Company: Dakota Lithium · Owner: Dragonfly Energy (since August 2026) · HQ: Reno, Nevada · Category: 12V LiFePO4 batteries
Dakota Lithium doesn’t make a battery labelled for electric fishing reels. There’s no deep drop pack, no reel cable and no Daiwa or Shimano plug. What it does make is a range of 12V lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4) batteries sold for fish finders, ice fishing, kayaks and trolling motors, with an 11-year warranty on most models. Some of those can run an electric reel, and some can’t.
This review picks out the Dakota Lithium batteries worth considering for a Daiwa, Shimano or Banax electric, explains why current rating matters more than amp-hours, and covers the company’s recent change of ownership.
Company overview
Dakota Lithium’s site lists “a factory in Grand Forks, ND & an office in Seattle, WA,” and now carries the line “Powered by Dragonfly Energy,” with a head office at 12915 Old Virginia Road, Reno, NV 89521. On August 12, 2026, Dragonfly Energy, the Reno company behind Battle Born Batteries, completed the purchase of “the Dakota Lithium brand and related intellectual property, product inventory” and customer relationships for $4.0 million. Dragonfly says it will run Dakota Lithium “as a distinct brand alongside Battle Born Batteries” and plans to restore product availability.
In practice, some Dakota Lithium models showed “Notify when available” in September 2026. Check stock before you plan a trip around one.
At a glance
| Brand | Dakota Lithium (Dragonfly Energy) |
| Electric reel battery | None sold as such |
| Chemistry | LiFePO4, 12V |
| Best fit for a reel | 12V 10Ah (20A continuous) and DL+ 12V 25Ah (30A continuous) |
| Not suited to reels | 12V 10Ah Mini (≤10A) and 12V 20Ah USB (10A continuous) |
| Warranty | 11 years on the product pages we read |
| Charger | Sold separately; 12V 3A LiFePO4 charger is a +$30 add-on |
| Price range (reel-relevant) | $99–$410 (dakotalithium.com, September 2026) |
Why current rating matters more than capacity
An electric reel draws its hardest when it’s lifting a heavy lead and a fish from 800 ft. Daiwa rates the Seaborg 800MJ at up to 20 A peak. A vendor on The Hull Truth said the Banax Kaigen 1000 limits current to 25 A. A battery’s management system (BMS) will cut power if the draw goes past its rating, which on a reel means the motor stops mid-retrieve.
Dakota Lithium publishes continuous and peak current for its batteries, which is more than most reel battery brands do. That makes it easy to rule models in or out.
Dakota Lithium batteries that can run an electric reel
Images: Dakota Lithium
| Model | Continuous | Peak | Weight | Size | Terminals | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12V 10Ah Deep Cycle | 20A | 50A, 300 ms pulse | 2.77 lb (1.25 kg) | 5.94 × 2.55 × 3.78″ | F2 (0.25″ spade) | $99 |
| DL+ 12V 25Ah Dual Purpose | 30A | 300A pulse (300 CCA) | 6.4 lb (2.9 kg) | 7.125 × 3.03 × 6.69″ | M6 screw posts | $249 |
| 12V 54Ah Deep Cycle | 60A | 100A, 10 s pulse | 14.3 lb (6.5 kg) | 7.75 × 5.3 × 7.5″ | M6 bolt | $410 (listed; “Notify when available”) |
Specs and prices from dakotalithium.com, September 2026. Chargers are not included.
12V 10Ah. At $99, it’s the cheapest battery in this category with a published 20A continuous rating. That matches a Seaborg 800MJ’s peak with no headroom, so it’s better suited to mid-size Daiwa and Shimano reels than the biggest ones. Dakota Lithium rates it at “Up to 80% capacity for 2,000 cycles.” The small F2 spade terminals mean you’ll want a short pigtail with ring terminals or a reel socket rather than clamping alligator clips to the spades.
DL+ 12V 25Ah. The 30A continuous rating gives headroom for a Kaigen 1000 or a Seaborg 800MJ, and M6 posts take a reel cord’s clips or ring terminals easily. At 6.4 lb it’s a battery-box battery, not a rod-strap pack. Note that its product page lists both an “11 Year Warranty” and a “3 Year Limited Warranty”; confirm which applies.
12V 54Ah. Enough current and capacity to run two or three reels from one box on a center console. It was out of stock in September 2026.
Dakota Lithium batteries to skip for reels
| Model | Continuous rating | Price | Why not |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12V 10Ah Mini | ≤10A | $85 | Half the draw of a big reel under load |
| 12V 20Ah USB | 10A continuous, 20A max | $205 | More capacity, but a lower continuous rating than the $99 10Ah |
These are good batteries for fish finders and trail cameras, which is what Dakota Lithium sells them for. They’re the wrong choice for a deep drop reel.
