The best fishing stores in Blenheim carry the rods, reels, terminal tackle and bait a Marlborough trip actually calls for, whether you are working the Wairau for trout or heading out into the Sounds. Between them they cover freshwater and saltwater tackle, set nets and net repairs, spearfishing and freediving gear, and Fish and Game licences over the counter. Henderson’s Ltd on Grove Road and Marlborough Hunting & Fishing on Main Street are both a short drive from the town centre.
1Henderson’s Ltd
Henderson’s is a Grove Road fishing, spearfishing and chandlery store that describes itself as carrying the largest range of fishing and spearfishing gear in the region. Founded by John Henderson in 1998 and owned by Mike and Brenda Ponder since 2021, it covers freshwater and saltwater angling from the same counter, right down to set nets and net repair twine. It suits anglers who want depth of range and local advice on where to target fish, and there is parking with room to bring a boat in.
Services
- Freshwater fishing gear including rods, reels, lines, flies, lures, sinkers and waders
- Saltwater fishing gear including boat rods, spin reels, jigs, poppers, soft baits and terminal tackle
- Fishing nets and accessories, from landing and cast nets to flounder, moki, butterfish and whitebait nets, plus net repair kits and mending twine
- Wettie spearfishing gear, with speargun servicing and custom spearguns built to order
- Fish and Game freshwater fishing licences issued in store
Highlights
- Founded by John Henderson in 1998 and owned by Mike and Brenda Ponder since 2021
- Top of the South Pro Store for Minn Kota and their service agent
- Fly tying materials and supplies stocked alongside the ready made freshwater range
- In store knife sharpening on a dedicated sharpening machine at $10 per knife
- Plenty of parking and room to bring your boat in
Location & Contact
Name: Henderson’s Ltd
Address: 38 Grove Road, Blenheim 7201
Phone: 03 578 9960
Website: hendersons.co.nz
2Marlborough Hunting & Fishing
The Marlborough branch of Hunting & Fishing New Zealand sits at 46 Main Street in central Blenheim and covers fishing alongside hunting, camping, diving and outdoor clothing. The fishing side runs from freshwater combos, fly gear and waders through to saltwater rods, reels, braid, soft baits and boat electronics. It suits anglers who want mainstream brands on the shelf and the option to shop on a Sunday.
Services
- Saltwater fishing combos, reels, rods, braid, mono and leader, plus bait, lures and sabikis
- Freshwater fishing combos, reels, rods, flies, soft baits, line, waders and wading boots
- Terminal tackle, nets and gaffs, tackle storage and fishing knives
- Boating and fishing electronics including chart depth sounders, GPS, marine radios, PLBs and EPIRBs
Highlights
- Open seven days, including Saturday and Sunday until 3pm
- Stocks Shimano, Daiwa, Okuma, Penn, Berkley and Simms fishing brands
- Camping, diving and outdoor clothing ranges in the same store, so a trip can be kitted out in one stop
- Part of the Hunting & Fishing New Zealand network, with gift cards and Q Card and Finance Now payment options
Location & Contact
Name: Marlborough Hunting & Fishing
Address: 46 Main Street, Blenheim 7201
Phone: 03 579 1600
Website: huntingandfishing.co.nz
3Marine and Outdoors
Marine and Outdoors is a Horton Street marine dealership whose in store gear for fishers is underwater rather than on a rod rack: it is the Blenheim home of Ocean Hunter, with a dedicated spearfishing and freediving space and staff. The range runs to spearguns, wetsuits, masks, snorkels, fins and complete dive packages, backed by a fully equipped speargun service workshop on site. It suits spearos and freedivers, and boat owners who want their outboard serviced and their dive gear sorted in the same visit.
