I love split rings and still use them on water traps but Im too gun-shy to use them on land now. I had one half opened by a yote and this one in the pics openeed completely by a yote that left with an mb 650. Now it may have very well just been a bad batch but between that and all the black bear we have I use j hooks or quick links now.. sometimes s hooks

Got a few links of chain at end, and use quick connectors.
End tighten with pliers.

This^^^^^

Some folks will find this out sooner or later.

Because Where I trap, sometimes I need to disengage very quickly and don't have time to dig up the anchor and don't want to cut the cable because I will probably put one back there in a day or two. Plus if I want to put one back, all I do is hook up the link to the cable make the set and I'm done in about three to 5 minutes. Takes about 20 seconds to get my trap.

I have been doing like Swamp Wolf does for the last number of years. J-hook, 2 links of chain, then quick link. It seems to save the swivel from getting fouled as much.

Q ) Why would you need a quick link when you could just use the 'j-hook', closing it around the cable loop.
[/quote]
Because Where I trap, sometimes I need to disengage very quickly and don't have time to dig up the anchor and don't want to cut the cable because I will probably put one back there in a day or two. Plus if I want to put one back, all I do is hook up the link to the cable make the set and I'm done in about three to 5 minutes. Takes about 20 seconds to get my trap.[/quote]
I still think the j hook is much faster if you're worried about speed and convenience

Easier for me to take off the quick link vs finding the j-hook removal tool. Never had one open or break a quick link.

Because the quick link is reusable

I was always told the J hooks should be used once and tossed?

If that is wrong let me know

^^agree if for coyotes. I like the Quicklinks