Game Rods
Game rods for marlin, tuna and big fish, from stand-up roller-guide rods to bent-butt and electric deep-drop rods. Our range is led by Shimano and Daiwa, alongside CD Rods, PENN and Okuma.
Game rods are matched to line class and built with roller or heavy-duty guides, strong gimbal butts and the backbone to handle long fights. Pair one with a lever drag game reel or an electric reel, and finish your setup with a gimbal belt.
Talk through line classes and rod styles at our Grey Lynn concept store, or order online for tracked delivery across New Zealand.
Frequently asked questions about game rods
What are roller guides on a game rod?
Roller guides have small rollers instead of fixed rings, so line runs over them with very little friction and heat. That reduces wear on the line and the rod during long runs from big fish, especially with heavy mono or Dacron. Many game rods use rollers at the tip and sometimes all the way down. Some modern game rods use heavy-duty ring guides suited to braid instead.
What is a bent-butt rod?
A bent-butt rod has an angled butt section that lowers the reel and the angle of pull, giving the angler more leverage when fighting heavy fish, especially in a fighting chair or when deep dropping. It lets you apply more pressure with less effort. Bent-butt rods are popular for heavy game fishing and electric deep-drop setups, while straight-butt rods suit stand-up fighting and general trolling.
Stand-up or chair game rod - what is the difference?
Stand-up rods are shorter, often around 5 foot 6, so the angler can fight fish standing with a harness and gimbal belt, using their legs and back. Chair rods are longer and designed for use in a fighting chair, which suits very large fish and heavy line classes. Most New Zealand trailer-boat game fishing is done stand-up, so a stand-up rod is the common choice.
How do I match a game rod to line class?
Game rods are rated for line classes such as 15 kg, 24 kg or 37 kg, and should be paired with a reel and line of the same class. That balance lets the rod absorb shocks and apply pressure without breaking the line. Using heavier line than the rod is rated for risks damaging the rod, while lighter line wastes its power. Choose the class to suit your target fish and experience.
What rod do I need for electric deep-drop fishing?
Deep-drop rods are short, stiff and strong, often with a bent butt, built to handle heavy sinkers and big fish from hundreds of metres down, paired with an electric reel. They need a strong tip that shows bites without bending too far under the weight of the rig. Look for a rod rated for the sinker weights and line you will use, with a sturdy gimbal to sit in the rod holder.
Do I need a gimbal belt or harness with a game rod?
For stand-up game fishing, a gimbal belt holds the rod butt securely against your hips, and a harness that clips to the reel lets you use your body weight to fight the fish rather than just your arms. Together they make long fights with marlin and tuna far less exhausting and safer. Make sure the rod's gimbal fitting matches your belt. They also protect your hips and lower back from bruising.