Stand Up Harnesses??

[BIGJAHOOTIE]

i love the smittys Harness it helps me lay the smack down got it from jb tackle in alabama

thats my 2 cents

Ja-hootie

[tom@marlinstar]

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

Great post, stand up gear can be confusing and picking the right one should never be left to luck.One thing to think about regarding the speed factor. If your fishing standup for the big guys,think about having as much of your gear on. I use the OTR system and I absolutely love this harness but, although it may seem uncomfortable, I will fish with this harness already on. That way when the fish is up you're not doing the mad scramble to get hooked in. I fish an 80 Accurate Narrow on a Melton Grander 80c bent butt stand up rod,OTR harness and a Smitty's Super Special belt.

[DEEP DEFIANCE]

I am also wearing mine!and it is quite comfortable at that!not bulky and like I said atach the plate and your ready for battle.I also own several braid harness's for my crew but my personal harness is the OTR and I have been using this for at least 6-7years now.

[bigg09]

lucain,
if you want to see oneof the aftco's you can stop by some time. I just got it and it is sweet. randy and i have been using his braid and it is great, but it is easy to get upside down and tangled. not to mention that it is 4 times as heavy as the aftco. i have tried it on and had a rod with a lot of weight on it, but have never been in a long battle. i know the braid and the black magic are great. the braid is just confusing and heavy. we all can't wait to test the aftco on a big sword. i thought we might have an opportunity last monday, but only had one bite. the aftco has another cool feature, a handle on the back so you can hold on to the angler when he is in the corner on a fiesty fish.
casey

[Capt Say]

I'ved used most all of them at one point or another... Black Magic , then OTR, than Braid.... Ther're all pretty damn good It's best to try them on before shelling out the cash...

Jay

[gman]

Great post, stand up gear can be confusing and picking the right one should never be left to luck.One thing to think about regarding the speed factor. If your fishing standup for the big guys,think about having as much of your gear on. I use the OTR system and I absolutely love this harness but, although it may seem uncomfortable, I will fish with this harness already on. That way when the fish is up you're not doing the mad scramble to get hooked in. I fish an 80 Accurate Narrow on a Melton Grander 80c bent butt stand up rod,OTR harness and a Smitty's Super Special belt.

Thanks we wear our 100% of the time from lines in, you just never know when that fish of a lifetime is going to show up. I have moved on to using the black magic although my son wears his OTR and loves it. Once its on you forget about it anyway. Id rather be prepared

The OTR really gives you full support from around your hips and is very comfortable on. Here is my 12 year old using the OTR

[canyongear]

We use Braid Power Play..with the bucket harness for the big guys..smaller fish we like Canyon Products belt and harness as a set..all plastic seat belt clips are removed immediately then taken to the local canvas shop for install of "D" rings. The D rings make easy on and adjustable when fighting a fish by anyone behind the angler with a simple pull. The webbing stiching is cut and then re-sewn with stainless rings makes things simple and easy to adjust.
Here's the website: www.canyonproducts.com
See pics..we use the H70 Belt and the H60 Harness...for the money..best ive found and the manufacturer stands behind the product. We had a belt gimble fail they sent a new one and a second a wholesale cost!
We have no relation to CanyonProducts other than using them.

[Parapapam]

The easiest to put on:

http://www.alltackle.com/Merchant2/m...t_Code=PLNPGCM

This Playaction is the easiest to put on....

Might not be the "best." I have never fought a monster in it. But it is
about as easy to put on as anything I have seen.

For the record, I own a Braid Harness. This style is owned by a buddy of mine. The Braid covers a lot more variety of waist line sizes. But this Playaction snaps right on if your waste size is right.... can't be easier to get on.

Mike

[tim R]

I see my Dknot weighed in on this. That's cool, he and I have busted up alot of crazy fish in Kona,HI on stand up...We had a 250 Mako almost give us the "Stewart Campbel" treatment one night.

There are several things to consider when you want to fish heavy tackle on stand up. By Heavy I mean 80 class reels with 100 lb+ line.

First thing, what are you fishing for?

Rod and reel are huge decisions. The most powerful set up is a 4' 11" Tuna Lifter with a short bent butt. The taper on the blank is critical, Tracy Melton does an amazing job of putting a fast tip on his rods with great back bone, a pure parabolic bend won't cut it. Plenty of rod makers have copied the design but don't understand how these rods need to load up to properly to help the angler.

Here is where it gets tricky, everyone is built differently so different reels and harnesses / plates are required to fit different body types. I make everyone try on all the harnesses and figure out which suite their body type and budget.

If you have wide hips or are big, the reel can be an 80W, people with narrow hips are more balanced with an 80 Narrow reel. The plate is the next key point, the Black Magic has the best gimbal position because it's recessed (like the Grander Series I custom make, but only sell on rare occasions). If you're a bigger guy Black Magic plate is too small, but they are supposedly coming out with a bigger one which should be better for the big guys. If you are a big dude get the extreme Smitty plate, it is the best design for big guys using short bent butts, The braid gimbal is too far off your thighs (plate is too thick), but some people are comfortable with it so try it on.

The harness on the Black Magic is almost too light, but very well balanced, the OTR is the real killer harness, but try it on and make sure it fits you well. It's the most highly adjustable harness available and you want to wear both of these while fishing so you can quickly strap in to a fish. The OTR is not a community harness because it has so many adjustments. The angler who's up next has to strap into it, get adjusted and keep it on. The Braid Brute Buster bucket harness offers great comfort and for some anglers is the best fit. I have put alot of guys in Smitty plates with Brute Buster Harnesses.

On a budget, if your under a 190 lbs. and under 6' the Black Magic is a great value, it's quick and light and well balanced. If you're 200 lb. plus and over 6' you will probably progress to the Braid Brute Buster harness (avoid the Power Play harness) with the Power Play Belt, but be carefull this set up can go sideways if you get off balance. An honorable mention goes to the Aftco set up, but they're best with straight butts and just a little lighter class of tackle...In the lighter class they're and excellent choice.

If you can spend more, the best of the best is the OTR Harness with XL Smitty plate, but again try it on make sure it's for you. Same with any harness and plate combo grab your stand up rod, tie it off to a dog stake in the back yard and load it up, sit in it for 15 minutes under simulated pressure and see if there are any pinch points.

If you have an unlimited budget, I'll make you one of my Grander Series in Kona, HI...Just park your jet at the end of the runway and we'll spend a couple of nights pulling on Thresher Sharks and getting the harness dialed in!

Seriously, I don't make my harness and belt for anyone I haven't fished with, you have to have the beef and skill to use it otherwise it can get a little sketchy, especially at night.

[ocnslr]

Lucian,

I've got two different Braid harness sets, including the Power Play.

Give me a call if you want to come over and try them on...

Brian