The Complete Daiwa Electric Reel Guide
The complete Daiwa electric reel guide. Every reel, ranked for the deep.
When it comes to electric reels, Daiwa leads the category, and at Land & Sea it's the range our crew fishes hardest. From the legendary Tanacom to the 50kg-drag Seaborg 1800, there's a Daiwa dendoh reel for every job, from inshore snapper to broadbill in a kilometre of water.
This guide breaks down the whole range: what each reel does, where it sits, and how to pick the right one. Prices shown are current Land & Sea RRP (19/06/26).
"Whether you're drone fishing, deep dropping, or chasing the really big ones, the range has it nailed."Justin Corric · Daiwa New Zealand
The full rundown. The Daiwa electric range, explained.
We walk the whole electric line-up - from the Tanacom workhorse to the 50kg Seaborg 1800 - and break down what each reel is built for, the fish and depths they handle, and who they suit. Here's the rundown.
Our picks. Six reels, six jobs.
The range, reel by reel. From the workhorse up.
22 Tanacom 1200 · $1,399.00
The new workhorse. Daiwa rebuilt the most popular reel in the category from the ground up: the motor now sits inside the spool, it runs around 50% quieter, and it holds a full 1,000m of PE8 with up to 25kg of drag. It's the reel we hand most deep-drop anglers, newcomers and veterans alike.
| Max drag | 25kg |
| Gear ratio | 2.1 |
| Line capacity | PE8 / 1,000m |
| Ball bearings | 11 |
| Weight | 2,040g |
| Best for | Hapuka, bass, bluenose, drone & teaser |
Pros
- Huge 1,000m of PE8, around 250m more than the old Tanacom 1000.
- Motor-in-spool design runs ~50% quieter with far better water sealing.
- Faster retrieve and 25kg drag handle bigger fish than its predecessor.
Cons
- Single-speed: no high/low gear like the Seaborg twins.
- Less outright pulling power than the Seapower for true monsters.
Our take - read more
The Tanacom 1200 replaces the legendary Tanacom 1000(U), a reel that, in Justin's words, "has probably taken the most amount of deep water species in New Zealand for years." Big shoes to fill, and Daiwa nailed it.
That extra capacity matters to the drone crowd who were tapping out around 750m. The 1200 takes a full 1,000m of PE8. "This is becoming the new workhorse, and it's everything we expected."
23 Seapower 1200 · $1,499.00
The Tanacom 1200's body with the Seaborg's heart. Same frame, but the Seapower runs the MEGATORQUE motor for around 30% more power, adds another 5kg of drag (30kg) and extra bearings. If you're loading up on big bass and hapuka, this is the justified step up, for about $100 more.
| Max drag | 30kg |
| Gear ratio | 2.1 |
| Line capacity | PE8 / 1,000m |
| Ball bearings | 5+1 |
| Weight | 2,110g |
| Best for | Big bass, hapuka, heavier deep drop |
Pros
- Around 30% more power than the Tanacom from the Megatorque motor.
- An extra 5kg of drag (30kg) for serious bottom fish.
- Same easy-handling frame and 1,000m of PE8 capacity.
Cons
- Looks near-identical to the Tanacom 1200, easy to mix up.
- Still single-speed, unlike the Seaborg twins.
Our take - read more
The most common question we get in store: Tanacom or Seapower? They share a body and look almost identical apart from the machined aluminium star drag and lever. "But that's where the differences stop."
The Seapower is the long-awaited replacement to the much-loved Tanacom Bull: trade a little value for a real jump in pulling power.
Seaborg 1200MJ · $2,799.00
Where the range turns premium. The Seaborg adds Megatwin, a true two-speed motor that runs high gear for speed on smaller fish, then drops to low gear and piles on torque when a monster loads up. Add 33kg of drag and Daiwa's Magseal water-proofing and it's the deep-drop specialist's reel.
| Max drag | 33kg |
| Gear ratio | 2.9 (two-speed) |
| Line capacity | PE8 / 1,000m · PE10 / 800m |
| Ball bearings | 22 (1 Magsealed) |
| Weight | 2,000g |
| Best for | Serious deepwater & big bottom fish |
Pros
- Two-speed Megatwin: high gear for speed, low gear for torque on command.
- 33kg drag and Magseal sealing built for the long haul.
- Faster top-end retrieve than the single-speed reels.
Cons
- A big jump in price over the Seapower.
- More reel than most need for everyday hapuka.
Our take - read more
The Seaborgs are the jewel in the crown of the range, built in Japan for anglers who demand the most from their tackle. As Callum put it: "If Tony Stark was an electric reel, that's him."
The 1200MJ is the deepwater pick of the range, and the one we'd hand most serious bottom-fish anglers.
Seaborg G1800M-RJ · $4,199.00
The weapon. Dubbed the Ironking Monster, the 1800 is the most powerful dendoh Daiwa has built: a Megatorque-G motor almost double the 1200's, 50kg of drag, 1,600m of PE8, and a Bluetooth wireless remote so you can run it from the helm or the tower. Built for XOS bottom fish and broadbill.
| Max drag | 50kg |
| Gear ratio | 2.3 (two-speed) |
| Line capacity | PE8 / 1,600m · PE10 / 1,200m |
| Ball bearings | 21 |
| Weight | 3,510g |
| Best for | Broadbill, XOS bottom fish, heavy line |
Pros
- 50kg of drag, "out the gate" for an electric reel.
- Bluetooth remote runs the reel from anywhere on the boat.
- 1,600m of PE8 / heavy 100-150lb braid capacity.
Cons
- Premium price, a true specialist's tool.
- Heavy at 3,510g; far more reel than most fishing needs.
