[dansteelieman]

Anyone ever use Harris reels before? They are made here in my home state of Michigan, and were made specifically for GL steelheading under extreme condtions. They do not freeze what so ever, are very smooth, one of the lightest in their class, have a sealed, aircraft brake drag that can stop a freight train, hold plenty of backing, have a large handle for gloves, and cost under $300. They are the best reel on the market in my opinion, although I do like the Ross and Loop's. Now, they offer a new large arbor series as well, and a new VI model for bluewater and spey rods.

I know these reels aren't as popular as others, but I have seen them being used more often around the US, Alaska, and BC alot more these days.

You have to check them out, well worth the $$

 

[capt_gordon]

Harris reels

I agree. i think that they are the best value in fishing tackle today. i will be with Craig and John at the Shallow Water Expo in Charleston, SC this weekend. he has some new stuff this year that I haven't seen yet.

 

[dansteelieman]

reel....

Can't complain about the reels, have fun!

 

[dansteelieman]

.....

When you fish in the GL, your reel will take a beating. The reels are tremendous, and hassle free.

Defintly well worth the money, now they are becoming popular in the salt as well, stopping tarpon and larger fish in their tracks!

I need to pick up a few more!

 

[Dana]

a spey model?

I looked at their website after reading dan's original post and indeed there is a spey model. I saw the IV last spring in Ontario and it looked like a solid piece of tackle.

 

[Guest]

On the thread that was asking what reels would allow the XLT and GS lines with adequate backing I mentioned that I have the 8/9 XLT on a Harris Solitude VI and still managed to get over 150yds of 30# backing on it. Though this model is slightly over $300.00 it is an outstanding value nonetheless. It should also be pointed out that C.A. Harris Reels is not a new company. They've been making reels for at least a full decade and I think it may be longer than that.

I'll be glad to send the e-mail asking Craig to become a forum sponsor!

 

[dansteelieman]

yep....

I am not sure if the V comes in a large arbor, I am pretty sure it does for 2003. I will drop Craig an email as well, seems like we could get a sponser on the reels.

JR SPEY, if you talk to him maybe he could give us discounted reels as a vendor if he choses to sponser us, I know several guides in our state that do this with Craig!

 

[Guest]

The models IV, V, and VI all come in large arbor versions now. The V large arbor is rated for WF9F and 175yds of 30#. In my opinion that is too small except for the smallest spey line weights. I know what you mean about his throat (or internal spool width) being somewhat on the small size in these models. It probably has something to do with making it easy to spool backing and line back on while fighting a fish in cold weather. That's just my speculation. However, getting a reel that will hold an XLT or GS in the 8/9 size and have it weigh under nine ounces is pretty enticing. A group of us are heading to the Muskegon in another week (weather permitting) and that's the reel I'll be using.

 

[Lipripper]

"The Mo' is fishing pretty tough, not many fish to be had."

That depends on where your at and what your fishing for. Had one of the best day so far this winter last Sunday.

LR

 

[nevada caster]

large arbor

If you compare measurements, the large arbor reel is the regular reel with a larger diameter hub ( the surface you start loading the backing on). Same outside diameter, same width. the spools are interchangeable on the reels. In other words the two versions are identical except tht you cannot put as much backing on the large arbor version. For example, the same diameter reel will be listed as a 10 wt in the regular version and an 8 wt in the large arbor. Increasing the diameter of the hub reduces the amount of backing that you can put on the reel and so reduces the weight of the loaded reel. However the larger diameter hub apparently adds an ounce to the weight of the empty reel, which reduces this benefit. It would be interesting to know the acutal difference in weight of the two reels when loaded.
These reels must be similar to th Ross Gunnison series. Their G-5 is a "pancake" and I think that it is only an inch wide and 4 inches plus in diameter.
The Teton and Toga reels have similarily designed large arbor versions of their regular reels. However I have never heard too many people testifying to their ruggedness and reliability. I would be interested in people's experiences.

 

[dansteelieman]

harris reels.....

I really love the drag and how the reel is a workhorse. It combines the proven quality needed for the rigors of steelhead and salmon fishing at an amazing price.

The drag is the best if not the best on the market. I have to talk to Craig about getting this reels possibly for the GL Mini Clave coming up this spring.

 

[capt_gordon]

Harris at Shallow water expo in Charleston, SC

Just spent the past three days with Craig Harris and John Kluesing at the Shallow Water Expo in Charleston. Great guys if you have never had the pleasure. This was my third year of working the show for Craig. I must say that when people get the thing in their hands the response is pretty standard. They can't believe how smooth and light the reels are. Craig gave me a detailed physics lesson on the design of the reel and why they are so light without sacrificing strength. Basically if you look at a reel and it looks boxy on the sides, then it is heavier than it needs to be. You want to see concave and convex shapes to make them lighter and just as strong as a heavier boxy reel. I have been using Harris reels the past few years down here and they do the job better than anything else that costs more than twice what Craig is getting for his.

Teton and Tioga reels are pretty crappy. I have a bunch them and they are pretty cheap. The closed frame makes it tough to change spools and stuff gets in them pretty easy and you have to take them apart to grease them and get them going again. No problems like that with the Harris reels.

PS
He now has large arbor designs for the bigger reels.

 

[dansteelieman]

hmmm....

Well that is good to hear. I am picking up a few more sometime soon. I really want to get ahold of the newer LA reel since it looks nice and I know will perform just as well.

 

[dansteelieman]

Harris 6 LA....

I will finally get a chance to work with a Harris 6 LA this spring. I will let you know how it works out. I hear it is a great buy, and should hold enough backing with a long bellied line....I hope!

 

[Guest]

If you're not sure, why not just go with the standard spool model? Not only will it hold considerably more backing, but it is also $25.00 cheaper. The frame is identical on both.

 

[dansteelieman]

I got that covered....

That is not an issue, I really like the large arbor design for pickup. I should be fine, and I could always go to gel spun if needed.

 

[Guest]

My point was that the large arbor design has no more "pickup" than the standard arbor version. It's not like they stick multiplying gears in the area vacated by the large arbor. If both versions have a 4.25" diameter, they will have the same pickup. The only exception to that would be if the large arbor spool had a wider throat (internal spool width.) Since that would require a different frame size, it is not possible to do that on reels where the large arbor and standard arbor spools are interchangeable.

 

[dansteelieman]

not following you....

I don't get what you are saying. I understand one holds more backing and line, but the LA design picks up more line per handle turn, just what it was made for. I just talked to Craig anyways, guess the 6 LA would be enough, but I am going to try it out anyways. Yes you are right, you can swtich spools, the large arbor design is "hollowed out" for the purpose of getting more backing on the spool at a quicker rate!

 

[Greg Pavlov]

The reels have the same diameter (4.38") and spool width (1.11"). That means that when they are both filled to the top with line and backing, you will pick up the same amount of line or backing per handle turn when you have the same amount of line or backing out on the water, down to the point where you reach the end of the backing on the LA reel. At that point, you have no backing left on the LA reel. On the other hand, on the standard 6 you will have additional backing, since the reel has a standard arbor and doesn't have a "hollowed out" part. Granted, this backing will not come in as fast on each handle turn, but it's ADDITIONAL backing that you don't get on the Harris VI LA. So you gain additional backing on the standard. Where you lose a bit is that a filled-up standard should be a bit heavier than a filled-up LA because it has the additional backing.

 

[dansteelieman]

o ic...

I didn't understand about the full line managing capabilities. When they are filled to the top you are correct, I just mean that with a long belly line I will have less backing and a LA might pick it up faster when more backing is out, plus it will be lighter.

I should be fine though.