Baitcaster Rod and Reel Combo – 2.1m T800 Rod, Right-Side 7.1:1 Reel, 12lb Braid & Leader

Complete Baitcaster Rod and Reel Setup for NZ Lure Fishing

This baitcaster rod and reel bundle brings together a matched 2.1m T800 carbon baitcasting rod, fast 7.1:1 right-side handle baitcasting reel, 300m of 12lb braided line and 120m of 15.71lb fluorocarbon-coated leader line.

Rather than having to choose each component separately, you get a coordinated setup suited to casting lures around New Zealand harbours, estuaries, wharves and other light inshore fishing locations.

The 12lb braid sits comfortably within the rod's 5–15lb line rating, while the slightly stronger 15.71lb leader provides extra abrasion resistance around rocks, pylons and other structure. This makes the combination particularly useful for targeting kahawai, trevally and smaller snapper with light to medium lures.

What's Included in This Baitcaster Rod and Reel Bundle?

• 1 × 2.1m Five-Piece T800 Carbon Baitcasting Rod
• 1 × 7.1:1 Right-Side Handle Baitcasting Reel
• 1 × 300m Yellow 12lb Braided Fishing Line
• 1 × 120m 15.71lb Fluorocarbon-Coated Leader Line

2.1m T800 Carbon Baitcasting Rod

At the centre of the setup is a lightweight five-piece T800 carbon baitcasting rod. It measures 2.1m when assembled but packs down to approximately 48cm, making it much easier to carry in a vehicle, pack or fishing gear bag than a conventional one or two-piece casting rod.

The fast-action blank is designed to respond quickly when twitching, lifting or retrieving artificial lures. Its 7–30g lure rating covers a useful range for NZ fishing, from smaller lures through to 15–25g metal lures for kahawai.

Rod specifications:

• Length: 2.1m
• Five-piece construction
• Packed length: approximately 48cm
• Rod weight: approximately 136g
• T800 carbon blank
• Fast action
• Lure rating: 7–30g
• Line rating: 5–15lb
• Trigger-style baitcasting reel seat
• Fuji guide rings
• 7 line guides plus tip guide
• Stainless steel hook keeper

7.1:1 Right-Side Handle Baitcasting Reel

The supplied reel has its winding handle on the right side. This means you retrieve the line using your right hand while normally holding the rod in your left hand during the retrieve.

This is traditionally referred to as a right handed baitcasting reel, although we describe the actual handle position as well so it is clear which version you are choosing.

Its 7.1:1 gear ratio provides relatively fast spool rotation, helping you recover slack quickly after working a lure or between casts.

Reel features include:

• Right-side winding handle
• Right-hand retrieve
• 7.1:1 gear ratio
• 12+1 bearing configuration
• Stated maximum drag: 20lb
• Weight: approximately 230g
• Aluminium spool
• Brass gear
• Stainless steel main shaft
• Carbon fibre drag washers
• Black and gold finish

Please note: the reel's maximum drag rating should not be treated as the drag setting for this bundle. Set your drag to suit the supplied 12lb main line, knots and the rod's line rating.

300m of 12lb Braided Main Line

The included yellow braid has a breaking strain of approximately 12lb / 5.4kg and a fine 0.12mm diameter.

This strength has been deliberately selected to match the baitcasting rod rather than simply using the heaviest line the reel can handle.

The braid's low stretch helps transmit lure movement and strikes through the line, while its fine diameter supports good casting performance with lighter lures.

The bright yellow colour also makes the line easier to follow when retrieving across current or when watching for changes in line movement.

Braid specifications:

• Strength: 12lb / approximately 5.4kg
• Diameter: 0.12mm
• Length: 300m
• Construction: 4-strand PE braid
• Colour: yellow

15.71lb Fluorocarbon-Coated Leader

A 15.71lb leader is included to create a tougher and less visible connection between the bright braided main line and your lure.

At approximately 0.30mm diameter, the leader provides additional protection where the final section of line may come into contact with rocks, wharf piles, shellfish or other structure.

The leader has a nylon core with a fluorocarbon coating and is supplied on a generous 120m spool, allowing multiple leaders to be tied over the life of the bundle.

For general light saltwater lure fishing, a leader of approximately 1–2 metres provides a practical starting point.

Why These Components Work Together

The important part of a fishing bundle is not simply putting a rod and reel in the same package. The line, lure range and intended fishing style also need to make sense together.

In this setup:

• The 12lb braid falls within the rod's 5–15lb line rating.
• The 15.71lb leader is slightly stronger than the main line, adding useful abrasion resistance near the lure.
• The rod's 7–30g casting range suits many small and medium NZ lure-fishing applications.
• The 7.1:1 reel provides quick line pickup when actively working lures.
• The 2.1m rod provides a useful balance of casting reach and control around harbours, estuaries and shore-based locations.

Where to Use This Setup in New Zealand

This bundle is particularly well suited to active lure fishing rather than heavy bait fishing.

For example, you could use it for:

• Auckland's Waitematā and Manukau harbours when casting small metal lures for kahawai.
• Tauranga Harbour for light lure fishing around channels, estuary margins and accessible shorelines.
• Wellington Harbour when kahawai or other light inshore species are feeding within casting distance.
• Wharves and jetties for light lure fishing where the stronger leader provides additional protection around structure.
• Estuaries and sheltered coastal areas for trevally, kahawai and smaller snapper where suitable lures are used.

It is not intended as a heavy snapper or kingfish setup, nor is it designed for pulling heavily snagged fish out of reef.

What Lures Should You Use?

The rod is rated for 7–30g lures. If you are new to a baitcaster, starting around 12–18g makes sense while learning spool control.

Once comfortable with the reel, the wider 7–30g range gives you flexibility to experiment with:

• Small metal casting lures
• Compact hard-body lures
• Soft plastics with suitable jigheads
• Small sinking minnows
• Other artificial lures within the rod's stated casting range

When using a soft plastic, remember that the total casting weight includes both the soft bait and the jighead.

Right-Side Handle – What Does That Mean?

This bundle includes the right-side handle version of the baitcasting reel.

That means:

• You turn the reel handle with your right hand.
• You normally hold the rod in your left hand while retrieving.
• A right-handed caster may cast with their right hand and then transfer the rod to their left hand before winding.

If you prefer to keep the rod in your right hand and wind with your left, choose a left-side handle baitcasting reel instead.

Setting Up Your Baitcaster

Baitcasting reels require a little more technique than a conventional spinning reel, particularly when learning to control the spool.

Spool the braid evenly under tension and avoid overfilling the reel. Because the supplied 0.12mm braid is quite fine, maintaining firm and even tension while spooling is particularly important.

Tie the braid to approximately 1–2m of the supplied leader using a suitable braid-to-leader knot, then connect your lure to the leader.

For your first casts, use a lure around 12–18g and begin with conservative spool and brake settings. Practise short, controlled casts before gradually increasing distance.

Your thumb should be used to control the spool as the lure slows and particularly as it reaches the water. This greatly reduces the likelihood of an overrun or backlash.

A Portable NZ Baitcaster Setup

If you want a baitcaster rod and reel combination that is easy to transport yet provides the line, leader and lure range needed for practical NZ light saltwater fishing, this bundle removes much of the guesswork.

The five-piece T800 carbon rod packs down to only 48cm, while the right-side 7.1:1 reel provides fast line retrieval. Matching it with 12lb braid and a tougher 15.71lb leader creates a balanced setup for casting artificial lures around New Zealand harbours, estuaries and sheltered coastal locations.

Simply add suitable 7–30g lures and your essential fishing tackle, and you have the core components needed for a compact baitcasting outfit.