Company: Dolphin Electreel, Inc. · Location: Florida · Category: Electric motor drives for conventional big-game reels · Phone: 727-484-6705
Some anglers want electric power without giving up the big-game reels they already trust. Dolphin Electreel builds electric motor drives for Penn International, Penn Senator, Shimano Tiagra and Avet Pro reels, either as upgrades to your own reel or as complete motorized units. Sport Fishing magazine notes that Dolphin was “the first to make one with a manual override,” and that feature is at the center of its reels.
This review covers what Dolphin makes, the reels it converts, prices, power and speed, and who a Dolphin suits.
Company overview
Dolphin Electreel has been building motorized fishing reels for 26 years, according to its dealer listing at Cabbage Key Rod & Reel. The reels are built from “CNC machined components, marine and aircraft grade” materials, made in the USA. Business directories list the company in the Bradenton area of Florida’s Gulf coast, and its published phone number is on a 727 (Tampa Bay) area code.
At a glance
| Company | Dolphin Electreel, Inc. |
| Location | Florida (Bradenton area per business listings) |
| Phone | 727-484-6705 |
| Experience | 26 years building motorized reels |
| Reels converted | Penn International, Penn Senator, Shimano Tiagra, Avet Pro (50W, 80W) |
| Voltage | 12V or 24V |
| Retrieve | about 325 ft/min |
| Key feature | Manual override switch on all motorized reels |
| Warranty | 1 year |
| Price range | $899.99 (Senator upgrade) to $3,554 (complete Avet combo) |
How a Dolphin works
Dolphin adds an electric motor drive to a conventional reel. You can have Dolphin upgrade a reel you already own or buy a complete motorized reel. Each Dolphin reel has a manual override switch, so you can:
- Winch a heavy lead and bait up from 1,500 ft on the motor
- Switch to manual and fight a swordfish or big grouper by hand, the way a big-game angler wants to
Sport Fishing explains the appeal: manual-capable reels suit anglers who want a sportier swordfish fight while still using electric power to bring heavy weights up from 300 to 1,800 feet.
IGFA note: the same article points out that IGFA rules don’t allow records from a reel that was used electrically, even once, during the session, regardless of switching to manual afterwards. If you’re chasing a record, fish manual only.
Models and prices
Examples from Dolphin’s dealer page at Cabbage Key Rod & Reel:
| Reel | Type | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Penn Senator 114H | Upgrade (your reel) | $899.99 |
| Penn International 80VSW | Upgrade | $2,399 |
| Shimano Tiagra 80WA | Upgrade | $2,499 |
| Avet / Dolphin Pro 80W | Complete combo | $3,554 |
Sport Fishing also notes Dolphin modifies Penn International 50s, 70s, 80s and 130s, Shimano Tiagras and Avet EX models.
Specs
– Voltage: 12V or 24V
– Retrieve: about 325 ft/min
– Construction: CNC-machined, marine and aircraft grade parts, made in the USA
– Manual override on all motorized reels
– Warranty: 1 year
Accessibility
Dolphin markets its reels specifically for anglers with physical limitations or disabilities who want help reeling. An electric drive with a manual override lets an angler with limited strength or mobility fish big water and still have the choice to fight a fish by hand when they can.
Who is Dolphin for?
| Angler | Why Dolphin fits |
|---|---|
| Swordfish anglers who want to fight fish by hand | Manual override on a proven big-game reel |
| Owners of Penn Internationals or Tiagras | Upgrade your own reel instead of buying a new electric |
| Budget deep droppers with a Penn Senator | $899.99 Senator upgrade |
| Anglers with limited strength or mobility | Electric assistance with the choice to fight manually |
| Crews wanting heavy line capacity | Big conventional spools hold far more than compact Japanese electrics |
Dolphin vs. other ways to go electric
| Option | What you get | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Dolphin Electreel | Motor drive with manual override on Penn, Tiagra or Avet | $899.99–$3,554 |
| Elec-Tra-Mate | American-made drives for Penn, Fin-Nor and Shimano, plus teezer and dredge reels | varies |
| Lindgren-Pitman | Commercial electric reels, factory service in Florida | $5,495–$8,750 |
| Kristal Fishing | Complete level-wind electrics from Miami | $749.99–about $3,200 |
| Daiwa Seaborg / Shimano | Compact Japanese electrics with power-assist modes | $749.99–$3,399.99 |
Powering a Dolphin
- Choose 12V or 24V to match your boat. On larger boats with long cable runs, 24V reduces voltage drop.
