Hots Lt metal lightbelt gimbal

[Charles Cintron]

I use this gimbal when fighting fish but just noticed that it has been digging into my eva grips on my rods and actually dug deep enough to expose some of the rod underneath. I thought maybe the damage was from rod holders in the boat but its definitely the belt. Just giving a heads up on it if you plan on buying one. I guess the sides where you insert the butt into the holder are a little too thin and weird angles when fighting fish will dig into the eva.

Other than that I really like it and its comfortable to have on all day I guess ill just wrap some extra sports type grip on the bottom to protect my poles.

[Mark Harris]

The friend I fish with most often has one of these and I have used it.  I must say it is extremely comfortable but the problem Charles mention has occurred (although not all the way through to the rod structure).

If it were not for that I would buy one for sure as it is super comfortable.

[Ken Best]

Charles,

I had the same problem with a Jigging Master gimbal, damaging both a Seven Seas and a Komodo Dragon rod butt.
Both these rods have a metal spacer on the butt, above the butt cap.
This spacer, when fighting fish, sat under the top edge of the gimbal pocket causing eva and blank damage when the rod was lifted.
For me, it was to do with the angle i wore the gimbal at, caused from resting under my belly!!! Side on photos don't lie

Anyways, I ended up with an MC Works TT belt that works for me. Plastic, comfortable, but a bit expensive for what it is.

Ken

[Chris Young]

Ken....I think we have the same problem with belt angle..... except my gut may be bigger  

I use a Fisherman flat belt and it does the same thing

That suggests to me that it's more about angle than the belt

[Charles Cintron]

My buddy has come up with a sollution we are still doing the R&D. We call it SLIPAH 

[Chris Young]

SLIPAH looks good but the upmarket HD ones have double plugs

[Ricky Lim]

Turn it upside down it works better (opposite of the picture). that way you are using the straps as a support. Put one on the left and one on the right, that way you can change position if you need to during the fight. You can jazz it up with some flowery ones. The last time I was at Hawaii i saw some really nice fragepany designs and come in all sorts of colors to choose from.
The beauty of these design, it works as your sole protector from the rocky beaches. If you traveling on planes, theres more luggage space for more lures. 

[Jeffry Chai]

Guys, I used CB-One fighting belt with no problems at all, n very comfort to wear it all day long.
http://www.cb-one.co.jp/goods/belt/index.htm
Cheers,
Jeff

[Andre van Wyk]

I've been using the Jigging Master GT Compact plate the most recently... http://www.jigstarafrica.co.za/jigstar/shop/fighting-belts/jm-gt-compact-plate

Originally had it only as a popping belt, and love its small size and fit, and it has a pretty shallow rounded cup, which gives no issues at all in any rod damage....

I originally used it just for popping, and the larger JM 2 way PLate for jigging, but on a recent Yellowfin trip, I forgot the 2 way plate, and so was forced to use just the GT Compact belt, and it was an absolute pleasure and more than ample protection and support even tied into 60 kilo yellowfin on jig...

I must say I prefer the flatter plates like the Hots, Fisherman and JM Compact over the the moulded/Curved plates like the 7-Seas and MC Works... I find the curved versions only fit well if you are pretty small, which I'm not, and are rather uncomfrotable unless you exactly the right size or smaller...

Of course the alternative is to look at the Cush-Its.... I've got 2 which I've not yet really put to use, but certainly enjoy the small version on my light spinning set up when chasing Yellowtail kings with irons...