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Topwater Caranx Ignobilis: Giant Trevally (GT) => Tackle & Techniques => Topic started by: Brandon Khoo on February 11, 2009, 06:05:03 PM

Title: Gimbal belt or pad?
Post by: Brandon Khoo on February 11, 2009, 06:05:03 PM: 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.
Title: Re: Gimbal belt or pad?
Post by: Brock Arifovic on February 11, 2009, 06:20:56 PM: 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.
Title: Re: Gimbal belt or pad?
Post by: Malcolm Crane on February 11, 2009, 07:08:33 PM: 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!
Title: Re: Gimbal belt or pad?
Post by: Chris Young on February 11, 2009, 07:16:51 PM: 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 :o
I am still yet to find a hard belt that I am 100% happy to wear a whole day.
Title: Re: Gimbal belt or pad?
Post by: Brandon Khoo on February 11, 2009, 07:48:14 PM: 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.
Title: Re: Gimbal belt or pad?
Post by: Brock Arifovic on February 11, 2009, 07:51:02 PM: 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.
Title: Re: Gimbal belt or pad?
Post by: Chris Young on February 11, 2009, 08:16:47 PM: Aaron told me Libra were good for a whole day
Title: Re: Gimbal belt or pad?
Post by: Brock Arifovic on February 12, 2009, 06:35:45 AM: He also told me not to say this but in the "Large" size
Title: Re: Gimbal belt or pad?
Post by: Chris Young on March 12, 2009, 08:03:55 PM: 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
Title: Re: Gimbal belt or pad?
Post by: Luke Wyrsta on March 12, 2009, 09:27:18 PM: Quote from: Chris Young on March 12, 2009, 08:03:55 PM
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 ;D
Title: Re: Gimbal belt or pad?
Post by: Andre van Wyk on March 12, 2009, 10:25:53 PM: Guys,

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

Thanks
Nepps
Title: Re: Gimbal belt or pad?
Post by: Greg Burt on March 13, 2009, 12:11:39 AM: 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 :-\
Title: Re: Gimbal belt or pad?
Post by: Pelle Pop on March 13, 2009, 01:12:43 AM: is this was you are looking for ?
http://www.mcworks.jp/radical/lightpad.html (http://www.mcworks.jp/radical/lightpad.html)
Title: Re: Gimbal belt or pad?
Post by: Andrew Poulos on March 13, 2009, 06:25:24 AM: I'll get a photo of mine on the weekend and post it up.
Title: Re: Gimbal belt or pad?
Post by: Brock Arifovic on March 13, 2009, 06:36:05 AM: 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 (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.
Title: Re: Gimbal belt or pad?
Post by: Brandon Khoo on March 13, 2009, 08:25:25 AM: I like the MC Works one - it looks well padded
Title: Re: Gimbal belt or pad?
Post by: Andrew Poulos on March 13, 2009, 09:22:11 AM: this is the daiwa
Title: Re: Gimbal belt or pad?
Post by: Luke Wyrsta on March 13, 2009, 09:42:31 AM: Does the pouch/open part get in the way?
Title: Re: Gimbal belt or pad?
Post by: Andrew Poulos on March 13, 2009, 10:56:25 AM: Thats as far as it opens so its kind of a pad/pouch. The butt can sit in the pouch a bit. Im using it this weekend to see how it goes . I like it as its very light and makes it easy to move around while on the rocks - and doesnt break the bank balance.
Title: Re: Gimbal belt or pad?
Post by: Peter Morris on March 13, 2009, 11:05:09 AM: I reckon they are good value Andrew.

I have one on order....I also like the fact they are light.

Pete
Title: Re: Gimbal belt or pad?
Post by: jay currie on March 13, 2009, 08:31:06 PM: I have a LT. Metal Lightbelt gimble wich I used on our recent trip to Fiji and found it to be very comfortable and as stated very light I wore all day for three days and it never became uncomfortable. You forget your wearing it.
Title: Re: Gimbal belt or pad?
Post by: Tom Grubb on March 14, 2009, 05:03:35 AM: Wheres the best place to order both these belts?
Title: Re: Gimbal belt or pad?
Post by: Andrew Poulos on March 14, 2009, 01:09:34 PM: Used mine today. Pretty good. Rod butt sits inside the pouch area...quiet happy with it.

Tom, I picked the daiwa up form Fish head.
Title: Re: Gimbal belt or pad?
Post by: Tom Grubb on March 14, 2009, 07:46:21 PM: Good to hear the belt works well, thanks i have contacted fishhead!
Title: Re: Gimbal belt or pad?
Post by: Tom Grubb on April 01, 2009, 08:40:34 PM: used my daiwa belt for the first time yesterday, it works a treat, great for jigging and popping. While jigging i got shraked after hooking a fish, he was on for 5-10 min till his teeth must have cut my leader, thought it may have bruised through but i am fine today and no bruising where i was using the belt, wore it for 9 hours and 8+ good fish jigging and popping. must have a rubber butt on the rod to protect the belt!