Choosing a Dakota Lithium battery for your reel
| Your setup | Dakota Lithium battery |
|---|---|
| One mid-size Daiwa or Shimano, half-day trips | 12V 10Ah ($99) |
| Seaborg 800MJ, Kaigen 1000 or heavy leads | DL+ 12V 25Ah ($249) |
| Two or three reels from one battery box | 12V 54Ah, when back in stock |
| Fathom Electric | Only via PENN’s corded unit; see PENN batteries |
These pairings are our suggestions. Dakota Lithium doesn’t publish reel compatibility.
Setting up a 12V lithium box for deep dropping
Anglers have run Daiwa and Shimano reels off plain 12V batteries for years. In one Hull Truth thread, a member recommends an 18Ah sealed lead-acid battery for all-day use with Tanacom reels fishing to 800 ft, and another member wrote in 2023: “Dakota Lithium trolling motor batteries for me. Light weight, last years longer than lead-acid,” adding that a 23Ah battery fit in a small plastic box.
- Put the battery in a closed, vented box. Dakota Lithium doesn’t publish a waterproof rating.
- Fit an inline fuse sized to your reel on the positive lead.
- Use ring terminals or a 2-pin reel socket rather than alligator clips on F2 spades.
- Charge with a LiFePO4 charger. Dakota Lithium recommends a 12V 3A LiFePO4 charger (+$30).
Pros and cons
Pros
- Published continuous and peak current ratings
- 11-year warranty on most models
- $99 for a 10Ah battery rated for 20A continuous
- LiFePO4 chemistry, rated for 2,000 cycles on the 10Ah
- One larger battery can run several reels
Cons
- No electric reel battery, cable or reel plug
- Charger sold separately
- Heavier and boxier than rod-mount reel packs
- Stock gaps during the Dragonfly Energy handover
- Conflicting warranty terms on the DL+ 25Ah page
Dakota Lithium vs. dedicated reel batteries
| Brand | Battery | Built for reels? | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dakota Lithium | 12V 10Ah LiFePO4, 20A continuous | No | $99 + $30 charger |
| Black Oak LED | Deep Drop 10Ah LiFePO4 | Yes | $274.50 sale / $343.13 |
| Abyss Battery | Deep-Drop 10Ah, 14.8V | Yes | $299.99 |
| BatPower | ProF 15Ah | Yes | $319.99–$369.99 |
| X2Power | 12.8V 30Ah LiFePO4 | No | $199.99 |
A dedicated reel pack costs about three times as much as the Dakota 10Ah but comes ready to plug in, with the right connector and a charger. The Dakota route suits anglers who don’t mind making a cable.
Where to buy Dakota Lithium batteries
Manufacturer
- Dakota Lithium · All batteries · 12V 10Ah · DL+ 12V 25Ah · 12V 54Ah · 12V 10Ah Mini · 12V 20Ah USB
Company and background
- We Are Dakota Lithium
- Dragonfly Energy acquisition announcement
- The Hull Truth: electric reel battery thread
Verdict
Dakota Lithium isn’t an electric reel battery brand, and it doesn’t pretend to be. But it publishes the one number most reel battery makers leave out, continuous current, and that makes its range easy to sort. The 12V 10Ah at $99 is a cheap, honest option for a mid-size Daiwa or Shimano if you’re happy to build a cable. The DL+ 12V 25Ah has the headroom for a Seaborg 800MJ or Kaigen 1000. Skip the Mini and the 20Ah USB for reel work. If you want something that plugs straight into your reel, buy a dedicated pack instead.
Deep-Drop.com rating: Spec transparency 4.5/5 · Value 4.5/5 · Warranty 4.5/5 · Reel fit 2.5/5 · Availability 3/5
FAQ
Does Dakota Lithium make an electric fishing reel battery?
No. It sells general-purpose 12V LiFePO4 batteries. Some, like the 12V 10Ah and DL+ 12V 25Ah, have the current rating to run a reel.
Can a Dakota Lithium 12V 10Ah run a Daiwa Seaborg 800MJ?
It’s rated for 20A continuous, which equals Daiwa’s 20 A peak figure for the 800MJ. It has no headroom; the DL+ 25Ah (30A continuous) is the safer choice.
Who owns Dakota Lithium?
Dragonfly Energy of Reno, Nevada, which completed its $4.0 million purchase of the brand on August 12, 2026.
Does a Dakota Lithium battery come with a charger?
No. Dakota Lithium sells a 12V 3A LiFePO4 charger as a $30 add-on.
Specifications and prices were checked against dakotalithium.com, The Water Wire (Dragonfly Energy announcement) and The Hull Truth on September 28, 2026.