

 

no issue with line twist using these releases for me.

[Nic Gibson]

18 hours ago, N II Deep said:

I have never used the rubber band method,  but if the rubber band holds your line while dropping down that may be the issue.

 

I have always run Blacks Releases   https://www.blackmarineproducts.com/product-page/black-s-downrigger-release-clip

 

no issue with line twist using these releases for me.

I used these and attached the rubber band to them at a tension that the bands would break most of the time. I used one band down to about 50 ft and 2 after that. Dan Keating method. The bands seemed to hold pretty well. I'm not sure how this would cause or allow for twist. 

I put in the Chamberline releases at the end of last season with shock absorbers, and I did like the change. But I'm still trying to figure out what went wrong and if that I'm missing something that is increasing line twist. It seemed like I was getting twist even if I ran a 10 foot floro leader at the end of my mono leader with a bearing swivel at both ends. 

[jdh]

Need quality ball bearing swivels to prevent twist.  Also, do you know what brand of line and lb test you're using?

When I started I was doing the rubber band method on blacks releases, then I got rid of the rubber bands and just use the blacks.  No problems in 11 years of big lake fishing for me.

[FBD]

I’ve been having problems with picking up green slime while trolling near the bottom or in shallow.  That can bugger up the best of swivels.