Electric Combos
Electric rod and reel combos for deep-drop fishing, pairing a powerful electric reel with a stiff deep-water rod. Our range is led by Daiwa, alongside Shimano.
An electric combo makes fishing hundreds of metres down practical, with line counters and motorised winding doing the hard work. Spool it with plenty of thin braid, rig up with heavy sinkers and strong hooks, and see our electric reels for upgrades.
Talk through electric setups at our Grey Lynn concept store, or order online for tracked delivery across New Zealand.
Frequently asked questions about electric combos
What is included in an electric combo?
An electric combo pairs an electric reel with a matching deep-drop rod, usually short, stiff and fitted with a gimbal butt. Some combos include a power cord to connect the reel to your boat's battery. Line is not always included, so check the product description. Buying a combo ensures the rod is rated to handle the weight of deep-drop rigs and the power of the reel.
What fish can I catch with an electric combo?
Electric combos are designed for deep-water species such as bluenose, hapuku, bass, gemfish and alfonsino, which live in water from around 150 metres to several hundred metres deep. They are also handy for deep slow jigging and bottom fishing. Deep-water fishing needs calm weather, a capable boat, good electronics and safety gear, so plan carefully before heading out to the deep.
Is an electric combo worth it?
If you regularly fish deep water, yes. Hand-winding heavy sinkers and fish from 300 metres is exhausting and slow, and an electric combo makes it practical and enjoyable, letting you fish more drops in a day. The line counter helps you return to the exact depth where fish are holding. If you rarely fish deeper than 100 metres, a conventional overhead outfit is usually enough.
How do I rig for deep-drop fishing?
Deep-drop rigs usually have two to four strong circle hooks on dropper loops above a heavy sinker, often 500 grams to over a kilogram depending on depth and current. Many anglers add a deep-drop light or lumo beads to attract fish. Use strong mono or fluorocarbon for the rig and thin braid as the main line, which cuts through the current. Plenty of spare rigs and sinkers is essential.
Can electric reels help anglers with less strength?
Yes, electric combos make deep-water fishing accessible to older anglers, kids and anyone who finds hand-winding heavy gear difficult. The motor does the hard work of retrieving the rig and fish, while the angler still controls the drop, the bite and the fight. They can also help anglers with injuries keep fishing deeper water comfortably. That keeps more people fishing.
Can I release deep-water fish caught on an electric combo?
Fish brought up from great depths often suffer barotrauma, where gases expand and cause injury, so many do not survive being released. That means it is best to stop fishing once you have caught what you need, rather than catching and releasing. Check the size and bag limits for deep-water species in your area, and plan to keep and use what you catch.