Gimbal belt or pad?

[Brandon Khoo]

I was wondering whether anyone uses one of those pads in place of a gimbal belt and how effective they found them. I used one quite some time back but I found I couldn't put the same amount of leverage on the fish.

[Brock Arifovic]

Brandon,

I used my Fisherman Pad in Cooktown & is alot more comfortable that other gimble belts that i have used, it needs a little extra padding (you can get some material from places like Clarke rubber)but that's easy to fix. It is also alot lighter & more versatile. It also depends of your personal comfort? Meaning that when you have a gimble like a Fisherman Flat Harness it is solid so you dont get any, how should i say it jabbing from the rod butt. It also does not slide on the sike of the boat or rails that are on the dories at Nomad.

It did not affect the leverage that I tried to put on a fish, don't be affraid to give it your best to feel how good they can be.

[Malcolm Crane]

A few years back I used a Smithys Soft Pad at Wreck Reef. It has a PVC-type outer surface which does grip the rod butt although it can be a bit slick under pressure. If the rod butt slips you can be in all kinds of trouble. However it does have advantages in that its light and comfortable.
I've found that depending on the boat you are in at times a solid gimbal like a Fisherman Flat Harness can do a bit of damage to the gunnels of the boat if you are forced against it.
The guides from LPB in New Caledonia just use a home made "apron" that is a type of neoprene material, but they tend to fight fish with the rod butt tucked between their legs - a bit risky at times!

[Chris Young]

I have been playing with the idea of making my own, like the Fisherman but with thicker padding.
I guess the amount of padding depends on whether you got diamonds or pearls
I am still yet to find a hard belt that I am 100% happy to wear a whole day.

[Brandon Khoo]

I suppose there is a bit of a compromise to be had. If you go with the pad, it is far more comfortable and manoeuvrable but I think the gimbal belt is almost certainly a better implement to fight a fish with.

I know that during the course of a day though, I am continually taking it off at every opportunity.

[Brock Arifovic]

Brandon,

I found that this is not the case with the pad, it can be warn all day.

PS: Aaron do not take that the wrong way.

[Chris Young]

Aaron told me Libra were good for a whole day

[Brock Arifovic]

He also told me not to say this but in the "Large" size

[Chris Young]

Sorry to drag this one up again

I just received a new pad made by daiwa, really small but sits on your hip or thigh on either side, I like it much better already cause my balls can breathe. It also has a hard backing plate unlike the other pads.
Will give it a good try out at Bugatti

[Luke Wyrsta]

Sorry to drag this one up again

I just received a new pad made by daiwa, really small but sits on your hip or thigh on either side, I like it much better already cause my balls can breathe. It also has a hard backing plate unlike the other pads.
Will give it a good try out at Bugatti

Don't think I could ever go back to a standard gimbal.

Use a Fisherman pad and always will.

Have made a few adjustments that make it even better.

Chris - forget the Daiwa, go the FISHERMAN 

[Andre van Wyk]

Guys,

Please excuse my ignorance here, but can anyone post a picture or a link to these "pads" you're talking about?

Thanks
Nepps

[Greg Burt]

I believe its the same one Andrew picked up from FishHead, but I can't find a pic anywhere, over to Chris, Andrew and Duncan

[Pelle Pop]

is this was you are looking for ?
http://www.mcworks.jp/radical/lightpad.html

[Andrew Poulos]

I'll get a photo of mine on the weekend and post it up.

[Brock Arifovic]

I do not have a picture on me but you can check them out here:

http://www.plat.co.jp/shop/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=32_423&products_id=1897

This should give you a good look at the Fisherman pad.