Company: Globeride, Inc. (brand: Daiwa) · Headquarters: Tokyo, Japan · US arm: Daiwa US · Category: Electric (“power assist”) reels
If you walk a South Florida dock on a deep drop morning, you’ll see more Daiwa electrics than any other brand. Daiwa has the widest electric reel lineup sold in the US, with twelve reels from $749.99 to $3,399.99, ranging from hand-held reels you can jig with to big two-speed reels built to fight swordfish in a rod holder.
This review goes through the full Daiwa US lineup as of September 2026, explains the technology names you’ll see on the spec sheets, and helps you pick the right model for how deep you fish and what you target.
Company overview
Daiwa is the fishing brand of Globeride, Inc., a Japanese company based in Tokyo. In the United States the reels are sold by Daiwa US (daiwa.us), which groups its electrics as “Power Assist Reels.” Daiwa US publishes electric reel schematics online (its “Dendoh” page, from the Japanese word for electric reel), which helps owners and tackle shops order parts and service reels.
At a glance
| Parent company | Globeride, Inc., Tokyo, Japan |
| US distributor | Daiwa US (daiwa.us) |
| US electric families | Seaborg, Tanacom, Sea Power |
| US price range | $749.99 – $3,399.99 (MSRP) |
| Key technologies | Jog Power Lever, Mega Twin, MagMax/Mega Torque motors, Magseal, ATD drag |
| Parts support | Online electric reel schematics at daiwa.us |
The full US lineup (September 2026)
| Model | MSRP | Where it fits |
|---|---|---|
| Seaborg 1800M-RJ | $3,399.99 | Flagship, highest capacity |
| Seaborg 1200M | $2,099.99 | Large, deep, heavy fish |
| Seaborg 800MJ | $1,999.99 | Compact stand-up big-game electric |
| 2026 Seaborg 500J | $1,199.99 | Compact, hand-held deep drop |
| 2026 Seaborg 300J | $1,199.99 | Small Seaborg |
| Seaborg 300J-DH | $1,149.99 | Variant of the 300J |
| Sea Power 1200 | $1,199.99 | Large-capacity powered conventional |
| 2026 Tanacom S300J | $899.99 | Small jigging electric |
| Tanacom 800 | $899.99 | Mid-large Tanacom |
| Tanacom 1200 | $899.99 | High-capacity Tanacom |
| Tanacom 1000 | $799.99 | Mid-capacity Tanacom |
| Tanacom S500J | $749.99 | Entry-level compact electric |
| Seaborg Remote Jog Lever (accessory) | $349.99 | Remote speed control |
MSRPs from Daiwa US’s Power Assist Reels page, September 2026.
How to read the names: The number is the reel size; larger numbers mean more line and more power. Seaborg is Daiwa’s premium electric line and Tanacom is the value line. J marks the jigging and hand-held-friendly versions, and M appears on the larger Mega Twin models.
Technology explained
- Jog Power Lever: a thumb lever that sets retrieve speed. It lets you fish an electric reel like a conventional reel, easing off as a fish runs and speeding up when it turns. It’s on the Seaborg J models and the Tanacom S500J.
- Mega Twin: a two-speed system you switch with a button, high speed for winding up empty rigs and low gear for power. It’s on the Seaborg 800MJ.
- MagMax G / Mega Torque motors: Daiwa’s high-output motors. The 2026 Seaborg 500J’s MagMax G delivers 166 lb of momentary winding power, and the 800MJ’s Mega Torque motor is rated about 1.3 times the output of the previous model.
- Magseal: Daiwa’s magnetic-oil seal that keeps water and grit out of bearings and the spool shaft.
- ATD drag: Daiwa’s carbon drag system, designed to start smoothly and hold steady during a run.
- Dot display LCD: a large-digit screen readable with polarized sunglasses, with line counter and depth memory.
