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Which softbait rod for which spot?
Pick where you fish most. Each tile shows what is in stock right now and the price it starts at.
Harbour and estuary finesse
Supernova 73ML
7'3" · PE0.4 to 0.8 · 1.8 to 14g
A soft tip for delicate presentations and a responsive blank for hook-sets, tuned for flicking lighter softbaits.
Harbours on a budget
Allure 7ML
7' · PE0.4 to 0.8 · 5 to 14g
Built for estuaries, harbours and calm inshore water, presenting small lures on light lines.
Shallow reef snapper
Edge II 7' Medium Heavy
7' · 8 to 12lb · 7 to 21g
Built for softbaiting snapper over shallow reef, with sealed stainless guides that handle braid and nylon.
Shallow reef, finesse to all-round
Supernova 73M and 73MH
7'3" · PE0.6 to 1.2 · 3.5 to 28g
Fuji Alconite guides on both: the 73M for finesse lure work, the 73MH for a wider range of lures and jigs.
Workups and long casts
Arrowz Snapper Light 7'4
7'4" · 10 to 18lb · 1 piece
The 7'4" length is built for long soft-bait casts, with Fuji K-frame O-ring guides for braid or mono.
Workups with kingfish about
Samurai Elevate 10 to 20lb
7' · 10 to 20lb · Fast · 1 piece
A medium-duty allrounder for plastics and hardbodies, rated for snapper, trevally, kahawai and even small kingfish.
Deep water and heavier jigheads
Allure 7H and Infinity 72H
PE1 to 1.5 · 14 to 42g
Heavy power for bigger inshore fish and heavier lures, both rated to 42g.
XOS snapper
Arrowz Snapper Heavy 7'3
7'3" · 14 to 35lb · 1 piece
For large soft-baits, heavier jigs and straylining big baits for XOS snapper.
Technical decoder
Reading a softbait rod
The numbers printed above the grip, and what they mean on the water.
Length
Most softbait rods we stock are 6'10" to 7'3". The 7'4" Arrowz Snapper Light is built for long soft-bait casts; the Supernova 77M and 77MH run 7'7".
Braid rating
The braid class the rod is built for: PE0.4 to 0.8 on the finesse rods, PE0.6 to 1.2 on the shallow reef rods, PE1 to 1.5 on the heavies.
Line in pounds
Atomic and Samurai rate in pounds of line: 10 to 18lb on the Arrowz Snapper Light, 14 to 35lb on the Arrowz Snapper Heavy.
Lure weight
The jighead and softbait weight the blank casts best, from 1.8 to 14g on the Supernova 73ML to 14 to 42g on the Allure 7H and Infinity 72H.
Power
Assassin's power rating: ML for finesse and light lines, MH for shallow reef snapper on the Edge II, H for bigger inshore fish and heavier lures.
Pieces
1 piece for maximum sensitivity (Samurai Elevate), a 1.5-piece butt join for near 1-piece feel (Samurai Reaction), 4 pieces to travel.
At a glance
Softbait rods at a glance
Every softbait rod series we stock, side by side. Prices and stock update as the shelves move.
| Series | Tier | Best for | Key tech | Line | From | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Assassin Slayer and Edge II | Entry | Shallow reef snapper, kahawai | Carbon blank, stainless guides | 6 to 15lb | ||
| Atomic Flickz | Value | Inshore snapper, kahawai, reef | VTX Carbon Graphite blank | 6 to 32lb | ||
| Assassin Allure | Mid-range | Harbour to bigger inshore fish | HMC blank, Fuji K-Series guides | PE0.2 to 1.5 | ||
| Atomic Arrowz | Mid-range | Snapper on softbaits, lures or bait | Multi-layered blank, Fuji K-frame O-rings | 8 to 35lb | ||
| Assassin Supernova | Premium | Finesse to shallow reef | HMC or Nano Hex Carbon, Fuji Alconite | PE0.4 to 1.2 | ||
| Assassin Infinity | Premium | Versatile lure work, larger inshore fish | Multidirectional Carbon, Fuji Fazlite | PE0.6 to 1.5 | ||
| Samurai Elevate and Cruisers | Premium | Snapper, trevally, kahawai, small kingfish | Fuji Alconite K guides, Fuji VSS seat | 8 to 40lb | ||
| Samurai Reaction | Technical | Technical lure work, long accurate casts | High-modulus blank, 1.5-piece butt join | 10 to 30lb |
- Best for
- Shallow reef snapper, kahawai
- Key tech
- Carbon blank, stainless guides
- Line
- 6 to 15lb
- Best for
- Inshore snapper, kahawai, reef
- Key tech
- VTX Carbon Graphite blank
- Line
- 6 to 32lb
- Best for
- Harbour to bigger inshore fish
- Key tech
- HMC blank, Fuji K-Series guides
- Line
- PE0.2 to 1.5
- Best for
- Snapper on softbaits, lures or bait
- Key tech
- Multi-layered blank, Fuji K-frame O-rings
- Line
- 8 to 35lb
- Best for
- Finesse to shallow reef
- Key tech
- HMC or Nano Hex Carbon, Fuji Alconite
- Line
- PE0.4 to 1.2
- Best for
- Versatile lure work, larger inshore fish
- Key tech
- Multidirectional Carbon, Fuji Fazlite
- Line
- PE0.6 to 1.5
- Best for
- Snapper, trevally, kahawai, small kingfish
- Key tech
- Fuji Alconite K guides, Fuji VSS seat
- Line
- 8 to 40lb
- Best for
- Technical lure work, long accurate casts
- Key tech
- High-modulus blank, 1.5-piece butt join
- Line
- 10 to 30lb
01 · Where to start
Assassin Slayer and Edge II
Entry levelThe Edge II 7' Medium Heavy has a sensitive carbon blank and sealed stainless steel guides that handle braid and nylon, built for softbaiting snapper over shallow reef or casting light lures at surface-feeding kahawai. The Slayer is the budget option: a carbon blank, stainless guides and a 2-piece build.
