Will the Grillox Fighting Belt Catch You More Fish?

Every year we wait in anticipation for the latest in innovation showcased by major tackle brands. New and improved reels, rods and amazing lures that actually do swim like fish. Unfortunately the trusted fighting belt has not seen much change for over a decade…that is until now! Italian company Grillox has recently launched their new innovative series of fighting belts. In this article we’ll be looking at the current state of fighting belts and how the new Grillox offering stacks up. 

Stand-up Gimbals and Harnesses 

Grillox Fighting Belt being used on the water
Grillox Fighting Belt.

Stand-up belts and harnesses are more than an add-on when fighting big-game fish. The fighting belt reduces fatigue by maximising efficiency and reducing physical strain, particularly in a prolonged fight.

Fighting belt’s main advantage is to ensure that anglers are comfortably expending as little energy as possible while subduing powerful or aggressive game fish. Belts also assist anglers avoid injury when fighting fish while maintaining leverage.

While conventional stand-up belts generally help, you also need a seperate back harness to achieve leverage. That said, it’s surprising how many anglers do not use the fighting belt combined with the harness correctly.

Incorrect-way-to-wear-harness
Incorrect way to wear your harness. Photo from Ocean Blue Fishing.
Correct-way-to-wear-harness
Correct way to wear your harness. Photo from Ocean Blue Fishing.

A common mistake anglers make, is position both the seat and harness halfway up the back. The objective is to sit on the seat and position the harness by the lower back. This provides the best possible support and the ability to gain maximum leverage on your stubborn 60kg yellowfin.

Strapped up and ready to go can be pretty uncomfortable

Being ready to fight, comes with the discomfort of being saddled with straps, like a human chandelier walking around the boat. It’s not a very comfortable and pretty image. Alternatively try fitting your gimble and harness, adjust four different straps while holding your rod with a 150kg blue marlin grey hounding into the sunset. So is there a better option? Grillox may have come up with the solution.

RELATED: How to Fight Big Fish With Stand-Up Tackle  

The Grillox Fighting Belt

The Grillox Fighting Belt is a new stand-up fishing concept born out of Italy. Pioneered by Grillox Xtreme Fishing Gear, the concept has been rigorously tested off the coast of Sicily during the migration of giant bluefin tuna.

Grillox Fighting Belt in Action

The Grillox Fighting Belt is an innovative stand-up gimbal for targeting big game fish. The belt is developed using light and robust technopolymer and designed for the big game angler. It is easy to use, as it adapts to different rod types with little to no adjustment. It offers indispensable support, particularly when facing a challenging game fish.

It is sold as part of a kit, along with a belt, bag, carabiners, and pin. The Grillox kit includes:

Grillox Fighting Belt Kits
Grillox Kit.
  • Grillox stand-up fishing belt
  • Kit of two stainless steel carabiners 316 complete with eye bolts and bushes
  • Kit of three square pins in 316 stainless steel
  • New generation kidney straps
  • Backpack
  • Neoprene thigh support

Everything Grillox: Fighting Belt Benefits and Considerations 

What we like:

– It’s a single-piece gear that’s easy to use

It’s one single piece instead of a gimbal and support belt, making it 100% easier to position that rod in the gimbal to start your game of tug-of-war with whatever the sea throws at you.

– It’s durable

The belt itself is made from 100% polymer—the same stuff kids playgrounds are made from, along with all 316 stainless steel fittings that are interchangeable if something were to break.

– It’s adjustable

There are three different positions for your rod butt. This allows adjustment both during the fight and also allows the use of a range of outfits from straight to stand up bent butts.

– It works as promised and very comfortable

Another great feature are the reel clips. Conventional harnesses use adjustable slings. The Grillox belt uses fixed eye bolts. This reduces lateral play, provides more control, allowing the angler to focus on level winding without the need to hold the rod.

Check out the Grillox Tutorial

We think:

– A great product that comes at a price

The stand-up harness hasn’t seen too much R&D over recent years. The Grillox fighting belt breaks that mold and is a product that is going to raise some eyebrows. As with all good products, you get what you pay for. The Grillox fighting belt is a quality fighting belt with a price that reflects the quality, durability and innovative design.

RELATED: Beginners Guide – The Right Gear for Topwater Sport Fishing

More innovation to come

With outboard engines getting bigger and more efficient, anglers are trading their big game boats for super centre console sport fishers. With more anglers choosing to fight stand up, we look forward to seeing more R&D and innovation in fighting belts.

Landed a trophy with the Grillox rod belt? Feel free to share your experience with us in the comments below! 

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