Chuck - Instead of using a snap swivel (where you would presumably snap the lure directly to the swivel, which would alter the presentation of the lure), perhaps you could have a small barrel swivel on your line (SPROs are awesome) and attach a leader to that. That way the lure presentation is unaltered, you don’t get kinks in your line and you could use a fluorocarbon leader to boot.

I am in Central Virginia…Chesterfield County to be exact. I’m blessed to live very close to the Swift Creek Reservoir (fairly large body of water) and can get there within 5 minutes. However, there is not a lot of structure on that reservoir, so it is difficult to fish, and even more so without a boat (which I do not have). There are many spots with overhanging branches I think would be good spots to fish, but I can’t get to them from the shore, and you are not allowed to swim or wade in the reservoir. So I just make it up as I go in the areas where I can access the water.

What do I fish for? Anything that can be eaten. Catfish, bass under 1.5 lbs, bluegills, crappie…any of the sunfish, really. I have little interest in catch and release fishing since the primary reason I picked fishing up last season (and hunting 2 years ago) was to learn how to provide meat for my family should times become as hard as I think they will. I had no idea how much I would fall in love with hunting and fishing (I am OBSESSED). If I catch a huge fish, that is super exciting, but not why I do it. And I learned after eating a 19” bass that they do not taste very good. Plus, since they are likely the breeding stock, it’s probably better to throw the huge ones back.

Anyway, I do what I can from the couple of docks and piers I have access to. Last summer I was able to provide a fish meal at least once per week for my family. But I consider myself a very poor angler since I can’t seem to catch fish on anything other than a Rooster Tail, Beetlespin or similar (and catfish or pesky huge eels on bottom-rigged nightcrawlers or stinkbait).