Mike -
Thanks for the response. I have been building hybrid line systems for years and
still haven't seen a loop system that I enjoy using for striper fishing due to
personal tastes. I also use aquaseal, although I thin it with cotol to reduce the
bulge even more. Pliobond had certain good characteristics but it can't come
close to aquaseal for bonding strength and durability. I've got the loops down
to a science for steelhead and salmon fishing with Spey lines and assorted sink
tips but in that fishery you don't strip retrieve the head through the guides.
When I moved back east from the pacific northwest I fished looped systems almost
exclusively because that's all I had - but after the first time I watched a big
sow bass follow up to the clunk-clunk (no matter how slim I've got the loops)
or even worse - when it takes the fly and goes for Monomoy while the loop is
banging it's way out the guides. Again personal tastes, I never lost a fish
because of it but until I figure out something that eliminates that nuance I
will probably not go back to it because of the variety of lines available on
the market.
In any case, I wholeheartedly agree that aquaseal can't be beat for loop dressing.
Take care and have a great season,
Juro Mukai
Shore Guide for Blue Northern
www.bluenorthern.com