Company: Electric Fishing Reel Systems, Inc. · Brand: Elec-Tra-Mate · Founded: 1970 · Headquarters and factory: Greensboro, North Carolina · Category: Electric reel drives, commercial drives, teezer and dredge reels
Most electric reels are complete reels with a motor built in. Elec-Tra-Mate works the other way. For more than 50 years, this North Carolina company has built electric drive units that power the conventional reels you already own: Penn, Fin-Nor and Shimano. It also makes some of the most advanced electric teezer and dredge reels on sportfishing boats. Everything is built in its Greensboro factory.
This review covers Elec-Tra-Mate’s history, its recreational and commercial drives, the TD-2000 and TD-4000 teezer-dredge systems, and how to order.
Company overview
Elec-Tra-Mate was started by P.T. Huffman, who built an electric reeling mechanism for his own use in the 1960s. Charter and party boat captains wanted “an easier way to bring in fish” too, so Huffman founded the company in 1970. In 1974 he invested in GE injection molding to keep up with demand. Milestones since then:
- 2003: patented Electric TEEZERReels
- 2012: the Brute Series of commercial drives
- 2020: Hydraulic Brute models
The company describes its products as “American Made,” “built completely in the company’s North Carolina factory.”
At a glance
| Company | Electric Fishing Reel Systems, Inc. |
| Location | Greensboro, North Carolina (headquarters and factory) |
| Phone | 336-273-9101 |
| [email protected] | |
| Founded | 1970, by P.T. Huffman |
| Recreational drives | 28 designs for Penn, Fin-Nor and Shimano reels |
| Commercial | 1380-GH series, Brute Series, Hydraulic Brute |
| Teezer / dredge | Electric TEEZERReels, Pancake TEEZERReels, TD-2000, TD-4000 |
| Voltage | 12V DC, with 24V options on many models |
How an Elec-Tra-Mate works
An Elec-Tra-Mate drive is a motor unit that mounts on a conventional reel and turns it electrically. You keep your trusted reel, whether a Penn Senator, International, Fin-Nor or Shimano, and add electric retrieve. It’s a very different approach from buying a Daiwa or Shimano electric:
- Use reels you already own. Many boats already have a rack of Penn Senators or Internationals.
- Big conventional line capacity. A 4/0 or larger conventional reel holds far more mono or braid than a compact Japanese electric.
- Serviceable parts. The reel is a standard reel, and the drive is a simple, rugged motor unit.
Elec-Tra-Mate offers 28 recreational designs matched to specific reel models.
Standard Model 412-HS: the Penn Senator drive
The 412-HS is designed to power the Penn 113H2 4/0 Special Senator and related 4/0 Senators:
- Fits: Penn 113H, 113HL, 133HLW, 113H2, 113H2SP and 113H2LW (all 4/0)
- Voltage: 12V DC or 24V DC
- Weight: 80 oz · Size: 12 × 10 × 8 in
- Includes: a 10-ft power cord with a 15-amp twist-lock marine plug and a 3-position toggle switch
- Cord options: twist-lock plug, battery terminal rings, or solid copper alligator clips
- Battery pack option: 412HSBP, $179.99
- Note: motor only. The reel isn’t included.
Elec-Tra-Mate describes it as the choice of “professional captains who do not need the line capacity and power of larger” models. It’s a compact, light drive for bottom fishing on party and charter boats.
Who it’s for: Charter and party boats, and private anglers, fishing ocean and Gulf bottom spots with Penn 4/0 Senators.
412-T Turn-A-Mate: a motor for any single-speed reel
The Turn-A-Mate isn’t a fishing drive. It’s a motorized helper to “reel in empty lines while fishing, checking bait, or clearing lines while tournament fishing,” and for spooling new line.
- 12V DC, 10-ft cord with a 15-amp twist-lock plug, push-button switch
- Weight: 96 oz · Size: 12 × 10 × 8 in
- Single-speed reels only, with a crank adapter ($19.99 each):
- 11-932P: Penn 320 GTi, 330 GTi, 340, 345 and International series
- 11-516P: Penn 114, 115L, 116L, 117L and International 80T/80TW
- 11-8M75P: Daiwa 600H and 900H
- Battery pack combo (412HSBP): $179.99
Who it’s for: Tournament crews clearing lines quickly, and anyone who spools a lot of line.
Commercial drives: 1380-GH and Brute
For professional fishermen, Elec-Tra-Mate builds the 1380-GH series and the Brute Series, introduced in 2012, with Hydraulic Brute models added in 2020. These are built for daily commercial use, and hydraulic drives suit boats already running hydraulic systems. TackleDirect lists an Elec-Tra-Mate Commercial Electric Reel Drives category and an XP Series. Contact the factory for current commercial specs and pricing.
TD-2000 and TD-4000 teezer-dredge reels
Elec-Tra-Mate’s most advanced products are its electric teezer and dredge reels for marlin fishing. Sport Fishing magazine’s 2026 electric reel guide notes that the TD-2000 controls two reels and the TD-4000 controls four.
