I know that some folks are anti clips and I do accept that a freak bite from a large fish could open one. It has never happened to me though. If it does I might change my view :). Using a long oval ring helps in keeping the end of the clip swivel away from the bite area.  I certainly have no fears of a high quality clip failing from fish pulling force alone.

I would never jig without a swivel and, IMHO, using a clip is the best way of keeping any direct fish pressure off the split ring. If I use a normal ball bearing swivel, then I would rig the assist off the jig end ring of the swivel. That has the same effect of directing pressure past the split ring which is only there to hold the jig. 

Totally with you about the Japanese (and indeed Taiwanese) and I have been lucky enough to fish with some truly superb jiggers from those countries (mostly in Indonesia).

All that being said, I am a bit intrigued by grommet rings and once I get my hands on some, I might just experiment a bit.

Cheers.

Initially I thought that swivels, clips, solid rings, split rings etc made for one helluva lot of superfluous hardware that was hardly stealthy.  Now seeing what the Japanese jiggers have settled on is a great example to follow.  Afterall, it was they who "invented" mechanical jigging while fishing in fish-scarce water. 

The fishing in NZ can be consider near virginal compared to overseas.  The fishing is no where near as hard, therefore the use of additional hardware might not have much detrimental effect on success rate. But why take the gamble?  The Japanese and Taiwan jiggers have shown the way and I for one, don't like to re-invent the wheel.  This is why I use what has been shown me and I in turn show others.

Another reason against swivel clips is because they are so close to the bite area of the jig, it is possible (as I found out) for the clip to open or even fail. 

 

Ive decided the way Im gonna do it - but Im not telling yet.

 

Nah seriously the way you guys offer a ton of learned tips is awesome.