2026 Seaborg 500J: the South Florida favorite
The compact Seaborg 500 has long been a go-to deep drop reel for private boats. The 2026 Seaborg 500J keeps the small 500 frame and adds a stronger motor.
- Momentary winding power: 166 lb (MagMax G motor)
- Line capacity: 440 yd of 50 lb braid
- Controls: Jog Power Lever
- Sealing: Magseal ball bearing on the spool shaft
- MSRP: $1,199.99
Daiwa says the reel is “light enough to fish with rod and reel in hand to feel the bite, set the hook, and fight fish,” and names deep snapper, tilefish and grouper in the Atlantic and Gulf as target species. Sport Fishing magazine’s 2026 guide lists the Seaborg 500’s max drag at 50 lb.
Who it’s for: Private-boat deep droppers fishing roughly 300 to 900 feet for tilefish, snowy grouper, yellowedge and queen snapper, who want to hold the rod and feel the fish.
Capacity note: 440 yards of 50 lb braid is about 1,320 feet. That’s fine for most tilefish and grouper drops, but it doesn’t leave much spare for daytime swordfish depths. Go bigger for swords.
Want a smaller reel for shallower drops? The Seaborg 300J uses the same design in a smaller size.
Affiliate disclosure: buttons marked “Check price on Amazon” are affiliate links. We may earn a commission if you buy through them, at no extra cost to you.
Seaborg 800MJ: the compact big-game electric
Daiwa calls the 800MJ “the ultimate standup electric game reel,” built for deep water and large game.
Images: Daiwa
- Motor: Mega Torque, about 1.3× the previous model’s output
- Mega Twin: button-switched high and low gears
- Drag: ATD with seven carbon washers, improved drag grease, and a drag radiator on the handle shaft for cooling
- Jog Power Lever for stand-up fishing
- Magseal bearings, aluminum composite housing for heat dissipation
- Dot LCD in English or Japanese, with line counter, depth memory and a line-pull alarm
- Electrical: 12V DC (acceptable range 12–16.8V); no-load current 4 A; rated current 7/5 A (high/low); maximum 20 A
- MSRP: $1,999.99
Who it’s for: Daytime swordfishing and big deep drop targets where you want to fight the fish stand-up, not winch it from a rod holder.
Battery note: With peaks up to 20 A, the 800MJ needs a battery and cable that can supply that current. A small kite battery won’t do it.
Seaborg 1200M and 1800M-RJ: maximum capacity
For the deepest drops and heaviest fish, the Seaborg 1200M ($2,099.99) and flagship Seaborg 1800M-RJ ($3,399.99) give the most line capacity and power in Daiwa’s US range. Bass Pro Shops sells the 800MJ and 1200M together as a two-size product. They’re the Daiwa choice for big swordfish and very deep drops, and they compete on price with Shimano’s flagship and the entry models from US commercial builders.
Tanacom: the value line
The Tanacom family ($749.99–$899.99) brings Daiwa electrics under $1,000.
Images: Daiwa
Tanacom S500J ($749.99)
- Max drag: 33 lb (ATD carbon)
- Hyper Drive Design and Jog Power Lever
- Sealed electronics panel, line counter, Dot display
- Daiwa says it’s “designed to fit comfortably in the palm of your hand” for hand-held fishing
- Daiwa lists deep drop fishing for tilefish, grouper, rockfish, halibut and lingcod as target uses
Tanacom 1000 / 800 / 1200 ($799.99–$899.99) are the larger Tanacom sizes for more line and bigger fish, and the 2026 Tanacom S300J ($899.99) is the small jigging model.
Who it’s for: Anglers new to electric deep dropping, charter boats outfitting several rods, and anyone who wants Daiwa’s features at a lower price.
Sea Power 1200
Images: Daiwa
The Sea Power 1200 ($1,093) is a large-capacity powered conventional reel. It’s a simpler design than the Seaborg for anglers who want capacity and pull without the premium features.
