If any of you have casting reels that don't have the harness loops, this looks like the answer.

http://www.meltontackle.com/shopping/product.asp?product_id=11016

Many of you may already be aware of it, but I saw a post some time ago inquiring about this, and a fellow on my last trip tipped me off on this. I have it on my Trinidad 30.

Thanks, This was going to be my next post.

Snagged, what was the name of that harness you recommended several months ago? I tried to look it up in the archives and could not find it.

I think Jerry prefers the Smitty belt and harness.

FWIW- I use the Black Magic harness and belt and love it.

http://www.charkbait.com/cs/fighting.htm

http://www.campbellsprotackle.com/store/product.asp?ID=1356

get strapped bracket makes the reels a little harder to cast with. Its nice to have a place to strap in though... I would use it on my jigging setup, but not a topwater casting setup. Just my opinion. It hurt my thumb trying to reach up and over the get strapped bracket while thumbing the reel to prevent backlash. Wish they would come up with some sort of clamshell that goes over the side plates and has the rings at the top of the reel.... be nice to see one incorporated in with the rod clamp...

I also noticed on the few jiggin videos I have seen that a few are using a neck strap with a snap on the end - the snap goes onto the spinning rod, which had some cord wrapped around the upper grip- Maybe parachute cord??

I lost my Smitty belt and harness about a month ago when some drunk idiot tried to use it as a flotation device. I was playing poker in the salon and did not know about it until it was long gone. I liked it but think I will replace it with the black magic. Capt. Harrys is cheaper than the site you posted Ragman. I hate buying something I haven't seen in person but I haven't heard anything but praise about the blackmagic.

http://www.blackmagic.co.nz/


http://www.captharry.com/belts-bmagic.html

Does anyone know if the get strapped bracket works on the Torsa. I know it fits the Trinidad.

mrbill,
seems I read somewhere they are made for several different reels but I have not found any available for the Avet LX and after reading Ronnie's post not sure I want one because that was definitely my first concern. I would be very interested knowing how you like the black magic rig should you decide to purchase it.

As Tom said I like the Smitty with the largest plate that will fit you.
The get strapped brackets add a bit of weight to your rig, I use one because of physicial problems.

charkbait has a get strapped bracket for the avet. and the regular one will work on the torsa's but it is a tight fit...rick

I use my Trinidad for jigging. I would remove the bracked if I was going to cast it.

Jerry,

That is my concern. I have had horrible tendonidous in both elbows for years, and with me working with my hands all the time on boats, it doesn't get much time to heal. On quatro, I was in complete misery after that first big tuna, and not to mention the 5 AJ's I put on the boat. I couldn't put enough pressure on the crank of the reel to take in any line after a while. But, my thinking is, with a snapped in harness, I don't have to hold the rod so much with my arms like I did before. I can use my back and legs to fight the fish, and arms for controlling the rod and reeling.

I would think the bend where the hooks connect could be lower on that bracket, so as not to interfere with the thumb to spool action. Could be that it's a fulcrum point and lowering it causes problems, not sure.

I'm cosidering one of these, but not for a casting rig. I think it would be Killer on a
jigging-specific setup. Kat-man-do has a good point that I've already considered.
In conjunction w/ a Smitty's plate/harness,
I think the loops need to be @ the top of the reel, over the the weight, instead of behind it.
otherwise, your back is no longer triangulated, or perpendicular to the rod angle.
Of course, the real problem is actually
solved already w/ Avet's Pro-30/2.
so there we go, a perfect excuse for a new reel!

-B

Switch to a better reel with lugs on it. I treat the get strapped as a loss device not a support item. The bracket is much better than nothing, but is not positioned for best leverage.
Remember for buterfly jigging your more concerned with the amount of line retreived per turn of the handle than gear ratio.
For AJ's ( I love/hate that fish) I like the Tiagra's or Avet 2 speeds/.

Works for me! I still have a few feet left in my office where I could put a couple more rigs!