Will Speed Clips Ruin Your Topwater Lure Action? [Experiment Results]
- By: Tony Acevedo
- on
If you ask the non-speed clip fans in the room why they don’t use them, chances most of them will mention that they mess up your lure action at some point in the conversation.
I decided to test that theory for myself. In this video, I set up our Moonwalker topwater lure on both the Norman speed clip and Tactical Angler power clip to see how they compare to the loop knot I normally use.
Better yet, the trout were active, giving me a completely objective look at whether speed clips have a negative effect on topwater action. Check it out and be sure to leave your thoughts in the comments below!
How Speed Clips Affect Topwater Lure Action
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Key Takeaways
- On the surface, both speed clip styles seemed to allow the Moonwalker to maintain its walk-the-dog action.
- The trout agreed, and I got plenty of strikes using speed clips to attach the lure.
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I don’t have a lot of rods to have different baits for each, so I use the tactical angler micro clips for everything. Saves me also from having to retire a leader after cutting and tying knots for different baits all day. But as mentioned already, the hoss helix weedless hooks have too small of an eye, so I use owner weedless when needed. The clips work great for all my hard baits. A technique for tying leader to clip, if you start from a specific side of clip using orvis knot, it will leave a tag end that helps block weeds from snagging on the clip.
Thanks for sharing Steve!
Growing up I used snap Swivels to quickly change out my lores. Then I tied everything on to feel the line better. Then recently I tested out some of these speed clips and they seem to work well. The other thing is they may help catch fish because they make extra sound as you retrieve the lore connected on your line. I will keep testing.
The clips are definitely a better choice since they’re a smaller profile and don’t distract too much from the lure.
I wondered if the clips would affect the attraction of the lure. What about on other types of lures, jig heads,etc.? Thanks for the info!
I’ll be testing out some other lures as well!
Would love to see you use them for several trips in all types of applications.
Is it possible to use on power prawns?
Yes they can be used with all types of lures. However, if you are fishing areas with a lot of grass I would avoid using them since they have a tendency to catch loose grass.
Which speed clip would you recommend (name and size) to use, that you can switch from power prawn to mulligan…or other similar baits?
thank you
would you consider Crankbait Snap clip or just one of this 2 you mentioned above?
if power prawn is rigged on hoss helix hook, doesn’t look like those clips will fit in that small whole on top of the hook, or even if it fit, isn’t going to be to tight to stopping lure to move freely?
I prefer the Tactical Angler Micro Power Clip, which is one showed in this video.
Tony – always had problems with Spanish going after anything shinny. Have you noticed the speed clips encourage the Spanish cut offs.
Hey Charles! Haven’t had any issues with that. The hooks themselves are shiny as well so I think that would be more of an attractant.
Love my tactical angler clips. Makes life much easier when surfcasting for blues or stripers.
Good stuff!
For a few years, I’ve been using speed clips on my leaders for most of my fishing applications including spoons, weighted hooks, jigs, popping corks, and pre rigged terminal tackle. I love them for the easy of switching lures and you use less leader material throughout the day. I have not noticed a significant difference in my lure action, but I would love to see Tony do a video comparison of speed clip vs loop knot on jig, weighted hook, and others.
Thanks for the feedback Josh! I plan on doing some tests with jig heads and weighted hooks soon.
Thanks for posting the speed clips videos. I hesitated using them because I didn’t know if they changed the action of the lure. The results you showed proved to me that they definitely can be used.
You’re welcome Warren!
Thanks for doing that. I made the switch to speed clips after your last video. I find it so much easier when having to change lures.
You’re welcome John!