Soft Bait Combos
Soft bait rod and reel combos with sensitive rods and light, smooth reels, matched for casting soft plastics in the harbour and over the reef. Our range is led by Daiwa, alongside Okuma.
A matched soft bait combo takes the guesswork out of balancing rod, reel and braid. Load up with soft baits and jig heads from our hooks range, and add a fluorocarbon leader for stealth and abrasion resistance.
Feel the balance at our Grey Lynn concept store, or order online for tracked delivery across New Zealand.
Frequently asked questions about soft bait combos
Why buy a matched soft bait combo?
Soft baiting relies on a light, balanced outfit that casts small jig heads well and transmits bites clearly. A matched combo pairs a sensitive rod with a reel of the right size and weight, so the outfit feels balanced in your hand and works properly with light braid. It saves you working out which rod and reel go together, and it is often better value than buying them separately.
What soft baits and jig heads should I start with?
Start with 5 to 7 inch jerk shads or grubs in natural colours like pilchard and nuked chicken, plus a bright option, on jig heads of around 1/4 to 1/2 ounce. Use lighter heads in shallow water and heavier ones in deeper water or current. A pack of scent or gel helps too. Carry a few colours and sizes, as snapper can be fussy from day to day. Restock what works.
How do I fish a soft bait for snapper?
Cast up current or ahead of a drifting boat, let the soft bait sink to the bottom on a slack line, then lift the rod tip to hop it up and let it flutter back down. Watch the line as it sinks, as many bites come on the drop. When you feel weight or see the line jump, wind tight and lift firmly to set the hook. Drift over foul ground and work areas where birds are feeding.
Where and when is soft baiting best?
Soft baiting works well over foul ground, reef edges, mussel farms, channels and areas with workups, from a few metres deep to around 40 metres. Low light around dawn and dusk and a moving tide often produce the best fishing. In summer, snapper move into shallow harbours and bays, making soft baiting from a kayak or small boat very effective. Keep moving until you find fish.
Can I use a soft bait combo for other fishing?
Yes, a soft bait combo is a very versatile light outfit. It works well for micro jigs, small metals, light bait fishing and kahawai on small lures, and it makes light fishing for trevally and gurnard a lot of fun. It is not designed for heavy sinkers, big live baits or kingfish around structure, so keep a heavier outfit for those situations. It is a great second rod.
What braid and leader suit a soft bait combo?
Spool your soft bait combo with PE 0.8 to 1.5 braid, around 10 to 20 lb, and tie on 1 to 2 metres of 15 to 30 lb fluorocarbon leader using a strong braid-to-leader knot such as an FG knot or double uni. Light braid casts further and helps the soft bait sink naturally, while the fluorocarbon leader is less visible and resists abrasion from rocks and fish teeth.