Got a BD Costaic 6" shad swimbait; it has a split ring on the eye of the lure.....tie to the split ring or the bait itself?  Why / why not? Advantages / disadvantages?  Intuitively I'd like to tie direct to the bait with my 20lb PLine CXX.

Thx and Merry Xmas to all!

-EGS

In general, if the bait comes with a split ring, that's the way the manufacturer intended for them to be fished.  I would tie to the split ring or take the split ring off and use a snap, if you're a snap guy.

Makes sense; my Yumbrella could probably use one; tied direct to the jig head, it rotates all over the place...

I've always thought that the makers of the bait are in business to sell baits. Only way to sell baits and keep selling them is if they work and catch people fish. So they're going to send you the bait setup the way they feel is going to be effective. When I get a bait with a snap/split ring, that's how I fish it to start out with. 

I tie to the split ring.  The only time I remove it is if the ring, or the bait becomes damaged.  I think the ring gives the bait a little more action.

Ball bearing locking snap swivel to the split ring.