Company: Hooker Electric, Inc. · Headquarters: Oakland Park, Florida · Main partner: PENN (International VI Electric reels) · Category: Electric reels and reel motors
Hooker Electric doesn’t build its own reel from scratch. It takes a PENN International VI or a Shimano Tiagra and adds a billet aluminum drive, variable speed, and on some models a level-wind, line counter and autostop. The results sell from $2,124.99 for a Tiagra 20A kite reel to $6,409.95 for a 130-class autostop reel (retailer and PENN prices, September 2026).
Company overview
Hooker Electric is based in Oakland Park, Florida, just north of Fort Lauderdale. Coastal Angler and Sport Fishing magazine both credit Tom Sandstrom with the design. Coastal Angler says he “loved daytiming for swordfish,” built prototypes in a shed, patented the design and started the company with CEO Trista Evans. A founding year is not published.
One thing buyers should know: hookerelectric.com now redirects to hookerpumps.com, the company’s pump brand, which lists no reels. The reels are sold through PENN and tackle shops. The Hooker Pumps site gives the address as 5094 NE 12th Ave., Oakland Park, FL 33334 and the phone as 954-530-6908 or 855-HOOK-ONE, the same number printed in the Hooker Electric reel manual.
At a glance
| Company | Hooker Electric, Inc., Oakland Park, Florida |
| Founded | Not published |
| Reel bases | PENN International VI; Shimano Tiagra |
| Price range | $2,124.99 – $6,409.95 (PENN / retailers, September 2026) |
| Motor (PENN lines) | 2HP brushless, 12/24V DC |
| App | ReelTime (iPhone/iPad only) |
| Warranty | Two years parts, one year labor (owner’s manual) |
PENN International VI Electric: Standard, Detachable and Autostop
Images: PENN
PENN sells three Hooker-powered International VI families on pennfishing.com. All use a “2HP Brushless 12/24V DC Motor”, 6061 billet aluminum, and are “Made in the USA.” The Standard and Detachable reels retrieve at up to 500 feet per minute with full variable speed.
| Line | Sizes | Price (PENN) | Key feature |
|---|---|---|---|
| International VI Electric (Standard) | 50, 80, 130 | $3,259.95 – $5,039.95 | Fixed motor, manual cranking retained |
| International VI Detachable Electric | 50, 70, 80 | $4,619.95 – $4,829.95 | Motor removes with a spring-loaded push pin |
| International VI Autostop Electric | 30, 50, 80, 130 | $3,989.95 – $6,409.95 | Level-wind, line counter, autostop, Bluetooth |
Prices from pennfishing.com, September 2026 (shown out of stock there; retailers listed stock).
Autostop sizes and specs (PENN)
| Model | Price | Max drag | Braid capacity (yd/lb) |
|---|---|---|---|
| INT30VISWAS | $3,989.95 | 30 lb | 1220/100, 1015/130, 750/200 |
| INT50VISWAS | $4,729.95 | 45 lb | 1810/100, 1505/130, 1110/200 |
| INT80VISWAS | $5,359.95 | 65 lb | 3640/100, 3025/130, 2235/200 |
| INT130VISAS | $6,409.95 | 100 lb | 5025/100, 4175/130, 3085/200 |
Each size comes in gold or silver (silver SKUs add an S). The Detachable 70 has a 55 lb max drag and holds 2,230 yd of 100 lb braid. Reel weight is not published by PENN.
Which PENN line? The Standard is the cheapest way into a Hooker. The Detachable lets you drop and retrieve under power, then pull the motor and fight the fish by hand. Sport Fishing notes that matters for IGFA record attempts. The Autostop adds a level-wind and a counter that stops the reel at your zero point, which is what most daytime sword boats want.
130 Dual Motor and Shimano Tiagra reels
TackleDirect lists a Hooker Electric Penn International 130VIS Dual Motor with autostop, level-wind and line counter at $6,409.95, and a Gen II Shimano Tiagra 130A Dual Motor at $6,248.99. Neither listing publishes motor output or amp draw.
