I find them quick and easy to tie, but I did practice it a bit.
The trick I found is to really over exaggerate the length of the loop, then it can be trimmed properly to whatever length you want afterwards.
I agree, they’re not the strongest though. I only tie them for fairly modest fish - a flounder is never going to break it, or even a better bass, in an estuary setting.
I’ve had two break on fish, both times when trying to lift them out as I couldn’t get down to them.
Both were on a variation of it with a double blood loop to create a basic two hook flapper, not a running ledger.
One was intended for rockling close in and an approx 8lb huss took it. It snapped when trying to lift it out.
A similar occasion saw another break on a similar sized spurdog when the rig had been out for whiting.
I got a good look at both fish but the rocks and conditions didn’t allow me to get close enough and it was a heave and hope in both cases, I was expecting they might break.
So I’m circumspect where I use the blood loop but it has its place for me as it’s quick, cheap and easy to tie.
In an estuary or beach setting for gilts I think it would be fine as long as you didn’t need to deadlift the fish out of the water.
Although if it hooks an 8lb gilt I take no responsibility ???