- Use heavy wiring and a marine twist-lock connector. Big conventional reels under load draw serious current.
- Portable batteries can work on smaller setups, but check the current rating first. See Reel Batteries.
Deep dropping with a converted big-game reel
A Dolphin conversion gives you the line capacity of a big conventional reel. Here’s how to set one up for deep dropping:
- Line: heavy braid (for example 80–130 lb) as main line gives plenty of capacity for 1,500+ ft drops with margin for break-offs, and a long topshot or wind-on leader makes the last few feet easier to handle.
- Rod: a short, stout rod with a roller top and bent butt is ideal for a heavy converted reel. See Deep Drop Rods, including Crowder and Star Rods.
- Rig: a multi-hook deep drop rig with a heavy lead (often several pounds in the Gulf Stream), plus a light for deep species.
- Retrieve: use the motor to bring the empty rig up quickly between drops (about 325 ft/min), and switch to manual when you want to fight a fish.
Looking after a conversion
- Keep the manual override clean. Test it before each trip so it switches smoothly when you need it.
- Protect the motor and connections. Rinse carefully and don’t blast water into the motor housing. Keep plugs clean and dry.
- Service the base reel. The conventional reel under the motor still needs regular drag and bearing service.
- Check wiring and connectors each season, since corrosion at the plug is a common cause of electric reel problems.
Conversion vs a dedicated electric reel
A Dolphin conversion makes sense if:
– You already own a quality big-game conventional reel
– You want to keep a full manual fight option
– You want large line capacity for deep drops and big fish
A dedicated electric reel makes more sense if:
– You’re buying from scratch and want a compact, integrated unit
– You want features like depth counters and programmable retrieve (see Shimano and Daiwa)
– You fish from a small boat where weight matters
Pros and cons
Pros
- Manual override on every motorized reel (Dolphin was first with it, per Sport Fishing)
- Converts proven big-game reels: Penn International, Senator, Tiagra, Avet
- Upgrade your own reel or buy complete
- 12V or 24V, about 325 ft/min
- CNC-machined, made in the USA
- Built with accessibility in mind for anglers with physical limitations
Cons
- Company details (address, current website) are harder to confirm than for larger makers
- 1-year warranty
- Premium conversions ($2,399–$3,554) cost about as much as top Japanese electrics
- Conventional big-game reels are heavy compared with compact electrics
How to order
- Dolphin Electreel, Inc.: 727-484-6705
- Dealer: Cabbage Key Rod & Reel lists Dolphin electric reels with prices · cabbagekeyrodandreel.com
- Social: @dolphinreels on X
Call to confirm current models, prices and lead times, especially for upgrades to your own reel.
Verdict
Dolphin Electreel is for anglers who want electric power and the option of a real fight on a proven big-game reel. The manual override on a Penn International, Tiagra or Avet lets you winch the lead up from 1,500 feet and then fight a swordfish by hand. The $899.99 Senator upgrade is one of the cheapest ways into electric deep dropping. The accessibility focus also makes Dolphin worth a look for anglers with limited strength. Confirm the details by phone, since the company’s web presence is thin.
Deep-Drop.com rating: Versatility 5/5 · Build quality 4.5/5 · Value 4/5 · Company transparency 3/5
FAQ
What reels does Dolphin Electreel convert?
Penn International (50, 70, 80, 130), Penn Senator, Shimano Tiagra and Avet Pro/EX models.
Do Dolphin reels have a manual mode?
Yes. All Dolphin motorized reels have a manual override switch, and Sport Fishing says Dolphin was the first to offer one.
How much does a Dolphin electric reel cost?
Examples: Penn Senator 114H upgrade $899.99, Penn International 80VSW upgrade $2,399, Shimano Tiagra 80WA upgrade $2,499, complete Avet/Dolphin Pro 80W combo $3,554.
Can I set an IGFA record with a Dolphin reel?
Not if the reel was used electrically during the session. IGFA rules disallow records from reels used electrically even once, per Sport Fishing magazine.
Details were checked against Cabbage Key Rod & Reel’s Dolphin listing and Sport Fishing magazine on September 25, 2026.