Pulling teasers and dredges by hand is hard work, especially with heavy dredges or during a bait and switch when speed matters. Electric teaser reels make it easier. They are now common on sportfishers and increasingly popular on center consoles.
How they work
An electric teaser reel is a powered spool mounted on the boat, often on the bridge, hardtop, or gunwale. A line runs from the reel to the teaser or dredge. With the push of a button, the reel winds in or lets out line.
Benefits
- Fast retrieval: pull teasers out of the way instantly when a fish rises or hooks up.
- Heavy loads: handle large dredges that are difficult to pull by hand.
- Control from the helm: the captain can work teasers while driving.
- Less crew fatigue on long days.
Drawbacks
- Cost, including the reels and installation
- Power requirements and wiring
- More equipment to maintain
Who needs one?
- Billfish crews running dredges and bait and switch regularly
- Short-handed crews that cannot spare someone to work teasers
- Tournament teams where speed and efficiency matter
For casual trolling with a single light teaser, a manual setup is often enough.
Mounting
Teaser reels are usually mounted high on a tower, hardtop, or T-top to keep teaser lines above the fishing lines. Placement should allow teasers to run in the correct lanes without crossing other lines.
Alternatives
Manual teaser reels and simple hand lines with cleats work for lighter teasers. Dedicated rods and reels can also be used for dredges.
For running dredges, see how to run dredge teasers and best dredge for offshore fishing.
