I use crossloks and was beginning to think I'm missing something, everybody seems to use duolocks or coastlocks (besides breakaways). Adam, did you have a snap on when you got your 50??

I will tie direct if I think I need to finesse it, or with big jigs. On a jig, where a fish can leverage the hook, it is much easier to open/bend the snaps.

I was always under the impression that it is NOT a good idea to tie direct to a split ring, and I have had trouble myself with lost lures doing that. It is tough to snug the knot on the doubled wire of the ring, and the sharp ends of the wire can compromise the line if they touch.

Toonoc,
I was using a cross lock snap.

Here are some pics of the different snaps as sometimes we get the names crossed.

Crosslock : http://www.leadertec.com/Images/crosslock_snap_thmb.jpg

Duo-lock : http://www.leadertec.com/Images/Duolock_snap_thmb.jpg

Coastlock : http://home.megapass.co.kr/~beeline2.../coastlock.jpg

Breakaway : http://www.baitsdirect.com/acatalog/..._spin_link.jpg

I have used all but the Duolocks and have been using the Breakaways for a year now and think they are the best as far as ease of use and strength to size ratio (smaller & stronger). I use the smaller, 50 pound Breakaways 95% of the time. They are stronger because they are able to use thicker wire because you don't have to squeeze them to open like the other snaps. You would never be able to squeeze wire that thick without putting a dent in the bone in your fingers.

I also agree with Toby that after looking at the big treble hooks on a plug, the metal or plastic lip on the plug, and sometimes the front split ring, how can a 1/2 inch Breakaway clip spook a bass from hitting the lure. Also, I know many guys still do well on lures with half of the paint scraped off the original color finish.

I've started using the Breakaways on Storm lures and other plastics and so far so good.

:hihi: When the fish can tell me from his lips that he isn't going to eat an artificial lure that is not real already because it has a snap in front of it then I will start to direct tie. But until then snap on, snap off. We use the spro hyper snap on all of our light tackle and have never had one fail yet.
I use the bigger spro barrel swivels on my heavier stuff, but I have to say that if you open the snap too far it will break right in half. So they are strong if you can get them on the lure with out breaking them, But I prefer the breakaway on the bigger stuff!!!