TD-2000
- Size: 20″ W × 16″ L × 7.5″ H, which Elec-Tra-Mate calls “the world’s most powerful and advanced low profile” electric teezer-dredge reel
- Two 10″ dredge spools, each with its own motor
- Capacity per spool: 679 ft of 400 lb mono or 422 ft of 600 lb mono
- Retrieve: 419 ft/min
- Voltage: 12V or 24V DC
- Controls: variable speed, a digital readout per spool, eight programmable memory positions (home and fishing), a “Prospect Memory Feature” that toggles between two distances to raise billfish, an emergency stop and a loud alarm
- Settings are kept when powered off
TD-4000
- Two 8″ teezer spools (300 ft of 300 lb mono each) at 464 ft/min
- Two 10″ dredge spools (679 ft of 400 lb or 422 ft of 600 lb mono) at 419 ft/min
- 24V DC
- All four spools run from one keypad, each with its own home and fishing positions
- Variable speed, digital position readout per spool, strike alarm, spool guards and line guides
- Up to two extra control panels can be added
Ordering: Both are ordered by phone only at (336) 273-9101. Prices aren’t published.
Who they’re for: Sportfishing boats pulling dredges and teasers for marlin and sailfish. They’re relevant to Florida boats that deep drop in the morning and troll for billfish in the afternoon.
Choosing an Elec-Tra-Mate
| You want… | Elec-Tra-Mate option |
|---|---|
| Electric deep drop or bottom fishing with Penn 4/0 Senators | 412-HS |
| Electric drive for a Penn, Fin-Nor or Shimano you own | One of the 28 recreational designs (call for fitment) |
| Clear lines and spool line fast | 412-T Turn-A-Mate plus a crank adapter |
| Commercial daily use | 1380-GH or Brute / Hydraulic Brute |
| Two dredges | TD-2000 |
| Two dredges and two teasers from one keypad | TD-4000 |
Pros and cons
Pros
- American made in Greensboro, NC since 1970
- Turns reels you already own into electrics
- 28 recreational designs for Penn, Fin-Nor and Shimano
- 12V and 24V options, with twist-lock plugs included
- Advanced programmable TD-2000 and TD-4000 teezer-dredge systems
- Commercial and hydraulic drives for professional fishing
Cons
- Drives are sold motor only, without the reel
- Many prices aren’t published, and the TD systems are phone orders only
- Heavier than compact Japanese electrics (80 oz for the 412-HS drive alone)
- Fitment is reel-specific, so confirm your exact reel model before ordering
Elec-Tra-Mate vs. other electric reels
| If you want… | Consider |
|---|---|
| Electrify your Penn Senator | Elec-Tra-Mate 412-HS |
| A complete compact electric reel | Daiwa Seaborg / Tanacom, Shimano |
| Commercial deep drop reels built in Florida | Lindgren-Pitman, Kristal Fishing |
| Dredge reels with Garmin integration | Lindgren-Pitman DTX |
Where to buy Elec-Tra-Mate
Factory
– Electric Fishing Reel Systems, Inc. (Elec-Tra-Mate), Greensboro, NC · 336-273-9101 · [email protected] · elec-tra-mate.com
– TD-2000 and TD-4000: phone orders only
Retailers
– TackleDirect: Elec-Tra-Mate battery packs, commercial drives and XP Series · 888-354-7335 · tackledirect.com
– Melton Tackle: meltontackle.com
Verdict
Elec-Tra-Mate is the choice for anglers who want electric power without giving up their conventional reels. The 412-HS turns a Penn 4/0 Senator into an electric bottom-fishing reel with 12V or 24V power and a twist-lock plug included. The TD-2000 and TD-4000 are some of the most advanced teezer-dredge systems available, with programmable positions and single-keypad control. They’re American made and backed by more than 50 years of experience. Expect to call the factory to confirm fitment and pricing.
Deep-Drop.com rating: Build quality 4.5/5 · Versatility 5/5 · Made in USA 5/5 · Price transparency 2.5/5
FAQ
Where are Elec-Tra-Mate reels made?
In the company’s factory in Greensboro, North Carolina. The company was founded in 1970 by P.T. Huffman.
Does Elec-Tra-Mate make a drive for the Penn Senator?
Yes. The Standard Model 412-HS fits Penn 4/0 Senators including the 113H, 113HL, 133HLW, 113H2, 113H2SP and 113H2LW, in 12V or 24V.
What’s the difference between the TD-2000 and TD-4000?
The TD-2000 runs two 10″ dredge spools. The TD-4000 adds two 8″ teezer spools, runs all four from one keypad, and uses 24V.
How do I buy a TD-4000?
By phone only, at (336) 273-9101.
Product details were checked against elec-tra-mate.com, Sport Fishing magazine and TackleDirect on September 25, 2026.