The 30 best vintage fishing reel brands
Shakespeare, Zebco and Ocean City lead our ranking of 30 vintage fishing reel brands. Compare what each brand makes, visit its official site, or shop it online.
Vintage Fishing Reel brands, ranked
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1
Shakespeare
Shakespeare makes spincast, baitcasting and spinning reels, and its older reels are widely collected.
Website: shakespeare-fishing.co.uk |Brands like Shakespeare
Popularity 10.0/10
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2
Zebco
Zebco is known for spincast reels, especially push-button models for beginners and casual anglers.
Website: zebco.com |Brands like Zebco
Popularity 7.1/10
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3
Ocean City
Ocean City made saltwater and freshwater spinning and surf reels, with many mid-century models collected today.
Website: ococean.com |Brands like Ocean City
Popularity 6.5/10
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4
Abu Garcia
Abu Garcia makes baitcasting, spinning and spincast reels, including classic Ambassadeur models.
Website: abugarcia.com |Brands like Abu Garcia
Popularity 6.4/10
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5
Penn
Penn makes saltwater and freshwater spinning, conventional and trolling reels, with long-running reel lines.
Website: pennfishing.com |Brands like Penn
Popularity 5.5/10
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6
Bronson
Bronson Laboratories is an American pharmaceutical company that specializes in vitamins and other health supplements. For over 60 years, Bronson has constantly been supplying the highest quality vitamins and has thrived in the market through rigorous research and outstanding customer service. Bronson offers over 450 health supplements for your skin, nails, and hair and improves your sleep and cardio. Bronson also provides a 100% money-back guarantee if you are unsatisfied with its products.
Website: bronsonvitamins.com |Brands like Bronson
Popularity 4.5/10
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7
Daiwa
Daiwa makes spinning, baitcasting and fly reels for freshwater and saltwater fishing.
Website: daiwa.com |Brands like Daiwa
Popularity 4.4/10
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8
J.C. Higgins
J.C. Higgins was a Sears house brand that sold mid-century fishing reels and rods alongside other sporting goods.
Website: jchigginscorp.com |Brands like J.C. Higgins
Popularity 3.6/10
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9
Johnson
Johnson made fishing reels, including Silver Hawk and Century models, now largely collected as vintage tackle.
Website: johnsongtr.com |Brands like Johnson
Popularity 3.6/10
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10
Leeda
Leeda is a UK tackle brand offering carp and specialist fishing reels and related accessories.
Website: leeda.co.uk |Brands like Leeda
Popularity 2.5/10
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11
Alvey
Alvey is known for side-cast and surf reels, including classic American models sold through the mid-twentieth century.
Website: alveyus.com |Brands like Alvey
Popularity 2.2/10
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12
Mitchell
Mitchell is a fishing reel brand known for spinning and baitcasting reels such as the Mitchell 300 series.
Website: paulmitchell.com |Brands like Mitchell
Popularity 1.8/10
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13
Rapala
Rapala is a leading manufacturer of fishing lures and accessories around the world. Their innovative product designs and technology continue to raise the bar for future generations of anglers, giving superior quality, performance, and value. The award-winning fishing lures from...
Website: rapala.com |Brands like Rapala
Popularity 1.7/10
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14
Quantum
Quantum makes spinning and baitcasting reels for freshwater and saltwater anglers.
Website: quantum.lk |Brands like Quantum
Popularity 1.3/10
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15
Abel
Abel makes fly reels, with machined aluminium models known among fly anglers.
Website: abelreels.com |Brands like Abel
Popularity 1.0/10
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16
Okuma
Okuma makes spinning, baitcasting and fly reels across a wide range of freshwater and saltwater models.
Website: okuma.com |Brands like Okuma
Popularity 0.9/10
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17
Vision
Vision makes fly fishing reels and rods, sold for trout and other freshwater fly fishing.
Website: visions.ca |Brands like Vision
Popularity 0.8/10
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18
Scientific Anglers
Scientific Anglers is best known for fly lines, and has also sold fly reels under its own name.
