At the 2022 Hutchwilco New Zealand Boat Show, one question came up time and time again:

“Can you take your rod rack system for trailer boats and develop a proper solution for bent butt game rods?”

Heavy game rods are some of the hardest setups to store safely — especially when you need a system that works on the trailer, on the water, and at home, without taking over valuable cockpit space.

That question became the starting point for what is now the Ultimate Rod Racks NZ Game Series.

The Challenge With Bent Butt Game Rods

Bent butt game rods introduce unique storage challenges, including:

• Large reels that protrude into cockpit space

• Angled butts that don’t sit correctly in standard vertical racks

• Limited clearance between parcel trays and coamings

• The need for safe transport on road, water, and trailer

Designing a rack that works in one environment is easy.
Designing one that works in all three — without compromise — is not.

Why Traditional Game Rod Storage Falls Short

With traditional vertical racks:

• Rods often need to face inward

• Reel handles strike the boat sides or gunnels

• Valuable deck and cockpit space is lost

Standing racks fully vertical doesn’t solve the issue either — reel handles still contact the boat, and access becomes awkward in rough conditions.

The Foundation: GunnelCore™ for Trailer Boats

To make the system work across most modern trailer boats, the solution had to start with mounting.

The GunnelCore™ System provides a secure, boat-friendly foundation by:

• Locking cleanly into existing rod pockets

• Working with straight and angled coamings

• Requiring no drilling or welding

• Remaining fully removable

This allows the Game Series to be fitted to a wide range of trailer boats while protecting both structure and finish.

The Ultimate Rod Racks NZ Game Series

The Game Series was developed specifically to solve the bent butt rod problem — without sacrificing versatility or footprint.

It is engineered around:

• Bent butt rod geometry

• Heavy reels and offshore tackle

• Real-world fishing workflows

The result is a system that keeps rods secure, accessible, and properly positioned in all conditions.

Circular Mate Series – 180° Adjustment & Built-In Versatility

A key component of the Game Series is the Circular Mate Series, which adds a new level of control and flexibility.

The Circular Mate Series allows:

• Up to 180° of adjustment

• Rods to be angled forward, aft, or anywhere in between

• Reel handles to clear gunnels and side panels

• Mixed setups including bent butt and straight butt rods

When rods aren’t in place, the same holders can also function as:

• Drink holders

• Accessory holders

This delivers practical, everyday functionality without wasted space.

Game XL – Maximum Coverage for Heavy Tackle

For anglers running:

• Larger reels

• Wider spreads

• Multiple heavy game rods

The Game XL configuration expands the system to cover all heavy-tackle scenarios.

Game XL offers:

• Increased spacing

• Greater adjustability

• Stability for the largest offshore setups

All while remaining compatible with GunnelCore™ and fully removable.

E Series – Designed for Electric Reels

With electric reels now commonly seen on trailer boats, storage solutions needed to evolve.

The E Series is designed specifically to support:

• Electric reels

• Increased reel bulk and weight

• Wiring considerations

This ensures modern electric-assisted game fishing is properly supported — not retrofitted as an afterthought.

Fully Adjustable for Real-World Boats

Every boat and every angler is different, which is why adjustability is core to the Game Series.

The system allows:

• Adjustable backframe height to suit different floor-to-coaming dimensions

• Interchangeable holder angles

• Custom layouts for port or starboard installations

Standard configurations can include straight, 15°, and 30° holders, positioned forward, aft, or mixed — allowing you to mirror a traditional game spread along the gunnels.

One System. Three Environments.

The Ultimate Rod Racks NZ Game Series is designed to work seamlessly:

• On the trailer – secure transport without damage

• On the water – safe access and clean cockpit layout

• At home – wash-down, drying, and garage storage

The same system moves with you — no duplicate gear required.

Built to Protect Premium Gear

Every Game Series setup is engineered with:

• Marine-grade aluminium construction

• Precision fabrication

• Durable powder-coated finishes

High-quality marine EVA padding is used in key contact areas to:

• Cushion rods and reels

• Prevent abrasion against boat surfaces

• Reduce vibration and rattling during transport

This protects both high-value fishing gear and your boat.

Designed for Serious Trailer-Boat Game Fishing

If you’re running bent butt rods, heavy tackle, adjustable spreads, drink holders, or electric reels, this system was built with you in mind.

The Ultimate Rod Racks NZ Game Series, combined with GunnelCore™, Circular Mate Series, Game XL, and E Series options, delivers a complete, future-ready solution for modern trailer boats.

Final Word

Bent butt game rods demand a purpose-built solution — not compromises.

The Ultimate Rod Racks NZ Game Series was developed from real-world questions, refined through real-world use, and engineered to support how serious anglers fish today.

👉 Shop by Boat and we’ll configure the right Game Series setup for your trailer boat — no extras needed.