Power, Value, and a Great Hook Keeper are all
attributes of Harmonix rods
|
Date: |
2/28/09 |
|
Tackle Type: |
Rods |
|
Manufacturer: |
Reel Time
Designs |
|
Reviewer: |
Zander |
Total Score: 7.41 + GOOD
Introduction:
Have you heard of Reel Time
Designs? Perhaps their innovative hook hanger will jog your memory. The company
has a patent on a well known drop-shot weight keeper system, and this system has now been incorporated into the company's own branded rod
series called "Harmonix."
|
Harmonix
6'6"
Spinning
Rod Specifications
|
| Material |
IM6 carbon
graphite |
| Length |
6'6" |
| Line Wt. |
6-12 lb test |
| Lure Wt. |
1/8 -
1/2oz |
| Pieces |
1 |
| Guides |
8 Guides +
Tip (Alconite) |
| Power Rating |
Medium |
| Taper |
Fast |
| Rod Weight |
5.3oz |
| MSRP |
$69.00 |
Meet the Harmonix rod from
the team at Reel Time
Designs
About Reel Time Designs:
The
original keeper design also
is sold as a stand alone
product and is attached to
any rod blank with a special
tape that will not damage or
mar rods in any way. The
keeper is available in black
paint overlay, and
titanium-coated black over
stainless steel.
Reel Time Designs is
run by Steve Kokai and Diane
Johnson and Harmonix rods is
their latest venture which
blends their original hook
keeper with a rod
that is designed to be
durable, sensitive, and
above all affordable.
The Harmonix logo shines
courtesy of a holographic
implementation
Impressions:
Harmonix rods are available in both spinning and casting models and there are a
total of 8 spinning rods and 5 casting rods available. The casting rods are
application specific and designed for specific baits while the spinning rods are
broken up by species.
We paired the rod with a
Shimano 2500 Stradic MgFA
for our tests
The rods feature a distinct
light blue finish and there is blue and gold threading and highlights throughout
the length of the rod. Directly above the patented hook hanger is a criss-cross
pattern that ushers in visions of traditional rods of years past. While I personally
prefer cleaner more understated layouts the Harmonix rod does stand out in a sea
of me-too rods.
The rod was able to cast
lures much heavier than the
rated weights
The rods are constructed with
of IM6 carbon graphite and blue alconite guides are used to complement the rods
blue blank. The rod is finished with a holographic logo and specifications that
flashes different colors depending on the angle and lighting on the blank.
The rod makes use of the
company's patented hook
keeper, and it is a good one
Lab Tests:
We tested the 6'6" rod in the company's spinning lineup, and as with all test
rods the Harmonix rod had to first survive our RoD WRACK. What we found was that
between the Harmonix 66 spinning rod is a slightly more powerful stick than
other similarly rated rods and the rod has a rather fast tip.
The rod weighed in at
5.3oz. which is slightly heavier than other rods of similar length, for example
the average Loomis non GLX rod between 6-7 feet weighs in between 4.2-4.5oz.,
the GLX rods often weigh just under 4oz.
Blue alconite guides match
the rod's blank
Real World Tests:
The Harmonix 66 rod is
designed to be used for a
variety of species including
Bass, Walleye, and Stripers.
In our own field tests we
head to our home water on
the California Delta to fish
for largemouth bass. We
paired the rod with a
Shimano Stradic MgFA 2500
size reel and spooled up with
Berkley Trilene XL 8lb line.
We fished with a variety of
lures including shallow
running cranks and
weightless Texas rigged
plastics.
With a fish on the line the
rod has plenty, and we mean
PLENTY of backbone
Casting:
The Harmonix rod is rated for 1/8-1/2oz. baits but this rod can easily toss 1oz.
jigs and bucktails without breaking a sweat. In fact it is at the upper end of
the spectrum that the rod most feels at home and I was able to toss deep diving
crankbaits well outside the lure specifications with ease. When it came to the
lighter lures the rod was able to toss or pitch weightless rigged senkos with no
difficulty either.
The section directly above
the reel seat is threaded
ornately ushering in images
of traditional and even some
saltwater rods
Next Sections: Retrieving, Power, and that
hook hanger
