Daiwa has added two new models to its growing lineup of Tanacom Bull electric power assist reels for 2012, the TB500 and the TB750. Gear Fighter Dendoh was a popular animated series back in Japan at the turn of the millennium. Basically, it was two kids using their bodies to work larger than life transformer-type action figures against the forces of evil. Daiwa’s “Dendoh” series of power-assisted fishing reels borrows some of this mechanized transformer concept, allowing your body to control this automated electric “high-tech weapon” to do battle with the denizens of the deep drop.

There are currently a total of seven power-assisted electric reels in the Daiwa lineup and they include the grand daddy Dendoh Marine Power MP3000, a quartet of Seaborg reels with three of these Megatwin two-speeds, plus a trio of Tanacom Bull single speeds (TB1000, TB750 and TB500). The power assist reels we will focus on for this product review will be the two newbies to the Tanacom Bull tribe: the TB500 and the TB750.

In a nutshell, these Tanacom Bull power assist reels are the ultimate multi-taskers. When used as a kite reel, they can quickly wind in the kite after hook-up at the touch of a button and automatically stop when the job is done while you are left hands-free to fight the gamefish. There’s plenty of power and capacity for deep-drop angling too. Tanacom Bulls feature a cool programmable jigging function that will work the jig up in the water column without ever touching the reel handle. Just set it in a rodholder, select the variable jig function from the program menu and forget it!

The Tanacom Bulls are built with brass and aluminum bronze gearing; four ball bearings; a heavy duty rod clamp; Daiwa’s unique power lever for instant control of winding speed and power; a digital readout that measures the amount of line let out and the distance retrieved from the bottom; a programmable auto stop feature that stops winding when your lure reaches the surface; a manual winding option; convenient 12-volt DC operation; plus a washable design with sealed electronics, power cord and reel bag included. The LCD menu station is set on the top of the reel frame, activated via four waterproof keys and controlled with Daiwa’s power lever. A handy built-in levelwind smoothes line back onto the reel spool evenly and with a minimum of hassle and the star wheel adjusts the amount of drag resistance.

If you are trying to figure out how to hook up to an energy source to electrify the Tanacom Bull’s power assist capabilities, Daiwa has really made your job easy. The Dendoh rechargeable lithium battery pack offer anglers the freedom to finally use electric reels around the boat without the constraints of being wired directly to the boat's 12V power source. The Dendoh Lithium 8AH Seaborg Battery Pack and charger will set you back $499.99, but is a convenient unit that clips onto your belt and offers up to eight hours of running time.

If you are looking for an appropriate stick to mate with your cool new Tanacom Bull power assist reel, Daiwa’s Dendoh style deep drop rods are built to match the performance characteristics of these power assist reels. All Daiwa Saltiga Dendoh Deep Drop Rods come standard with a limited lifetime warranty. Daiwa Dendoh Deep Drop Rods feature power fiberglass blanks that are super strong, with high quality aluminum reel seats and curved aluminum butts to ensure years of trouble-free use. AFTCO roller swivel tops and Fuji Aluminum Oxide guides equip these deep drop rods, which includes five models: a pair of 40- to 100-pound at 5.5 and 6.5 feet ($170 each); two 60- to 150-pound at 5.5 and 6.5 feet ($170 each); and a 150- to 300-pound at 6 feet ($445). The model you choose will depend on your style of fishing, the gamefish you pursue and where you fish.

If you are tilefishing on the edge of the continental shelf in 450 to 750 feet of water, the TB500 could definitely work for you with a line capacity of 390 yards of 50-pound braid and a 17.6-pound max drag. If you are day dropping for swordies in 1,200 to 1,500 feet of water (like they do down south), the larger TB750 with a 550-yard capacity of 80-pound braid and a 48-pound max drag would probably be a better choice. If you are undecided, it’s always best to go bigger, since the cost difference between these two new bulls is only $50 ($799.99 for the TB750 and $749.99 for the TB500).

If you are looking to “transform” your style of fishing into the high-tech age, the new Daiwa Tanacom Bull could be for you. Check it out at a local tackle dealer.