Abstract: A thumb pad for a fishing reel cushions the thumb of a user during repeated use. The fishing reel has a front cover, a back cover, a spool, and a spool engaging rod. The thumb pad includes a generally rectangular shell pivotally mounted within an opening in the back cover where the shell is formed from material having a first predetermined hardness. The shell has a generally sloping face portion and side portions depending from the face portion. The face portion of the shell includes a receiving portion for receiving a cushioning formation where the cushioning formation has a contour configured to receive the thumb of the user. The cushioning formation is integrally formed with the shell from material having a second predetermined hardness where the second predetermined hardness is substantially less hard than the first predetermined hardness to provide a soft surface against which the thumb of the user is placed.