Website: scientificanglers.com |Brands like Scientific Anglers
Popularity 0.8/10
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19
SILSTAR
Silstar is a fishing company that stands for innovation and design. The products offered by the means are created with the best materials and exceed the highest standards. Offering fishing wires, rodes, motors, and more, the company commits to the...
Website: silstar.eu |Brands like SILSTAR
Popularity 0.8/10
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20
Sundridge
Having gained expert knowledge since its conception, Sundridge creates high-quality protective wear for the customer partaking in cautionary jobs. The range of goods includes helmets, thermals, specialist clothing, and more. The look of the garments caters to skilled workers with...
Website: sundridge.co.uk |Brands like Sundridge
Popularity 0.8/10
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21
Berkley
Berkley makes fishing line, lures and spinning reels, with reel models for freshwater and saltwater use.
Website: berkleyschools.org |Brands like Berkley
Popularity 0.7/10
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22
KastKing
KastKing makes spinning, baitcasting and fly reels sold at budget to mid-range prices.
Website: kastking.com |Brands like KastKing
Popularity 0.7/10
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23
Lineaeffe
Lineaeffe is an Italian-based company designing and manufacturing fishing tackle for over 35 years. They offer an immense range of products that every fishing enthusiast can dream of. The online catalog features Anodized aluminum reels, carbon fiber rods, spares, carbon,...
Website: lineaeffe.it |Brands like Lineaeffe
Popularity 0.6/10
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24
Eagle Claw
Eagle Claw is known for hooks and terminal tackle, and has sold spinning and spincast reels under its own name.
Website: eagleclaw.com |Brands like Eagle Claw
Popularity 0.5/10
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25
Airflo
Airflo is known for fly lines and leaders, and also sells some fly reels.
Website: airflo.com.au |Brands like Airflo
Popularity 0.5/10
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26
Orvis
Orvis makes fly reels as part of its fly fishing range, sold alongside rods and lines.
Website: orvis.com |Brands like Orvis
Popularity 0.4/10
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27
Lamson
Lamson makes fly reels, including Litespeed lightweight models, for trout and freshwater fly fishing.
Website: lamsonproducts.com |Brands like Lamson
Popularity 0.4/10
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28
Snowbee
Snowbee makes fly fishing reels, rods and lines, sold mainly in the UK and for game and sea fishing.
Website: snowbee-usa.com |Brands like Snowbee
Popularity 0.4/10
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29
Grauvell
Grauvell fishing products are for those who are passionate about the art of fishing. Their advanced fishing gear will surely provide you with an enjoyable fishing experience. They provide reels, boats, polarized glasses, and much more for sea and freshwater...
Website: grauvell.com |Brands like Grauvell
Popularity 0.4/10
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30
SAGE
SAGE is known for fly rods, and also makes fly reels sold for trout and saltwater fly fishing.
Website: sageappliances.com |Brands like SAGE
Popularity 0.3/10
Official websites and social accounts
| Brand | Website | X / Twitter | YouTube | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shakespeare | shakespeare-fishing.co.uk | /Shakespeare.UK | shakespearefishingeu | – | Catch More Fish |
| Zebco | zebco.com | /ZebcoFishing | zebcofishing | @ZebcoFishing | – |
| Ocean City | ococean.com | /OceanCity | oceancitymaryland | @OCMaryland | – |
| Abu Garcia | abugarcia.com | /abugarcia | abugarcia_fishing | – | abugarciatv |
| Penn | pennfishing.com | /pennfishing | pennfishing | – | PENNfishing |
| Bronson | bronsonvitamins.com | /BronsonVitamins | bronson.vitamins | @bronsonvitamins | Bronson Laboratories |
| Daiwa | daiwa.com | /DaiwaGlobal | – | – | DAIWA GLOBAL |
| J.C. Higgins | jchigginscorp.com | – | – | – | – |
| Johnson | johnsongtr.com | – | – | – | – |
| Leeda | leeda.co.uk | – | – | – | – |