Accessories
- Seaborg Remote Jog Lever ($349.99): remote speed control for Seaborg reels
- Batteries and cords: Daiwa sells its own lithium packs in some markets. In the US, many anglers use packs from specialists such as Black Oak LED, Abyss Battery or BatPower, which sell cords for Tanacom and Seaborg reels. See Reel Batteries.
Pros and cons
Pros
- The widest electric lineup sold in the US, with twelve reels from $749.99 to $3,399.99
- The Jog Power Lever makes electrics feel like conventional reels
- The compact Seaborg 500J is a proven South Florida deep drop reel with a stronger 2026 motor
- Published electrical specs (800MJ) make battery sizing easier
- Online schematics and parts support from Daiwa US
Cons
- The Seaborg 500J’s capacity (440 yd of 50 lb) is limited for daytime swordfishing depths
- The model and suffix names are confusing
- The premium models ($2,000–$3,400) compete with heavier-duty reels
- Much lighter duty than commercial reels on boats that fish every day
Daiwa vs. the competition
| If you want… | Consider |
|---|---|
| A hand-held deep drop reel you can jig | Daiwa Seaborg 500J or Tanacom S500J |
| Stand-up swordfish with two-speed control | Daiwa Seaborg 800MJ |
| One reel for deep drop and kites in South Florida | Shimano ForceMaster A 9000 |
| Commercial-grade durability and factory service in Florida | Lindgren-Pitman |
| Very deep drops with heavy line | Miya Epoch CZ series |
Where to buy Daiwa electric reels
Manufacturer / US distributor
- Daiwa US: daiwa.us (Power Assist Reels collection, electric reel schematics)
Retailers carrying Daiwa electrics (September 2026)
- Bass Pro Shops: Seaborg 800MJ / 1200M · basspro.com
- Johnny Jigs: Seaborg 500J, Tanacom S500J · johnnyjigs.com
- CharkBait: 2026 Seaborg 500J · charkbait.com
- Dominion Rods (erodfishing.com): authorized Daiwa electric dealer · erodfishing.com
- Alltackle: Seaborg and Tanacom series · alltackle.com
- Palmarius Outdoors: palmariusrods.com
- Melton Tackle, Tackle World, TackleDirect and Capt. Harry’s Fishing Supply (Miami) also stock Daiwa electrics. Call for stock.
Buy online (Amazon)
Verdict
Daiwa owns the recreational electric reel market in the US for a reason: there’s a model for almost every budget and depth. For most South Florida private boats, the 2026 Seaborg 500J is the pick. It’s compact enough to hold, strong enough for tilefish and grouper, and $1,199.99. First-time buyers and charter fleets should look at the Tanacom S500J at $749.99. For daytime swordfish, step up to the Seaborg 800MJ or larger for the capacity and the two-speed Mega Twin.
Deep-Drop.com rating: Range 5/5 · Build quality 4.5/5 · Power 4/5 · Value 4.5/5 · US availability 4.5/5
FAQ
What is the best Daiwa electric reel for deep dropping?
For most recreational deep dropping in Florida, the 2026 Seaborg 500J ($1,199.99) balances size, power (166 lb momentary winding) and price. For swordfish and deeper drops, choose the Seaborg 800MJ or larger.
What’s the difference between Seaborg and Tanacom?
Seaborg is Daiwa’s premium electric line with stronger motors and more features. Tanacom is the value line, $749.99–$899.99 in the US.
How much current does a Daiwa Seaborg 800MJ draw?
Daiwa lists a no-load current of 4 A, a rated current of 7/5 A (high/low), and a maximum of 20 A, on 12V DC (acceptable range 12–16.8V).
What does the Jog Power Lever do?
It’s a thumb lever for adjusting retrieve speed, so you can fight fish with the reel’s power the way you’d use a conventional reel.
Prices and specifications were checked against Daiwa US product pages and US retailer listings on September 25, 2026.