Snaps

I've never saw anyone who used an actual snap but i use the smallest swivel i can find at the erie baitshops. Its a lot easier to tie to that when its cold out than to tie a double uni knot or any other type to join two lines.

I also have been using the quickclip/fast snaps at the end of my leader to make bait changing easier. They look pretty flimsy but in 4 years a steelie still hasn't straightened one out.

Start with a good fluorocarbon tapered leader, 9'+ in 2X or 3X.  You will soon loose the last couple feet of it through normal wear and tear.  Then tie the smallest black barrel swivel (not snap) you can manage on the leader.  Tie whatever length of whatever size tippet you want on the swivel and rig normally.  One advantage is you can leave a short tag on the swivel for split shot.  This set up is great for "chuck & duck" and 2-fly dropper/indicator fishing for steelies.  It is OK for swinging wets and streamers.  Probably not too good for drys, though.

Mike R.
   I use both a snap swivel and a barrell swivel, the barrell swivel is a little better because it tends to be lighter and stronger.  I even like to use the three way swivels and tie my weight to the dropper off the third arm.  That way I can put a fly down deep with weight and have another up higher.  Don't worry about the weight factor too much; you are trying to get the flies down.  I like to use a weighted stone bouncing the bottom and a glo-dot egg slightly higher up and floating.
   One of the major reasons for the snap swivel is so I can change from flies to minnows to egg rigs quickly without tying knots.  I simply pre-rig my leaders or tippetts with a snelled end and put the tippettt in pouches at my house.  Then, on the creek, I just slip the looped end of the terminal line into the snap link and I'm ready to go.  No fumbling with frozen fingers.