On the Shimano side, Hooker also builds on the Tiagra 80WA. Chaos Fishing lists the Tiagra 80WA with level wind and counter at $4,999.00 (backordered), rated at up to 500 ft per minute, and calls it suited to “daytime Swordfish, dredge pulling for billfish, or deep-dropping for bottom dwellers.”
Kite reels
Kite reels are one of Hooker’s core products. They are small Tiagras with a fast motor.
| Model | Price | Listed speed | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tiagra 20A w/ Electric Reel Motor | $2,124.99 | Up to 800 ft/min at 40 lb drag | TackleDirect |
| Tiagra 30WLRSA w/ Electric Reel Motor | $2,164.99 | Up to 800 ft/min at 40 lb drag | TackleDirect |
| Shimano Tiagra 20 Kite Reel | $2,224.99 | 1,000 ft/min at 40 lb drag | Salt H2O Custom Tackle |
| Tiagra 20/30 Reel Motor Only | $1,499.00 (out of stock) | 0–500 ft/min | Hopkins & Carter |
Salt H2O lists the kite motor as a 1hp brushless 12VDC unit, not the 2HP motor on the PENN reels, and says it’s “capable of breaking spars under hi-wind conditions.” Retailer speed figures differ, so ask the dealer which motor version you’re getting.
Power and wiring
Hooker reels are high-current reels. Plan the wiring before you buy one.
- Voltage: the PENN lines run on 12V or 24V DC. Sport Fishing describes them as automatically 12- and 24-volt compatible. Retailer kite reel listings say 12VDC.
- Current: Hopkins & Carter lists the Tiagra 20/30 motor at up to 60 amps maximum, typically 40 amps at full load. That is three times the 20 A maximum Daiwa lists for its Seaborg 800MJ. Amp draw for the 2HP PENN reels is not published.
- Battery: the owner’s manual says to power the reel from a separate deep cycle battery, not your starting battery. Small handheld lithium packs won’t feed this kind of draw. See Reel Batteries.
- Wire and plug: the manual includes a wire-size chart based on ABYC E-11, with a maximum recommended run of 130 feet. Salt H2O says its kite reel ships with a 10 ft marine cord and a 30A Hubbell connector.
ReelTime app and controls
The Autostop reels have Bluetooth. PENN says you can “see your line counter, RPMs and control the speed from your iPhone or iPad.” The free ReelTime – Hooker Electric app on Apple’s App Store also shows autostop status and has an autostop override. There’s no Android version, and the App Store listing shows the last update (version 1.2) in December 2021. On the reel itself, speed is set by a dial.
Conversions, service and warranty
Hooker’s manual lists motor attachments for Shimano Tiagra 16, 20, 30, 50, 80 and 130 and PENN International 50, 70, 80 and 130. Motor-only kits such as the Tiagra 20/30 unit keep the reel’s own drag, anti-reverse and handle. The manual asks for a yearly check of wiring and plugs for corrosion, and says only Hooker Electric can service the attachment. Warranty is two years on parts and one year on labor.