- The mission
- A first softbait rod that handles braid.
- Best for
- Shallow reef snapperKahawaiFirst setup
- Ratings
- Edge II 7MH: 8 to 12lb, 7 to 21g · Edge II 7H: 8 to 15lb, 7 to 28g
02 · Value
Atomic Flickz
VTX Carbon GraphiteBuilt on Atomic's VTX Carbon Graphite blank: crisp feedback for subtle bites with a powerful mid to butt section. The Medium 6'10 (10 to 20lb) is rated for snapper and kahawai; the Heavy 6'10 (15 to 32lb) is the muscle rod of the series for inshore reef fishing and entry-level offshore.
- The mission
- Sensitive up top, punchy in the butt.
- Best for
- Inshore snapperKahawaiReef
- Ratings
- Medium 10 to 20lb · Medium Heavy 12 to 24lb · Heavy 15 to 32lb
03 · Mid-range
Assassin Allure
Built for braidReinforced High Modulus Carbon blanks with Fuji K-Series guides and a directional casting handle. The 7ML is built for estuaries, harbours and calm inshore water on light lines; the 7MH and 7H step up for bigger inshore fish and heavier lures.
- The mission
- Light, portable and braid-ready.
- Best for
- HarboursInshore snapperBigger inshore fish
- Ratings
- 7ML PE0.4 to 0.8, 5 to 14g · 7MH PE0.8 to 1.2, 10.5 to 28g · 7H PE1 to 1.5, 14 to 42g
04 · Snapper specialists
Atomic Arrowz
From the Offshore seriesA multi-layered blank and Fuji K-frame O-ring guides for casting distance, sensitivity and power. The 1-piece Snapper models cover softbaits, lures and strayline baits: the 7'4 Light for long soft-bait casts, the 7'3 for snapper of all sizes and the 7'3 Heavy for large soft-baits, heavier jigs and XOS snapper. The Offshore and 4-piece Travel models round it out.
- The mission
- Snapper-tuned, from softbaits to strayline baits.
- Best for
- SnapperLong castsXOS snapper
- Ratings
- Snapper Light 10 to 18lb · Snapper 12 to 25lb · Snapper Heavy 14 to 35lb
05 · Premium
Assassin Supernova
Fuji Alconite guidesAssassin's premium softbait rods on High Modulus Carbon double-taper and Nano Hex Carbon blanks. The 73ML is the finesse model; the 73M and 77M run PE0.6 to 1, the 73MH and 77MH PE0.8 to 1.2 at 7 to 28g, and the 73M also comes in a 4-piece.
- The mission
- Sensitivity for technical softbaiting.
- Best for
- Finesse softbaitingShallow reefTravel (73M 4pc)
- Ratings
- 73ML PE0.4 to 0.8 · 73M and 77M PE0.6 to 1 · 73MH and 77MH PE0.8 to 1.2
06 · Premium power
Assassin Infinity
Infinity Taper DesignA Multidirectional Carbon blank with Infinity Taper Design, Fuji Tangle-Free Fazlite sealed ring guides and a minimalist handle with exposed blank. The 72M covers versatile lure work; the 72H is for larger inshore species and heavier lures.
- The mission
- Strength and sensitivity for dedicated lure anglers.
- Best for
- Inshore lure workLarger snapperHeavier jigheads
- Ratings
- 72M PE0.6 to 1, 7 to 21g · 72H PE1 to 1.5, 14 to 42g
07 · Samurai
Samurai Elevate and Cruisers
NZ-designed allroundersThe Elevate is a medium-duty allrounder for plastics and hardbodies, rated for snapper, trevally, kahawai and even small kingfish, on a machine-rolled hot press baked blank with Fuji Alconite K guides. The Cruisers is the 4-piece travel rod, with Samurai's interlock joins and a spare tip.
- The mission
- Accessible Samurai performance, 1 piece or travel.
