Nowhere in the fishing reel world are modern advancements in technology more evident than in the rise of the Electric Fishing Reel market. While Electric reels are nothing new in countries like Japan where most of these reels have their pedigree, in the Australian market, we really have only begun to see the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the where these reels can play a role in our fishing techniques.

They are powered by either running their power chord through to a vessel's 12V battery, or more often, in conjunction with their own dedicated 12V battery supply. With the reel's onboard computer, it's possible to program and utilise the reel in a variety of different modes like a deep dropping and jigging mode. Standard features allow the angler to view how much line is out/how much remains to be retrieved through the reel’s LCD display. A motorised power lever enable the angler to retrieve line at various speeds with the flick of a switch, which engages the minute, yet impressively powerful, concealed motor, with some reels able to recover 150m/minute.

Ultimately, electric fishing reels have proven dominant in the deep-dropping market. That is where fishos are targeting tasty wreck fish in abyssal depths, where the ability to retrieve 500+ metres of line at the press of a button really shines. Major players in the Australian electric reel market are the ever-advancing Daiwa and Shimano brands, and both now provide Electric reels that will not only cater for the above style of fishing, but will also do so at varying price points.

More and more we are seeing a demand for smaller, more compact electric reels for those targeting species in shallower depths where a reel capable of carrying a kilometre of PE8 in not required. Daiwa Seaborg 300 & 400J and Shimano Plays 4000 are examples of these exceptionally advanced, yet compact pieces of fishing reel innovation. As the saying goes, fish smarter, not harder.