Shakespeare Fishing Reels

Shakespeare fishing reels have created a niche in the market.

     The history of Shakespeare fishing reels goes back to the time when William Shakespeare, Jr. an avid fisherman of 27 years in 1896 wanted to develop and improve the prevailing fishing reels in the market. He evolved the device that helped in winding fishing line evenly back in the spool.

     According to William, Shakespeare fishing reels were the best and the newly designed level wind reel was far superior in make. Even today this feature is found in almost all the modern fishing reels. The very next year in 1897, William Shakespeare, Jr. laid the foundation stone of the William Shakespeare, Jr. Company which in 1915 was renamed as the Shakespeare Company.

     Thirty years later, Shakespeare fishing reels was sold by over 5000 dealers. In the year 1939, anglers required a light action reel brake to withhold spools from back lashing. This led to the development of the “back lash brake”. This new spectacular Shakespeare fishing reel was the most sought after gear in the fishing tackle market.

     In 1946, the fishing line production moved to Esterville, Iowa. Besides braided and fly line, the monofilament fishing lines were introduced for the first time. In the 50th year of its operation in 1947, Henry Shakespeare (William’s son) the head of the company, introduced the President Reel and the Glass Fiber fishing rod. This fishing rod transformed the fishing rod market making bamboo and steel rods virtually obsolete.

     Manufacture of rods was shifted to Columbia, South Carolina, and incorporated as the ‘Columbia Products Company’. This new factory was a center of research and development for fiber glass construction. After the owner’s demise in 1950, William’s name was elected in the sporting goods Hall of Fame.

     In 1953, the Shakespeare fishing reels launched the push button wonder cast spinning reel. The fiber glass production used in the fishing rod manufacture became the predominant operation in the new plant at Newberry, South Carolina. In 1966, Shakespeare acquired the Pflueger Company and opened a subsidiary operation in Ontario, Canada. In 1976, “Ugly Stik” tubular fishing rod was introduced in the market. It featured clear tip and ferrules construction.

     In 1985, the new president rods with triple built construction were launched followed by junior fishing kits for kids. Shakespeare fishing reels tried to introduce fly fishing and entered the ultra light tackle market with the new 2500 DLX spinning reel in 1992. This was followed by Shakespeare re-entering the bait cast market with Sigma bait cast reel. The spin casting reels were launched in 1996 along with round bait cast reels. The introduction of “Travel Mate” and excursion travel kit displayed that fishing tackle can be very compact and can be easily fitted into suitcases.

     The history of Shakespeare fishing reels indicates that this company can look forward to another 100 years of outstanding success and can retain its superiority in the coming years as well.