Florida angle: swords, deep drops and kites
Double Threat Charters in Miami describes Hooker’s range as 80 and 130 lb class reels for daytime swordfish, 12–30 lb class kite reels and 20–50 lb class deep drop reels. An 80 Autostop holds 3,025 yd of 130 lb braid, far more than a compact reel like the Seaborg 500J (440 yd of 50 lb). For tilefish and grouper from a small boat, a Hooker 50 is a heavy reel to hold, and a compact Japanese electric is usually the better fit. For a sword boat that fishes every week, the Hooker is built for the job. Pair it with a proper deep drop rod.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Built on proven PENN International and Shimano Tiagra reels, with manual cranking kept
- Very fast retrieve: up to 500 ft/min on the PENN reels, up to 800 ft/min or more on the kite reels
- Detachable motor option for anglers who want to fight fish by hand
- Autostop, level-wind and huge braid capacity for daytime swordfish
Cons
- Expensive: most PENN models cost $3,259.95–$6,409.95
- High current draw, so you need heavy wiring and a dedicated deep cycle battery
- ReelTime app is iOS-only and hasn’t been updated since 2021
- Too big and heavy for hand-held deep dropping
Hooker Electric vs. the competition
| If you want… | Consider |
|---|---|
| A daytime sword reel with autostop and level-wind | Hooker PENN International VI 80 Autostop ($5,359.95) |
| A fast, powerful kite reel | Hooker Tiagra 20A or 30WLRSA ($2,124.99–$2,164.99) |
| A compact hand-held deep drop reel | Daiwa Seaborg 500J ($1,199.99) |
| A Japanese big-game electric under $3,400 | Daiwa Seaborg 800MJ ($1,999.99) or 1800M-RJ ($3,399.99) |
| Commercial-grade durability and factory service in Florida | Lindgren-Pitman |
| Another long-running US electric reel builder | Elec-Tra-Mate |
| A dedicated deep drop electric | Kristal Fishing |
| One mid-size electric for deep drop and kites | Shimano |
See all brands on our Electric Reels hub, including PENN.
Where to buy Hooker Electric reels
Manufacturer / partner
- PENN: International VI Electric, Detachable and Autostop · pennfishing.com
- Hooker Electric, Inc.: 954-530-6908 (hookerelectric.com redirects to hookerpumps.com)
Retailers carrying Hooker reels (September 2026)
- TackleDirect: PENN and Tiagra models, 130 Dual Motor · tackledirect.com
- Capt. Harry’s Fishing Supply (Miami): International VI Autostop · captharry.com
- J&H Tackle: International VI Autostop · jandh.com
- Chaos Fishing: Tiagra 80WA · chaosfishing.com
- Salt H2O Custom Tackle: Tiagra 20 Kite Reel · salth2ocustomtackle.com
- CharkBait: 30/50 Autostop (sold out when checked) · charkbait.com
- Hopkins & Carter: Tiagra 20/30 motor only · hopkins-carter.com
Verdict
Hooker Electric makes fast, heavy-duty electrics for Florida’s biggest jobs. For a daytime sword boat, the PENN International VI 80 Autostop ($5,359.95) is the pick. It has the capacity, the level-wind and a counter that stops at your zero point. The Detachable reels suit anglers who want to hand-crank the fight, and the Tiagra 20A ($2,124.99) is the kite reel. Budget for a dedicated deep cycle battery and heavy wiring. For hand-held deep dropping, choose something smaller.
Deep-Drop.com rating: Power and speed 5/5 · Build quality 4.5/5 · Swordfish suitability 5/5 · Value 3.5/5 · Ease of setup 3/5
FAQ
Who makes Hooker Electric reels?
Hooker Electric, Inc., of Oakland Park, Florida. It motorizes PENN International VI and Shimano Tiagra reels. PENN sells the International VI Electric lines on its own website.
What’s the difference between the Standard, Detachable and Autostop models?
Standard has a fixed motor. Detachable lets you remove the motor and fight by hand. Autostop adds a level-wind, line counter, autostop and Bluetooth.
Do Hooker reels run on 12V or 24V?
The PENN reels use a 2HP brushless 12/24V DC motor; kite reel listings say 12VDC. Either way, use a separate deep cycle battery.
Is there an Android app?
No. ReelTime is only on Apple’s App Store (iPhone and iPad). Its last update was version 1.2 in December 2021.
Prices and specifications were checked against pennfishing.com, the ReelTime App Store listing, the Hooker Electric owner’s manual, TackleDirect, Capt. Harry’s, J&H Tackle, Chaos Fishing, Salt H2O Custom Tackle, CharkBait, Hopkins & Carter, Coastal Angler, Sport Fishing and Double Threat Charters on September 29, 2026.