longranger's opinions on belts and harnesses.

If I'm super fat, I weight 160. I'm no muscle man. I also know the meaning of leverage.

So it seems like a fighting belt makes a lot of sense, but I get the distinct feeling they are not politically correct amongst the fisherman.

what's the low down on these things. ever used one? at what lb test? did anyone laugh? 

John

I used a Spider belt harness with straps connected to the gimbals on the reel, for a while. It does work well. When you have a fish on, you do a semi-squat and your legs take all the pressure of fighting the fish. However, if you're sharing a boat with many anglers on the rail, you have to work your way around lines. In those cases, belt harnesses are discouraged, and you're encouraged to use a simple belt to hold the rod butt and use the rail to gain leverage on the fish.

John the "Rail" is your friend. I was taught to use it by a long time "long-ranger", he's a heavy weight at maybe 145# soaking wet. His technique is to sit on the rod butt and use the rail as your fulcrum, also taking advantage of the boats movement to gain line (grind on the down movement). I watched my buddy kick butt on a 270#Yellowfin jackpot fish on while I had to settle for a 170# on a 10 day.

The fighting belts work, and give you control at the expense of less maneuverability like Hojoman said. If or when you encounter other anglers with fish, or have to clear a anchor line it's a hassle unclipping and re-clipping into the harness. Which also could lead to a loss of a line class record if you were trying for one.(because of needing assistance) But on a private boat or limited load type trip they work fine and let you use your legs and weight to save your back and arms. I wouldn't use one unless you were fishing drag settings greater than 30#.

haven't been on your standard long range boat, but got a gizmo that i am loving-- its basically a T piece of PVC- has a bar inside for the butt (for a trolling rod), but still fits a regular live bait rod. The T spreads out the pressure of that butt..no more bruising.  buddy gave me it, but you could make one out of PVC in a heart beat.

Hey, thanks for the advice guys. I'd ask on a long range site, but the yakers are my homies,  .

I did just see a t-bar kind of thing on ebay yesterday. it was welded aluminum. I've also seen a giant rubber cap thing for sale on charkbait. Also the basic smaller rod belts.

maybe I will get a couple of those kind of things and see what I like.

kind of expensive, a PVC one might make more sense, but:

http://rodhukidirect.com/cart/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=6

Skinny guys with no ab pad definitely need something on the rod butt.(especially if it has a gimbal) The oversize butt caps ,huki's, or stand up belt will save you some bruising in the lower region  . It's nice to have a place to prop your rod while the fish is making his runs, and you have the tip up high.
 
Another thing some guys use is one of the neck/shoulder straps with a hook on it. You can rest your arms and use your back muscles to hold the rod up on a screaming run. It's also handy as an extra hand while bait fishing. So you can grab a snack, drink, or put on more sunscreen.
 

I use one.  I'm 5'11" and 145.  It works well for me to have a place to put the rod butt to chage the muscle groups up a bit.  I just use a belt, no harness.  Pluss the belt is a good place for the pliers, rag, and my beer holster.  I took a friend on an albacore run earlier this year and the belt saved him on a better grade yellowfin he was lucky enough to hook.

And rubber boots, in case you don't have them, are a great idea too.

I got the boots... maybe next year I will take a trip or two, definitely going before I am 50! (six years,  )

john, i've got lots of gear.  swing by and try some of before you buy..........

Hi John
First don't put it off go as soon as you can. I'm 58 and have been going long since 2000 and think it's the most exciting fishing there is, my only regret is I waited so long to make my first trip.
Second belts I like the soft cloth apron type with pockets for lighter tackle and rods without a gimbel. For heavier rods with a gimbel I'm using a SKB hard plastic with two but positions one in the middle and one on the thigh. I also use a harness sometimes on real big tuna saves your arms and back when their running, however  they're a pain to get in and out of, I use the rail for most of the fight. Most of the boats will have a harness you can use. I also like a belt when I'm fishing Wahoo, Dorado, and Tuna out of my kayak. Hope this helps.
Tight lines Dale