Our take - read more
This is for the angler who wants to go deeper and bigger than ever: heavy line classes, broadbill, the deepest canyons where the biggest fish live.
That remote also turns it into a serious teaser/dredge reel for marlin fishing. Retrieve teasers from the comfort of the tower while you watch the spread.
Leobritz S300J · $1,049.00
The little speed demon. The smallest, fastest electric in the range: 190m per minute means baits get back into the bite zone fast. With 16kg of drag and 400m of PE3 it's made for snapper, tarakihi and the shallower stuff, and it's small enough to hold and fish all day.
| Max drag | 16kg |
| Gear ratio | 5.1 |
| Line capacity | PE3 / 400m · PE4 / 300m |
| Ball bearings | 12+2 |
| Weight | 504g |
| Best for | Snapper, tarakihi, fast rebaiting inshore |
Pros
- Blistering 190m/min retrieve: quick drops and resets.
- Tiny 504g body you can hold and fish comfortably.
- Programmable jigging function and the same core tech as the big reels.
Cons
- 16kg drag and PE3 capacity cap the target size.
- Inshore / light-offshore only, not a deep-drop reel.
Our take - read more
Don't let the size fool you: the 300 is brilliant for kids, ageing anglers and anyone who finds a conventional reel hard work. It opens up electric fishing out to around 100m for snapper, tarakihi, gurnard and pup hapuka.
"These are just miniature versions of what the big boys are made to do." It's the same technology, scaled down to the species and PE ratings you're fishing.
Leobritz S500JP · $1,049.00
The Leobritz with more in the tank. Steps up to 400m of PE4/5 and a touch more reach, so when a better hapuku or kingfish turns up inshore you've got the line rating to back yourself. Pick the 500JP for capacity and reach, the 300J for raw speed.
| Max drag | 16kg |
| Gear ratio | 3.58 |
| Line capacity | PE4 / 500m · PE5 / 400m |
| Ball bearings | 8+2 |
| Weight | 800g |
| Best for | Snapper to pup hapuka, light offshore |
Pros
- More line and a higher PE rating than the 300 for bigger inshore fish.
- Still compact and handheld at 800g.
- Programmable jigging functions for working metal jigs.
Cons
- Slower retrieve than the speedy 300J.
- Still a light-tackle reel, not for true deep drop.
Our take - read more
The 500 is the pick when you want a bit more in reserve. The higher line rating gives you a fighting chance when a better fish turns up.
People often ask why the small reels aren't half the price. Same answer every time: the same technology goes into all of them. "Like watchmakers - they make stuff small, and stuff gets more expensive."
Compare the whole range. Every model, every spec.
| Model | RRP | Max drag | Gear | Line capacity | Weight | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tanacom 1000U | $1,099.00 | 22kg | 2.3 | PE8 / 800m | 1,495g | Outgoing classic / entry |
| 22 Tanacom 1200 | $1,399.00 | 25kg | 2.1 | PE8 / 1,000m | 2,040g | The all-round workhorse |
| 23 Seapower 1200 | $1,499.00 | 30kg | 2.1 | PE8 / 1,000m | 2,110g | More power for big fish |
| Seaborg 1200MJ | $2,799.00 | 33kg | 2.9 | PE8 / 1,000m | 2,000g | Premium deep drop |
| Seaborg G1800M-RJ | $4,199.00 | 50kg | 2.3 | PE8 / 1,600m | 3,510g | The ultimate / broadbill |
| Leobritz S300J | $1,049.00 | 16kg | 5.1 | PE3 / 400m | 504g | Fast inshore electric |
| Leobritz S500JP | $1,049.00 | 16kg | 3.58 | PE4 / 500m | 800g | Inshore all-rounder |
Attribute comparison
Tap a reel to show or hide it on the chart.
How to choose. Five things that actually matter.
Start with species & depth
Snapper, tarakihi and gurnard inshore? A Leobritz 300 or 500 is plenty. Hapuka, bass and bluenose in deep water? You're into Tanacom, Seapower and Seaborg territory. Chasing broadbill or XOS bottom fish? That's the 1800's job. Be honest about what you actually target.
Match line capacity to how deep you fish
Standard NZ deep dropping wants around 1,000m of PE8. The Tanacom 1200, Seapower and Seaborg 1200 all carry it. Drone anglers who were tapping out near 750m now get the full thousand. Fishing extreme depth or heavy line classes? The 1800 holds 1,600m of PE8.
Power and drag = how big are the fish
More load means you want more drag and torque. The Tanacom's 25kg covers everyday bottom fish; step to the Seapower (30kg) or Seaborg (33kg) for bigger bass and hapuka; and the 1800's 50kg is reserved for genuine giants and heavy tackle.
Single-speed or two-speed
The Tanacom and Seapower keep it simple with one speed. The Seaborgs add Megatwin: high gear for quick retrieves, then drop to low gear for maximum torque on the same fish. And if you rebait constantly in close, the Leobritz 300's 190m/min is the speed king.
Don't forget the rod
Big reels suit heavy, bent-butt deep-drop rods (often without roller tips) so they fish from the rod holder. Small reels want a slightly longer rod with some give. These little reels have enough power to blow up a stiff graphite stick. Match the two for a balanced set: tell us your species, depth and PE rating in store.
FAQ. What anglers ask us in store.
What's the difference between the Tanacom 1200 and the Seapower 1200?
Is the Tanacom 1200 really better than the old Tanacom 1000?
Why aren't the smaller Leobritz reels cheaper than the big ones?
What does the Seaborg 1800's Bluetooth remote actually do?
What can I actually catch on an electric reel?
What battery do I need?
What rod should I pair with my electric reel?
