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Help on stickbaiting

Printed From: The Fishing Website
Category: Saltwater Fishing
Forum Name: Popper and Topwater Fishing
Forum Description: If you're into a bit of action on top, this is the forum for you
URL: https://www.fishing.net.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=139096
Printed Date: 27 Jan 2026 at 2:48pm


Topic: Help on stickbaiting
Posted By: Scamp125
Subject: Help on stickbaiting
Date Posted: 14 Mar 2025 at 7:52pm
Hi, planning on getting a Stickbaiting combo for next summer, I live in the wellington region so I've heard they don't tend to be big but they can be. I've been thinking a Shimano Sargosa 14000, has 15kg drag nopt sure if this is enough? planning on getting 300 meters of 60lb Daiwa Expedition, and planning on pairing that with a Daiwa Saltist hyper, its a 7ft 9 pe4/6 not sure if this enough for casting / handling but sounds fine to me. Also looking for stickbaits, thinking of the Saltiga Cuddlers which i've heard are good.

Thanks

Also wondering if with 60lb line after knots whether if i had it on full 15kg line might snap?


Replies:
Posted By: The Tamure Kid
Date Posted: 21 Mar 2025 at 7:50pm
G'day. The main thing with learning stickbaiting is to be persistent. I am by no means an expert, but have hooked decent kingies on stickbaits - both from shore and from boat on relatively low cost gear compared to some in the market.
One of my nicer catches was on 50lb Tasline (from Kaveman on this forum, who is a great guy) and a Daiwa BG reel with 10kg drag (max). On an older Shimano T Curve rod.

I wouldn't get too obsessed about drag. A reel with max drag of 15kg sounds ideal, as you won't be using anywhere near that (in most situations). People land good kingies on reels with way less 'max drag' than 15kg. 
With the rod, if you're focused on stickbaiting, it's better to have a forgiving rod tip than stiff. Check that the Hyper isn't really a popper rod, which will have a much stiffer tip. Do a bit of research online on that aspect.

Having seen the results of some Aussies using Nomad stickbaits for GTs, I think they would be near the top of my list in terms of affordable plastic lures that are relatively easy to swim. I'm a fan of sinking stickbaits that you can get good action out of just with a bit of an erratic straight wind. Given what I experienced when living in Wellington, the seas are unlikely to be calm very often, and sinking stickbaits get you fishing effectively when it's frustrating to try to use a floating stickbait.
Some of the diver style hybrids are also easy to swim as a beginner.

Good luck.


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