Jigging Reels
Jigging reels built to work jigs in deep water and stop big kingfish, from high-power overhead jigging reels to lever-drag slow pitch reels. Our range features Shimano and Accurate, with strong gears, smooth drags and plenty of cranking power.
A jigging reel needs a robust frame, a powerful, smooth drag and gearing that lifts heavy jigs from depth all day. Pair it with a dedicated jigging rod, strong braid and a box of knife jigs or slow pitch jigs.
Talk through your jigging setup at our Grey Lynn concept store, or order online for fast, tracked delivery across New Zealand.
Frequently asked questions about jigging reels
What makes a reel good for jigging?
Jigging puts a lot of strain on a reel, so you need a rigid metal frame that does not flex, strong gears, a powerful and smooth drag and enough line capacity for deep water. Comfortable power handles help when working heavy jigs for hours. Lever drags are popular because they make it easy to set and repeat drag pressure. Saltwater sealing keeps the reel smooth after spray and long days offshore.
Two-speed jigging reels - are they worth it?
A two-speed reel lets you switch between a fast gear for working jigs and picking up line quickly, and a low gear with more power for winching a big fish or heavy jig from deep water. That flexibility is very useful for deep-water jigging and kingfish around structure. For lighter jigging in moderate depths, a single-speed reel with a good gear ratio is often enough.
Spin or overhead reel for jigging?
Both work. Spin jigging reels are popular for speed jigging and casting jigs, and many anglers find them intuitive. Overhead jigging reels sit on top of the rod for a comfortable grip when working jigs vertically, give more cranking power and control, and are favoured for slow pitch jigging and deep water. Your choice often comes down to the style of jigging and which reel feels best to work all day.
What drag do I need for kingfish jigging?
Kingfish are powerful and head straight for the reef, so you need a reel that delivers smooth, high drag pressure to turn them, often well over 10 kg of drag for serious kingfish jigging. In practice you set the drag below your line and leader strength, typically around a third of the braid's breaking strain, and adjust it as the fight goes on. A lever drag makes those adjustments quick and accurate.
How much braid capacity does a jigging reel need?
Make sure the reel holds enough braid for the depth you fish plus extra for a big fish to run. For kingfish jigging in 30 to 100 metres of water, around 300 metres of PE 3 to 5 braid is common. Deeper water or bigger fish need more capacity. Braid is thin, so a compact reel can still hold plenty of strong line, which keeps the setup light to work.
How do I look after a jigging reel?
Jigging reels work hard in salt water, so rinse them gently with fresh water after each trip with the drag tightened, then back it off for storage. Check the drag regularly for smoothness, and have the reel serviced at least once a season if you jig often, as heavy loads wear gears and drag washers. Keep spare drag washers and a service kit if you travel to remote spots.