- Best for
- SnapperKahawaiSmall kingfishTravel
- Ratings
- Elevate 8 to 16lb up to 25 to 40lb · Cruisers 10 to 20lb and 20 to 35lb
08 · Technical
Samurai Reaction
Technical lure seriesA high-modulus, fast-recovering blank with a 1.5-piece butt join for near 1-piece performance, and Fuji K-Series SiC guides, for long accurate casts and refined control with softbaits, small stickbaits and metals.
- The mission
- Long, accurate casts with refined control.
- Best for
- Technical lure workSoftbaitsSmall stickbaits
- Ratings
- 351: 10 to 17lb, 7 to 30g · 402: 10 to 20lb, 10 to 40g · 502: 15 to 25lb, 15 to 50g · 532: 20 to 30lb, 20 to 60g
Tips
Softbait rod tips
Setup and care habits that get the most from a softbait rod.
Match the jighead
Pick the rod by the jighead and softbait weight you fish most. The lure weight on the blank is the guide: 1.8 to 14g on the finesse Supernova 73ML, 7 to 21g or 7 to 28g on the shallow reef rods, and 14 to 42g on the Allure 7H and Infinity 72H for deeper water.
Shore or boat
From the boat, 6'10" to 7'3" covers most softbaiting. From the shore or for long casts at workups, go longer: the 7'4" Arrowz Snapper Light is built for long soft-bait casts and the Supernova 77M and 77MH run 7'7".
Pair the reel
A 3000 or 4000 spinning reel balances a 7ft softbait rod and holds 150m plus of PE1 braid. On the finesse rods rated PE0.4 to 0.8, a lighter 2500 or 3000 keeps the outfit balanced.
Braid and leader
Match the braid to the rod's rating, usually PE0.8 to 1 for snapper, then add a rod length of 15 to 30lb fluorocarbon leader for abrasion on reef and foul.
One-piece or two
A 1-piece blank gives the most feel (Arrowz Snapper, Samurai Elevate) and the Samurai Reaction's 1.5-piece butt join comes close. 2-piece and 4-piece rods (Slayer, Flickz, Supernova 73M 4pc, Cruisers) are easier to carry.
Don't high-stick
When landing a fish, keep the rod low and lift with the butt section. Pointing the tip straight up loads the thin top section, and that is how most softbait rods break.
Rinse the guides
Rinse the rod in fresh water after every trip, guides and reel seat included, so salt can't crust the guide rings. Let it dry before it goes in the bag.
FAQ
Softbait rod FAQ
What length softbait rod should I buy?
Most snapper softbait rods are around 7ft; the rods in this guide run 6'10" to 7'7". From a boat, 6'10" to 7'3" covers most fishing. From the shore or for long casts at workups, a longer rod like the 7'4" Arrowz Snapper Light or the 7'7" Supernova 77M adds distance.
What line weight for a softbait rod?
Match the braid to the rod's rating. For snapper most anglers run PE0.8 to 1 braid with a 15 to 30lb fluorocarbon leader. Finesse rods like the Supernova 73ML and Allure 7ML are rated PE0.4 to 0.8 for harbours and light lines, while the Allure 7H and Infinity 72H take PE1 to 1.5. Atomic and Samurai rate in pounds: 10 to 18lb on the Arrowz Snapper Light up to 14 to 35lb on the Arrowz Snapper Heavy.
What is the best rod for snapper softbaiting?
It depends on the water you fish. Over shallow reef, the Edge II 7' Medium Heavy (8 to 12lb, 7 to 21g) is the place to start, and the Supernova 73M and 73MH step up in feel. For workups and long casts, the Arrowz Snapper Light 7'4". For deep water and heavier jigheads, the Allure 7H or Infinity 72H (14 to 42g). For XOS snapper, the Arrowz Snapper Heavy 7'3" (14 to 35lb).
Should I get a one-piece or two-piece softbait rod?
A 1-piece rod gives the most sensitivity and the smoothest bend: the Arrowz Snapper models and the Samurai Elevate are 1-piece, and the Samurai Reaction's 1.5-piece butt join feels close to it. 2-piece and 4-piece rods, like the Assassin Slayer, Atomic Flickz, Supernova 73M 4-piece and Samurai Cruisers, are easier to carry and store.
Related guides
Keep reading
Softbaiting
Softbaiting guide
The rod, reel, braid, softbaits and jigheads that catch snapper in New Zealand, from a first setup to a technical one, rods and reels by budget, and how to fish them.
Lines
Braid guide
Why braided PE line beats monofilament for lure fishing, what a PE rating means, and the braid and leaders for every style.
Sliders
Slider guide
Kabura and tai rubber for NZ snapper: Ocean Angler and Hayabusa Free Slide, the neckties, the rods and X-Braid, and a depth-to-weight chart.
Shimano
Shimano reel guide
Stella SW, Twin Power, Saragosa, Stradic, Vanquish, Vanford, Nasci, Talica and Ocea Jigger matched to the job, with a model-code decoder and live prices and stock.