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Rod Review


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 rod’s 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 6’6” 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 6’6” 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

 

   

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