

An electric reel is a real help when you fish very deep water with heavy rigs. In this group you will find deep drop and electric boat reels, where an electric motor winds the line up instead of the handle. The reels are usually powered by the boat battery or a separate battery.














In deep drop fishing the rig is heavy and there is a lot of line in the water. Winding by hand makes every retrieve slow and tiring, while an electric reel does the heavy work. That leaves you free to concentrate on feeling the bottom, presenting the bait and spotting the bite.
Electric reels often let you adjust retrieve speed and pulling power, and many models have a display that shows how deep the rig is. Most also have a manual handle, so you can fine-tune the fight by hand when needed.
Before buying, make sure the boat has a suitable power supply and that the cable reaches the rod holder. Use braided line, whose thin diameter reduces the effect of the current, and rinse the reel and connectors in fresh water after every trip to keep corrosion at bay. Store the reel somewhere dry and check the cable before every trip.