Services
- Ocean Hunter spearfishing and freediving gear, stocked in store and available online
- Diving accessories including masks, snorkels, socks, gloves, fins and measuring tools
- Wetsuits from Moray, Riffe, Rob Allen, Cressi and Mares
- Dive gear packages, either off the shelf or put together in store to suit you
- Speargun servicing with fresh rubbers, a straight and sharp shaft and new rigging
Highlights
- Dedicated Ocean Hunter space in store with its own Blenheim team and enquiry address
- Speargun servicing labour is free, so you cover only the replacement parts
- Wetsuit repairs and alterations can be arranged in store
Location & Contact
Name: Marine and Outdoors
Address: 14 Horton Street, Blenheim
Phone: 03 578 0569
Website: marineandoutdoors.co.nz
How to Choose the Right Fishing Store in Blenheim
- Match the store to the water you fish. A trout angler heading for the Wairau wants fly tying materials, light spin gear and waders, while a Sounds trip needs boat rods, braid, jigs and heavier terminal tackle.
- Check whether they sell licences and consumables. Being able to pick up a Fish and Game freshwater licence or bait with the gear saves a second stop before an early start.
- Ask what they service, not just what they sell. Speargun rigging, net repairs and knife sharpening are the jobs that keep gear going for years rather than seasons.
- Look at brand depth in the line you actually use. Reel and rod brands vary between stores, and spares, servicing and warranty support are easier where the store is a stockist.
- Factor in opening hours and parking. Weekend hours matter if you fish on days off, and boat trailer access is worth having when you are collecting bulky gear.
Frequently Asked Questions About Blenheim Fishing Stores
Do I need a licence to fish around Blenheim?
You need a Fish and Game licence for freshwater sports fishing in the Nelson Marlborough region, covering trout and salmon in rivers such as the Wairau. Saltwater recreational fishing does not require a licence, but it does have catch and size limits. Licences can be bought in store at Henderson’s or online through Fish and Game New Zealand.
What are the rules on how many fish I can take from the Marlborough Sounds?
Recreational saltwater fishing is managed by daily bag limits, minimum sizes and, for blue cod in the Marlborough Sounds, seasonal and area specific rules that change from time to time. Check the current limits for the Challenger East area before you head out, published by Fisheries New Zealand. Staff at local tackle stores will usually know the season rules as well.
Can I buy bait in Blenheim?
Yes. Local fishing stores carry bait alongside tackle, so you can collect it with your gear rather than making an extra stop. Marlborough Hunting and Fishing lists bait with its saltwater range, and Henderson’s carries freshwater baits as well as bait nets and cast nets for gathering your own.
Which store is best for trout fishing gear?
For freshwater, look for a store with a proper fly section rather than a token rack. Henderson’s stocks fly tying materials and supplies as well as fly rods, reels and lines, and Marlborough Hunting and Fishing carries freshwater combos, flies, soft baits and waders.
Where do I go for spearfishing gear in Blenheim?
Both Henderson’s and Marine and Outdoors carry spearfishing gear. Henderson’s stocks the Wettie range and services spearguns, while Marine and Outdoors is the Blenheim Ocean Hunter store, with wetsuits, dive packages and a speargun service workshop on site.
Can Blenheim stores repair or service my gear?
Yes, and it is worth asking before you replace something. Speargun servicing is offered by both Henderson’s and Marine and Outdoors, Henderson’s sells net repair kits and mending twine and sharpens knives in store, and Marine and Outdoors can arrange wetsuit repairs and alterations.
What should a beginner buy first?
A rod and reel combo matched to the water you will fish most is the usual starting point, plus line, a small selection of terminal tackle and a way to keep your catch cold. Combos are sold as matched sets at both Henderson’s and Marlborough Hunting and Fishing, which avoids pairing a rod and reel that do not balance.
Do I need to carry lifejackets if I am fishing from a boat?
Yes. Marlborough bylaws require a correctly fitting lifejacket on board for every person, and stores that sell boating gear will fit them for you. Henderson’s also hires lifejackets by the day or week, which is useful when visitors join a trip.