Bonze
Bonze game fishing lures and rigging, designed in New Zealand for marlin, tuna and other bluewater game fish. Shop Bonze D Shackle, BTK, Trojan, Here For The Party and The Weapon X game lures, Volcano and Submission teasers, Thunnus Pro squid chains and spreader bars, dredge booms, Platinum Wind-On leaders, stainless hook rigs and swordfish rigs.
Browse Bonze fishing lures and terminal tackle for game fishing off the New Zealand coast.
Ask our team to help you build a Bonze lure spread at our Grey Lynn concept store at 36 Pollen Street, or order online for fast, tracked delivery across New Zealand.
Bonze Fishing Lures
About Bonze
Bonze lures are designed in New Zealand by skipper Graeme Bonze Fleet, a game fishing captain with years of experience chasing billfish on the water. His lures have become one of the most recognised names in New Zealand game fishing, and they have been part of many big catches of striped marlin, blue marlin and other bluewater species.
Every Bonze lure is designed to swim well at trolling speed and to draw strikes, and many are finished with UV reflective paint, which is invisible to the human eye but helps the lure stand out to game fish in the deep blue.
Game lures and teasers
The Bonze range covers the full lure spread. The D Shackle is a 10.5 inch lure, the BTK, Trojan and Here For The Party are 12 inch lures, and The Weapon X is a 14 inch lure for bigger fish and rougher seas. Each comes in a range of colours with names such as Karma, Humdinger, Spirit, Galaxy, Jack Mack and Lawless Blackout, so you can match the conditions and the light.
Teasers draw fish into your spread without hooks. The Volcano teaser and the Submission teaser create commotion behind the boat, and the Thunnus Pro squid chains and spreader bars imitate a school of squid or baitfish, which can bring marlin and tuna up to the lures.
Rigging and Bonze at Land & Sea
Bonze dredge booms, including the Kraken Pro Dredge Boom, let you run a dredge deep below the surface, a powerful way to raise billfish. For rigging, Bonze Platinum Wind-On leaders in 200lb and 250lb, stainless steel hook rigs and swordfish rigs in circle hook and J hook versions give you strong, ready to go connections.
At Land & Sea we stock a wide Bonze range, and our team can help you put together a lure spread for your boat and the species you are chasing this season. Rinse lures and rigs in fresh water after every trip to keep them working.
Frequently asked questions about Bonze
Who designs Bonze game fishing lures?
Bonze lures are designed in New Zealand by game fishing skipper Graeme Bonze Fleet, who has spent many years chasing marlin and other billfish. That on the water experience shapes every lure, from its head shape and swimming action to its colours and finish. Bonze has become one of the best known lure makers in New Zealand game fishing, and its lures are run by charter skippers and recreational boaties alike.
What size game lure should I use for marlin?
Most New Zealand marlin spreads use lures between about 10 and 14 inches. Smaller lures such as the 10.5 inch Bonze D Shackle suit calmer seas and smaller fish, 12 inch lures such as the BTK, Trojan and Here For The Party are a versatile middle ground, and bigger 14 inch lures such as The Weapon X stand out in rougher water. Run a mix of sizes and colours across the spread and see what draws strikes.
What is a teaser in game fishing?
A teaser is a hookless lure or rig that you troll behind the boat to attract game fish into your spread. It creates splash, bubbles and flash that imitate a school of baitfish or squid, drawing marlin and tuna up from the depths. Once a fish is raised, it often switches onto one of your hooked lures. Bonze makes the Volcano and Submission teasers, plus Thunnus Pro squid chains and spreader bars.
What does a dredge boom do?
A dredge boom holds a dredge, a large rig of artificial baitfish or squid, out from the side of the boat and lets you run it below the surface. The dredge imitates a school of baitfish swimming deep, which is very effective for raising billfish that are holding below the surface. Bonze makes the Dredge Boom and the Kraken Pro Dredge Boom. Keep a close eye on it so you can switch a raised fish onto a lure.
Why use a Bonze Platinum Wind-On leader?
A wind-on leader is a heavy leader that joins to your main line with a slim connection, so you can wind the leader onto the reel through the rod guides. That lets you bring a big fish closer to the boat for tagging or gaffing without having to grab the leader by hand as early. Bonze Platinum Wind-On leaders come in 200lb and 250lb strengths, suited to marlin and other large game fish.
Should I use circle hooks or J hooks for swordfish?
Both are used for swordfish. Circle hooks tend to set in the corner of the jaw, which suits drifting baits and gives a secure hook-up that is kinder for releasing fish. J hooks can give a faster hook set when you need to strike. Bonze makes swordfish rigs in both circle hook and J hook versions, so you can choose by your technique, bait and whether you plan to tag and release.