Loop Opti?

[fxfly]

I was in the market for a new 8wt reel for use on a planed trip out of the country in June 2009. I love Able reels but was looking for something different. Looked at Nautilus, Tibor and others; I found that most reels come close to the price of an Able and I would rather have an Able if the cost were similar. Just my preference...

Loop Opti series reels are very nice but they are so closely priced to an Able not sure why someone would chose a Loop Opti Speedrunner reel over an Able Super 8. I have been told that the big difference is the “Matrix Drag” system of the Loop Opti reels.

So, during my research, for a new reel, I located a seller that was offering new Loop reels with a huge discount. I purchased a Speedrunner and extra spool for dirt cheap [less than $500].

My first impression is that they are well made and of high quality.

Anyone hear have any experience with the Loop Opti reels in heavy salt water use?

http://blog.protectedareas.us/public/rtime1.png

[capttcb]

I'm curious on the backing capacity. If I'm not mistaken (I usually am) I've heard that you often give up line capacity for speed? I think smaller arbor reels hold more line but large arbor picks up line faster.
I haven't personally seen one of those reels but I can say I have thought of hunting one down to look at. I think they are a well made reel andI like they way they look. And for the price you got one for with the spare spool, you found a great deal. I would be very happy with that'
Let us know how it works out or what you like about in comparison to other reels you own

I live not far from Tampa. Shoot me an e-mail on where you found that deal, I might get one for myself. capttcb27@aol.com

[fxfly]

The backing capacity is rate at 180yards of #30. I am hoping to get close to 200yards using #20. I have not put any line on it yet; either way I am OK with it. I have been told that the reel picks-up 18.5 inches per rotation. The reel is huge [but very light] with a diameter of 4 inches. To say this is a large arbor reels is an understatement...I do not believe there is another reel on the market that can compare with this amount of pick-up. It is much larger than other reels rated for the same line weights and has an inset reel handle. I do like the “V” shaped spool.

My first impressions of the drag are good; it is rather adjustable. The spool is removed very quickly with no loose parts.

I could take a few other photographs.

[capttcb]

Are there anymore available where you got it from?

[fxfly]

The first photograph is the other side.

The second is a photograph of the “V” shape spool.

You can see the reel handle and the counter weight are inset.

http://blog.protectedareas.us/public/loop-01.jpg

http://blog.protectedareas.us/public/loop-02.jpg

[Kuskus68]

Nice reel,you can put gel-spun on the reel and fit maybe close to 300 yards of 35!!!good luck with it.

[fxfly]

Thanks for the idea; I was also considering Micronite, which falls in the middle of Dacron and Gel-Spun.

I have never used either...I have always used SA backing.

[sweet+salt]

I have not used this Korean-built Loop but a gentleman among a group I went to the southern Bahamas with last week had one and liked it. Obviously its main virtue is high speed line retrieval rather than capacity. My issue is aspect ratio; I prefer a narrower, deeper spool (like the Abel Super 9 [225 yds.#30 Micron + WF8F] for example) so when fighting a fish I need not pay lots of attention to un-even line build-up as one must with a wide spool. Focus on the fish not the reel I say. If, however, you want to diversify from your Abels, may I recommend you check out California-built Hatch Reels. A very different design approach from Abel's tried-and-true draw-bar, cork drag mechanism but an intelligent and innovative alternative.

[Kuskus68]

You could use the black spot micron gelspun its a blend thats what I put on my super 11 I think I ended up with 400 yards of 50lb!!!Thats my tuna reel!!

[fxfly]

Yes, I would like to have at least 200yrds, of backing, on this reel. I will be using it for bonefish in June and would not fell comfortable with 185yards of Dacron.

As I mentioned, I do not have any experience with Gel-Spun backing, and from what I have read your backing to fly line connection should be something other than a Loop-to-Loop connection.

Kuskus68 what connection are you using for your backing to fly line on your Supper 11?

I had someone suggest using an Albright knot [backing to fly line] and then sealing it. However, that sound to big to slide through the guides of an 8wt.

Generally, I would use a whip loop in the end of the fly line and use a Bimini twist in the backing; this works great. Not an option when using gel-spun backing?

[Kuskus68]

I think I used a nail not for backing to flyline remember the blackspot gelspun by cortland is a blend with micron in it the nail knot will hold fine.
I landed plenty of albies,bonita,and bluefin with this backing never had a knot issue.Tight lines..I believe the cortland comes in 35lb and 50lb.

[T-Bro]

I think this is the best option for flyline backing for fishing lines 9wt or above. The diameter is the same as 20 lb. Micron, and as a hollow core line, much "softer" to the hand than Power Pro or other solid spectra.

