Stand Up Harnesses??

[dknott77]

you want the stand up harness low down......contact Tim R. at Melton, He and Tracy are absolutely bar none the most o.c.d. stand up freaks of nature out there. Tim makes his own custom harnesses that when he uses, scares the $@#! out of anyone in the cockpit with him because of the massive amounts of drag he can handle with his,... grander threshers, giant blues, I believe these guys know their stand up better than anyone out there. Still don't know why they would rather stand up than sit down......Each his own!

[Fishin Fool]

I have the Braid system and have caught numerous Bluefins. I am not familier with the others mentioned here. My only advice is to stay away from the styles that come across the shoulders. Keep it around the waist.

I learned that one a long time ago the hard way.

I used a bucket style harness a couple of years ago on a big blue and it made life a lot easier. It was just too cumbersome to put on and my crew had a hard time figuring the thing out while I stayed on the rod.

I am going to look at the choices and make an educated decision. I'd rather save and get one that is easy to put on and works, than save and have a harness that is too cumbersome and takes too long to hook up.

It's all about the KISS Method (Keep It Simple Stupid).

Here's the link on the Black Magic for those who are curious.
http://www.blackmagic.co.nz/

I will look at Melton's as well as a few others and make my choice!!

Thanks Again

[Seaker]

Ok, for standup, what's the best, easiest HARNESS to put on???

I'm talking about, Screaming Drags from BIG FISH, easiest on the back, easiest to use.

Thanks In Advance!!!

Got two very differnt questions here.
Easiest to put on is probably the braid power play line just slip on from behind

Best ...Heck there's a bunch of best out there already mentioned. We use Black Magic and have tamed some reqally big fish with it inlcuding and estimated 700 pound blue and numerous BFT in the 300-700 pound range. The others mentioned are all excellent products. My anser is what fits you best. What you have the most comfort in. Once you have a unit sized for you or your angler it should be auto pilot getting it on...and I do mean getting it on

Best of luck

[southshore30]

I have the Alutecnos harness and gimbal and really love it. The Black Magic is also a great setup. The Black Magic takes a little more initial setup per angler pre-fight. Very nice system though. As Seaker said, whatever works for you.

[cape_fisherman]

Braid Power Play bucket harness.

[jtocean]

Braid in my opinion works pretty well.

[Sterling]

Great thread, has me thinking of adding another harness to the collection. I also agree that simple is better, even though simple is often not the premium engineered solution.

On my boat, and many boats I fish, we don't wear a belt until the fish is on. It's part superstition and part comfort. In addition, we're typically hooking up fish under 100lbs so the full harness setup is not usually needed. Because of this, the belt/harness needs to be easy enough to put it together quickly if needed and simple for anyone to help put it on or adjust.

[gman]

I will start by saying this we do not own a boat like most of you however with that said my 12 year old son and I fish hardcore stand up for big tuna, shark and billfish most of the year so I have tried just about every harness out there. Understanding that there are many types of harnesses, which one do you want to wear. For something fast the back harness is great however if you really want to beat down a fish there is nothing better than a bucket harness IMHO

Back harness (see image 1)
Bucket harness (see image 2)

I would strongly suggest a bucket harness as your legs do all the work. There are many good choices and they are all about the same to put on. Our two favorites are the Black Magic System & the Ocean Tackle Research System. I find that they are extremely lightweight and strong without being bulky.

1. The Black Magic System comes with a awesome plate that has a ridge in the center to negate any moving of the plate while fighting the fish. The rod butt actually sits in-between your legs so it is perfectly centered. In addition it is the lightest belt harness combo I have ever tried. Easy on easy off

Total Cost $240 (see image 3-5)
Available at Captain Harrys-Miami

2. The Ocean Tackle Research System utilizes a different approach, unlike other harnesses this one is a stand in harness meaning you put it on like a diaper of sorts. I know that sounds weird but this is the best supporting harness available. My son won the Oak Bluffs tournament using this setup in 2007. You do need to use a plate that will attach via drop straps and I would suggest a smitty XL plate. It is extra wide (19 inches) so it disperses the pressure very well.

TOTAL COST harness and plate $450 (see image 6)
Available at Melton Tackle

3 & 4 Braid makes a good product as does Alutecnos however after using and trying them all I would say that both the Braid Powerplay and the Alutecnos Bucket systems are very bulky in comparasin to the two I listed above. Just my 2 cents

Both the Braid and Alutecnos range from $250+ (see images 6,7)
Available at Melton Tackle

*** I would strongly suggest you going to a tackle store and actually trying on the systems and attaching a rod so you can feel how comfortable you will be. There is nothing worse than being strapped into a slob and being uncomfortable

Hope this helps at the end of the day my vote would be Black Magic

[offshore]

I loved my Braid power play till this season!! Used it for three seasons with no problem but this year fighting a bluefin the plate started to buckle in the middle. NOT A GOOD FEELING!!! After that trip I switched out to a Alutecnos plate and it is awesome. It has a aluminum face plate with padded backing and a flexible gimble. The plate is also wider and deeper so you can spread your stance more on a big fish. I did keep the braid bucket harness, It just feels more comfortable. I just call it the Alubraid harness!! Mark

[Deep C]

Man thats a tough one. I think among the boats I play on there are all the ones mentioned and then some... For ease of use and quick set a non drop strap system works. One where the belt is one piece and the harness itself is a piece you can add after you have the fish cooled down. The Black Magic is sweet but just seems to take more time for my people to get in. The Aftco is sweet as can be but again takes a while. The Alutecnos is a work of art but big and bulky.
We took the drop straps off our Braids so the belt goes on quick and then add the bucket. That seems to be the peoples favorite.
I have an old Normark drop strap kind. Takes a while to hook up but its light weight and comfortable.
Over all the Braid and the aftco seem to be my guests choices.
In a chair nothing beats a Murray Bucket with plenty of dish soap between it and the seat...