Abstract: The invention provides a fishing chair for use in sea fishing; the fishing chair having pivotably mounted thereon a gimbal 2 comprising a socket structure for receiving a butt of a fishing rod; wherein a releasable restraining device is provided which can be set so as to prevent the gimbal from pivoting in a first direction, whereby pivoting movement of the gimbal in an opposite direction to the first direction serves to release the restraining device so that the gimbal can pivot in the said first direction. Also provided is a restraining device for use in the fishing chair of the invention.