I have begin to whip a blind splice loop into the backing on my reels and either whip a loop into the flyline, or insert the flyline into a spectra loop (I make mine out of 80# Jerry Brown Hollow. I recomend that you use the white line, as the colored ones are harder to splice than the white.

Good luck. The hollow core spectra is a little mor expensive, but I have had some on Penn Internationals for over 5 years with no breakdown in strength. I have used it for flyline backing for 4 years now, and like it much better than dacron or micron. I also believe that you can tie a 40 turn Bimini in the spectra, and put a drop of knot sense on the knot, and still loop it to the loop on the flyline.

Best regards,

T-Bro

[Gadabout Guinea]

... I purchased a Speedrunner and extra spool for dirt cheap [less than $500]...

I see the price of dirt has risen dramatically!

[wjc]

Hi All,

Just found this site while doing a search for Jerry B hollow core gel spun knots. I've heard that 40 twist biminies work, but would rather hear from the manufacturer in case I have to do any splices from it to mono or fly lines.

I switched from using biminies and the Lefty Kregh loop to the blind splice since there is no knot at all in the backing.

All the fly line mfgs. put loops on both ends of their lines and also their running lines for shooting heads. They are very smooth through the guides. The striper guys using shooting heads are running them through their guides all night long.

Blind splices are very easy to do, and all you need is a $2.00 splicing tool from Gudbrod or Orvis or somebody.

A friend of mine had a nail knot fail on a tarpon a couple weeks ago. It stripped the plastic off the core. Course, he doesn't fish for them but once a year, so it has probably been sitting in his closet since last year.

If I didn"t have a loop on my fly line, I would stick one on there from braided mono. It is even smaller than the factory loops.

If you are going with knots, I'd coat them with "knot sense" or something. But everyone has an opinion - especially me! :D
Cheers,

[Kuskus68]

Hi All,

Just found this site while doing a search for Jerry B hollow core gel spun knots. I've heard that 40 twist biminies work, but would rather hear from the manufacturer in case I have to do any splices from it to mono or fly lines.

I switched from using biminies and the Lefty Kregh loop to the blind splice since there is no knot at all in the backing.

All the fly line mfgs. put loops on both ends of their lines and also their running lines for shooting heads. They are very smooth through the guides. The striper guys using shooting heads are running them through their guides all night long.

Blind splices are very easy to do, and all you need is a $2.00 splicing tool from Gudbrod or Orvis or somebody.

A friend of mine had a nail knot fail on a tarpon a couple weeks ago. It stripped the plastic off the core. Course, he doesn't fish for them but once a year, so it has probably been sitting in his closet since last year.

If I didn"t have a loop on my fly line, I would stick one on there from braided mono. It is even smaller than the factory loops.

If you are going with knots, I'd coat them with "knot sense" or something. But everyone has an opinion - especially me! :D
Cheers,Double the flyline when nailnot is used never had a problem.

[sweet+salt]

Just out of curiosity; why double the fly line and tie a nail knot rather than an Albright?

I too afix a loop at the rear of the line to interface with a 48 turn Bimini in my backing but I do it by knotting a hank of backing to the rear of the line and putting a matching Bimini in it so my loop-to-loop is of like materials. I have not used much gelspun and never the hollow braid but it sounds interesting as it is alleged to be 'softer' than solid braid. Hi-tech I may be in some ways but I have been sticking with #30 Micron untill convinced otherwise.

[fxfly]

If I fix the backing to fly line with a knot I uses the Slim Beauty. It is a great knot a very simple to tie even on the water and it requires no tool—such as the nail knot using a nail knot tool. The Slim Beauty is larger than a nail knot; however, I prefer it.

I prefer the Loop-to-Loop connection for fly line to backing...this is a common configuration in the south east.

[Kuskus68]

Just out of curiosity; why double the fly line and tie a nail knot rather than an Albright?

I too afix a loop at the rear of the line to interface with a 48 turn Bimini in my backing but I do it by knotting a hank of backing to the rear of the line and putting a matching Bimini in it so my loop-to-loop is of like materials. I have not used much gelspun and never the hollow braid but it sounds interesting as it is alleged to be 'softer' than solid braid. Hi-tech I may be in some ways but I have been sticking with #30 Micron untill convinced otherwise.
I like to double the flyline to prevent coating from stripping off this has happened to me before when using a nail knot...

[fxfly]

This is why I use the Slim Beauty when attaching my backing to the fly line. It is a great knot and is tied in such a way that one knot is backed by the other.

As I side note, I have purchased some Spectra braid and will use it for backing on this reel.

[Kuskus68]

IMHO braid is the way to go it lasts soooo much longer does not hold water like dacron or micron and wont rot.